Fender® FB-300 Banjo Pack, Natural

I ordered this Fender Banjo pack online against my better judgment -- I believe one should always try to buy an instrument in person from a seller to be sure the instrument works correctly. Stringed instruments are incredibly delicate and can have many different problems - something I discovered when buying this product.I ordered this banjo and received the product in a few days. It was a nice kit: a book, five finger picks, a tuner, a gig bag, and the banjo itself. All of it looks very nice. However, there were problems:1. The banjo's action (i.e. the distance of the strings from the fretboard) was so low that the strings had rubbed grooves against the bottom three frets. I believe an instrument should come playable -- or at least with some information on how to properly set up the banjo. This "beginner" kit had neither. I had to Google how to fix this - a process that had me taking apart the nut (not the right answer), then finally having to take a wrench to the large bolt inside the head of the banjo and hoping I was turning the right way to fix the action. That this was necessary at all I find absurd -- but even more that the kit said NOTHING about this possibly being necessary, or how to do it!2. Even after fixing the action, the strings weren't right. The 1st and 5th strings were about half a millimeter closer to the fretboard than the other strings, meaning they either rubbed on the frets (if set to low action) or the middle three strings had to be really far off the fretboard (if set to high action). This is a problem due to a low quality product -- a stringer instrument should have strings of uniform height, especially after just being made.3. So I returned the banjo, and, figuring myself in too deep, asked for a replacement. Like a normal person, I sent back everything -- gig bag, book, banjo, picks, etc. The replacement I received was incomplete - the seller had opened the kit and removed everything but the gig bag and the banjo! This was extremely frustrating and disappointing, but not so much as...4. The replacement banjo I received. The banjo had the same issues as the first -- initially set to an extremely low action (why they would send an instrument out in non-working order -- and clearly do so on all of their products -- is bewildering. Even more bewildering is to do this and not include ANY instructions on how a beginner can set up the instrument). Fixing the action, I found again that the strings were not a uniform height. Also, the instrument came with a snapped 3rd string.I have since asked for a full refund, and will NEVER buy instruments online again. Even if your Fender Banjo kit comes in perfect condition, I still implore you -- DO NOT BUY INSTRUMENTS THROUGH THE INTERNET. You are opening yourself up to shoddy work and problems that you could easily avoid by going to a Guitar Center or its equivalent. You may also then make sure the instrument is properly set up, get information from an educated person on how to fix the instrument if need be, a person to return to.

I bought this banjo as a total beginner not wanting to pay too much for an instrument that I had no idea if I could even play. I quickly got frustrated as the banjo was not set up properly from the factory. The neck was loose and would not hold the strings in tune. The head was too loose and the bridge was in the wrong place as well making all the fretted notes off key. I set the banjo aside for a long time before finding the right "how to video" on setting up the banjo properly. I had to totally disassemble the instrument and set it up properly, once I did that...it plays pretty nice. For the money it's well worth it...just wish Fender would set up the banjo to be able to play right out of the box without too many modifications required.

I've just barely started to gain interest in the banjo, and this was definitely a good first choice for someone starting from nothing when it comes to this instrument. My only complaint is that the triangle shaped latches that the strap hooks on to were very weak and ended up breaking off. I made my own strap for it, but just be prepared for that if you purchase it. It's a good buy though.

The way the shipping box looked upon arrival, I was a bit worried about damage. It was packaged very well inside, and the inner box was spotless, as well as the banjo. The banjo is a nice looking piece, and with a little adjusting,(expected)and installing the bridge, it was time to learn the fundamentals. I am having trouble putting the Fender FB-300 down. The resonator can be removed easily to make the banjo an open back, if desired. All the parts to the starter kit operate as they are supposed to. The tuner is nice, as well as the strap. You won't play this overnight, so get ready to practice a lot! I am up to the challenge, and must go pick up this fun instrument again!!

absolutely wonderful service and this item is excellent. could not ask for anything better. My husband plays most instruments and decided he wanted to learn the banjo and to my surprise he actually can, this banjo is great for starters and comes with everything you need to start learning. would recommend to everyone.

A very good instrument for a beginner. Enjoying it!

Better than I expected

Love this banjo but did not have instructions for setup