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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!
7238 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Crafters rep
Year Purchased: 2002
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo has a full, powerful sound. Probably a little richer-sounding than a typical maple Gibson with about the same volume. It also has excellent tone when played on the lower frets. The higher frets weren't as clear and crisp at first, but that is improving well with age.
Sound Rating: 10
For a new banjo, this was set up very good. The action was just right, and only the routine head adjustments had to be made.
Setup Rating: 10
The inlay is striking. It has a flower-pot type of design in the headstock which uses an interesting combination of mother of pearl and abalone, instead of only one or the other. Maple is also highly flamed.
Appearance Rating: 10
The quality is top notch. Only time will tell but I doubt anyhting will need replaced in the near future.
Reliability Rating: 10
The original case was warped when I got the banjo, so I sent it back for a replacement. For the old case plus $40, they gave me a case that was probably worth twice as much as the original. It was quick service as well.
Customer Service: 10
All the parts are great, especially the tone ring. Probably one of the better tone rings on the market today (the Tennessee 20). Many of the other parts are basically the same things used in Gibsons, except the tuners. It has the five star planetary tuners, and they have performed very well so far. Every bit as good as the Vintage two bands on my Gibson.
Components Rating: 10
I would definitely reccommend this to any banjo player. I have a great Gibson Earl Scruggs model I got in 1999, so it has a little edge soundwise over the Tennessee, but the Tennessee is catching up fast. I also like the playability of the Tennessee better. If I were shopping for a new banjo, I'd definitely look at Tennessee Crafters.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Janet Davis
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Silky and sharp. Vibrant sound. Great volume. Beautiful up the neck.
Sound Rating: 10
Set up by JDMC was fine. Action just right and tailpiece perfect.
Setup Rating: 10
Beautiful gold plating, wonderful lacquer and fantastic grain. Inlay is stunning. There were a few bubbles on the back of the neck between the 6-10 frets. JDMC repaired them perfectly at no cost.
Appearance Rating: 9
Time will tell but quality is there so it should be fine. I don't expect the gold plate to last on the arm rest but that's natural.
Reliability Rating: not rated
Haven't dealt directly with TC but JDMC was efficient, quoted a fair price and threw in a few small accessories at no cost (string winder, spikes). The tailpiece cover spring was projecting too far and a few bubbles on the back of the neck. Both were repaired at no cost (they paid freight both ways). Communication was superb thoughout. Never a questio about standing behind the sale.
Customer Service: 10
Presto tailpiece might be changed. Cover can buzz under strong play. Everything else is top of the line.
Components Rating: 9
Great banjo and definitely a keeper. Probably the last I'll ever buy. I love it and everyone who has seen it is blown away by the appearance and sound.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Banjo hangout
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
For Blue Grass this Banjo is a Hot Rod
I have owned Gibson RB250, Washburn B16, Epiphone MB 200, and an old 1974 GTR.
Absolutely Best and loudest
Sound Rating: 10
was setup by different person than factory. I took it to the factory and had there setup man do it for me WOW and he can't even play a lick on the banjo. Haven't made any changes since the factory setup.
Action, tone, clarity easy to play
Setup Rating: 10
Beautiful Curly Maple neck and Reasonator
ornate Inlay
no flaws, runs, drips, or errors
Well made , attention to detail
Appearance Rating: 10
excellant finish, hardware
WELL BUILT INSTRUMENT
Reliability Rating: 10
Very good Folks at the factory to work with
Was told they would take care of any defects-even if I wasn't ORIGINAL OWNER (hear that gibson)
Customer Service: 10
I don't think, IMO, that they can perfect this banjo that is so close to perfection
Components Rating: 10
Highly Recomend any Tennessee Banjo or any other of there instruments
Prices are very reasonable for the Quality you get
If this Banjo were to be stolen Some one would pay dearly it is like one of my kids
LOVE IT. It is such a dream to play and in a jam of 2 or more Banjos Tennessee always comes to the top
To compare my Tennessee Banjo wouldn't be fair to the other Makers
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Private Seller
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 1850 ($US)
I just bought the banjo to replace a Deering Sierra as my primary banjo. I play bluegrass pretty exclusively on the banjo, so it suits my style great. It has a very loud, bright sound. Much louder and brighter than the Sierra. It has a great deal of range, too. Sounds terrific up and down the neck.
Sound Rating: 10
It was not set up to my liking -- a bit too dark and mahogany-ish. I plan to take it in to my set-up guy and have it tuned up to sound like what it is: a powerful, clear maple banjo. I'm sure he'll adjust the head and tailpiece.
Setup Rating: 5
It is a gorgeous banjo. Elegant, beautiful inlay, without being gaudy. Love the ebony headstock.
Appearance Rating: 10
The hardware looks great and seems of very high quality.
Reliability Rating: 10
Haven't dealt with Crafters yet (I've only had it a day!).
Customer Service: not rated
Came from seller with Remo head, Presto tailpiece, and Scorpion bridge. I think they normally come with a Snuffy Smith bridge.
I will very likely have a TonyPass rim put in.
Components Rating: 10
Absolutely yes, I would recommend it. I think I got a good deal. Only two years old and in virtually mint condition. It's in a completely different class from the Sierra, so I'm digging it in a big way. Its sound is so powerful that I can dig in less, which makes my playing more sensitive. This is just matter of taste, but I liked it better than any new Gibson I've played, and I even liked it better than the Stelling Red Fox, which is saying a lot.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Turtle Hill
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Turtle Hill's Dave Schenkman and I took turns playing a dozen banjos including Stellings, Ome, Deerings and Huss and Dalton. I wanted to hear the sound in front of the banjos as well as with me playing it. The Tennessee blew the others away. Sounds like a cannon when digging in, but sweet and mellow when playing away from the bridge.
Sound Rating: 10
The setup was great! Mike Munford (wrote the chapter on set up in Ross Nickerson's Banjo Enclyclopedia) said the head pitch was a little loose at about F#. Larry Perkins from Crafters says it's really a matter of taste. I may try it up a bit ... like G or G#.
Setup Rating: 10
It's a work of art. Beautiful inlay and great grain on the wood. You can see the actual one I bought on the Turtle Hill Banjo Co. website.
Appearance Rating: 10
The finish looks great. No problems here.
Reliability Rating: 10
Larry Perkins has been my only contact with Tennessee Crafters. He emailed a quick reply to some questions I had.
Customer Service: 10
Top of the line components. TN20 tone ring, Presto tail piece, Planetary tuners, Scorpion bridge and Dave ordered it with a TONY PASS rim!
Components Rating: 10
I'd highly recommend this banjo! Great price for the highest quality!
It does have a lot of weight due to the tone ring and block rim.... but
What a sound! I love it!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Larry Perkins
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo has the sound I have searched for. Very solid from one end of the neck to the other. Fantastic tone no matter if you're picking very light or really digging in.
Sound Rating: 10
The action was setup perfectly for me when I received it, I don't think I could have asked for better. This banjo is extremely easy to fret which is probably a combination of the low action and the med light strings.
Setup Rating: 10
Fantastic! The fit and finish is as good as I have ever seen. I have looked at every inch of this banjo and cannot find any flaws, there simply doesn't seem to be any.
Appearance Rating: 10
This banjo looks to be made from the best hardware available, I would think that this instrument could be handed down for many generations to come.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have not had any need for this yet, maybe with luck I never will. However, I have no doubt that Larry Perkins or Mark Taylor would bend over backwards to make this instrument right if anything were to ever go wrong with it.
Customer Service: 10
There are no cheap parts on this instrument, none. I can see no need to upgrade anything at all. I guess the biggest standount component would be the Tennessee 20 tone ring.
Components Rating: 10
I would recommend this to anyone without question. If it were destroyed it would be replaced as it is today...quickly! I've had many banjos fairly cheap to pretty expensive, none sounded or play as well as this does...yes...I'm completly satisfied.
Overall Rating: 10
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