All Banjo Reviews (By Submitter)

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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!

7170 reviews in the archive.

Gibson: RB-250

Submitted by Randy Waller on 1/10/2011

Where Purchased: A Nashville music store.

Year Purchased: 1985
Price Paid: 800 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

Never played a banjo in 1985. Still learning. This banjo is so loud a guitar player better play hard. Great crisp sound. This is a heavy banjo and is the only dislike.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Had frets checked 15 years ago and I think it could use a few newer ones. I don't know if it was setup at purchase but a good player said it was fine.June 2017, having neck repair at Yates Banjo in Hickory, NC. Don't know if neck being repaired or a new neck put on. I suspect it is a new neck. This RB-250 is now for sale for $2000, since I recently purchased a new Yates RB-75 for $5125. This banjo is such a good banjo with clear crisp sound. I love it. Get one on order today but be prepaired to wait since they are in such demand. Well worth though.

Setup Rating: 6

Appearance

Beautiful finish and inlay work..

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

Good finish since 1985. Neck has been repaired once because of it being bumped. Dependable banjo.

Reliability Rating: 8

Customer Service

Never contacted the company.

Customer Service: 6

Components

Tone ring great. String cover could look more expensive.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

Great purchase, still playing when I can. Best $800 I spent in 1985. Second banjo is Yates RB-75, to me a better sounding banjo and not nearly as heavy as the Gibson RB-250.

Overall Rating: 9