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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: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2022
Price Paid: 2,000 m/l ($US)
The sound is amazing! Nice rich sound and Clawhammer perfection. It can be played softly or loud, and so easy to play. The 12” rim adds some depth to low response & with the Dobson Tone Ring it is the best of both worlds!
Nothing to dislike…
I just purchased an Audigo recording
System… incredible!
Sound Rating: 10
Action was spot on, very well set up
No changes to date…
Nice hard shell case
Deering planetary tunners - nice touch
Setup Rating: 10
It is in a word - beautiful, a work of art;
The maple rim and neck are dark stained walnut, the neck is smooth and fast. The fingerboard has an elegant streaked & smoky look.
No embellishments to date
Appearance Rating: 10
I’ve used for gigs, guard it like a hawk & treated like a child, to date no marks or scratches.
The hardware is first rate- should last for years
Reliability Rating: 10
Elderly has always been a excellent company & great service
Customer Service: 10
The fingerboard has a unique appearance of different hues & very pleasing. Very strong bridge
No weak parts
The Dobson tone ring is awesome
Components Rating: 10
It's simple, if you can find one, buy it! you'll not be disappointed. A perfect banjo for Clawhammer. I'm in the market for one in Cherry!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly , I think
After 50 years, if you're anything like me, you too probably have a 5 gallon bucket of capos, some good, ok, great and crummy. The Fret Paw is great and usually needs no string adjustment, and built like a brick out house. It is however, somewhat cumbersome, that is, I usually have to fool with to get it just right, which, at home , is ok, playing out, not so good. Not cheap, but worth the price.
BC
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: from Doc
I bought one from Doc ( few weeks ago) for my new Reiter Bacophone based on what I told him. It was too muted, and dark, but he did his best based on my info. Without any problem, he said send it back and it was replaced with what he described as what many Bluegrass players use to just mellow the tone a little, so about a 1.5 on a scale of ten. Plenty O' Volume. Wow! It is purrrrrrfect... And just mellowed the tone/brightness a little. Really sounds great........I get so many compliments on this piece of Art, very colorful.
Very, very well done. A really nice touch is Doc is obviously a really nice guy- and wonderful to do business with. His bridges are pricey..........and worth every penny! -BC
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From Kateyz
I added this bridge to my Chuck Lee Glen Rose original some three years ago - about a year after I bought this model banjo new from Elderly. It's hard for me to believe I forgot to say something about it until now. A good friend of mine from Springfield, IL had met this fellow and turned me on to his work-in a word awesome! I ordered the spice bridge with the purple heart pegged top- medium weight as he suggested. It's built like a brick outhouse; I can't imagine that it would ever need replacing. Really very nicely crafted and he's a fine fellow to do business with. As I remember it was about $35, and worth every penny.
Did it make a difference to "Rose"...hmmmm? It's hard to improve on perfection from a Chuck Lee.
Now I'm looking for a new bridge for the new Reiter Bacophone; might just order another.
-BC
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased: 11/14
Price Paid: 1,495 ($US)
I think this works so well for Clawhammer. Having said that, I would liken the Bacon Style tone ring to watching the NFL on a beautiful fall day or hiking the trails in S.Illinois; I prefer the latter. My point is you will either love this sound or not- I love it. The sound is full and very rich- sweet but not overly bright. If I wanted to I could wake my country neighbors, as it can be very lound, but I have a lighter touch. There is plenty of depth in the 4th string bass response.
Nothing to dislike here at all.
Sound Rating: 10
As wih the Chuck Lee Glenn "Rose" bought from Elderly four years ago, the set up on "Liza" the Reiter was perfect. The bridge was under loose strings for shipping and marked for the proper position. The Elite head is very tight and the action low just where I like it. I can't thnk of anything here I would change- Elderly is stickler for checking everything out and does a superior job
Setup Rating: 10
Just like Diana Krall & Gina Davis- the banjo is very easy on the eyes. The mahogany neck is stained dark as is the rim with a Walnut cap- very pretty indeed. the finish is satin and smooth- the inlay is really plain (who cares) with a star on the peghead and at the 5th fret
and some dots. The necked is scooped, but I play much higher on he neck. No flaws whatsoever- beautiful creation.
Appearance Rating: 10
The Planetary tunners are really nice with smooth action- the "pearloid" appearance is a nice contrast with the dark wood.
The finish is fine. It will last a lifetime and very dependable & see no reason for a backup. All other hardware is spot on- obvious quality.
Reliability Rating: 10
Elderly folks are the salt of the earth; I was in Lansing last May; many commented positively on my play and they are very knowlegeable and just great people. I don't care what the employees say about Stan Werbin; I think he's doing a great job. (just kidding) I think the Reiter is warranted for a year from Elderly- maybe more from Bart; I'll have to check., but hardly concerned. I've never had a banjo repaired by Elderly.
Customer Service: 10
Nothing cheap or weak here at all. Very high quality- 2nd to none.
The finish and the tuners really stand out.
Components Rating: 10
All the brouhaha about appearance, inlay, extras & embellishments are secondary to tone and playability. The Bacophone is superb in this regard. The action, tone and ease of "attack" is in a word awesome. Just my opinion, but every banjo and every banjo player is different. It simply depends on the player and what sound they prefer. And not that I don't enjoy fine inlays but it has nothing to do with tone and playability. The Bacon style tone ring may not work for everyone- for me it's a dream. I would strongly suggest as with any instrument that you play one before buying. Speaking of that, most Reiter models are sold before they reach the showroom floor (like mine); a banjo shop in PA had a Regent model in for -two hours. My understanding is that Bart will retire in 2016.
This banjo is awesome; the workmanship, quality & expertise that went into it is all there at a fair price. It compliments my Chuck Lee very well. -BC
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly
Along with free shipping on the new Reiter Bacophone I bought this Guardian hardshell only because the TLK Canadian made cases were out of stock. I'll give it a 7 for now- we'll see how it holds up. It is alleged to be the top of their line and made in China and whereas I have nothing against the Chinese- their lack of pollution controls in manufacturing is criminal.
The overall construction and appearance is not bad, but not great. The inside seems well padded. My main gripe are the latches- 3 of the 5 are misaligned, a little loose and sloppy. Just bad workmanship. It does close but the latches should be much tighter. Not sure I'll take a banjo on the road with it, but it will work for home storage. I did get a deal on it for $94.00 so not much to complain about. The warranty is great- 90 minutes or 90 years whichever comes first. If you can wait for a TLK, I would. BTW, I did play a Reiter Galax when at Elderly- another nice model. -BC
Overall Rating: 7
Where Purchased: Elderly
These two consummate old time musicians bring out the best on 21 traditional tunes/duets for clawhammer banjo and fiddle. Some included are Billy in the Lowground, Rose Division, Bonapartes' Retreat, Magpie, etc. Really nice recording from two of my favorites!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments
Very nice for the money....seems well built and sturdy. My new Chuck Lee fits in their like a glove. Nice storage compartment
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased: April 10'
Price Paid: 2,377 ($US)
This is awesome for clawhammer & it needs no further set up that I can see. The sound is rich and full with plenty of volume; the Whyte Laydie tone ring makes it brighter but not overwhelmingly so. There is everything to like, no dislikes whatsoever.
Sound Rating: 10
The set up seems just fine and the action suits me just perfectly. Elderly stated that they rarely change the set up on a Chuck lee.
Setup Rating: 10
The banjo is flawless...period. The neck is a very light maple with a little "bird eyes," which is a very nice touch. The rim is cherry that makes a nice contrast with the maple. The finish is light color and smooth as a baby's behind; a lovely angel in a white MOP adornes the peghead. Beautiful to gaze upon!
Appearance Rating: 10
It has the best of everything- the finish seems rock hard and should last a lifetime.
It should never need a backup. Every aspect of the fit is perfect.
Reliability Rating: 10
The warranty is lifetime agaisnt defects and Chuck is the finest fellow I ever have done business with period. Chuck spends alot of time getting to know each customer and his service is superior.
Customer Service: 10
The quality of the wood used is awesome; all componets are of the highest quality. The final finish and overall quality is over the top...lots of love and dedication when into this banjo.
Components Rating: 10
Every time I put "Rose" down she jumps back in my lap. The "playability" rating is 10+. The action is quick and responsive with a beautiful tone; my fingers glide effortlessly up and down the neck. Melodic clawhammer is easily performed.
As good as sex? Damn.....it's really close!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly
This seems to be well made and sturdy- there could be a little more padding in places. I would not leave a banjo on it for more than a short time; I have a very frisky and inquisitive cat; and away from high traffic areas. Anything will topple over if pushed hard enough so it's not dummie proof.
Overall Rating: 9
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