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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!
7233 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased: 2017
Price Paid: 450 ($US)
I play mostly bluegrass and I was pleasantly surprised how much volume this banjo is capable of producing, considering it doesn't have a solid bronze tone ring.The sound is bright and clear, although not as rich as my Gibson ESS, but for this price I am really pleased.
Sound Rating: 8
I purchased this from Elderly partly because I know from experience that they do an excellent job of setting up new instruments and this one was not exception. It plays well all the way up the neck.
Setup Rating: 10
Excellent fit and finish,although the finish on rim seems slightly more orangey in color than the neck and resonator but only slightly. The hearts and flowers inlays are nicely done and the purfling is well done. The metal brackets, tailpiece and armrest are all quite bright with no signs of surface flaws. I'll have no problem taking this out to jams, although I'll stick to my Gibson for performances.
Appearance Rating: 9
I've only had the banjo for a day so it's hard to say yet, but it certainly looks and feels solid. The tuners work great, with no slop.
Reliability Rating: 9
Recording King warranty is "limited lifetime"; Elderly's warranty is one year. I have no experience with Recording King's service but Elderly is very reputable, which is why I had no qualms about ordering an instrument over the Internet.
Customer Service: 10
The visible stuff all seems to be of good quality, nothing in particluar stands out, but what surprised me was how good the rolled brass tone hoop sounds.
Components Rating: 9
I bought this for a "beater" banjo to take camping, on airlines but it would be excellent as a beginner banjo that would take a long time to outgrow. I wish I'd had a banjo of this high quality and good tone for my first one, 50+ years ago. At this price point I don't think you can beat this.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: 1500 ($US)
I've been a bluegrass player for 25 years, just getting into old time style, so I like a bright sound and this banjo strikes a great balance between bright, clear tone and a nice old timey feel. I haven't messed with the setup at all. I've been plying it for six months now and I'm still delighted with the sound.
Sound Rating: 10
Setup was perfect, haven't made any changes.
Setup Rating: 10
Natural maple finish rim and neck with rosewood cap on the back of the rim and heel. I thought I would want darker wood finish but bought this for the sound and have been very pleased with the appearance - clean and simple. It is distinctive and has gotten admiring comments. I also like the griffin inlay on the headstock.
Appearance Rating: 10
I haven't used this banjo hard, just playing around the house and at some community jams, but the finish, construction and harware all seems top notch.
Reliability Rating: 10
Bought through a dealer, didn't deal directly with the company. I live in Michigan and was glad to find a first class banjo made right here. Bart Reiter's web site says this model has been discontinued, which is too bad.
Customer Service: 10
The whole system works great together - high quality parts and materials, excellent fit and finish. I wouldn't change a thing. On my bluegrass banjos I have swapped out bridges and tuners, played with the action, don't feel the need to mess with this one at all.
Components Rating: 10
I'm new to old timey style banjo but have played bluegrass banjo for 25+ years, so I have definite opinions about tone and playability. After playing this banjo for six months I am still delighted by how it sounds and plays. This has been a real positive boost to my practicing and learning the old time repertoire.
Overall Rating: 10
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