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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!
7235 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 850 ($US)
I borrowed this banjo for 2 weeks to give it a spin but the purchasing information is accurate (I saw the receipt).
I'm relatively new to banjo playing and have been playing clawhammer style for about a year on a Musicmaker's Cumberland banjo. So I don't have a lot to compare the sound to but I really liked it. The 4th string has a depth to it that often surprised me. The 5th string is very sweet and rich and will now be a benchmark for me to measure other banjos. Overall I found the tone to be very sweet and and rich with a certain degree of brightness. I imagine my ideal banjo will have a darker tone than this. But I could be very happy with this tone for years and years.
Sound Rating: 7
The banjo was setup just fine and ready to play. If this were my banjo I might lower the action at the nut just a hair but I would not feel any urgency to do so.
The frets could have been dressed a littled better at the edge of the fingerboard. You can feel too much of the edge of the frets as you slide your hand up and down the neck. Nothing to draw blood mind you but could be better.
Setup Rating: 7
I think this is a great looking banjo. Nothing fancy but nothing is overlooked either. I love the natural maple finish and the ebony strip down the middle of the neck is perfect. The rosewood cap on the bottom of the rim is gorgeous.
Appearance Rating: 8
I only played this banjo for 2 weeks but it is clearly a banjo that will last a lifetime. Very solid all the way around. I can't imagine having any problems with the wood or the hardware.
Reliability Rating: 8
No experience here.
Customer Service: not rated
I love the ebony pinstripe and the rosewood cap on the rim. Very nice touches. I imagine many experienced players would upgrade the bridge.
Components Rating: 7
I really enjoyed playing this banjo. It is a definate step up from my Musicmakers Cumberland banjo but that is to be expected because they are completely different instruments. I think this banjo is well worth the money that my friend paid for it and I certainly can't imagine being disappointed in this instrument if you bought it without playing it.
Overall Rating: 7
Where Purchased: Musicmakers
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Disclaimer - I have worked for Musicmaker's for 10 years. In fact I was part of the conversation that prompted us to create this instrument. That being said - I know this banjo very well and am not posting this review to promote the banjo but to give a fair review.
This banjo only has an 8 inch head and a plastic tone ring so there isn't a lot of volume or depth to the tone. The sound is fairly thin but not awful. It won't compare to banjos in the $700 and up price range but I think holds it own against other beginner banjos.
Sound Rating: 6
Because this comes as a kit - you get to setup the banjo yourself so it will only be as good as you make it. The instructions detail how to set the action and there are at least two of us Musicmakers that can talk you through that process if you need extra help.
Setup Rating: not rated
Again - as a kit instrument this is up to you. Finished off with out any decorative touches It makes a nice looking little instrument. It is well proportioned for an all-wood banjo and very light because you don't have all the hardware on the pot assembly.
Appearance Rating: 8
The hardware included is nothing special and could certainly be upgraded. The finish is up to you. We have seen people that just slob on a heavy coat of varnish and of course it looks terrible. But we have also had customers spend the time to do a nice job on a hand rubbed oil finish that looks fantastic.
Reliability Rating: not rated
Anything I say here would look like shameless self-promotion so I will leave this for actual customers to comment on.
Customer Service: not rated
One of the neat things about this banjo is the removable section of fretboard that allows you to convert to fretless for the first five frets. Very fun. I also think the set screw that allows you to adjust the neck angle is a great idea as well (a customer gave us that idea.)
Components Rating: 7
This banjo certainly isn't for everyone. If you are looking for a banjo with that classic or great open-back sound then this isn't for you. Although I think it makes an ideal travel banjo! Great for camping, etc.
This banjo would be perfect for the old or retired woodworker that has always wanted to play banjo. You'll enjoy building from the kit and the finished banjo isn't loud enough to cuase your wife to kick you out.
Overall Rating: not rated
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