Tranjo: Tranjo Express

Submitted by jschlenk on 3/23/2016

Where Purchased: Tranjo website

Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: around 300 ($US)

Sound

Sound is true, tone is clear. A forgiving neck for melodic and classical studies. Not meant for performance as is, never tried to mic the thing. Supports attempts at frailing, Scruggs, Keith melodic (RIP), Bach studies (basic basic), Irish, traditional jazz (no can do fusion).

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Fretted true, great action out of the box.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

Practical finish on the neck, durable, smooth, even color. Armrest area same. Not much else to the instrument.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

Been seven years, only failure is strap on the bag. Replaced with strap from discarded laptop bag, and no problems with the instrument. None.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

Was concerned about a flaw in the finish what one would call the pot, a tentative saw cut or somesuch. They offered to repair/replace, but no time to do such back then. Never did take them up on the offer, now don't care, and wouldn't part with the thing long enough to do the fix anyway.

Customer Service: 9

Components

A million dollar neck on a three hundred dollar banjo. Tailpiece is starting to bow up (wood or wood product) as it's only fixed at each end, and am watching it. tuning keys sticking out looked like a weakness but never been a problem. Current production has a new approach I note.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

Paid market price, sight unseen.  Buyers remorse went away after ten minutes playing.  Never any hassle with TSA or flight attendants.  Always carried on aircraft. Seven years and many trips so far. Not a stage performance instrument, but the best instrument to perform on I've ever held. This is an older version of current product. The neck makes the instrument, more towards a Fender Bluegrass Artist  (narrower feel) than a solid old Gibson, cnc perfect it seems.  A good use of my after tax dollars. -30- 

Overall Rating: 9