Play's great.... Sounds like a banjo... Play's like a guitar

Play's great.... Sounds like a banjo... Play's like a guitar

As a guitar player curious about banjos, I decided to try this left-handed six-string banjo, and it's been a fantastic experience overall. The biggest selling point for me is the ease of transition—since it tunes like a guitar, there’s very little learning curve. If you’re a guitarist, you’ll feel right at home.That said, the setup did take some effort. The bridge placement, string height, and tuning the drumhead required patience and care. However, at this price point, that’s to be expected, and putting in the time paid off with an instrument that plays pretty well.The fit and finish are impressive. The banjo feels solid, and the frets were smooth, with no sharp edges cutting into my hands—something I was pleasantly surprised by. It's also lightweight enough to be comfortable but still feels substantial when played.The sound is bright and twangy, with that distinct banjo punch I was hoping for. It’s perfect for experimenting with new genres or adding a unique layer to my music. Overall, this is a great option for anyone looking to dive into banjo playing without abandoning the familiarity of a guitar.

As a guitar player curious about banjos, I decided to try this left-handed six-string banjo, and it's been a fantastic experience overall. The biggest selling point for me is the ease of transition—since it tunes like a guitar, there’s very little learning curve. If you’re a guitarist, you’ll feel right at home.That said, the setup did take some effort. The bridge placement, string height, and tuning the drumhead required patience and care. However, at this price point, that’s to be expected, and putting in the time paid off with an instrument that plays pretty well.The fit and finish are impressive. The banjo feels solid, and the frets were smooth, with no sharp edges cutting into my hands—something I was pleasantly surprised by. It's also lightweight enough to be comfortable but still feels substantial when played.The sound is bright and twangy, with that distinct banjo punch I was hoping for. It’s perfect for experimenting with new genres or adding a unique layer to my music. Overall, this is a great option for anyone looking to dive into banjo playing without abandoning the familiarity of a guitar.

I was looking for a six-string banjo and saw this one, but when I went to buy it I saw the listing for the right handed version had been removed.This looked like a fairly good six-string banjo at a reasonable price, so I bought one of the left-handed ones. I was pleasantly surprised by the product. The finish is good, and so far the hardware seems OK. The fingerboard was very dry and has some minor surface defects. It took three applications of fretboard oil to fix that. The rim laminations look good. The nut is plastic - I would prefer bone and will probably replace it in the future. The strap hangers are no good and I removed them. As the banjo came the head was loose and the action was poor, but that was expected and easily fixed. The neck is straight and the sides of the fingerboard are bound, although the fret ends are still a bit rough. The frets above the twelfth have a small dip that I will file out later. Because this model doesn't have a metal tone ring it is a little duller sounding than I had hoped, but you get what you pay for. And because I play righty, I knew I would have to make the left handed version into a right handed version.Now for the changeover from left to right handedNote: I have over 30 years of experience building and repairing guitars and banjos, so while I say this process is simple it may not be for everyone. These instructions are aimed at someone who is already somewhat experienced in the simple maintenance and set-up of a guitar or banjo; but anyone skilled with their hands and small tools should be able to follow them. If you don't understand any of the instructions, then don't attempt this modification. I will not be responsible for any damage done by anyone following these instructions.I converted this to from left to right handed in under two hours. It is a simple process except for the nut. IF you think I am fooling you about this, look in the photos and note the side dot markers are on the wrong side of the neck for a right handed model.Steps:- Remove the resonator and put in a safe place.- For this next step be aware that ends of the strings are sharp and the strings are springy, so if you are inexperienced wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent the sharp ends from stabbing you. This is a recommendation for any time you change strings. First carefully de-string by detuning, then unwind and remove the strings at the tuners. Next carefully pull the strings through the tailpiece. If you intend to use new strings then just skip this step cut them off with wire cutters. Note where the bridge was sitting on the head - there are likely indentations from the feet. Set the bridge aside for now.- Place painters tape on the fingerboard and the headstock up against the nut. This is to protect them from the next step. Using superglue and baking soda, carefully fill in the slits on the nut. If you have never done this before you should definitely look up this process on youtube. I think stewmac has a good video on this. When this mixture is hardened (give it a minute or two) carefully sand or file it down to remove any excess, so only the slots remain filled. Re-string the banjo in right hand order with mild tension on each string.-Now possible the most difficult part - creating new slots in the nut for the strings in their right hand order. !! Optionally, you may buy a new pres-lotted nut, and as the one the banjo comes with is plastic, I would highly recommend replacing it with a good bone one, which you can find on Amazon. In the answers section it is noted the nut is 4.4cm wide, but you might want to measure for yourself. Also, this might require a bit of fitting too, mostly to get the height correct.Cutting new grooves for the strings takes fine files and/or saw blades. Do this slowly, fitting each string and not making the cuts too deep so as to avoid the string hitting the first fret. When finished, put the strings in the slots in the nut and place the strings in the slots on the bridge, noting it is now turned 180 degrees from its original position. It should be obvious which side is which as the slots on the bridge should match the size of the strings.- Remove the armrest and move it to the other side. It is one bolt and mounts the same on either side.- Finally you will want to set the action which was not set on my banjo when it came. This is a skill you should have anyway, and if you bought this banjo and didn't change it, this would likely need to be done anyway. Look to YouTube to find videos on setting the action and intonation. It applies to guitars as well as banjos.Good luck.

I was looking for a six-string banjo and saw this one, but when I went to buy it I saw the listing for the right handed version had been removed.This looked like a fairly good six-string banjo at a reasonable price, so I bought one of the left-handed ones. I was pleasantly surprised by the product. The finish is good, and so far the hardware seems OK. The fingerboard was very dry and has some minor surface defects. It took three applications of fretboard oil to fix that. The rim laminations look good. The nut is plastic - I would prefer bone and will probably replace it in the future. The strap hangers are no good and I removed them. As the banjo came the head was loose and the action was poor, but that was expected and easily fixed. The neck is straight and the sides of the fingerboard are bound, although the fret ends are still a bit rough. The frets above the twelfth have a small dip that I will file out later. Because this model doesn't have a metal tone ring it is a little duller sounding than I had hoped, but you get what you pay for. And because I play righty, I knew I would have to make the left handed version into a right handed version.Now for the changeover from left to right handedNote: I have over 30 years of experience building and repairing guitars and banjos, so while I say this process is simple it may not be for everyone. These instructions are aimed at someone who is already somewhat experienced in the simple maintenance and set-up of a guitar or banjo; but anyone skilled with their hands and small tools should be able to follow them. If you don't understand any of the instructions, then don't attempt this modification. I will not be responsible for any damage done by anyone following these instructions.I converted this to from left to right handed in under two hours. It is a simple process except for the nut. IF you think I am fooling you about this, look in the photos and note the side dot markers are on the wrong side of the neck for a right handed model.Steps:- Remove the resonator and put in a safe place.- For this next step be aware that ends of the strings are sharp and the strings are springy, so if you are inexperienced wear safety glasses and gloves to prevent the sharp ends from stabbing you. This is a recommendation for any time you change strings. First carefully de-string by detuning, then unwind and remove the strings at the tuners. Next carefully pull the strings through the tailpiece. If you intend to use new strings then just skip this step cut them off with wire cutters. Note where the bridge was sitting on the head - there are likely indentations from the feet. Set the bridge aside for now.- Place painters tape on the fingerboard and the headstock up against the nut. This is to protect them from the next step. Using superglue and baking soda, carefully fill in the slits on the nut. If you have never done this before you should definitely look up this process on youtube. I think stewmac has a good video on this. When this mixture is hardened (give it a minute or two) carefully sand or file it down to remove any excess, so only the slots remain filled. Re-string the banjo in right hand order with mild tension on each string.-Now possible the most difficult part - creating new slots in the nut for the strings in their right hand order. !! Optionally, you may buy a new pres-lotted nut, and as the one the banjo comes with is plastic, I would highly recommend replacing it with a good bone one, which you can find on Amazon. In the answers section it is noted the nut is 4.4cm wide, but you might want to measure for yourself. Also, this might require a bit of fitting too, mostly to get the height correct.Cutting new grooves for the strings takes fine files and/or saw blades. Do this slowly, fitting each string and not making the cuts too deep so as to avoid the string hitting the first fret. When finished, put the strings in the slots in the nut and place the strings in the slots on the bridge, noting it is now turned 180 degrees from its original position. It should be obvious which side is which as the slots on the bridge should match the size of the strings.- Remove the armrest and move it to the other side. It is one bolt and mounts the same on either side.- Finally you will want to set the action which was not set on my banjo when it came. This is a skill you should have anyway, and if you bought this banjo and didn't change it, this would likely need to be done anyway. Look to YouTube to find videos on setting the action and intonation. It applies to guitars as well as banjos.Good luck.

The crafting of this banjo is top notch, looks like a 500$ banjo

The crafting of this banjo is top notch, looks like a 500$ banjo

When my husband opened.on Christmas morning the J rod and nut was laying in the bottom of the.bag the banjo was in; I will although say.the.phone staff at Amazon did try to do everything to get parts for this banjo, however I did not buy something broken and we did not feel we.should.try to fix this.

When my husband opened.on Christmas morning the J rod and nut was laying in the bottom of the.bag the banjo was in; I will although say.the.phone staff at Amazon did try to do everything to get parts for this banjo, however I did not buy something broken and we did not feel we.should.try to fix this.

not a bad sounding instrument, few minor glitches but you get what you pay for.

not a bad sounding instrument, few minor glitches but you get what you pay for.

Unplayable. Cannot be tuned. The neck is loose and acts like a tremolo. It's a very pretty looking banjo, too bad the tuning changes with the effects of gravity as you pick it up from horizontal.

Unplayable. Cannot be tuned. The neck is loose and acts like a tremolo. It's a very pretty looking banjo, too bad the tuning changes with the effects of gravity as you pick it up from horizontal.

guiter banjo could have had electric guitar strings on as reg guitar strings are to coarse to sound well

guiter banjo could have had electric guitar strings on as reg guitar strings are to coarse to sound well

A surprisingly nice instrument for the money. The fret ends were sharp but easily filed.

A surprisingly nice instrument for the money. The fret ends were sharp but easily filed.

Very Very Nice Instrument. I Must Do A Fully Custom Setup For My Style Of Playing BUT , " That's Always Enjoyable For Me ; When I'm Done We Become Best Friends For Life. " 🎚 (( P.S. ))= If You Are A Left Handed Picker Who Uses Finger Picks , This Instrument Would Most Definitely Sound Great !!!!

Very Very Nice Instrument. I Must Do A Fully Custom Setup For My Style Of Playing BUT , " That's Always Enjoyable For Me ; When I'm Done We Become Best Friends For Life. " 🎚 (( P.S. ))= If You Are A Left Handed Picker Who Uses Finger Picks , This Instrument Would Most Definitely Sound Great !!!!

This was a Christmas gift and my son loved it.

This was a Christmas gift and my son loved it.

fantastic great sound reasonable price and was delivered to Australia within in a week very impressedthankyou amazon

fantastic great sound reasonable price and was delivered to Australia within in a week very impressedthankyou amazon