Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have been a bass player in bluegrass circles for over 10 years. Recently I wanted to learn the banjo. The overall fit, finish and quality of Fender products are excellent. I own Fender guitars and the necks have a great feel.That goes for this FB-300 banjo. Fender isn't the first company you think of when speaking of bluegrass instrument companies however this banjo sounds great and playability is great. Here are my thoughts and experiences with this banjo
1. Tuners: Surprisingly good. Kept strings in tune for weeks at a time without any adjustments
2. Banjo head: Coming from the factory I found the head to be very loose which makes the sound muddy. I firmly tightened the head and it brought the banjo to life. It became brighter and louder. It actually has a moderate "punch" now.
3. Fender Service Department: One of the head tightening hooks had a defect and snapped when I applied only moderate tension. Fender service without question sent me replacement parts for free. 5 stars for Fender service who had very knowledgeable and helpful personnel.
4. Weight: This is a very light banjo...half to a third the weight of Gibson, Deering, Stelling banjos and also smaller in overall diameter. For beginners this is great because you are not struggling with the banjo instead of focusing on technique. It makes a good travel banjo if you want to go to the beach or park and not worrying about it being banged around.
5. Sound: The quality of the sound is great for this price. I have a Deering Goodtime that sounds like a really good old timey open back banjo. The Fender is brighter and has more of a punch. What suffers is the overall volume and lead banjo "punch" because it is smaller than standard jam banjos. Using this banjo in a jam with Gibsons and Deerings, you probably won't over power anyone. For beginners that is probably ideal anyways as most beginners in jams usually try to blend into the background.
6. Value: 5 stars here. Don't forget this banjo is about 1/10th to 1/20th the cost of the banjos you hear at festivals and serious jams.
7. Serviceablity: This is a very easy banjo to take apart and service.
8. Resonator: On the small and light side. A larger resonator would probably help improve the volume.
9. Neck: For my tastes, Fender has always made great guitar necks. This goes for the banjo as well. The Deering Goodtime neck feels a little clunkier than the Fender neck. Fender necks tend to be thinner than their competition. Fingering, chording, and going up and down the neck seems effortless with a Fender neck.
OVERALL: Great beginners banjo for adults and especially kids when you don't want to invest well over 4 digits for an instrument when the long term commitment is still in question. Also for experienced player this makes a great knock around banjo for practicing and wilder parties/picnics when you don't want to dig out your treasured banjo and risk the scratches, wear and occasional beer bath.
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