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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!
7232 reviews in the archive.
Bob came to my assistance and delivered the goods in record time.
He still has a land line that can be used to order banjos and banjo related items!
I highly recommend Bob and his Music Shop.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From the Maker
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
First, a bit of background. This is Jason's Third Banjo and the First where he rolled the rim. I don't tell you this to make excuses for a young builder, early in his banjo building career. Quite the contrary. Jason's work already rivals that of the grizzled veteran! The sound of this banjo surpasses banjos costing twice as much. The tone is well balanced across all of the strings. There is great clarity in it's tone. It's high end is not strident and the low end is not muddy. The volume is good, and like the tone, is well matched across the strings. It is a "Woody" but with sufficient power to hold it's own against a fiddle and in large jams.
Sound Rating: 10
Jason has nearly perfected the relationship between the fingerboard, scoop and head. He has the plane of the finger board well above the plane of the head. The scoop makes a perfect transition from the finger board to the head. The resultant action is fairly low making fretting a breeze ... yet there is ample room for my thumb to get under the strings at the scoop and over the head.
It was delivered with medium Elixir strings and an Elite, Amber Head. I have since changed the head for a medium weigh, Bill Miller calf skin. Now the tone is even richer but without any significant loss of volume.
Setup Rating: 10
The 25 inch scale, three piece neck and 12 inch pot are black walnut, being made from the same piece of wood. The rim has a 1/2 inch thick, 2 ply construction with a cocobolo tone ring.
The finish is a natural shellac that Jason prepares himself. This satin finish matches the silky smooth feel of the wood. Further nods to comfort come in the form of a rounded Dobson heel and eased edges on finger board and rim.
The banjo has no inlay and only side, position markers. Quite simply, it is elegant in form. ... Judge for yourself ... http://www.burnsrepair.com/Banjo%20Gallery%201.html
Appearance Rating: 10
The hardware on this banjo is standard Stew-Mac, 5-Star. Well proven and easy to replace if necessary. Jason has been using a variety of hardware on his more recent builds.
If it gets damaged, the shellac finish is extremely easy and cheap to repair. Jason keeps a ready supply on hand.
This has been my main player since I bought it last year. It has not experienced any issues needing Jason's attention.
Reliability Rating: 10
I'm fortunate enough to live in the town where Jason works. He is always willing and able to handle all of my repair needs. But, as stated above, this banjo has yet to need his attention.
We have not discussed any warranty. I don't think that such a discussion is warranted, as I know Jason would take care of any problems that could possibly result from his workmanship.
Friendliness is a Hallmark of everyone working in the "Homewood Music Shop".
Customer Service: 10
The standout components are the wooden elements that Jason has woven into an extremely fine clawhammer banjer! As I stated above, the hardware is all Stew Mac. This was of my choosing as it's availability allowed Jason to more readily complete the project. I couldn't wait for another supplier ... I had to get my hands on that banjer! I could always upgrade the hardware later if I choose, but I don't feel the need. I'm giving a 9 here because of my choice of hardware.
Components Rating: 9
Would I recommend this banjo ?! Folks I recommend that you get on Jason's list as soon as possible. It won't be long until the word gets out that there is another exceptional choice of open back banjos being made. I have seen all ten of the banjos he has produced so far. They only get better with each build. At this writing he is working on 11 and 12 ... and lucky me, I'm in line for Number 13 !!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Fretted Instruments of Birmingham (Alabama)
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This Clawhammer Banjo walks the ground between being too tubby or too bell like. It actually seems to have captured the best of both worlds. It has a crisp, clear high end and a growling low end. I bought a 12 inch rim and, as expected, it contributes a great deal of bass. The banjo has a surprising amount of volume. It's tone and output are evenly balanced across the strings. The walnut pot, combined with the Dobson tone ring produces a surprising amount of sustain. I chose to "stuff a sock in it" to plunk it down just a bit. The result is a wonderful OT sound that is plunky, clean and clear. I have already used it in a Jam situation and it came through with flying colors.
Sound Rating: 10
The setup was fine out of the box. It's action is relatively low, yet still allows room for the thumb as I play over the long frailing scoop. I chose to tighten up the head a wee bit as it seems to have settled some since it's installation. I don't intend to alter the setup at this time. After I get to know it I may tinker some ... but for the life of me I can't imagine what I would want to fool with.
Setup Rating: 10
It has the elegance that folks have come to expect from Kevin's work. Walnut has been employed for the one-piece neck and for what looks to be a 2-ply, approx.7/16" thick, pot. The thick fingerboard and peg-head overlay are made from dark (or darkly stained) ebony. The peg head sports one of Kevin's expertly, engraved stars. The finish is is flawless and more like that which you find on his higher end models. The fret work is phenomenal. The edges of the fingerboard are eased off and the fret ends are smooth and unobtrusive.
Appearance Rating: 9
Anyone who has owned any of Kevin's banjos, from his production Tradesman to any of his upper-end models, can vouch for their quality and reliability. This Dobson doesn't appear to be an exception. I wouldn't hesitate to leave the house and gig with nothing but an extra pack of strings.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have never needed to make repairs on any of my Enoch banjers. This is my third. If I ever have to have this banjo serviced, I know I can count on my local Retailer and Kevin. Both of these fellas are friendly, expert craftsmen and musicians. I know that the banjo has a warranty but I haven't bothered to read that fine print. I have no worries in that department. I know if anything goes wrong with this banjo that Kevin and Fretted Instruments will make things right.
Follow-Up:
Kevin just informed me that these banjos have a Lifetime Warranty. What's he gonna do about a 150 years from now if this banjo develops a problem? ;>)
Customer Service: 10
Kevin has chosen to use a different style of shoes on this model. They have a vintage look and the ball end nuts complement the comfort provided by the classic Dobson heel. All the hardware looks to be of high quality. Kevin has not scrimped. The Gotoh brand planet tuners work very smoothly and hold well. Most of all, Kevin's choice of woods make this a beautiful, solid machine.
Components Rating: 9
Kevin has hit a home-run with the Dobson. It seems to be a great value for the price paid. Like Kevin's high-end products, I predict that it will be a banjo that people will want to hang onto. Don't expect too many of them to show up in the Classifieds.
My only GRIPE about this banjo was that I sold my Tradesman to help fund it's purchase!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Jason
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This fretless has that Old Time Sound that Folks are looking for. It's a great tubby sound with just enough sustain to keep it from being muddy.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo came with a goat skin and nylgut strings. I may change to a Ren. head and steel strings [in the future] just to see how this banjer responds. Jason provided TWO EXTRA hand-made bridges, of different heights, to provide some action adjustability "on the fly". All of hese bridges have a wide spacing to go along with the wide and beefy H. Dobson style neck ... perfect for drop-thumb playing.
Setup Rating: 9
This machine has a three piece, W-I-D-E, black walnut neck with a maple, center stripe. It's finger board and peg-head overlay are made of a thick layer of rosewood. The pot is maple, deep and thin with a rolled brass tone ring sitting on top. The banjo is free of inlay. It's form flowing from function and is nothing short of elegant. The quality of work and materials has my luthier scratching his head at the low price I paid. [although I forgot the exact amount :>) ].
Appearance Rating: 10
The tuners are 5-Star Planets. The hooks and nuts are industry standard and the tension hoop is fairly heavy, rolled brass, making the look distinctive and "old-timey". The pot is painted black and should start to "wear" with the use it will definitely receive. I can't wait till it starts to look "used". It should function well, as it is built for that purpose and with absolutely no unnecessary parts.
Reliability Rating: 10
Jason seems like a fine man. He worked with me on the purchase in the way a good neighbor would share his relative bounty. No warranty was offered or implied. Such talk did not seem necessary. I am sure, that if the banjo develops a problem, Jason will fix it.
Customer Service: 10
The banjo seems a wonderful value. It's parts are high quality and are readily available should I need to make any replacements.
Components Rating: 9
Mogi is bound to be a sought after name in Old Time Banjers. I'm quite lucky to have gotten in "early in the game". My banjo is going to appreciate in value as he becomes a recognized maker. I cannot wait to take #10 to the next jam.
Overall Rating: 10
Greetings HangOut Folks,
We just completed a Dan Levenson, Intermediate, Claw Hammer Workshop here in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Old Buzzard and the Lovely Miss Jennifer are great people and extremely talented musicians.
We begged for an Grand "Old-Time" and that's what we got!
It surpassed my expectations ...
As a matter of fact, I only have one "complaint". I asked Dan to show me how to improve ONE area of my playing. He found Three or Four for me to work on!
Dang! I'm gonna be busy for months.
:>) .... LOL Brother Buzzard ... :>)
Too bad I can't rate their program Higher than a 10.
Sincerely,
Eddie
Birmingham
Overall Rating: 10
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