Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

So...after watching local Craigslist and eBay auctions for weeks & weeks, I was wondering if I would ever find a decent starter banjo without running a huge risk. So I visited Amazon, spotted this listing, read all 34 reviews, and decided that if even a few of the reviews were authentic (and the images were true), I had to give this banjo a try... I ordered it late Sunday night - and Tuesday afternoon a knock on the door signaled its arrival. Wow. The box/packing was untouched(undamaged), and this during the Christmas holidays. The banjo - for the price mind you - was absolutely a pleasant surprise, and this from a veteran (25+ yrs) guitar player with at least 10 guitars of all brands & price ranges. Yes, a bit lighter than the Morgan Monroe starter banjo I'd just bought a week earlier for daughter#1's boyfriend, but still clearly a well-crafted instrument. Nice selection and assembly of wood. Nice fretboard and inlays. VERY nice ivory-colored binding on BOTH the neck AND the resonator. WOOD resonator. Decent (not amazing, but functional) tuners, though I could already see that IF I like this banjo, this will be among the first/only things I'd think about replacing with planetary gear tuners. Out-of-the-box action - actually perfectly acceptable, and this is something I normally IMMEDIATELY adjust with EVERY new guitar I've ever had, as I like very low action. But this one is "low enough" that I'll leave it for now, and was immediately able to start using finger picks and still finger the frets nicely. Overall sound - not horribly loud (resonator ring is wood - NOT metal), but perfectly loud enough for me. There's a single minor finish flaw on the back - a tiny thin 2" wrinkle in the finish. Big F-ing deal. The finish on the neck feels like glass. Only 2 other guitars I own have a neck this silky smooth, and they cost $550 each. Less than $150 for a starter banjo? Money VERY well spent. I already felt pleased enough to spring an extra $65 on a brand new 5-hinge hardshell case - I feel THAT good about this new little baby! So sometimes Amazon reviews are not a load of crap from a bunch of paid writers. Consider me Positive Review #35... -MV