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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!
7202 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Acutab
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 3100 ($US)
Rich mahogany sound all the way up the fingerboard. This banjo is incredibly responsive no matter how hard/soft you pick. Great tone separation. Give it a few years and it will be a 10.
Sound Rating: 9
Action set nice and low. I don't care much for tinkering, and with Steves setup I don't need to. A slight tightening of the head was required, as with all new heads/banjos. Head set at G#, Neary Torque Wrench included.
Setup Rating: 10
Tasteful design without flaws. The mahogany is beatiful, as is the rosewood fingerboard with some dark streaks running down the neck. Pretty!
Appearance Rating: 10
This instrument will last for centuries if properly cared for.
Reliability Rating: 10
Purchased through John Lawless at Acutab. Need I say more? Came with a lifetime warranty, I don't expect I'll ever have to use it unless it breaks as a result of my own clumsiness or such.
Customer Service: 10
If it had Keith tuners it would be a 10.
Components Rating: 9
If you like the mahogany sound, this banjo needs to be considered. I expect it to hold it's value against anything else on the market today. If it was stolen I'd hunt down the thief and beat him with a club.
Overall Rating: 10