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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: Banjos Direct
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: 340 (GBP)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I was going to wait a while to review this, but I see that there are no reviews of Barnes & Mullins, so I thought I'd throw this in.
It has a very full sound, well balanced, and it rings pretty well up high on the neck, without starting to get too plunky. Almost as good a sound as the very heavy banjos, but this is pretty light.
Sound Rating: 8
It seemed to be well setup, although I know he did it quickly. I tightened the head a bit and switched in a staggered bridge, added a Schatten pickup and a strap.
Setup Rating: 7
Inlays look good -- snowflake-style, good side dots. The black head (white is available, too) is very striking and matches the black head on our drummer's kick drum!
Appearance Rating: 9
It looks pretty good, although it's too early to tell how it wears. The rim is notched for the brackets, and the bracket mounts have shoes on them where the brackets go through. Tuners are planetary, with geared 5th. Resonator has contrasting wood inlay a couple of inches in from the edge which looks very classy.
Reliability Rating: 8
Company is excellent -- owned by musician couple. Don't know about warranty.
Customer Service: 10
Neck seems very good. Bridge supplied was pretty standard straightline ebony top -- nothing special. Can't tell yet how the tuners are, since the instrument hasn't settled in yet.
Components Rating: 7
It's very attractive, easy to play, rings well, with good intonation up the neck. And it doesn't weigh a ton! I think the value for money is very good.
Overall Rating: 7
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