I've been playing guitar, bass, mandolin, and piano for about five years now and have been wanting to learn the banjo. I just received one of these for my birthday, and I have to say: it's amazing. I love the sound quality and the ease in playing. It's a beautiful instrument and works flawlessly. I'm very pleased to own this as my first banjo. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I picked this banjo up from a thrift store for 120 dollars, pretty much in new condition. I've had it for about a year now and have been playing for about a year. Initially, it sounded mediocre at best. This was due to bad strings, high action, and very low stock bridge. I picked up some Earthwood Banjo Strings and a 1/2 inch bridge, slapped those on. Also lowered the action about as low as I could go without sacrificing any sound quality. Now, after all these alterations which you could have a professional do, including parts, for probably about 40 dollars, it sounds really amazing. No fret buzz, loud as you'd ever need. Another suggestion if you purchase, do not hook your strap to the triangle, metal hooks that come on this banjo. They will break, as they do on most banjos. I just hook my strap to the fasteners that hold the head on.

Overall, if you're a beginner or intermediate players and want a banjo with a resonator, this is the one I'd suggest. Most instruments need work to fit your style of playing and to get the sound you like, so expect to change bridges, strings, action, etc... for most instruments.

I bought this from a local store - already setup. I have shopped for 6 weeks and played every banjo in a 3 county radius before choosing this one - many in this price range had NO up the neck tone. This Fender did. It very nice looking, flawless from the store - sounds great, fun, slick - I really am pleased. No buyer's remorse. I love this banjo. If you are on a budget - this banjo is for you.

I bought this banjo in late July from a local music store. It seems that in shipping, it was crushed and the brackets that hold the resonator to the pot were smashed. They gave it to me for 99 bucks, and with a little elmer's glue and a set up, this thing sounds great. It is easy to play and projects well, I'd recommend it as a solid banjo to anyone.

My only qualm is the lack of traditional friction tuners...the geared tuners make it hard to play certain classic bluegrass tunes.

This was my first banjo and after giving it a little tune-up, adjusting the bridge and tightening the drum head down I'm very satisfied I think it's not a bad banjo for the price and for starting out