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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: Maverick's Fine Banjos
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 3400 ($US) (bought USED)
This banjo has a great dry hollow bluegrassy sound. I think it sounds pretty close to some good pre-wars I've heard. To me the best in the Gibson line. It's not extremely loud, but it is precise, has pop, and excellent note separation.
Sound Rating: 9
Banjo was set up well. I changed the Snuffy bridge to a KatEyz, but mainly to get Crowe spacing. Head tension was a little high for the sound I was looking for, so I lowered it some. Action was just right. Maverick had set this one up himself, I don't know how it cam from the factory. He did well with it.
Setup Rating: 9
Nothing fancy on this one--concentric rings on the resonator, muddy mahogany wood. It's more for sound than looks. Has the usual Gibson gummy finish that you have to polish about twice a week.
Appearance Rating: 5
I've replaced the tuners with Keiths all around (excluding 5th). They were a little sticky and had some slop in them, rather surprising for a banjo less than a year old. The rest of the hardware is excellent.
Reliability Rating: 7
No warranty on a used banjo. I'm sure Gibson would laugh at me if I tried to ask them for help. I wouldn't even bother.
Customer Service: 5
The tone ring in this one is excellent. The banjo is lighter than average. The neck is a different kind of semi-V, a little thick for my tastes but I've gotten used to it. As I said, the tuners were not satisfactory, although they're not cheap ones. The gold finish is quite outstanding.
Components Rating: 7
I bought it for the sound. It has some drawbacks, but it is probably as close to pre-war as you'll get on a newer instrument. Has all the usual Gibson fit and finish problems, but I figured it would going in. I have to say it isn't as easy to play as my Stelling, but it has that dry bark I was looking for. Monster tone makes it worthwhile.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 1050 ($US)
Good full bluegrass sound. A little more twangy than I expected from a mahogany banjo, but it sounds great. Very bright, very loud. Amazingly good sound for the price. Good full bass sound, nothing lacking on the 4th string, and I'm using a light (20jd) 4th.
Sound Rating: 9
I thought the action was too high. I also thought the head was too tight. I adjusted the action with the coordinating rods and loosened the head to a G# and it really came alive. Fret ends are cut at too much of an angle, making it easy to slide the first and 4th strings off the fretboard. My one major gripe with this banjo, but I hear they're fixing it on later models.
Setup Rating: 5
Finish is a thick kind of plasticy stuff, totally impervious to water or anything else. You can clean it with Windex. Not traditional but handy. Fit was flawless. Good looking inlay, really a nice looking banjo.
Appearance Rating: 10
I think this finish will last through a nuclear holocaust. I changed the standard Presto tailpiece to a Price Straightline because I just like the sound you get with a price, more sustain. Nothing wrong with anything on the banjo.
Reliability Rating: 10
The guys at RK are very responsive. They are very concerned about putting out a quality product and making sure their factory in China knows what is required by US pickers. Lifetime warranty.
Customer Service: 10
Schaller tuners, top notch. Nickel plating is top notch, nothing lacking in this banjo despite the price. Tailpiece is a presto clone, sturdily made. Bridge supplied is a generic maple/ebony, but it sounds fine. Neck has a great feel, reminds me of my Stelling. Tone ring is their own design, and it is a good one.
Components Rating: 10
I don't think you could do any better in this price range. I find myself picking this one a lot, despite the fact I've got other more expensive banjos sitting in their cases. It's not the best banjo I've ever played, but it sounds as good or better as some $3000 plus banjos I've played. With the marketing of this instrument high quality and great sound have become available for a much lower price.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Guns and Banjos/Clyde Barksdale
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 4400 ($US)
I play Scruggs style bluegrass, and this banjo suits that to a T. Like most Stellings, it gets amazing volume but sounds great when picked softly as well. The 4th string is unbelievable on this one. I'm using the setup that came from the factory with the Stelling birch bridge. Has a rich tone and the 3rd string is approaching that growl you usually don't associate with a Stelling. I've tried a maple bridge on it and that brightened it up a lot, but went back to the birch. You can get a lot of different sounds from this banjo depending on how you set it up.
Sound Rating: 10
Setup was excellent. Clyde Barksdale made sure that the original Stelling setup was right on. Head was tuned a little higher than G#, bridge was correctly placed. The only negative to me was the action was a little high. Quickly fixed that with a small truss rod adjustment and now it is right where I want it.
Setup Rating: 9
One of the most beautiful banjos out there. Superb abalone inlay, fit and finish are perfect. Finish never gets gummy. I love the antlers on the back of the banjo, and the figuring in the wood is superb. I couldn't imagine how it could be any better.
Appearance Rating: 10
Hardware is all top notch. It's not cheap, but you get the best of everything. With a little care I think this banjo will keep looking great indefinitely. Quality control is perfect, I don't think Geoff would let it get out the door if it wasn't right.
Reliability Rating: 10
I conferred with Stelling about adjusting the neck bow with the truss rod. Geoff responded to my emails promptly and gave me detailed instructions on how to check the string height and adjust it. Couldn't ask for more. It has a lifetime warranty but the quality is so good I doubt I'll ever need it.
Customer Service: 10
The Tony Pass rim with the wedge fit ring is the heart of this banjo. It stays consistent through weather changes, I probably don't have to retune more than once a week. The Stelling tailpiece is great and infinitely adjustable. Tuners are excellent. Only the best in this banjo.
Components Rating: 10
This is probably the nicest banjo I'll ever own, I can't imagine how one could be much better. It didn't come cheap but it was worth every penny. When I pick this thing people notice it because of its great tone and volume, and when I'm not picking it they notice its good looks. I can't imagine ever getting rid of this banjo. Others may come and go but I'll keep this one.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Traded from an individual
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Traded for it (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Excellent top end, clear as a bell. 4th string has adequate but not exceptional bass. Very clear and accurate, just the right amount of sustain. Overall very balanced tone--no one string stands out over another. I have owned it several months now and I like it more the more I play it.
I am editing this review to reflect the Huber tone ring I've added. This ring gives the banjo more of what I think of as the "pre-war" sound, and also helped the 4th string get a good bit stronger. I would have to rate the banjo a 9 or even 10 with this addition
Sound Rating: 8
This banjo is the easiest playing banjo I have ever owned, and I have some others that cost much more. Low action is incredibly responsive. It's the banjo I like to play the most of all those I own. I decreased the neck bow slightly to lower action and it worked very well. Loosened the coordinating rod nuts--they were a little tight. This opened up the sound of the banjo somewhat. I installed a "relaxed" wood bridge by American Made that has enhanced the sound greatly.
Setup Rating: 10
Beautiful inlay and headstock, although I feel the headstock is a little "busy"--but that is a personal preference. Excellent quality flamed maple. I feel the stain is too dark and covers some of the wonderful natural figuring of the wood. Superb binding work. Superb finish quality--never gets gummy, neck stays smooth and slick. Fit is very good--no gaps between neck and resonator, excellent neck-pot joint. Inlay is precise and no glue filled areas are visible.
Appearance Rating: 7
This banjo is solid as a rock. Quality components all around. I replaced the stock Presto tailpiece with a Price Straight Line. (The banjo is a 2004 model, they have since changed the tailpieces to a 2-hump design.) Tuners are solid, this banjo came with Keith D-tuners installed and they are excellent as usual.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have emailed with Bill Sullivan and he was exceptionally responsive and easy to work with. A true gentleman. This banjo is not under warranty as I bought it used, however I have no need of warranty service.
Customer Service: 10
All parts are quality. The Sullivan tonering is excellent and is engraved with the word "Sullivan"--a nice touch. Tuners are high quality. Fit and finish are superb. This banjo should last much longer than I will.
Components Rating: 10
This is my #1 "playing" banjo. I have others that are more expensive and that even have better sound, but none I enjoy playing as much. For the price you pay it is an excellent value. I am thoroughly impressed with the ease of play--it is a true picker's banjo, and I feel more confident with it in my hands than any other I own. Although it doesn't have the booming 4th string of my Stelling or the growling third of my Gibson, it's balance of bass and "twang" gives it what I feel is a great banjo sound. It's the only banjo I have that I wouldn't ever consider trading or selling.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Private Individual
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 2800 ($US) (bought USED)
Loud, bright, tons of sustain. Notes are not as distinct as I like, but I solved the problem with a new bridge. Good bluegrass sound, sounds like a Gibson.
Sound Rating: 8
Setup was good. I put on a new bridge and Fults tailpiece and it improved immediately. It was easy to make the changes. Head was correctly tensioned and bridge correctly placed. Neck was correctly adjusted.
Setup Rating: 8
It looks great. Hearts and flowers inlay, no flaws. Beautiful flamed maple. Very easy on the eyes. There is a gap between one side of the resonator and the neck that surprised me on a banjo of this price, but it doesn't effect the sound.
Appearance Rating: 7
Everything is solid and well made. I am disappointed with the finish, it gets gummy quite easily and I've found it reacts with the rubber padding on my tripod stand. It looks really good, but I have to polish it often to keep the neck slick for easy play.
Reliability Rating: 6
Haven't dealt with them. Bought used so there is no warranty.
Customer Service: not rated
The tuners are solid and excellent. The Presto tailpiece is adequate but I upgraded. The Grover bridge was too heavy to get the full tone from this banjo and I replaced it. The fretwire seems larger than those of my other banjos and I don't like it as well. Frets were somewhat rough, but none were high.
Components Rating: 7
For this price, it was a good deal. I couldn't have afforded a new one. If it was stolen I probably would buy another maple banjo, not necessarily this model. It is extremely easy to play, string action is good. I got what I though I'd get so I can't complain.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Direct from builder
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 2500 ($US)
Just the right mix of pop and mellowness. 3rd string growls, 4th string booms. I asked the builder (Kyle Smith) to make it sound like a cross between a Huber and a Stelling, and he gave me exactly what I wanted. The banjo is still "green" and sounds great, I know it will sound even better as it settles in. It was only finished about a week ago.
Sound Rating: 9
This banjo was setup superbly. The builder makes his living setting up banjos, and he did his customary great job on this one.
Setup Rating: 10
Beautiful mahogany grain, great job on the finish, smooth as glass. The fretwork is superb, the hardware gleaming. I can detect no flaws in the inlay
Appearance Rating: 10
Hardware is all top notch, Prucha, Presto, Tony Pass, Scorpion, etc. Top of the line. The finish is thick and smooth. I can see no reason this banjo won't last a lifetime.
Reliability Rating: 10
I worked with Mr. Smith every step of the way in design. He built it just like I wanted it, consulted me on the parts to be used, and gave me an excellent lesson in how he achieves a particular sound. If you buy a banjo from this guy you will make a friend.
Customer Service: 10
Prucha hardware, Tony Pass rims, Scorpion Bridge, Presto tailpiece. Even comes with a super nice TKL case. These parts are among the best available today.
Components Rating: 10
It was a bargain, similar instruments can cost you much more. If it were stolen I'd beat down the thief and get it back, but if I couldn't find him I'd buy another. I might buy another banjo in the future just for variety, but I'll be playing this one until they pry my cold, dead fingers off of it. The whole purchase experience was pleasant, I couldn't ask for more. This banjo will play with any and surpass most. If you buy one, you're getting a top of the line instrument at a real bargain price.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Musician's Friend
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 399 ($US)
Since it doesn't have a tone ring, it sounds a little plunky--none of the "hollowness" you really wish for. However, considering the price it doesn't sound too bad. Not much sustain, but it may be because of my limited setup ability.
Sound Rating: 8
Action was set just right, however head was MUCH too loose, it sounded like a 5 string guitar. Replaced stock bridge with a Bart's, improved the sound a lot. Considering they're selling these to a lot of beginners who don't know any better, the setup should be done more diligently. After I messed with it a bit, it sounded better.
Setup Rating: 7
I like the look of the maple, it is appealing to me. There is no fanciness here, just a good solid instrument. Unstained rock maple. The hardware looks good. If you're looking for beauty, don't buy this banjo, but it is a great "starter" banjo, or one you might take places you wouldn't risk a fancier instrument. The peghead is ugly, why don't they shape it like every other banjo in the world instead of a guitar head?
Appearance Rating: 7
It is built like a rock. I was a little worried about the guitar tuners holding tune, but they work fine. It seems to be solid, everything goes together well and there is nothing rattling, buzzing, or falling off.
Reliability Rating: 10
Have emailed two questions about modifications and didn't get a reply. I gave up and got on some of the forums for my answers. I don't think they're all that worried about pleasing Goodtime owners. I don't plan on buying that next, much fancier banjo from them because there are other companies in the same price range that seem eager to support their customers.
Customer Service: 4
I thought the included bridge was poor. Buy a Bart's or Emerson and you'll like the difference. The tailpiece is a Presto imitation and crooked from side to side, had to bend it by hand. Everything else on this instrument is as it should be. The parts are quality other than the tailpiece and I think this banjo will last forever if it is cared for. It is solid.
Components Rating: 7
I think it is a great first banjo or take along anywhere instrument. It only weighs 6 lbs. If it was stolen I probably would replace it with a much better instrument, since my involvement in playing has increased so much. I like the slim neck, it is very easy to play. Compared to other banjos in its price range, it sounds good without major surgery and will give you a good experience while you see if you really want to be a banjo picker.
Overall Rating: 8
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