Enoch: Dobson 11"

Submitted by LA JONES on 3/5/2011

Where Purchased: Zepp Music

Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This is my first banjo. I have played guitar for 40 yrs and bass/mandolin for 10 yrs. I was only familiar with the Gibson banjo used in my bluegrass band... it would peel paint. The Enoch has a pleasing woody tone but still has a good bit of volume for an open back. Luckily i am at a point in life where I could spend what I wanted... the Enoch stood out, although I also heard a Reiter that I liked.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Banjo came set up very well... to my ears/eyes/hands. Again I have limited banjo experience but this seemed easy to play. The scooped neck allowed me to attack the strings in a manner which seemed comfortable. The action was certainly higher than my guitars but the banjo is very playable. I only gave it a 9 due to my lack of experience in evaluating banjo setups.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

It is a very clean and basic looking instrument. Very well constructed and has a good solid feel. I have bought enough high end guitars to know a good string instrument when I get one in my hands so I am confident in giving this a 10.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Hardware appears very durable and tuners are nice and tight. Finish is great and I would definitely be confident, as confident as I could be with any instrument, gigging without a backup. As nice of a banjo as it is... someone could still knock it off the stand and break something... always carry a backup.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

I called Kevin Enoch before I made my purchase and he was great. Spent all the time I wanted on the phone and answered all my questions. Kevin offers a lifetime warranty. I had a very hard time finding an 11" Enoch Dobson. I finally found one at Zepp music and they were very accommodating. Gave me a fair trade on an old Gibson guitar and I was good to go.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Components seem solid... no problems. If I had one concern it would be offering a gigbag as opposed to a hardshell case. Raise the price and only sell it with a hardshell case. It is too nice of an instrument to ship or carry in a gigbag. I ordered a hardshell case with mine and that is how it arrived. Gave it an 8 only because of the gigbag.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

Great instrument. I realize I am fortunate to be able to start learning on such a nice instrument. In the past I would buy a lower class of instrument with the knowledge that I could upgrade later on. I now realize I am already at later on. This banjo should do me while I am here on this earth (I am not sure if they allow banjos, or accordions, in heaven). Bought instructional DVD's from Dan Levenson, Patrick Costello, and David Holt. All the DVD's are good in their own way.

Overall Rating: 10