DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
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!
7232 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Directly from Ken LeVan
Year Purchased: 2019
Price Paid: 1400
historic exchange rates / currency converter
It has a nice, full sound. I like round sounding bass notes, and this banjo has them. But I also feel like it has a balanced sound. I mostly finger pick on nylon strings with no picks. This banjo was specially made for that. I have done some simple clawhammer on it and it sounds awesome played that way as well.
Sound Rating: 10
My banjo is a New Vintage model; however, Ken made so that I could put nylon or steel strings on it. Its neck is bit wider than standard. Ken made a special tail piece that could be used with both types of strings. The pitch and tone are great up and down the neck. The banjo is easy to fret and I love the wider neck with the modified v profile.
Setup Rating: 10
It's beautiful. It is cherry, with a clear stain. The hardware is custom made by Ken and has a beautiful patina. I was an art student in college, and I took metals. I admire Ken's work.
It has a vintage-y look to it, but it also unique enough to stand out.
Appearance Rating: 10
So far so good. It is solid.
Reliability Rating: 10
Ken is very easy to deal with. We emailed back and forth throughout the process, and he sent me detailed schematics of the design. I had a problem with the 5th string tuner that was not Ken's fault. He sent me a new one right away and answered my questions about how to install it properly.
Customer Service: 10
There are no parts that need upgrading. The custom tailpiece is really awesome. And I love the cherry it was built from. Ken said that it came from a large log that he found near his home. It is truly a one of kind banjo.
Components Rating: 10
I would highly recommend ordering a banjo from Ken. It will be well made, and it will sound and look great.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Ken Le Van
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: 1900 ($US)
I wanted a banjo that would suit both bluegrass and OT and opted for an openback. The banjo has a bright, lively sound perfect for fingerpicking. It seems to really come into its own on ragtime tunes.
The tone ring is a 'U tube', Ken's own design and is somewhere between a tubaphone and bellbronze.
Sound Rating: 10
Ken asked me what kind of strings and action I wanted - he also included a set of different size handmade bridges with the banjo. I haven't needed to change anything.
Setup Rating: 10
It is a stunning banjo - it is made from curly maple with a striking tiger-stripe finish - the attention to detail shows. Ken ran with my idea of a train theme for the banjo and we swapped photos over many emails to come up with a design for the fingerboard which would include hobo symbols. Ken made the inlays from speckled Corian in order to give a 'chalkboard' look and we went for a hand-drawn quality - Ken is very willing to experiment! The contrasting binding is designed to look like railroad tracks - another neat detail. Ken also went to the trouble of designing and making me a wooden armrest as I have a nickel allergy.
Appearance Rating: 10
Yes it is a solidly made banjo with a great finish.
Reliability Rating: 10
Ken is the friendliest guy - he lives and breathes banjos and is very enthusiastic and open to ideas. He offers a bespoke service so he asks you what you want every step of the way and very helpfully sends you photos of different finishes and materials to help you make a choice and also sends you photos of work in progress.
Customer Service: 10
The banjo and all the components are hand-made and great quality.
Components Rating: 10
I would highly recommend Ken Le Van to anyone who wants to find a banjo to suit their own particular needs as he offers a bespoke design service. Also, anyone who has a particular interest in banjo building and design - you are not getting a banjo 'off the peg', you are embarking on a whole banjorama experience!
Overall Rating: 10
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.