Feedback On New Heartland Reno Walnut

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Heartland Banjo Pickers

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For proud owners of a Heartland aka Robin Smith custom banjo and those that admire the work of this fine craftsman.

13 Members, Created 9/3/2013 -

Administrators: bullseye1130 (owner)

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From camlan on 9/7/2015 1:04:22 PM

Here is the feedback I gave Rob, pay attention those of you researching your banjo options!!!...

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with virtually all aspects of the Walnut Reno Custom you built for me Rob. First off, the sound is exactly what I was after and it really rings true in all areas of the fret board. You nailed the balance of rich and clear and your selection of just the right piece of Walnut for the neck was spot on.

The neck width and depth is perfect for my hands and the exact feel I was after. It is amazing how much more comfortable my left hand is doing some of those tougher reaches that used to bother me a bit - no more! And the string action is perfect right out of the box! Amazing. Even the string gauge is better!

The colour and look of the 'antique' inlays are exactly what I was shooting for and the Reno design with the beautiful Heartland design on the peg head are really authentic and classy. The wood work and appearance of the neck, rim and especially the burl Walnut resonator are absolutely fantastic. When I look inside the banjo the finish is so clean compared to other expensive mass produced banjos. Well done!

This is without question my life-long banjo and it is totally perfect in every way. I have already tallied about 30 hours of playing before giving you this commentary and I truly feel like I am playing more comfortably, faster and with better note tone.

Lastly, you have been really easy to work with and on the ball which is so refreshing. You steered me in the right direction and over delivered with the end product. When I compare this banjo with my friends' more expensive 'Big Name' products, I am feeling pretty darn smug!! You have built my dream banjo at an outstanding value and I am over the moon!!

1 Comments
ajb1958 says: 9/7/2015 4:45:35 PM Hello Camlan and congratulations on your Heartland banjo. I can back up everything you said about Rob and his work. I am only a novice but actually own three Heartland banjos. A maple banjo with Rob's own ring, a very special walnut banjo with gold plating and a Dannick tone ring and a little open back that Rob had in stock when I was after a light weight banjo. Now when I bought that first maple banjo from Rob I told him I new very little and was buying on faith! His guidance and ultimately friendship was invaluable. That banjo has a name inlaid at the 21st fret. That name is FAITH which I like on a whole lot of levels. I also own several banjos from other well known makers. I have played my Heartlands back to back against a lot of good banjos from most of the big names. My teacher in Australia is probably the best picker in Australia and right up there with the very best of the pickers anywhere. Now how do I rate Rob's work? That first maple Heartland with Rob's ring eats all my other banjos for breakfast! My teacher mentioned earlier on actually made this same comment to me one day. He also has a nice collection of big name banjos but one day said to me ,"your banjo Faith eats all my banjos alive". What can I say! I was a picker with a whole six months of playing, I phone Rob up as a no body from the other side of the world ( I live in Australia) and he makes a banjo for me that is simply amazing! He is also just a great guy to deal with. My joke with Rob these days is that I always call him Number One when I call. I had opportunity to visit Rob in Nashville last year at Christmas while on holidays. As it happens a winemaker in Australia produces a range of wines called Heartland Wines. Their top icon red wine is simply called, ONE. The poetry of this coincidence appealed to me. So I took a bottle of Heartland ONE over to Rob. As he presented me with my new gold plated walnut masterpiece I presented him with that wine. A very special day for me. Anyway, his banjos are fantastic and you will enjoy that new Heartland more and more. They just get better. You should post your comments about your new banjo in the shopping advice.I THINK I will probably play many other banjos in the future but I KNOW Faith will always be my favourite. Have a great day. Tony Bartels (ajb1958) Australia.
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