Submitted by zac987 (see all reviews from this person) on 1/14/2017

Where Purchased: Directly

Year Purchased: 2017
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This banjo sounds amazing for both fingerpicking and clawhammer. It has a huge sound, bassy and growly. With picks, it's loud enough to play bluegrass. It has a very dynamic tone, capable of pretty much anything I throw at it.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Great action, I haven't had to change anything.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Aesthetically, the banjo is perfect. No flaws whatsoever. 26 3/16" scale, Richlite fingerboard and peghead veneer from Balsam Banjo Works, three piece neck using yellow birch with a cherry center strip, Grover Sta-Tite tuners, two way adjustable truss rod accessible at the heel. The rim is maple, from Rickard Banjos. Hooks, nuts, shoes, tension hoop, and Silver Belle tonering from Rickard Banjos. Fielding tailpiece. Goat skin head. The rim and neck were treated with a vinegar steel wool solution to age the wood, then finished with tung oil.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Without a doubt.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

This is my second banjo from Cam. He's great to work with; one of the friendliest and most helpful guys in the banjo community. If I ever wanted / needed another custom banjo, he's the first person I would think of. The custom process is always so much fun. He sends a lot of pictures, so you can really see the progression between raw materials and the beautiful end result.

Customer Service: 10

Components

There's nothing cheap or weak about it!

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

10/10, exceeded my expectations (which were already high). For lack of a better analogy, my other banjos are parlor guitars and this one is a pre-war dreadnought. The quality is up there with Ome, Brooks, Jason Burns, and Seeders. Check Cumberland Banjos out on Facebook or Instagram! 

Overall Rating: 10