I've been playing bluegrass banjo for many years, but wanted to start learning clawhammer. My bg banjo is way too loud for ch, so I picked this up to learn on. Not much sound projection due to no sound ring, but for learning ch, it was perfect. As I progressed in clawhammer, my ability to project grew. Bottom line is, I would even perform with this banjo without a concern. BTW, I considered to put a tone ring in it, but the pot is less than the customary dia, so it would require a special ring. I'm good with it the way it is.

I have used this banjo professionally on gigs (mostly playing dixieland stuff.) The setup is not good. Put on new strings. Once you do that it is alright, not the greatest but very good for the money. The tuning is a little weird on it sometimes, but it is usable.

I've had this banjo for a few months now and do not regret making it my first banjo. When it arrived in the box I had no idea of how to place the bridge on and was having issues with it. After I clumsily loosened all the strings from the tailpiece, the strings popped right off - I gave up (very dumb thing to do, don't loosen the tailpiece). I took the banjo to a music store and had them professionally set up by a banjo player for about $50 and had a new set of strings (D' Addario 5-string banjo strings). The guy that set it up for me strummed an open "G" chord and I caught myself saying "Wow. That sounds awesome." He also told me that it was a really good beginner's banjo and that it was just as good as a more expensive model. My advice would be to have this set up professionally by a banjo player if you can find one. All in all, a great buy for the price!

I play a full weight Gibson 250 a lot, but when I want to pick a banjo up to pick around with, this is the first off the stand every time. Mine is older and I haven't had 1/3 the set-up problems others have had. I have played mine so much I just replaced the head with an elite. I would recomend going to martin light strings. This banjo isn't very loud, but I have my Gibson for that!

Very bad quality banjo, I made a bad choice. Do not buy this one. Got a bad buzz sound quality is bad. Im a beginer and did not know. I took to a dealer he said it was junk. I agree. I picked up a bean blossom hobo banjo and bought it. Great soud and Quality for not much more money than the epi mb 100 banjo.