Kyle K Smith: Legend

Submitted by rdawsoniii on 4/14/2007

Where Purchased: Kyle Smith

Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 2700 ($US)

Sound

Rich, full sound that keeps getting better over time. Nice and bright, but enough mellowness to take the edge off.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Kyle has an international reputation for his setup skills....'nuff said. I'm a beginner and ease of play is important. The action is low enough for that but not too low as to cause buzzing.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Curly maple, rosewood fingerboard with flying eagle inlay pattern. Tony Pass Lost Timbre birch rim. The banjo is gorgeous. Kyle took much care to get everything "just right".

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Kyle used Prucha hardware, so you know it is top quality.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Kyle is the most friendly, trustworthy and helpful person you would ever want to do business with. Before he starts building, he will talk to you and find out exactly what you want. He keeps you informed every step of the way. He takes great care to make sure everything about your new instrument is perfect. He makes you feel like you are his most important customer and that your banjo is his #1 priority. By the time your banjo is finished, you will have made a lifelong friend. Kyle also stands behind his work....if, after a month, you don't like the sound, he will take it back and make any necessary changes at no charge. You can also take your banjo to him and he will tweak it, free, for 3 years.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Kyle uses only quality parts.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I highly recommend Kyle's banjos. They are beautiful and they sound every bit as good as the Gibson's, Stellings, Crafters, etc. of the world. You get a personal custom built professional-grade instrument for less than you would pay for the "big" names. His banjo makes my playing sound sooooo much better than it really is.

Kyle's customer service is also second to none. He does business the old fashioned way: attentive personal service with your satisfaction his #1 priority. I will treasure this banjo the rest of my life and would never, ever part with it. If it were stolen I would definitely get another.

My only regret is that "10" is the maximum I can rate Kyle and his banjos.

Overall Rating: 10