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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.
Where Purchased: Dr.Cluck's online
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 404.00 ($US)
Drop shipped directly from Hohner since the seller didn't have it in stock. Had to set it up on my own, no problem. For the price paid, excellent sound. Rich, bright, and loud. Decent "old time" banjo for the price.
Sound Rating: 9
Had to set it up myself, but once the bridge was installed, the action was perfect right out of the box. Tuning peg tension, tail piece, and brackets all had to be tightened.
Setup Rating: 1
This is a really pretty banjo. Wonderful inlay on the headstock and fretboard. Finish is excellent, without flaws.
Appearance Rating: 10
Seems to be pretty heavy duty for a relatively inexpensive banjo. I have no doubt I could depend on it on a gig without backup.
Reliability Rating: 9
The initial purchase, shipping, and price were a great experience. I have only had it for a week, so otherwise, I haven't had to deal with either the seller or Hohner directly.
Customer Service: not rated
I really like the fiberskin head, and an actual armrest on an open back banjo!
Components Rating: 9
As with my previous review of my Saga SS-10, this is a very nice banjo for the money (sort of quoted on Elderly's website).
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 395 ($US)
Disappointing................my Saga SS-10 has more projection than this.
Sound Rating: 5
It was set up well, I'm assuming by Elderly, since they make it a practice to go over their instruments thoroughly, so I can't fairly rate the "factory" set up. Action was perfect out of the box from Elderly. The 10 rating is solely for Elderly, since I haven't had any direct experience with Gold Tone.
Setup Rating: 10
Conversational value because of the design notwithstanding, this area was the most disappointing aspect of this instrument. Lots of smudges and imperfections in the finish, the lower bought joint near the tail-piece is not even close to being approximated.........I just hope the glue holds out. If it weren't such a hassle to send things back through the mail, I would. This is my first Gold Tone instrument, and judging on the fit and finish, most likely my last/only. My Saga SS-10 entry level is much better assembled and finished than this thing.
Appearance Rating: 1
Overall, with the exception of the neck, construction seems shoddy/puny. The finish already had several imperfections when I received it. I'll use it as a conversation piece at jam sessions, but I wouldn't depend on it solely during a gig.
Reliability Rating: 2
In fairness, I'm writing this up to a mistake on my part in purchasing it in the first place. It's playable, although it should have been sold as a second, and I don't feel like going through the hassle and cost of paying shipping to send it back and risk getting another dud. So.....I haven't talked with Gold Tone or Elderly about it, but I'm sure it would be taken care of if I did.
Customer Service: not rated
Nothing particularly stands out. Fit and finish, tone, etc., are all quite lacking. This instrument should have been in the "blem" , or factory second category.
Components Rating: 2
If you are a true dyed in the wool banjo picker, DO NOT buy this instrument. If it were stolen, I'd file a claim and replace it with something else. The only question I wish I had asked before buying would have been to myself...............and I can't repeat it here.
Overall Rating: 2
Where Purchased: Centsible Sounds online
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 321.00 ($US)
Sound is rich and bright. Also loud for an open back banjo. For what it is, I give it a 10.
Sound Rating: 10
Setup was perfect right out of the box. This was drop shipped direct from Saga. They did an excellent job.
Setup Rating: 10
Very nice looking banjo. Half moon and star inlay on the peg board, star inlay at the 5th and 19th frets. Nice appearance. Finish is excellent.
Appearance Rating: 10
Seems like it will hold up well for my purposes. I just got it this afternoon, and I'll be gigging with it tonight. Will update this review as to whether I would gig with it without a backup after I use it tonight.
Reliability Rating: 10
Centsible sounds is a fantastic company. They sell mostly beginner/intermediate string, folk, wood and brass wind instruments. They are absolutely responsive to your needs. I've never had to send an instrument back for repair, but I suspect since they do use drop shipments, that you would have to send it back to the factory/importer. Definitely give Centsible sounds a call or an email, their prices and service are outstanding for the lines they carry.
Customer Service: 10
The inlay and finish are great. I love the no knot tailpiece (never had one on a banjo before). The planetary style tuners are a bit weak. I'll probably upgrade them soon. It would be nice if it came stock with a Vega style armrest. Because of the weak (read cheap) tuners and lack of armrest, I'm giving it a 7.
Components Rating: 7
I would absolutely recommend this banjo. I've been playing an Alvarez Denver Belle that I purchased new in 1977, and a recently acquired Iida model 236, and this is my first open back banjo. I wanted a quality open back to travel with and also to experiment with clawhammer/frailing, but didn't want to invest an exhorbitant amount of money. I researched this banjo for a while and decided to purchase one. I'm not sorry. I played a Deering Goodtime and liked it very much, but the cosmetic appointments, and the fact that the Goodtime doesn't have a truss rod or tone ring made me decide on the Saga. If it were stolen, I'd probably buy another one. I'm giving it a 9 out of 10 overall due to the cheap tuners and lack of armrest.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Local music store
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 150 ($US) (bought USED)
Sounds great. Loud and bright.
Sound Rating: 10
Set it up myself, so its great for me.
Setup Rating: 10
Ugly duckling, nothing fancy. Wood tone, inverted shaped V inlays on the fingerboard. Vine inlay on the headstock.
Appearance Rating: 9
Excellent. Well constructed. Fit and finish are great.
Reliability Rating: 9
Can't find any historical info. Can't find any info on current importer.
Customer Service: not rated
Bell brass tone ring, Schaller style tuners. Replaced broken Kershner style tailpiece and 5th string tuner.
Components Rating: 9
This is a model 236. I can't find much historical info on it, but i feel it was an excellent purchase. I use it onstage without hesitation. Would highly recommend for the money.
Overall Rating: 10
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