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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!
7203 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Ted's Musicians Shop, Baltimore
Year Purchased: 1962
Price Paid: 60 ($US) (bought USED)
For years I kept the calfskin head but 10 years ago I replaced it with goatskin and the sound came to life. It was quite a surprise. Others who have played it think it sounds better than a Goodtime.
When I first played this banjo I was frailing and with the calfskin head it sounded very good. It doesn't have a lot of punch for Bluegrass.
Sound Rating: 6
The setup as purchased was not great. I was pretty young when I bought it and I did what I could at the time. More recently I replaced the head and bridge and tried different strings. The neck is not adjustable and attempts to get better action usually fail.
Setup Rating: 3
It looks okay but, again, this was a very cheap banjo. I think it looks better than a Goodtime because it's black and the fretboard is nicer.
Appearance Rating: 5
The hardware has lasted for the 50 years I've owned it. The pot is plastic (Bakelite) and looks decent for its age. The neck is painted and shows its age, but not to the ugly point. This isn't a gig banjo but I did play it in public and it was my only banjo at the time.
Reliability Rating: 4
I didn't buy new but the pot had a 5-year warranty at the time. The hang tag I have says "In all other respects this instrument is subject to our standard guarantee..." I have no idea what that was.
Customer Service: 3
The only serious repair I ever made was to the 5th string peg, which worked its way out. All the parts are cheap but it doesn't make much sense to upgrade anything on the banjo.
Components Rating: 4
My Harmony is playable but I haven't played it much. I have it for sentimental value and if I every sell it the reason will be primarily historical.
No, it's not a great banjo but it did get me through a few gigs that I and my buddies played while we were in high school. I do think it's a pretty good starter banjo.I will say that having played a Goodtime, I prefer the Harmony.
Overall Rating: 5
Where Purchased: Private Sale
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: 375 ($US) (bought USED)
Sounds excellent for Bluegrass and could be improved with further tweaking. I like my Woodsong better, but if I had found the Saga BV before I ordered the Woodsong, I would have been satisfied. I did replace the supplied bridge with the $1.50 FQMS bridge, which was a huge improvement.
Sound Rating: 9
The banjo had been neglected and was not set up. I tore it down and set it up. In that regard I'd rate setup bout a 9. However, the one problem is the coordinator rods, which are crooked. That's a manufacturing defect that cannot be easily corrected.
Setup Rating: 5
Very attractive. Bella Voce inlay pattern, mahogany neck and resonator, concentric circles inlaid in resonator, eagle claw (clamshell) tailpeice, plain nickel & chrome hardware. Neglect led to severe pitting of the tension hoop (between head and hoop), but it cleaned up reasonably well.
Appearance Rating: 9
The banjo was made in either 1979 or 1980. The hardware is original. I see every reason to expect the banjo to last indefinitely if properly cared for.
Reliability Rating: 10
n/a. I do the service now and rate myself...
Customer Service: 10
All the components are solid but nothing stands out. I would categorize the hardware as generic Asian. Because of the neglect of the tension hoop and the fact that it is pot metal, I may replace it. I see no reason to make any other changes.
Components Rating: 9
I'd recommend the Saga BV at twice the price, at least; there's no question I got a bargain. I do love the banjo for its appearance and sound. If stolen, I'd want to replace it but because they were only made for two years, I'd have some trouble doing so. Despite the bargain, the coordinator rod problem severely reduces the resale value of this instrument.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: From Maker
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: 1300 ($US)
Rich, bright sound, perfect for Bluegrass, just what I wanted.
Sound Rating: 10
Excellent setup; I wish I could set up my other banjos as well. Buttery action. Perfect intonation.
Setup Rating: 10
Aged Pennsylvania curly maple neck & resonator; Hearts & Flowers inlay in an ebony fingerboard; plain resonator. Beautifully, deeply finished with a brown stain, the maker's favorite. My initials inlaid at the 21st fret; I do not plan to sell this banjo, ever.
Appearance Rating: 10
Picked it up yesterday (August 2003), so no experience. The quality is the same as for a banjo costing twice as much, so I expect reliability to be excellent.
Reliability Rating: 10
No specified warranty, but Cork will stand behind his work. Dealing directly with the maker is a great way to buy a banjo. Being eye to eye and shaking hands goes a long way.
Customer Service: 10
Everything is top-notch. I wanted one non-standard part (Gibson armrest vs. Vega) and the banjo was built that way. FQMS parts, 5-Star tuners.
Components Rating: 10
You cannot beat this banjo for the money. I think Cork may be raising his base price ($1200), but it will still be a bargain. Cork's work regularly appraises for as much as double the price. You must be willing to wait 3-4 months from the time of order. If stolen, I'd try to have Cork build me another one.
Overall Rating: 10
