Submitted by SalBanjo (see all reviews from this person) on 6/18/2015

Where Purchased: Online

Year Purchased: 2015
Price Paid: 320 (€) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

My Concert Tone banjo has a very rich sound with the resonator; before this, I used a Fender Rustler Open-Back banjo, so I could feel the difference. Its sound is warm, sometimes similar to the guitar's one, but when played next to the bridge, it gets back into a Bluegrass instrument.

Sound Rating: 8

Setup

It was very difficult to set it up when it was delivered: I heard some "buzz", so I was really becoming crazy, until I realized that there was a problem on the neck. I tried to fix it through the truss rod, and in fact that buzz went away... but sometimes I hear new buzzes, and I feel ready for psychiatric hospital. This shouldn't happen on a product like this! Fortunately, these things can be fixed easily! Another bad point were the scratches on the resonator. This was probably because the instrument has been kept in the shop for a long time; but this is also the reason of its low price, lower than in USA!!

Setup Rating: 6

Appearance

It has a very fine appearance, indeed the first thing I said when out of the box was: "Wow, what a wood!". Its inlays make it sightly and attractive, but the headstock is such an orrible thing: it looks like plastic! I know it isn't, but I'd have preferred it without laque.

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

Of course, even though it was a bargain, I know that I can't expect too much from this instrument; but it's good for a novice like me, and could appear on a stage without any problems.

Reliability Rating: 8

Customer Service

They were very friendly, although I did all myself eventually.

Customer Service: 9

Components

The banjo was well-equipped, with good strings; the wrench and the head key were perfect. The only problem was the bridge, which had large slots, and seemed to be very frail; but I'm still using it, and it seems to be fine.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

To sum up, it's a good instrument, perfect for novices. Its price could seem a little bit high, but for me it was a bargain. If you want an instrument to play immediately out of the shop, make sure it is completely new, and not creaky after months or years in the same place.

Overall Rating: 8