Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo 

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

I bought this banjo, knowing right off the bat to not expect anything extraordinary, and I was right.

My only real complaint that I can give it that the hardware was garbage...literally. Two of the tuning machines didn't work right out of the box. No matter how low an instrument is priced, it should at least be functional if you're buying it brand new.

On the plus side, everything else was far better than what I expected. The wood, the finish on it, that was all great. I put a nice set of planetary tuners on it, a better tailpiece, and now I'd use it on stage, in the studio, or anywhere.

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

This banjo seemed pretty well made and nice for the price and that's the only reason I'm giving it 3 stars but there were other issues:

I've never purchased a Banjo before but since this was intended to be given as a gift I guess I was out of the banjo lover's loop when it arrived 'unassembled' with no bridge on it. But I'm guessing that's a normal shipping thing(?). I didn't notice this at all since there was no note that it was needing to be installed or adjusted but found it later when a string snapped on my arm when I was trying to tune it.(OUCH!) I called MF to tell them that 1) The case I bought for it didn't seem to hold it properly and 2) the string broke before even one use! They told me the case was fine and it was meant to be 'off' that way so the banjo has to be arranged weirdly to fit/shut the lid. They also said that these strings are NOT for playing but only to stabilize the neck during shipping and I'm meant to replace them immediately after arrival. WHERE IN THIS LISTING DOES IT SAY I NEED TO BUY NEW STRINGS BEFORE PLAYING? I've purchased guitars from GC before and Muscians Friend and they played perfectly with the factory strings for months! But the phone operator did offer to place me an order for strings at 10 more +shipping. I can't believe how unhelpful the customer service rep was and don't intend on buying from MF anymore.

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

fast shipping. easy to play

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

I own and have owned some very expensive Guitars in the 20 years of playing. I always wanted to learn the Banjo My playing Bud Surprised me with this starter kit for my Birthday. I was Surprised at how well it is made for the money and what is even more surprising is how well it stays in tune I recieved it in 2008 and have yet had to change the strings. some of my expensive instruments are hard to keep in tune during a nights gig. I am planning to upgrade to a Banjo with the resanator and am going to stick with this brand. Hey I stick with what works.

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

A great starter banjo without breaking the bank.
Need to install the bridge, which is easy following instructions on youtube.
Good quality for the money. Stays in tune.
Plays as well as banjos costing twice the price.

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

Bang for the buck, the best.
It's so small and light, looks and sounds great. I own 4 banjos, found that I was grabbing this one more than the rest. You will not be disappointed. Been playing 30 yrs.
If they beefed it up, it would be worth less. nice (ALL) geared tuners
Can't do better for the price

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

I was looking for a pack packer banjo that i could lern how to play and be able to bring with me any where. I play in an acoustic two peace band and i have really wanted a banjo for a while. now i have this thing and it is perfect. If you know your way around instruments already then getting this thing together and tuned right out of the box will not be hard at all. It is a perfect buy if your just looking to a good, small, back pack style starter banjo.
The quality of this instrument for the price is amazing!
I don't think i could have found a better first banjo for the price.

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

I paid a great price for a used one
I just picked up a used open back 5-string from a guy that couldn't get the roll down after years of trying. I love this little banjo. I use it as my practice banjo and leave it leaning against the wall next to my seat at the kitchen table. So I can grab it and play anytime. O.K., it's not as smooth or sounds quit as good as my Gibson Mastertone, but it is a lot more fun.

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

I am giving a rating of 5 because most new players will not be able to get this banjo to tune. I have built many guitars and I have played guitar for most of my life. I wanted to start playing banjo and decided to buy a cheap one before I invested a couple of thousand on a good instrument......just to make sure I would stick with it. All in all, I have seen worse and I have seen this banjo under other name brands also. Here is the main problem: The fifth string geared tuner on MY banjo would spin in the hole drilled in the neck. Basically you couldn't tune the 5th string. I resolved this by removing the tuner, roughing up the metal with heavy emery paper, applying medium viscosity super glue around the sides of the tuner and forcing it into the hole. Wait for the glue to cure. This works great. It isn't the proper way of making that repair but for a cheapo instrument that I intend to give away at some point after I learn, it is fine. I am working on geting rid of an annoying buzz/vibration on the 3rd/G string. It isn't the nut or the frets or saddle.....very agravating. I own thousands of dollars worth of gear and I think this banjo is a great value for a starter but you ill probably have to bring it to a repair shop if your banjo has the tuner problem. Beyond that, I don't think you can beat the value.........if you are handy, GO FOR IT
It isn't bad. Has a truss rod and geared tuners which is better than a lot of starter banjos.
I am amazed at the quality for the money but it has issues!
You can't beat the value!

Comments about Rogue Travel / Starter Banjo:

I bought this banjo about a year ago from MF.com.It came exactly as advertised, and shipped quickly. This banjo is nothing spectacular, but its not designed to be. The hardware is not a problem the tuners work just great, the stock bridge works fine, and I've gotten plenty of compliments on how it sounds for a beginner banjo. Many experienced pickers cannot believe what I paid for it.It is very durable, as I like to take my instruments out into the world. It is practically an attachment to me, and it goes out drinking, to campfires, or anywhere I go. Everyone enjoys it, and I'm not half bad at playing it! This instrument will serve me for years to come. Solid purchase all around.