Huber Banjos - new owner feedback
We have collected a few of the comments which we received from new members of our Huber Banjos family.
"I'm thoroughly pleased with the purchase of my new Huber Lancaster banjo. First of all, the craftsmanship is excellent. Great attention has been given to the beautiful finish, inlays, and fretwork. They are all very clean and well crafted, and will hold up to the closest scrutiny.
The first few hours after taking it out of the box convinced me that I'd made the right decision to buy one of Steve's banjos. The low D has a real punchy "growl" and the highs are wonderfully rounded and clear cutting. More than anything, I seem to hear more sounds on my Lancaster than I've ever heard on another. The sound is even up and down the neck, melody notes jump out at you, slides linger, and pull-offs pop.
I still can't believe that it's just a few weeks old. Besides creating a banjo that has that pre-war sound, I really think Steve has created a new standard against which other banjos will be measured."
"The new Lancaster is just incredible. Although I don't make a living playing banjo, I am a retired musician who did make a living in music for over 20 years in U.S. Army Bands, performing french horn and bass. Being retired, I do have the opportunity to pursue banjo picking as a full time hobby though. I am currently picking with two local bands, attending regular jam sessions in the Pensacola, FL area. I am also currently playing banjo in the play, Smoke On The Mountain, produced by the Pensacola Little Theatre.
This banjo has a dynamic range that I believe is second to none and the craftsmanship is superb. My Lancaster is constantly used in large jam sessions, most of which have multiple banjo pickers. They are constantly commenting on its great tone quality and punch. I definitely have no problem being heard, and best of all, it is easy to play. I am on the board of directors for the Gulf Coast Bluegrass Music Association, which currently has nearly 400 members, so I am regularly in touch with many of the member banjo pickers. Many of them have played the instrument and are equally impressed.
The Huber Lancaster is not the only quality banjo I own, and I would never flame another quality instrument, but it is my number 1. Our club has at least 15 banjo pickers who have jammed with a Huber in the circle, (there are two in the club so far), most of them complain about not being able to match the Huber's "presence". They are not standing there with junk instruments either."
It was well worth the wait. I never heard any banjo sound so good when playing up the neck. It literally rings like a bell. The 2-4 and 2-5 slides really come out on the 4th string. I am quite pleased with the banjo! Please pass on my thanks to Steve. I gotta go play some more.
I got the Huber and it’s great. Thanks!
I have to say, it’s even better than I thought it would be. It just barks. The depth and the power of this Huber really make my jaw drop. No longer do I have to worry about compensating for a banjo, like on the fourth string run up to G. There’s no rattle, no sense that the banjo may fall apart in the process, just a power-at-your-fingertips drive that really, I find, gives confidence to your playing.
I measure this against my Gibson KK-11—which is a very good one, and which I absolutely love—and while it’s a bit of an apples/oranges judgment because of the maple vs. mahogany comparison, this Huber clearly overpowers the old Gibson. It’s kind of like the way a Stelling steamrolls a new Gibson, except this sound is in the Gibson camp, not Stelling—it’s a powerful sound that I didn’t think I’d ever hear from a Gibson under $35,000. And that’s another thing, the neck is wonderful. I was a little nervous about the smaller neck size in frets one to five, but after just a few minutes, I adjusted, and mercy! It makes me play faster. I’m having to slow myself down. It’s nice to have that kind of horsepower under the hood for when you want it.
And one more thing, the mahogany, it’s beautiful. I’m a big mahogany fan with guitars, I’ve seen a lot of it, but the Huber is strikingly better than anything I’ve ever seen. The coloring Steve chose really gives the wood that Brazilian rosewood red hue. Lovely.
I’m looking forward to growing into this new banjo and learning more about its capabilities. It really is an amazing instrument. So thanks again for your help, and please pass my awe on to Steve.
I've been picking about a year now. Started with an Epiphone Gibson knock-off. I was ready to move up, and figured I could afford something in the $3000-4000 range. Here in South Florida there's really not a lot of selection at the music stores, and not a much opportunity to hear other banjos.
I attended the RBW in November with intentions of hearing and playing other instruments - namely the Gibsons and Stellings. Steve Huber was there with a Roanoke (walnut) model that sounded great to me. I figured I couldn't go wrong with this one, so I bought it on the spot.
Jamming that evening, I noticed how the banjo held its own with the other instruments (although the picker still needs a lot of work). To me it had the volume and growling 4th string of the Stellings with a real sweet tone, especially when played in the "Y" position. John Lawless mentioned that as things settle in over the next few months I should really see it come alive. I figured that was just hype at the time, but I have definitely noticed an improvement in tone over the past few weeks.
Now for details:
The action (string height) is a little higher than I was used to, but I've adapted to that well. Again, Steve knows what he's doing, so I figured that I should make the adjustment. He uses a Remo head with a little heavier spray than normal - says that's how the old Gibsons used to come before the EPA got involved in head spraying. I do think that makes a difference in sound.
The geared tuning pegs are definitely first quality and extremely smooth. 5th string peg is also geared. I've been considering buying Keith tuners, but I'd hate to pull these other ones off. The banjo comes with tacks at A & B. The rim and hardware are nickel and not the chrome-plating that my old banjo had. The inlays are well-done and not overly ornate.
Tailpiece is a standard Presto. Steve recommends light gauge strings, pretty much like the JD Crowe lights. The bridge has the Huber name, but looks like a Grover.
I should mention that my resonator was a little over-notched at the neck. I brought this to Steve's attention after I got it home and he has made a new resonator for me - no charge, of course. I shipping the banjo back to him for that this week. Both Steve and John have been very gracious in that regard. Speaking of the resonator, the Roanoke model has a beautiful burl walnut finish with inlays - very nice!
I just want to say that although I really don't have any experience with other manufacturers I am extremely happy with the Huber and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a first quality banjo.
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