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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!
7199 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 1,000.00 ($US)
GREAT light sound - but you will need to amp it if you want to play with others. - comes with the pickup for the amp - sounds great with a roland micro cube.
Sound Rating: 10
Nice - no problems with the set up.
Setup Rating: 10
When it came in the face finish had a 2-3 inch long crack in it that was only in the finish "like a nitrocellulose lacquer crack". When I called the tec at JDMC they said it was nitrocellulose lacquer and said to buy some and spot repair and buff. NOPE... Not a nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
I called Gold Tone and they said it was a finish like super glue and said to ship it to them for repair, so I did. Today it came back to me and the crack is still there!!! They "tried" to fix it but damn, I have a grand in this new Banjola and it is cracked!!! GRRRRRRRRR You can see the crack and now where they buffed it is dimpled from the buffing wheel, not to mention they also scratched the back of it now while fixing it!!!
The new one they sent me is GREAT = but again has a finish flaw in the front - for the money I would expect perfict!
Appearance Rating: 4
Great - no problems - but hard to keep in tune and kinda hard to get in tune - but can be done - just takes a little longer. Still a 10.
Reliability Rating: 10
Great - they worked with me on the first one, no problem - just hate to WAIT for my toys!
Customer Service: 10
Great - no problems.
Components Rating: 10
The quality of the Pat Cloud Banjola was GREAT - it looks nice, it plays nice - only problem was the crack from someone slaming it down in the case with the packing around it when they shipped it to me. That caused the finish to crack on the top face of it, right where people look when you are playing it!!!
Janet Davis Music company worked with me on the Banjola and replaced the Banjola. The new one is GREAT and plays GREAT too!
It is GREAT to have another instrument and sound to play with out having to learn new cords and keys - totaly new sound - would buy one again.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Midwestern Music - Topeka, Kansas
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 900.00 ($US)
Great - best sound for the Price... Very professioinal looking and playing!
Sound Rating: 10
Little high on the action down by the head - I had to lower strings on the front by adjusting the rods inside. I had to finsih a fine set up and then re-tune it. I have found that you have to do that with every banjo you own. Now it is GREAT.
Setup Rating: 10
Nice - very nice.
MNB-2 Professional 24 Bracket 5-string Nickel Banjo:
Rim: 3-ply solid blocked mahogany rim
Tone Ring: 24 hole diecast bell brass tone ring
Flange Assembly: 2 piece tube and flange
Tuners: 10 to 1 gear ratio Ashton Bailey planetary tuners
Resonator: 14" Curly Maple Resonator
Inlay Pattern: Abalone Wreath Pattern Inlay
Fretboard: Rosewood
Bridge Wood: Rosewood Tipped Maple Bridge
Frets: 22 Nickel Silver
Head: Frosted Remo
Hardware: Nickel
Appearance Rating: 10
Only problem so far - I play a lot and have noticed that the nickle frets are wearing down on me were I fret the most, and I also am wearing the stain off of the frets in those same areas. But everything is expected as HARD and often I play this thing. The hardware nickle is still looking GREAT but needs to be cleaned all the time... That is nickle - but it looks richer then CHROME!
Reliability Rating: 10
no idea yet
Customer Service: 5
Only problem with the componets was the tuning pegs - they are plastic and crack. I have had them replaced with newer better ones. No problems now. No big deal!
Components Rating: 8
This is a very great 2nd banjo after your learning jo. This is a nice sounding jo and is better then the mgb-1's by FAR in looks and sound.
If you can find a mnb-2 with the nickle like this one BUY IT because they stoped making this one. Great sounding for the money! Very pro looking and playing too!!!
Overall Rating: 10
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