Features:

  • 5 STRING Full Size Banjo with Geared 5th Tuner
  • RESONATOR mahogany closed back for bluegrass or clawhammer style banjo
  • 24 BRACKETS for nice loud ring and tone, PROFESSIONAL REMO drumhead and MAPLE fingerboard
  • Comes ASSEMBLED and includes BONUS BANJO BOOK with chord charts
  • Measures 38" long, and 13.5" across at the widest part. Weighs 5.5lbs.
Birthday gift for a kid that likes string instruments

I don't know how better to state this.. The kid learned guitar then wanted a ukulele so got that too. Now, after talking with my wife, decided to add a banjo to the mix and the excitement was over the top. So far so good!

Holds tune, solid for price, looks fairly impressive

Long time guitar, mandolin, and ukulele player here. I'd had some experience playing the banjo (borrowed a friend's for a while here and there) but had never owned one. Bought this because of the price and the full resonator and have been blown away at the quality! Mine arrived in tip top shape, despite some of the other reviewers having issues. For the price it's absolutely incredible for those looking to pick up the instrument to add to their repertoire. I have had it approximately three months now and it holds its tune better than my Taylor. Great buy for the money!

A Far Superior Quality Instrument Than The Price Tag Suggests

I read reviews of this product and similar ones. I took, I suppose what one may call a $139.99 "calculated gamble" to on this instrument, and hit he jackpot. It arrived at my house yesterday afternoon. I took it out of the box and had to do nothing to it but tune it. The materials are solid, it stays in tune, it sounds great! Note: I am a beginner regarding the banjo, however I have semi-professionally played guitar and bass for many years, so I do have pretty good idea of how fretted/stringed instruments are to be made, set up, sound, etc. I have also had the "opportunity" to experience many low quality fretted/stringed instruments in my day. Let me emphatically tell you that this banjo IS NOT one of them AT ALL. Granted, it is more modest looking than something that Roy Clark, Earl Scruggs, or Bela Fleck may (have) play(ed), however it is a nice looking instrument. The feel of the neck is smooth and solid. The string action is effortless with no fret buzz. Looking at the reviews, I suppose that there are bad eggs in every bunch, however my experience with Amazon Prime tells me that if you do get a "bad egg," they will take it back and promptly give you a new one. It is really quite refreshing to be so pleased with a purchase and feel like I really got a bargain. Update: (March 31) I've been playing this this thing for about 2 months now. I've been playing it fairly often and it still is very loyal to its tuning. As I get a bit better at it, I still think that it plays and sounds great. Very happy with my purchase. :-)

Great Banjo for the Beginner

I've been playing musical instruments for over twenty years, as a classically trained violinist and violist. With that in mind, I have a pretty high standard when it comes to musical instruments. I also know when a musical instrument is simply incapable of producing good tone, or playing in tune, or poorly made. This banjo far exceeded my expectations. I've bought cheap musical instruments before, typically when I was travelling into parts of the world where an expensive instrument was not likely to return in one piece, and so I'm familiar with the compromises that are inherent in buying inexpensive instruments. This banjo has few, if any, compromises. To begin with, the banjo is well made and cosmetically attractive. All of the fittings were made of solid material, and installed straight and true. The frets are spaced correctly, and the strings are positioned over the fingerboard properly, with no buzzing or dead notes. The instrument required no adjustment out of the box, other than tuning. Once tuned, it lost it's tuning by less than a half note across all the strings during the first hour of play, which is due to the stretch of new strings. Once the strings were "broken in", it consistently held its tune from day to day. The tone of this instrument is good. It might not be the Stradivarius of banjos, but to my musician's ear, it produces a consistent, clear, and pleasing tone. (You have to use good technique, or no instrument will produce good tone). Hammer ons and slides were clear, without distortion or buzzing. As I mentioned previously, the spacing of the strings, both over the fingerboard as well as across the bridge, is perfect. To sum it up, I had intended to buy this banjo as a cheap starter banjo, and to upgrade if I ended up enjoying it. The fact of the matter is that I see no need to upgrade any time soon. I'll put a set of good strings on it (the strings that came on it seem fine, but I'm excited to see what a set of "high grade" strings will sound like) and maybe replace the head if I get around to it, but let me be clear; neither of those things are necessary. This thing looks good, plays good, and sounds good out of the box. If you're looking for a banjo to start picking, look no further. This'll do ya fine.

Great instrument for a great price!

This is a great first banjo for a very good price. Our grandson who is a guitarist and has 7 different guitars has always wanted to try a banjo. He was so excited when he opened Christmas Eve. It has very good sound and seems to be well made. I would recommend this instrument for any one wanting a banjo

Explorer Banjo

Absurdly cheap for a banjo but I can report it plays and sounds just fine. My fifth string needed a dash of work to not sound like a sitar but Banjos often come with small set up issues.

Beautiful instrument

My husband bought this as a gift for his father who always wanted to learn to play the banjo. When we got it we immediately wrapped it without opening. His father opened it and was shocked and so were we! This banjo was absolutely gorgeous looking and sounded really good. This is a quality instrument that came an affordable price.

Great Deal on a Beginner Banjo

For the price I was expecting total junk, but I was very surprised how good this banjo looked and sounded. If you want to learn playing the banjo without spending a fortune this is the was to go. They do ship it with the head loose to avoid damage. You can find many videos of how to tighten it online. As with any new set of strings I had to tune them often until the strings fully stretched out. Overall, I highly recommend this banjo for a beginner.

This banjo made me happy

My grandfather played banjo. He died when I was young, but the image of him sitting there singing and playing has stuck with me for my entire life. I've always wanted to play one. Finally decided it was time. Did my homework on beginner banjos. This one came recommended from a couple good sources. It's well made and the tone is great. It has the removable back so I can choose my style later on when I become more proficient. Totally pleased with the purchase.

Great instrument for the money

This was a gift for our granddaughter and she was delighted with it. She is 17 and plays several instruments. The banjo looked good and the quality of the finish was good. She tuned it easily and the sound was very good (based on my granddaughters' assessment). Recommend this for anyone who is looking for an entry level banjo that looks and sounds good.

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