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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!
7233 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Another Hangout Member
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
My model is mahogany. Sound is very full and sweet. Great note definition Reaches down very low, but not the least bit tubby. The bass notes are incredible, but there is excellent balance both across the strings and up the fingerboard. Great volume.
Sound Rating: 10
I don't have the courage to alter a Kyle Smith setup.
Setup Rating: 10
Workmanship is exceptional. Very rich mahogany. His fleur de lis inlay pattern looks very nice
Appearance Rating: 10
Only top components were used.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have not had to deal with Kyle regarding any issues with the banjo, but I have had several very pleasant exchanges with him. Although he did not sell me the instrument, he maintains an interest in it and I have no doubt would help me resolve any issues if I ever had one.
Customer Service: not rated
TN20 Ring; Pass Rim; Prucha parts. The neck is wide and v-shaped. Very comfortable. top of the line stuff
Components Rating: 10
I would recommend this banjo without hesitation. If I ever bought another banjo, I would want the same neck.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: from Kyle Smith
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo fits my style to a “T”! The sound is very deep and hollow. The 3rd and 4th strings really stand out and the rest still have a fantastic ring from one end of the neck to the other.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo was setup as well as one can be. There have been no changes since it left Kyle’s shop. You cannot leave with a poorly setup banjo or one that you are not satisfied with they way it is setup, if you do it’s your own fault. Kyle will work on a banjo until you are satisfied with it, period.
Setup Rating: 10
The banjo is beautiful, no other way to put it. It is a mahogany banjo with a double cut peghead, flying eagle inlay, pearl nut & pip, railroad spikes, and a tapered “V” neck.
Appearance Rating: 10
The hardware is really the best you can order so I can’t see how it would not last. The finish of the wood is very nice, I doubt I will ever wear through it but I am going to try! I don’t pick for gigs so I really wouldn’t know about having to have a backup but I don’t think it would be necessary.
Reliability Rating: 10
Kyle Smith is, in my opinion, the very best maker of custom banjos that a person could deal with. The man is helpful and friendly as anyone you will ever meet in your lifetime. He will stand behind his banjos.
Customer Service: 10
This banjo has an unplated Burlile tone ring, Gill resonator, Cox rim, and Prucha & McPeake hardware. There are no cheap or weak parts.
Components Rating: 10
I would recommend this banjo wholeheartedly to anyone! If it were stolen I would be one seriously upset man.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: from maker
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
sound is amazing.I dont really like playing banjo that much but I play this for two to three hours a day .Its made a beleiver out of me.
Sound Rating: 10
Kyle smith is the best.He is the specialist
Setup Rating: 10
the black neck and resonater are flawless. they shine like a mirror. the only thing I would change is the inlay pattern.actually I would not like any inlay and I amsure kyle smith would have done it any way I asked for, but I bought it in stock
Appearance Rating: 10
The quality of the hardware is first rate.
Reliability Rating: 10
Kyle Smith stands behind his work. I have no worries about customer service at all
Customer Service: 10
the banjo as a whole, the way everything works together is what makes this a great banjo
Components Rating: 10
the price is way to low for this instrument. kyle probably makes about ten cents an hour building them. the knowledge skill and components that go in to making his banjos make them worth far more than what he charges
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Kyle Smith
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 2700 ($US)
Rich, full sound that keeps getting better over time. Nice and bright, but enough mellowness to take the edge off.
Sound Rating: 10
Kyle has an international reputation for his setup skills....'nuff said. I'm a beginner and ease of play is important. The action is low enough for that but not too low as to cause buzzing.
Setup Rating: 10
Curly maple, rosewood fingerboard with flying eagle inlay pattern. Tony Pass Lost Timbre birch rim. The banjo is gorgeous. Kyle took much care to get everything "just right".
Appearance Rating: 10
Kyle used Prucha hardware, so you know it is top quality.
Reliability Rating: 10
Kyle is the most friendly, trustworthy and helpful person you would ever want to do business with. Before he starts building, he will talk to you and find out exactly what you want. He keeps you informed every step of the way. He takes great care to make sure everything about your new instrument is perfect. He makes you feel like you are his most important customer and that your banjo is his #1 priority. By the time your banjo is finished, you will have made a lifelong friend. Kyle also stands behind his work....if, after a month, you don't like the sound, he will take it back and make any necessary changes at no charge. You can also take your banjo to him and he will tweak it, free, for 3 years.
Customer Service: 10
Kyle uses only quality parts.
Components Rating: 10
I highly recommend Kyle's banjos. They are beautiful and they sound every bit as good as the Gibson's, Stellings, Crafters, etc. of the world. You get a personal custom built professional-grade instrument for less than you would pay for the "big" names. His banjo makes my playing sound sooooo much better than it really is.
Kyle's customer service is also second to none. He does business the old fashioned way: attentive personal service with your satisfaction his #1 priority. I will treasure this banjo the rest of my life and would never, ever part with it. If it were stolen I would definitely get another.
My only regret is that "10" is the maximum I can rate Kyle and his banjos.
Overall Rating: 10
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