Harley Benton BJ-55Pro 5 String Banjo

Yeah the Harley is wicked, looks good and has a way of bonding to you.
I have been a musician since i was 6 years old, and i play lots of instruments, trust me when i say, for the price this Banjo i is brilliant.
Ok yes the tone is clunky but thats is the nature of a wooden metal tone ring. There is more of a round sound than a metal pot banjo and its cool.I it does not matter they are all loud and very expressive instruments, its all down to what moves you. what vibe you want and how you want to be heard. I have been playing the Banjo for two weeks now yes i had one years ago but its only now i understand what makes it tic. The thing is that when a Banjo is set up properly you will find that it plays really good just like the expensive ones. This Banjo has become my friend and i feel that any one who buys it will feel the same as i do, I LOVE IT..

The banjo look stunning!
Also it arrived ready set up with the bridge erected, only needed to check intonation and tune it up. Fantastic instrument!
The sound is good and loud, as one expects from a banjo.
It's only flaw I found, hence the 4 star rating for quality, is a little bump on the neck. It looks to be a speck of dust that got trapped in the clear coat of the finish. It's noticeable when touching it, but far up the neck so it's never felt during playing.
But otherwise I absolutely cannot find any issues.
Highly recommended the banjo and great service from Thomann.

I'm not much of a banjo guy, so take whatever you read with a grain of salt.

Sub 200 euro pretty looking Banjo, appealing right? I was surprised myself, saw and ordered one on the spot, UPS eventually delivered the parcel and then came the fun.

Bought new, had 1 small ding high up on the fretboard, nothing serious and a chip in the finish on the headstock, but price being what it is I don't really mind such things, mostly because the instrument plays great, the neck's fairly comfortable, of course you don't get rolled frets but they're cut well, nothing pokes out and seeing as the fretboard is composite, I doubt they ever will.

Everything stays in tune fairly well, I don't need to stop mid session to tune back up, sure the strings go out a few cents over the course of an hour but that's basically a given with any instrument lacking locking tuners.

Perhaps some set-up might be necessary, wasn't the case for me.

I'll probably enjoy this instrument for years to come (at least I hope I will), don't think any beginner could go wrong with this model.