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Pickers will love a banjo this good, this affordable
From the Manufacturer
The OB5 banjo by Washburn is one of the most affordable and respected five-string banjos in the world and is a pleasure to play. Features a 30-bracket cast-aluminum tone ring, mahogany resonator and geared 5th string tuner.
The OB5 also features:
- Remo head
- Mahogany resonator
- Nato neck
- Multi inlay rosewood fret board
- 22 frets
- Gloss finish
Nick
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
This is my first banjo and I'm incredibly happy with it. I did have to watch a youtube video on how to finish setting it up, but I was able to see the indent of where the bridge was when it was used for testing. I ended up putting it there and it tuned up nicely.The first tune took a little while as the strings stretched, but it holds a tune really well.The action is a little high but I'm not sure if that's expected as this is my first one. I've gotten used to it.The sound is great, there is no buzzing and it's a pleasure to play.If you're looking to get into the banjo, look no further, this is the instrument for you. I don't have much of a baseline to go by as I haven't played or held many others, but I'm a guitarst and this banjo is great. I would recommend it to any of my friends if they were asking around for what banjo to buy.
pollastro
Reviewed in France on January 7, 2017
bon banjo pour débutant sonne bien seul bemolle il faut souvent retoucher l'accordage mais bon pour le moment ça va mais comme il est garantie a vie......sauf si vous le tombé il est arrivé avec un simple emballage carton en forme de guitare pour moi insuffisant mais heureusement sans dégâts...... faut penser que les instrument ont besoin d'un deuxième carton rectangulaire avec rembourrageme revoilà pour compléter le commentaire ce banjo est pour débutant il sonne faux ...a la corde de sol surtout en plaçant un accord de SIm (pas le bourdon) l'autre sol impossible de l’accorder correctement il n'est pas juste même en déplaçant le chevaletje ne suis pas un pro mais j'ai quand même la je fait quoi???? il faudra que je voie un luthier spécialiste banjo?faut plus faire travailler le chinois il ne contrôlent rien.....
Ian W.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2016
Wouldn't now a good banjo from a bad one. But I love this beasty. Easy to set up and play and holds its tuning.The missus hates it.
Customer
Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2015
Absolutely love this banjo. Sounds beautiful and is high quality.
Krystal Pattison
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2014
First off, this banjo (The OB5) is well worth every penny. But I could not give it 5 stars for one simple reason which I will get to in a second.The picture of this banjo looks amazing, in real life, its better. Simply a beautiful instrument. The materials used seem to be of a real good quality. It feels strong and durable in your hands. Nothing about it feels cheap, nothing. The sound is crisp and clear, the tuners do lose tone rather quickly, but that is to be expected for the price and didn't compel me to drop a star because if it.The resonator, which is the entire wooden backing is removable. It is real simple to remove, 4 screws. One of the screws is real close to a metal piece which makes it kind of a pain but it is only the one screw like that.When I got the banjo in the mail (UPS) the box had a bit of damage but no damage to the instrument which is packed in another box inside the big box with plenty of padding. And quickly I noticed something missing. They forgot to pack the bridge, which is the wooden thing in the middle of the white part that supports the strings, it is unplayable without it. I called customer service and within minutes they gave me the choice of sending it back to have it repaired or they would give me a 20% discount which I took. I went to my local music shop and bought a bridge for $14. Now I have it all tuned and I can't imagine paying for a more expensive banjo. This thing is amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Landon
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2014
I bought this banjo back in 2011 with intention of playing it, and it sat around being strummed and picked once every few weeks. Then, in 2013, I finally made time to play the thing and learn it. And learn on it, I very well did. And I've enjoyed just about every minute with it.Pros:- solid, well-made banjo with high quality strings (if not a bit rough on the fingers at first, but you'll get used to it) and great look and color- has a good, boastful sound to it (not as airy as an open back banjo which to me sounds better for clawhammer style) and is great for 3-finger picking (but obviously can stand up to use with other styles just fine)Cons:- tad heavy, and glossy finish (while great looking) makes the sucker slide off your lap easily. Get a strap.- have to get it bridged either by yourself (just Google it) or take it to a local music shop where they'll do it (the shopkeep did it for me for free since I spent $5 on some nickel finger picks to play with)- goes out of tune relatively quickly (not harshly out of tune, but noticeably enough). Sure, that's a factor of playing the banjo, but I feel like I tune it just about every time I play (but I'm also really picky about sound)Overall, the banjo is really great. The cons are really nitpicky in the scheme of things, and this is a great banjo for the price. I also got it as low as $180 on sale, and as you can see the price is currently a little higher.My next banjo will be an openback Deerfield (more expensive, but a more homemade feel), but for now (the next year or so), this is the banjo I'll have at my side. And if you're looking to get into plucking and strumming yourself, this is a great pick.
JDH
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2010
I bought this instrument because I was helping a friend to learn the banjo. It looked great and didn't sound too bad until I started working my way around the neck and found it way too loose. The slightest pressure at about the 3rd fret pulled the strings because the neck was moving. I couldn't keep it in tune and pitch is important. Also, once taking the back off, discovered an unsettling bow in the truss rod under the head. The thumb screws didn't seat the resonator back on correctly and 2 were completely stripped. Bad construction, the manufacturer or assembler "made it fit." I sent it back. Save a few bucks and buy a basic Deering and you are way better off. This one really was impossible to keep on pitch and it was unplayable.
Swollensak
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2008
I bought an Oscar Schmidt guitar a few yrs ago & had a good experience so I took a shot that this banjo would also be a good player & I was rewarded for my risk. This is a great sounding instrument, It plays well, & looks really nicely made. The finish is very well done. The aluminum body gives it a clear crisp sound. The cost was very reasonable, the best deal for the money I could find anywhere, & I looked everywhere.The only bad thing is the threaded inserts that allow the thumb screws to hold the resonator bowl on were coming out. It was not a huge deal, I glued & clamped them in which worked well. It is rock solid now. Some of the other screws were not as tight as they should be. You'll need to tighten the head, & make sure you get the bridge in the right spot. Once you do a little set-up it is an very good banjo. I think you might find any banjo will need to be adjusted even really expensive ones. If you are afraid of tools just take it to someone who knows what they are doing & pay $25 to set up it will sound awesome! You could easily sell this banjo for $250-300 or more.
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