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!
7234 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Maker
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This is a five string with an extra, low bass string. The sound is rich, full, bright in the treble and deep in the bass. I play clawhammer style.
This is my 3rd. current 6 string and it is wonderful.
Sound Rating: 10
The strings used are .10, 12.5, 15, .24PB, .36PB, .10. The action is medium high with a 5/8th. KatsEyz custom 6string bridge that I put on. It has a Renaisance head and no knot repro. tailpiece. I also added an adjustable wire arm rest.
Setup Rating: 9
Beautiful. Two piece Gun stock walnut neck with center strip of purple heart. Carved behind the 5th. string peg. 12 inch pot with 30 brackets. Rickard, Whyte Latdie tone ring. Brass plate from 17th fret to the pot. All hardware is antiqued. Brooks put his signiture Indian head penny at the top of the peg head. Side dots on ebony figer board. No other inlays.
Appearance Rating: 9
Reliability should be top notch. Brooks stands behind his banjos.
Reliability Rating: 10
I've had good experiences with a number of makers but Brooks is in a class by himself. He keeps in touch, sends pictures during the process and asks good questions.
Customer Service: 10
Brooks makes a lot of his own haqrdware. The stretcher band stands out. I will add some real ebony buttons on the tuners just for vanity sake.
Components Rating: 10
This is now the banjo that I play most. The richness and sustain makes me smile. I would encourage others to try a 6 string for fun.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From the maker
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 1900 ($US)
I play clawhammer in a contra dance band. The banjo is bright with lots of volume as well as depth. I like it a lot.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo was set up well. Brooks supplied 2 bridges and the 1/2 in. was just right. I've added an old style wire arm rest.
Setup Rating: 9
Its beautiful in an understated way. The shoes and stretcher band are unplated brass which provides a nice contrast to the silver wrapped pot. The neck is "gun stock" maple with a lovely grain and feel. The"clown"peg head is covered with walnut burl and there is a lovely carved swirl behind the 5th string peg. No inlays, side dots and a brass plate instead of a scoop. Brooks' signiture indian head penny crowns the peghead. It has a lovely Dobson like heel.
Appearance Rating: 10
The banjo will out live me. I use it as my band banjo without a backup.
Reliability Rating: 10
This has been the nicest experience working with a builder I have had so far of the 6 makers I have worked with.
Customer Service: 10
Brooks makes a lot of his own components including the stretcher band, pot etc. No cheap or shoddy parts here.
Components Rating: 10
I would definately recommend this maker and this banjo without reservations. I have just asked him to build me a 6 string which I will eventually review.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From Maker
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I ordered this banjo with an 11 inch pot. It sounds very different than a 12 inch pot Woody. This a bright, loud yet mellow banjo that is a joy to play in clawhammer style. It holds its own with other instruments and I can hear it clearly when I play.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo was set up well. I added a price copy tailpiece and a Sampson walnut bridge. I use GHS PF 150 light gauge strings. I asked for a Fiberskin head.
Setup Rating: 9
The banjo is quite beautiful. It has a light color stain on curly maple. The inlays are Mike Ramsey's standard inlays for the Woody. I asked for no scoop and for side dots. There were a few finish rough spots.
Appearance Rating: 7
Reliability should be fine. I needed to adjust the truss rod about 3 months after purchase. I had it for music camp at Mars Hill,NC as my only banjo and it was great.
Reliability Rating: 8
Mike Ramsey is accessable by phone better than by email. He is very willing to make things right and is very responsive as well as nice to deal with.
Customer Service: 9
The components are standard and more than adequate.
Components Rating: 8
I would recommend this banjo whole heartedly. The sound is exceptional. If this banjo was stollen I would order another one ASAP. I may do that anyway.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Zepp
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
The sound is very deep and resonant with a lot of sustain. Rich, full, with brightness. Plenty loud. It has a maple neck and a 12 in. pot with no tone ring, 3 1/2 inches deep. I play primarily clawhammer style. The extra bass is tuned to G an octave below the 3rd(G)string. In D and A its tuned to A.
Sound Rating: 9
Set up was fine. Strings are GHS 10, 12 1/2, 15, 24, 34, 10. The 2 bass strings are phos. bronze.
Setup Rating: 9
Beautiful. Chuck Lee does exceptional wood working and finishing. Top quality, no flaws.
Appearance Rating: 10
Should be excellent.
Reliability Rating: 10
Dealing with Zepp and with Chuck was a pleasure as always. Boih are helpful and responsive. This was Chuck's first 6 string. Zepp has a sound file of himself playing this banjo on his web site.
Customer Service: 10
Top quality.
Components Rating: 10
Having a banjo with an extra bass string is fun. Even if you don't play on the bass string, its there rumbling in the background giving extra fullness and resonance. Its also great to be able to play full melodies in the bass that you usually can't get. Especially nice if there is more than one banjo present.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From the maker
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
In general, a six string banjo(extra bass string), is mellower, fuller and has more sustain than a typical 5 string. There is brightness in the treble, good strong midrange and excellent depth. Ofcourse with a 6, you can do melody in the bass, and the extra string is resonating, whether or not you are playing it. The bass is G, an octave below the 3rd. string G.
Sound Rating: 9
Well set up. I put on my own string set. ,10,12 1/2,15, 24, 34, 10. The 2 bass strings are phos. bronze. 12 in. block rim with no tone ring `3in. deep. Maple neck.
Setup Rating: 9
Nicely and simply finished as ordered. Especially nice wood binding on the fingerboard with pearl side dots.
Appearance Rating: 8
Should be excellent. Well built block rim. 2 way truss rod etc.
Reliability Rating: 9
Excellent dealing directly with David. Very accomodating.
Customer Service: 9
Components are fine.
Components Rating: 9
Excellent banjo that is seriously underpriced.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Music Emporium
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 1450 ($US)
For clawhammer the sound is wonderful. Bright, with a full bass. As loud or soft as I want it to be.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo was well set up. The Renaisance head looks and sounds great. No changes needed.
Setup Rating: 10
Beautiful. The head has a art deco-ish woman on the moon. The wood is cherry with laminations. Finish is perfect. All hardware was first rate. The rim is terrific. The Dobson style heel is graceful and smooth.
Appearance Rating: 10
Looks first rate.
Reliability Rating: 10
I've communicated with Chuck by email and phone. He cares deply about what he does.
Customer Service: 10
The 12 in. maple rim is extra deep and quite thin. No tone ring other than the turned edge of the rim.
Components Rating: 10
I currently have 11 banjos and have owned 50+ over the years. This is the finest sound from any banjo I have played including original Tubaphones. This model is currently similar to the Ovilla with the Lone Star shapped peghead. The combination of sound and workmanship is amazing. I'm in love!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From maker
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: $4000 ($US)
This banjo has an 11 in. pot with a "whyte Laydie" tonering. It is both bright and warm, with plenty of volume. It has a "Renaissance" head,
"no knot" tail piece, "Hot Spot" 3/4 inch bridge, and GHS pf150 light strings.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo was set up very well. I added a higher bridge due to my own playing preferences.
Setup Rating: 10
This is a truly beautiful banjo. The quality of inlaying, engraving, and carving is exceptional. There were no flaws. Bob Anderson includes a handmade bridge from left over neck material. All the inlays and neck carving were custom made. Bob also made the rim which is gorgeous.
Appearance Rating: 10
Hardware seems fine. The finish looks great and I'm sure will last. The only reason I wouldn't take it to a gig would be fear of loss.
Reliability Rating: 10
The contact with Bob has been very good. He was responsive to my wants and asked the right questions. This is by far the best experience I have ever had working with a builder. I'm sure if there are any problems he will make them right.
Customer Service: 10
The metal parts are fine, the nuts holding on the brackets are very nice.
Components Rating: 10
I would recommend Bob's banjos without reservation. He builds necks for old pots as well as his own pots. This is the 4th. banjo of his that I have, but the first where I dealt directly with him.
In case it is not clear by now, I love this banjo!
Overall Rating: 10
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.