Customer Reviews

Washburn Banjo Starter Kit (Gig bag, Strap, Picks, Pitch Pipe)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First the bad news....
1. The action on this banjo is VERY high. For a beginner it will take extra practice to master fretting any closed chords.
2. The thumb string tuneing peg.. S-S-S-S-SUCKS! The slightest tap will change the pitch DRAMATICALLY. And there's barely enough resistance in the peg for it to hold the string in a nice G.

The good news....
1. After geting started with this banjo, whatever instrument you upgrade to will be remarkably easier to play.

2. Wooden tone ring. "Brass, brass, brass" everybody wants a brass tone ring, but you WILL NOT find it in a banjo in this price range. Secondly its a hang-up any way. There is one other material that to me ear meets the quailty of brass.. wood! This banjo has a wooden tone ring, which is rather unique. Many competitors put a plastic tone ring in their starter models - that's why they sound like [...]. I salute Washburn for experimenting with the wooden tone ring. It has put a light, inexpensive, quality sounding instruement on the market.

3. I would buy this instrument again and again. One day I'll upgrade but not until I'm ready to drop about $4000.00 USD on a new instrument. In other words my Washburn will most likely by an heirloom in my family. I'm entierly pleased with that thought.

The banjo itself is a good product for the money, however the other items included in the kit leave more to be desired.

The bag has no extra pockets to hold pitch pipe, picks, etc.

The picks are plastic. Typically you want metal picks for your two fingers.

The strap is designed for a guitar, not a banjo, and there is no easy way to attach it. I am currently using a paperclip to hold it on.

Again, the banjo itself is fine, but I find myself needing to buy a new bag, strap, and picks anyway. I also have no use for the pitch pipe because I have an app on my smart phone. If I were to go back, I would buy a beginners banjo with out the extras and use the saved money to purchase products I'd be happy with.

Good quality for what you get, not the top of the line model but seems like one that you can play for awhile.

I am a professional guitarist, and I was given the B8 banjo years ago as a gift. My goal was to learn how to play some Scruggs-style bluegrass songs using metal finger picks and a plastic thumb pick, and this banjo got me there without trouble. I found the action to be easy enough, since I only play open chords on banjo. The sound is certainly not as refined as a higher end instrument, as one might expect at this price point.

I would only recommend this instrument without the additional items in the "kit". I would personally have no desire for a pitch pipe or plastic finger picks, and I'd rather choose my own strap, thank you.

Bottom line: If this is for a beginner who may or may not stick with it, the B8 probably a good way to go.

This banjo was a gift for my fiance for Christmas. It has absolutely blown him away!! He just loves it. Thanks so much. You've got our business.

We received the Banjo in a timely manner (before Christmas) actually before we thought we would get it. Everything was there - it is perfect. We just need somebody to play it now.