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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7227 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Cedar Mountain Banjos
Year Purchased: 2016
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Just how a 12" southern Appalachian banjo should sound. Big, rich with a tone on the mellow side. Has a nice plunk and doesn't seem to suffer from excessive overtones many larger banjos have. Works great with a fiddle, loud enough to be heard but not competing or too brash. Just gorgeous tone all the way around the fingerboard. It rings in a way all the musicans near me would refer to as "round peak" with a little twinkle in their eye.
Sound Rating: 10
I added the usual slight stuffing in the back. The banjo came from Tim properly set up. Action is perhaps higher than some other banjos, but in a way that is very accommodating to my approach to banjo playing. It appears to be very adjustable to suit any player
Setup Rating: 10
Pretty damned gorgeous. Some of the best figured maple in a neck I've seen. Rim is block rosewood with nice marquetry strip. Ebony board is jet black with a nice moon and 7 stars inlaid. Hardware has a nice polish and the wood finish is very handsome. It's a beautiful piece of work.
Appearance Rating: 10
It's new but is built very well. All materials look top notch. The finish may be thinner than some other banjos but appropriate for what this banjo is and not lacking in quality. It's a mountain banjo for a mountain player. Doesn't need a thick gloss on it
Reliability Rating: 10
Top notch. Tim answered all my questions promptly and the build time was only 6 months. I'll deal with him again.
Customer Service: 10
Like I said, it's a real solid banjo. I don't plan on upgrading a thing, and I'm usually one to tinker with things. It's just right.
Components Rating: 10
I'm glad I own this. I hadn't owned a 12 inch banjo and this definitely satisfied that need. I can't really see it getting any better than this.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Really great. Tom at Janet Davis sets up all their banjos and he can get the best out of any banjo. It is loud for having a rolled brass tonering, and NOT at all tubby. It sounds clear as a bell up the neck also. I play clawhammer and 3 finger both and I think this banjo does a nice job with either style.
Sound Rating: 8
Set up was awesome and still is. Like I said, Tom does the setup and the action was great, no buzzing frets. Head was nice and tight.
Setup Rating: 10
Great. It was setting right next to a Huber Lancaster and looked just about like it. The finish has no flaws and the hardware is top notch for a banjo in this price point.
Appearance Rating: 9
Hardware is solid and I think it will last a lifetime, but RK is known for good hardware. The finish isn't like that of a Deering or Gibson, but then again this banjo didn't cost that much. For what it is, it is fantastic.
Reliability Rating: 8
JDM is always great. I get a new instrument there about every 3 months and I just keep coming back.
Customer Service: 10
The tuners are a real gem compared to my Morgan Monroe banjo. The coordinator rod is a little thin but that is really the only downside.
Components Rating: 8
Great banjo, no better banjo in this price bracket.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: The Banjo Hut.com
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Great sound in this price range. In fact, I believe it wayyyy outshines the Gold Tone CC-OT and others like it. It came with a fiberskyn head. I am not a fan of fiberskyn heads, but I actually don't mind it on this banjo at all. It is loud with just the right amount of sustain and plunk.
Sound Rating: 9
The guys at Banjo Hut did a great setup on it. Action is great with no buzzing frets or issues of any kind. I am considering swapping the bridge out but other than that I think it is great.
Setup Rating: 9
Very nice appearance. The binding looks great and is a nice bonus for a banjo this inexpensive. The rim also has a great cap of rosewood on the bottom. It cleans the banjo up real nice and makes it look like a higher end banjo. The star inlays aren't too fancy but look good. No finish flaws or hardware problems.
Appearance Rating: 9
This banjo is heavy for an openback and is build very solid. I have other banjos costing much more but this one still seems as solid as they do.
Reliability Rating: 8
Banjo Hut.com was great. I ordered the banjo on Thursday and had it in my hands on Saturday. No complaints.
Customer Service: 10
Components look good. Sure, they aren't as nice as custom components but they work and I don't anticipate changing them out for new ones.
Components Rating: 8
This is a great banjo. I own a lot of banjos and figured I would gamble on this one as a backup banjo. I have been pleasantly surprised though. I love it.
Overall Rating: 9