The first banjo I received was in poor shape. The resonator had a notch in it, the screw for the tailpiece was cross threaded, and there were lacquer issues on the neck. The shipping box was in perfect shape. Oscar and Schmidt customer service said there is a 30 day waiting period before the warranty kicks in so I had to return it to Amazon for a replacement. The second one came in in a few days and was in much better shape. I'm giving this four stars because the banjo itself is a great value for the price. The neck feels comfortable and the tuning heads feel strong and are easy to turn. I'm very pleased with the replacement banjo, but disappointed the Oscar and Schmidt would release the first one with so many flaws obviously from the factory.

Played this for a long time as a first timer, couldn't figure out why it sounded strange compared to my friends who bought the same one. Found out today as I was changing strings that the neck was cracked and super-glued together from the factory. When I loosened the strings, it gave out and cracked down the neck farther and it is now junk. I thought this was a reputable maker as the reviews were positive...I thought wrong.

I bought this for my husband for Xmas last year. I did a lot of research first and didn't want to spend too much, but wanted quality. He LOVES it. He's played guitar for years and I thought he'd enjoy a banjo. Over a year later, he still plays almost every day. The banjo is great quality and the strings that came on it lasted about a year. This one is a winner! He's told me many times that I am the "best wife ever!" For buying this for him :)

Edit: I took off the resonator, went ahead and tightened the head. Also sanded the bridge and changed the strings. Getting a much more Desirable sound now, though still not great.
Honestly I don't think it possible to get a great sound, but it is a passable sound.
Think even when I do upgrade, I'll keep this one around for one of my kids to learn on, take camping, or even just a decorative wall piece.

No i can not recommend. Save more and just get a better one right off the bat.

Sound, that seems to be the main issue.
First off. Showed up with no defects.

The 5th tuner did fall out of the neck straight away. Not a big deal. Remember it need to be angled when you glue it back in, with a good glue.

Need to set the bridge up, quick Google search it's not rocket science.

The wood and finish of it, is beautiful. No complaints. Tone ring is ugly as sin. But hopefully your not buying it for looks anyway.

Sound is just okay, when you work up the frets it leaves a lot to be disered.
But I have not messed with truss rod or any of those setting's on it yet, as I'm letting it acclimate to my home.

Plan on upgrading soon if your just learning and plan on sticking with it.

This is definitely NOT the 1871 American quality instrument manufacturing company they brag about...Instead, I received this Chinese made product with significant damage to the neck. Because this purchase was a gift purchased well in advance of the giving, I relied on the reputation of the company to have provided a quality instrument without any defects...I was wrong. The photos attached show what O&S identified as "a cross grain pressure fracture". Communication with customer service was worthless. The only communication they made was to recommend opening up the neck to allow glue to adhere the fracture. Wait...This was a new instrument! Customer service was unconcerned and uncaring beyond recommending glue. Other reviewers seem pleased with their purchase, I certainly am not! You could roll the dice and maybe be lucky with an adequate instrument,..but buyer beware!...you may end up with the kind of damaged product and uncaring customer service experience as I did and you will have wasted not just your money but also your time.