My Duke10 Banjolele, has excellent projection and tone. It is really comfortable to hold and suits my playing style perfectly. The black hardcase and accessories are superb! Thank you very much for a great instrument. Best wishes, Barry.
Aldridge, United KingdomThis is my first foray into the world of the ukulele world and I could not be more pleased and happy with my purchase! After numerous emails with Kelly at The Four String Strummer, I finally bought a Duke 10 V3, this past December and have not regretted the purchase for a single minute. The instrument is of a very high quality and my colleagues who own various other ukuleles are beyond impressed with the accompanying case! The set up was easy and straight forward. The instrument itself is pleasing to the eye, comfortable to the touch and just a joy to hold! The sound (am I making that melodic sound?) is better than the multiple videos I used to finally persuade me to purchase this piece of heaven in my hands. I can't believe how comfortable the banjolele feels and I have NO experience with any stringed instruments (soprano and concert ukuleles felt like toys in my hands and tough to finger chords). Hyperbole aside, I just love this purchase and have no buyers remorse at all. I did change the strings that came with it and plan to go to a low g set-up but that is just a personal choice (connected to my urge to experiment). Hooked it up to an amp (Pignose Hog 20) and love the sound I get from the combo!. My only concern would be that when I changed the strings the pegs and assembly seemed a "bit loose" but once the new string were installed I can't say there is any further concern. Remember, I am a neophyte and don't know completely what I have gotten myself into with this journey. Already signed up for lessons with my local adult education and am eagerly awaiting the classes. In the meantime I have been using a do it yourself book and have "mastered " five chords in about four weeks of fiddling. Bottom Line: If you are questioning whether you should purchase the Duke 10 V3; be assured that you are not purchasing a toy but are about to purchase a quality instrument that will give you as much joy and pleasure as you are willing to invest in it! I wonder, do they make a baritone or bass model? Wait, I should probably become competent with this model before veering of the path of this journey! LOL
Newcastle, United StatesYou crack me up with your sense of humour, Normand! Glad you are exploring your options and learning so much at what is only the beginning of your (lifelong) journey. I totally appreciate your detailed and positive review and wish you many years of happy music-making on your DUKE10.
I found this Banjolele on The Four String Strummer uTube channel. And, boy, am I glad I did. What a fantastic find. While I’m new to playing bluegrass licks, the quality of this instrument effortlessly uplevels your playing. It’s fun, and sounds wonderful. Just like a real banjo.
Norwalk, United StatesSo pleased to hear that, Kimberley. Yes, Kelly over at the Four String Strummer is amazing, and he really loves the DUKE10 Banjolele! Thanks so much for your positive feedback.
Happy New Year Jamie! I must apologize for this late response. My wife and I have been relishing the time with our sons this holiday season. Since one lives in northern CA and the other in Berlin, Germany, and we in Ohio, we don't see them often enough. As far as my review of the Duke, and myself not being a musician, I can only comment that from my perspective every thing about the instrument and its purchase has been extraordinary. I can't rave and thank you enough for your concern and help to ensure the Duke was delivered timely from so far during the very busy holidays. As I see it, the instrument is beautifully crafted. The addition of the arm rest and the electronic pickup demonstrate versatility and a great eye for detail. For my son from Germany, the icing on the cake is the superbly crafted case which meant he could easily carry it home on the plane without worry. He has two full size banjos in Germany but was thrilled to receive this smaller more transportable version. As we visited, he played it constantly and accompanied us all as we sang carols and sipped eggnog by the fire. It was a very welcome addition to our holiday festivities. I have forwarded your request to him in Germany for a more promusical review of the Duke with the hope he has time to offer you a more expert opinion. And I'll be sure to follow up with him the next time I speak with him. Thank you for all your assistance and best regards, Warren
Twinsburg, United StatesWarren, I am humbled by your kind words, and I'm really thrilled to hear your family Christmas story. It is always such a pleasure to use music to bring us closer together and, especially in your case, it was a literal closeness too. I'll look forward to hearing from your son in Germany in due course. Thanks for the 5 stars. I wish you many years of happy strumming. With blessings from New Zealand.
We've talked about having a Banjolele on certain songs for a couple of years now. Research led us to Duke, and then more research led us to Duke. We really liked the sound. Now that the instrument is here, we couldn't be more pleased. It is various things, all good: Loud enough to carry in a spirited passage with a full ensemble - bass, guitar, fiddle, percussion and horns.... Banjo-like. Enough that it has a very charachteristic sound. In this regard I'd say the Duke is both bright and full sounding. Ukelele-like. There is still an underlying Ukelele sound here that is pleasing, and redolent of mild Maui breezes. In any case it fits in just right. It's getting played quite a bit at the moment. Seems to be asking for more work - and new kinds of work, like some real finger picking, and some real jazz-banjo strums. Fun? You Bet!!
Seattle, United StatesTodd! Wow! What amazing feedback. So thrilled that you love your DUKE10 so much, and that it "fits in just right". It makes me really happy to read your comments - that's why we built the DUKE10 in the first place :-) Thank you!
Love the sound and playability of this banjolele! Action is near perfect and it sounds great with my amplifier. Only suggestion for improvement is a smoother neck and I would consider better tuners. Tuners are not easy to use when trying to fine tuner each string via small turns. Tuning jumps high or low with slight turns, hard to get it in the middle. But for the price this is a great value with a nice case, twin pickups and arm guard. Taking online blue grass lessons.
Forest Hills, United StatesThanks William. Appreciate you leaving a 5-star rating even though you have a couple of things you would like improved. Your feedback is useful for improving things as we progress. Just check that the little screws on the end of each white tuner knob are tightened enough. Over-tighten and they won't turn properly, under-tighten and they can slip out of tune. Please get in touch if you want to discuss this further. All the best with your online bluegrass lessons.
I love my Duke Banjo Uke, it has great sound and is a delight to play. Many thanks to Jamie and Kelly for providing exceptional customer service.
Providence, United StatesGlad you love your DUKE10 banjolele! You are most welcome. Appreciate you taking the time to leave us a 5-star rating.
I like everything about it …weight, playability, hard case, tone … I had the original Duke and this is even better.
High Wycombe, United KingdomGreat to hear Nicholas - thanks for your feedback and 5-star rating. Happy music-making!
This is a great sounding quality product. I am very satisfied. I would purchase again and I recommend purchasing one to anyone who is interested in this type of instrument. It is well thought out, well packaged and put in a very nice case. Strap is well designed and balances the instrument perfectly. This makes it easy to play. One of the “friction tuners” was a bit loose so one of the strings kept going flat. Therefore I contacted Duke and they were very quick to respond and suggested a fix. Excellent customer service. Duke may want to consider providing instructions with the instrument on the tuners and how to adjust, recommendations on string replacement and instructions on how to replace the strings, and how often.
Urbana, United Statesi am still trying to find something not working perfect. no luck until now
Frankfurt am Main, GermanyHaha! I like your sense of humour Georg. Glad your DUKE10 is working "perfectly". Thanks for the 5 Stars - much appreciated.
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Barry, your positive feedback is much appreciated! Many thanks. Enjoy your new 'baby'.