• Better than many higher-priced banjos

  
  As reviewed by Jim Sliff on 12/31/2012

  I needed a high-quality 5-string banjo for regular gigging; I'm a multi-instrumentalist, and sold off my Gibson RB250 Mastertone and an Iida Japanese Mastertone copy several years ago when I was having some hand problems. I needed the same general feel, volume and quality and expected to spend quite a bit more money (I'd tried the well-reviewed Recording King RK20, similar to the Gretsch 9410, and thought it was good but lacked a bit in volume and overall harmonics). My focus was really the higher-priced models with thick maple rims and cast bronze tone rings, mainly used Mastertones and similar types, although I was also checking out new imports - Recording King, Gold Tone, etc. - when I discovered the Gretsch Broadkaster 9400 (the model above this one, with Mastertone-like features). Due to a stroke of luck (semingly bad at first) I couldn't find one in stock locally...but did notice the G9410 was available. So I really ended up with it by accident, not intent - decided to play it for a few minutes just for the heck of it and was honestly surprised by the tone and volume - it's at least as loud as my IIda was, and has a hair more power than my 70's Gibson! The other surprise was the tone - very warm and round yet with great cutting power. The warmth was expected because of the relatively thin mahogany rim, but the volume/power was totally unexpected, and unlike any rolled-brass tone ring banjo I've ever played. It also has a great advantage over the Mastertone types - weight. Several pounds of it. It's far more comfortable to play with a strap for long periods. Some other features I personally like: the tasteful but not gaudy diamond inlay; a Waverly-style, fully-adjustable tailpiece for both tone adjustments and quick string changes; a triangular-wire strap link at the tailpiece end (always the most problematic attachment point - I wish more manufacturers would think of this); what seem to be well-machined, adjustable tension planetary tuners and geared 5th string tuner with precision control and no backlash; one-piece flange with 4 resonator bolts (dual types with both knurled edges for thumb/finger use and tops with #2 Phillips slots - another feature more manufacturers should implement) and a nicely-aged gloss finish on the mahogany and binding. It doesn't come with a case or gig bag, which is fine with me - I prefer selecting my own cases and rarely use (usually cheap) OEM cases/bags anyway. One other surprise, and it may have been pure luck: my banjo was perfectly set up with flawless fretwork right out of the box. I'm WAY too picky about setup - action, string-to-string distance, bridge height/position, intonation etc. and was annoyed (grin) that they left me nothing to fiddle with! Even the tailpiece was set at the optimum point for both tone and volume, something that usually takes an hour or so. My overall impression - if someone else was playing it I would guess it was a high-end, thick mahogany rim banjo with a high quality bell-bronze tone ring. To me it was an incredible bargain - I paid about 1/3-1/2 of what I expected to pay.

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