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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!
7225 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Rufus Guitar
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo is great, got rid of an RK-35 to get this. the sound is full and rich with perfect sustain.
Sound Rating: 10
Great set up, I suspect Deering set it up at the factory, I just had to tune it. I split the bridge, totally fault and I'm thinking of an upgrade
Setup Rating: 10
It is a thing of beauty, not pimped out with cheesy inlays, just enough nice scrolly inlays on fingerboard and peghead, much better than the round dots on older models. I took the resonator off and man, the rim is finished as good as the visible stuff. You get what you pay for!
Appearance Rating: 10
Hardware looks great, better than an old RB 4 I used to own years ago.
Reliability Rating: 10
I sent a query to Deering regarding the nut material[ebony], I got a reply the next day. I also emailed regarding the fact I put the warranty card through the wash, Janet herself emailed me, thanked me for my purchase and was totally happy with me registering online! RK can take a lesson from Deerings book re customer service, from zero to a 10. I'm one happy camper
Customer Service: 10
The finish on the rim REALLY impressed, this banjo was obviously built by hand with care. Good old American pride. Might not beat Asia pricewise but quality? Second to none. If I had $30,000 I would seriously think of getting their top of the line instrument.
Components Rating: 10
So pleasant to buy a product that exceeds your expectations these days.No wonder Greg and Janet can compete and prosper against the flood of Asian junk out there. This is like night and day compared to my RK.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Online Guitar
Year Purchased:
Price Paid: 600 ($US)
Its for bluegrass. virtually impossible to set up, even after $200 luthier work.
Sound Rating: 7
What can I say, unplayable when I got it, cost me $200 for a new nut, wood rim sand and set up.
Setup Rating: 1
Its easy on the eye, unstated beauty but like a lot of Asian junk its lipstick on a pig, hide quality with flash, I fell for it. Once the resonator is removed its almost impossible to put it back on as the studs on the pot are poorly spaced, no excuse for that.
Appearance Rating: 2
Hardware looks okay but who knows? Only time will tell and I have sold this thing already after only 3 weeks of ownership.
Reliability Rating: 8
Warranty? A joke! too long a story to go into here, but in my case, customer service was ZERO, the seller tried to help me and reimbursed me for the cost of a new nut as the one it came with was mis cut. It does have an international warranty but obviously it doesn't apply to us in Canada. Pity 1 is the lowest rating. This particular RK deserves a -10!
Customer Service: 1
Again, components look fine, pity they are assembled by less than top notch people. Serves me right for buying a banjo made in Asia lol!!! rice and cars but banjos? Not yet.
Components Rating: 8
I have been through hell with this sub par instrument. I listened to the hype of the RK Koolaide drinkers on here and I got a Friday model. Maybe they are mostly good, mine was a joke. Thank God I managed to get rid of it to someone who I pointed the flaws out to and was prepared to play with it. I lost my shirt on it.
Overall Rating: 1
Where Purchased: Mikes website
Top quality, just like the one I had for my tenor. Mike is a really nice guy and he was very concerned about deliery. I live in Canada and it was one of the best cross border transactions ever.Thanks Mike, my family thanks you too loo!!!!!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Private sale
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: 1900 ($US)
Sounds like a cannon, just the sound I was looking for. Loud, full and rich
Sound Rating: 10
Set it up myself upon delivery so I will not rate that
Setup Rating: not rated
Beautiful burled walnut resonator, walnut neck and Flying eagle inlay on fingerboard, everything I always wanted.
Appearance Rating: 10
Fit and finish look superb, this banjo is over a year old and shows no signs at all of poor finish.
Reliability Rating: 10
No comment, never dealt with them.
Customer Service: not rated
I'm not too keen on tailpiece, looks a little flimsy. Resonator is awesome, love burled walnut, so rich.Beautiful, fast easy to play neck. All in all it is built like a tank
Components Rating: 10
Yes, I love it I would cry if it was stolen and would lie to the insurance company and tell them I paid $4500 and buy another. The best sounding banjo I have been around, ever.
Overall Rating: 10