Harley Benton HBJ-26

I had wanted a banjo for some time but didn't fancy learning a completely different instrument so I compromised to get this six string version. Don't be fooled into thinking there is no learning curve to playing this, there are some distinct differences. You cannot just play the same open chords at the top of the neck: that sound quite awful! You will need to learn banjo rolls and/or some finger picking and to be honest a capo is pretty much a necessity to get a decent 'banjo' sound. The instrument itself is very well made and finished. The action is very high and takes a little getting used to but with a little patience you can get a good and distinct sound out of it. Makes a nice change from guitar and if you are into folk or country it will prove to be a fantastic addition to your collection! In terms of value for money, Thomann's Harley Benton brand is very hard to beat being well made and really good products for the price...

I play guitar, bass, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo so there is no issue with me trying to get used to a different tuning. I didn't buy it as a banjo for a guitar player who cannot play banjo. What I bought it for is a low price option in folk sessions where I can play along with songs I might not know very well and add texture to the overall vibe. The sessions I play have too many guitar players, like at least 3 acoustics so me being a 4th is not much sense. And it does that job very well. It arrived with a very loose head and a bad action but I expected that. And probably with transportation it needed to be setup loose. Frets are not finished well, again expected. A small information sheet would have been useful to explain how to set it up. If someone bought this and had never played a banjo before they might have difficulties getting the best out of it. All in all, I sanded down the bridge by 1mm, tightened the head to medium to high tension, adjusted the coordinator rod and installed a pickup. It gets used a lot at the sessions because every guitar player wants to have a go on it hehe. It brings a smile to their face when they strum the first notes and chords and usually the first comment is 'I gotta get one of these'. As for playing live through a PA, I will use it without hesitation. Yes it will need EQ tweaks and a foam insert to lessen feedback but for the money it is just a great unusual tool to add in songs for that banjo like texture. Also its nice and loud, especially with the head good and tight. Overall I recommend it.

It's a guitar guitar neck and a banjo head. Splendid amalgamation I think. Its not exactly a new concept though....these have been around for at least a hundred years from what I can tell. The legendary Louis Armstrong's banjo player back in the 1920's played a six string banjo...Johnny St Cyr I believe? About the Harley Benton banjo though, it's well made, it intonates nicely but as expected the neck is made of a heavy wood. The action could be lower and lighter gauge strings would be beneficial in this respect. What styles suit this banjo? Works well with dixieland, folk and acoustic crossover styles. Suggest removing the resonator for a more traditional 'plunky' sound and a lighter weight feel.For the price how can you fault this banjo? Highly recommend their matching cheaply priced gig bag which is a good fit and made of sturdy fabric. Really a fun instrument and for those of us who trust the Harley Benton series its another winner i think.

I have played guitar for a number of years now and wanted to get a banjo sound for some of the music i have been playing. I saw this banjo guitar as the perfect solution to be able to play the banjo without having to learn any new tricks.

The build quality is decent and the tone is what you would expect from an inexpensive guitar banjo. Although it doesn't really sound that good in my opinion when chords are played. To achieve a real banjo sound you will need to learn banjo rolls finger style or just play single notes.

Great instrument to buy if you are looking for a banjo tone without having actually learn banjo. Its a lazy option in my opinion but one i gladly accept.