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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: Ebay
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 610 ($US) (bought USED)
I had a Pro II Tree of Life the year that they were out. Later, I played it against Deerings, Stellings and others at Picker's Supply in Fredricksberg Va. I told the store owner that I liked the others, but they didn't have enough difference in the sound to make the $3000 price worth the trade in. The Aria was just that good.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo has just arrived at my mother's in Virginia. I don't know what the setup is like. I will probably run a setup when I return home this year.
Setup Rating: 5
Vine and leaf inlay in MOP up the fingerboard. I always had a gripe with my last Pro II as some of the leaves were not in standard positions. I always used a fifth string capo and couldn't see the dots on the side of the neck.
Appearance Rating: 10
I used to use the original Aria with my Gibson long neck RB-175 as my only banjos. This one will go where my GDL might be at risk.
Reliability Rating: 10
The Tree of Life was only built for one year. When I came to Germany, I didn't plan on doing gigs, so I left it at my mother-in-law's house. I never planned on her having a total-loss house fire.
Customer Service: 5
It is a solid instrument that will hold up to any that my other Aria did.
Components Rating: 10
I lost my first Tree of Life in a house fire. I think I am lucky to have found another.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Musik Produktiv/ Ibbenbueren Germany
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 2590 (Euros)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I played this for only a few seconds and my wife said that I just lit up. This banjo sang like a bronze bell! I also played an unknown model Gibson and said "does this thing have a tone ring?" I quickly went back to the GDL.
Sound Rating: 10
The instrument needed to have the truss rod tweaked. There was a small bend in the neck. Carolina sent me a wrench that fit. Now the action is perfect!
Setup Rating: 9
The walnut on the resonator shines. To say it this way, it looks better than the photos in the catalog. There is one ane only one flaw. Where the neck goes into the notch of the resonator, there is glue that has come out from under the felt that lines the opening.
Appearance Rating: 9
Will the hardware last? Let's say it this way. The case fits like a surgeon's glove. There is no chance that the banjo will suffer if someone trips over the thing.
I will use this banjo anywhere that I feel safe to take the thing. When I go home to the States, I will hand carry the GDL.
Reliability Rating: 10
When I bought the banjo, it didn't have a wrench to adjust the truss rod or bracket nuts. I called Carolina at Deeering and within a week I had the wrench. Remenber, that I am in Griesheim Germany.
Customer Service: 10
Much to my surprise, the banjo came with a fifth-string capo installed. Usually this is an add on feature. With the GDL, there are only top of the line parts used. I have no plans or desires to change anything.
Components Rating: 10
For the price I paid? I can only say, don't forget a VAT form and call ahead to see what the store has in stock.
If it was stolen? Does the phrase "Lock and Load" give you an idea?
Comparing it to other banjos? I am still planning to get a Clawhammer banjo. But, I want it to look and sound as good as the GDL.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Rohdes Musik Heidelberg
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 430 (Euros)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This thing rings! It will easily stand out in a crowd.
Sound Rating: 10
As I now have a GDL and a replacement for my Aria Tree of Life, I have taken the resonator and flange off. I also tweaked the truss rod. I now have a good looking clawhammer banjo while I save up for an openback as pretty as my GDL.
Setup Rating: 10
The banjo is curly maple with a dark (I think) cremona style stain. The hardware is gold. The only bug here is a small bubble in the finish over the carved heel. Otherwise, no problems.
Appearance Rating: 9
I still need to find someone in Germany that will install a 5th string capo. I am also trying to find a proper strap to fit it. I am now using a Folk of the Wood Circle strap. Next step, the capo.
Reliability Rating: 10
The banjjo developed a crack in the pot that went all the way through the wood. I gave it back to Uli, who sent it to the maker. They did a good job on the repair, you almost can't see the crack.
Customer Service: 10
The inlay is top notch, the wood and engraved parts look good and should last a long time.
Components Rating: 9
Here is the kicker, this is an MGB-2 built for a European distributor. The name on the peg head is Tennessee (my spelling, not theirs), it doesn't carry the MM name anywhere.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Rohde Musik Heidelberg
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 300 (Euros) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo is good for frailing and clawhammer. Not a bright sound, but not too bad. Perhaps it is because of the archtop tonering.
Sound Rating: 6
The instrument was just rebuilt by someone who didn't know banjos. I am still working on it.
Setup Rating: 5
Caramel colored wood with a nice rosewood (I think) fingerboard. Nice inlays.
Appearance Rating: 7
Solid and heavy. My Gibson RB-175 is at least a pound lighter. It is solid enough that I still can't get the neck loose enough to straighten out the action.
Reliability Rating: 7
Uli is a good person to deal with if you are in Heidelberg.
Customer Service: 10
The tuning pegs have been replaced with planetary tuners. It has strange cam type d-tuners and an archtop tonering. On an openback banjo?
Components Rating: 6
It isn't a bad banjo, but I got lost in a crowd of one guitar and about 15 people. When I get back to the states, I will try to replace the tone ring with either a Whyte Ladye (sp) or a conversion from FQMS. Until I can afford a Romero, Turtle Hill or Wildwood, I will be keeping the Framus.
Overall Rating: 6
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