Submitted by Gonzoso (see all reviews from this person) on 8/24/2010

Where Purchased: East Stroudsburg Pawn

Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: 125 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

I got this as a backup/travel/beater banjo. I really like it, it sounds great. It is pretty loud and has a sweet sound too it. Kinda twangy but not too much so. I am almost liking it as much as my Mastercraft Classic. I gave it a ten because this sounds darn good for a 125$ banjo, way better than I expected.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

It came from a pawn shop. God knows who had it before me or how long it sat in the dry air conditioned room for. The strings were rusty, the head was loose, but otherwise in good shape.

Setup Rating: 5

Appearance

It has nice inlay in the fret board. It is a pretty plain banjo, nothing fancy. All the wood is pretty well fitted.

Appearance Rating: 7

Reliability

This poor banjo must have gone through hell I think. The strings were old, pitted and rusty. It sounded terrible when I played it in the shop. The head was loose and it was not kept well. Despite this with a little help from the internet and a book I was able to get this banjo sounding great in an hour or so, new strings, tightening the head, etc. The guitar tuners are simple but they work well.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Not applicable

Customer Service: not rated

Components

This banjo seems to be identical in every way to a Gold Tone CC100. The tuners, neck, tone ring, tailpiece all look the same, the only difference is the shape of the head and the label as far as I can tell.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

This is a nice banjo, it sounds very good. I don't think they make it anymore so if you find one used for a fair price I would recommend it. If you want something to compare it to look at a cc100 by gold tone, probably made by the same asian company.

Overall Rating: 9

Submitted by New Kid (see all reviews from this person) on 1/8/2006

Where Purchased: banjo hut

Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

nice beginer banjo sounds great projects well ...Update 03/2006, This banjo gets better and better has a great old openback sound as a great first banjo to learn on or a travel banjo great buy.Wish they offered a resonator kit to go with it!

Sound Rating: 7

Setup

setup well

Setup Rating: 6

Appearance

understated all light maple wood

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

very light seems fragile to me but have not had any problems

Reliability Rating: not rated

Customer Service

banjo hut was a nice shop .Owner seemed initially uniterested in selling me a banjo but came thru with a nice deal on a better banjo than I was originally looking at, along with a starter package.

Customer Service: 8

Components

Components Rating: 7

Overall Comments

great travel banjo, have recently upgraded but ill still keep it . For the price its a good basic openback banjo. i would buy it over a deering goodtime any day 1/2 of the price.

Overall Rating: 9

Submitted by Unknown on 5/1/2005

Where Purchased: Mountain Music, Old Forge, NY

Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 199 ($US)

Sound

I play 2 and 3 finger style and some claw hammer.
I was very impressed with the sound of this banjo. Very bright, crisp tone, and excellent sustain, not what I expected from an open back.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

I had the music store owner tighten the head a little as he said that he had just gotten it in and had only been set up for about a week. Other than that, no problems with the set up. I may put meduim guage strings on it in the future as the strings that are on it seem to be light guage.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

This is a pretty basic open back banjo. Maple neck with light flame veneer on the head stock, RW fret board, cross-type inlays (nicely done, no filler present), light finish or maybe just sealer (?) on the neck and maple ply rim. Good fret work (not scratchy or sharp).
Remo head, rolled brass tone-ring (!), gutiar type tuners that might remind you of Klusons, maple and RW bridge.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Chrome plated hardware seems fine. Tuners are OK for the price. The finish is either very light, or maybe just a sealer was used as the wood feels somewhat un-finished.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

This is my second Morgan Monroe banjo and have not had to contact the company. The dealer is very helpful and knowlegable (Al, at Mountain Music). He knows banjos and gives excellent service. He gets a 10.

Customer Service: 10

Components

This appears to be a very well made banjo for the price.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This banjo is a good deal for anyone wanting a travel/practice banjo that sounds like a more expensive instrument. For $199, it is a good value.

Overall Rating: 10