Customer Reviews

Rogue Learn the Banjo Starter Pack (Standard)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great 'starter pack' for the banjo. I haven't ever played a stringed instrument before but am finding the DVD instructions easy to use. The banjo seems like decent enough quality for the beginner. The pack doesn't come with finger picks so you might want to order them separately (they're cheap). I'm having lots of fun with the banjo and DVD!

I've been playing the guitar (casually) for over five years, and as a big fan of bluegrass music, decided to purchase one of the cheapest banjos I could find. I figured if I got the hang of the technique (such as finger rolls) and found myself still practicing it in six months, I would upgrade to a better (and more expensive) banjo. So, I went ahead and purchased the Rogue Travel Banjo.

The banjo arrived in need of some tweaking. Nothing too difficult. First, the bridge does not come installed-- the user will have to tune the strings down until they are loose and manually insert the bridge (you can find where to place the bridge online). Also, the neck on my product was slanted, but just gripping the neck where it connects to the body and giving it a little twist straightens it out no problem. I also had to tighten the nuts on the tuning pegs.

After getting the banjo in proper order (any good music shop should know how to do so, and any great music shop will do it at no cost since it's only a few minutes of work), it works great. It's got a nice sound to it, and although I haven't compared it with any expensive banjos since I've owned it (but I've been around them), I feel it is certainly worth every dollar you pay for it.

If you need help with your banjo, do a search for "banjo hangout" and visit the forums. Members are very friendly and will be able to help you tweak the instrument to get it sounding optimal and help you place the bridge properly.

The DVD makes it easy to tune to if you don't have a tuner. I also found the chord book helpful (and the DVD comes with a tiny book inside with tablature to a few relatively easy songs).

Advertised as a starter kit, and that's exactly what it is. A bare bones banjo, a book with DVD that tells the preliminary things like how to hold it, tune it, basic rolls and chords, and two finger picks. The bag is even handy.
Nothing fancy, but it doesn't need to be. I was pleased.

Almost everything that a beginning banjoist needs! The only things I had to buy were the strap, the picks and the stand...everything else was included! The banjo itself is a good starter, not the highest quality, but perfect to start on. The case is excellent, the book and DVD are invaluable. I'm on my way to the Grand Ole Opry :)

I bought this banjo starter pack for my fiance for Christmas. He already plays the guitar and wanted to learn the banjo. This was perfect for a banjo beginner. Not the best banjo quality in the world, but it's decent for someone learning!

Sounded okay for a couple of weeks, then the larger D string began buzzing on several frets. I tried tapping the frets down, and then had to file 2 of them, all for not. If I had it to do again, I would have bought a better quality banjo, but will probably try to fix myself, as there are no local stores here that sell or service banjos.

This has been a great starter banjo. I feel comfortable with the idea of growing into it. The bridge was not installed on mine. I suggest that you get smart on how to put one together, or make sure that you have a music shop/store close by that knows how to do it. I was able to put it together and used a digital tuner to start playing here in Iraq. The DVD has been helpfull. Just remember to stop it and practice, or he will make you sick with his ability to play it slow two times, and then take off playing fast. I love it. Still 'a pickin'.

I bought the Rogue Learn the Banjo Starter Pack as a wedding anniversay gift to my wife. The banjo arrived very promptly, and in fact, it arrived way before the end of the estimated delivery date, and it arrived in good condition. Today is our 19th wedding anniversay, and I gave it to her today, and when she opened the big box in which it was shipped in, I saw the look of excitement in her eyes when she realized what it was, and she grinned from ear to ear, and she almost cried because she was so excited and happy. She had wanted a banjo for quite awhile. That banjo made my wife very happy today, and she was picken at it for a good while after opening it. If there are any problems with the banjo, we haven't noticed any. The banjo was $149.99 and after seeing my wife's reaction, it was money well spent.

My husband has been using this for 10 months and loves it. Expect to replace the strings and bridge eventually. The tuners loose their adjustment fairly easily, so get yourself a nice digital tuner with a swing meter. This is to be expected for a beginner banjo. The sound is nice and it looks great. I couldn't have asked for a better deal to get my husband started!

I've just returned the banjo to the seller after trying to get it in tune for the last couple of weeks. I'm not sure what was wrong with this banjo but I could not get it to even sound close to what a banjo should sound like. I will point out that Musician's Friend has been easy to work with so far. I'll post an update after they receive my return as far as how quickly they credit my refund and if they charge me a restocking fee (they shouldn't as I've returned everything to them in the original packing and in perfect condition).