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Stelling Sunflower Banjo Reviews
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 3/15/2013
|
Submitter |
Bubba North (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Bucks County Folk Music PA |
Year Purchased |
2012 |
Price Paid |
3,700 ($US) |
Sound
|
Stellings are simply the best. Very loud bright sound. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Strings were set a bit high, but I easily adjusted down, now its great! |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Outstanding appearance. No flaws. You get what you pay for, this is a great banjo. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Great quality. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
|
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
|
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
There are lots of companies out there claiming to be to the best, but this one is it. See my next review on a 1990 used Red Fox that I recently purchased from the original owner. It plays like new! |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 1/8/2013
|
Submitter |
tonybach (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
jdmc |
Year Purchased |
2013 |
Price Paid |
3750 ($US) |
Sound
|
Full sound. Very good bluegrass tone. Put the Emg acb in it. Sounds great amplified. |
Sound Rating |
not rated |
Setup
|
The neck is the best flat neck I ever had. 3/64ths action and no buzzes. Sleek and fast. |
Setup Rating |
not rated |
Appearance
|
Inlays are perfect and appealing. |
Appearance Rating |
not rated |
Reliability
|
Great hardware. Tailpiece is awesome. Tony Pass rim. Nice. |
Reliability Rating |
not rated |
Customer Service
|
Jdmc made sure I had it next day. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
A straight string run to the pegs would be better. The compensated nut is great. Why is not every maker doing that. |
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
|
Could not be happier. The neck, tailpiece and nut along with the Tony pass rim make this a superb piece. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 5/14/2009
|
Submitter |
Gold Star GF-85 (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Private Owner |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
This 1986 Sunflower is a Great Bluegrass Banjo. Very crisp, bright and clear up and down the neck, great tones. I love this Banjo, feels great, well balanced and notes very easy. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
The Banjo was already set-up good, but I changed from light's to medium strings. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Very pretty Banjo, nice finish, great color, the inlay is very percise and only one mark on the back side but considering it is 23 years old that ain't bad. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
The finish and hardware are wonderful. The wood is beautiful, there is some dulling on the metal but a little elbow grease got that shined up in no time. I believe this Banjo will last me a life time. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
This is a 1986, so I have no warranty. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
The nut has a very small chip in it but it doesn't hinder anything, when it does I will have it replaced, other than that I have found nothingt wrong with tis Banjo whatsoever. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I would recommend a Stelling Banjo to anybody, anyday, I trully love playing it, it delivers more than enough sound to put on a good show. I have a 1987 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard also a very nice Banjo, but I find myself playing the Stelling more than the Gibson these days. And "YES", if anythin happened to the Sunflower I would replace it in a herat beat, it is a great product and Stelling should be very proud of the Banjo's they are making, they trully are a piece or art. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 2/2/2008
|
Submitter |
archtop (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
used private party |
Year Purchased |
2001 |
Price Paid |
2100 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
Very loud when you want it to be or soft when needed. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
I lowered the strings a little and tightened the head. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
It is absolutley stunning! The maple is bursting with color! Havenet seen an ugly Stelling yet! |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Every part top notch quality. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Geoff is always good to talk to. Very fine banjo maker. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Mine is a 1981 model and the finish still looks like it was just done.Excellent! |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I would highly recomend this banjo to anyone. Stellings are high priced. You get what you pay for and at Stelling you get in my opinion the best banjo money can buy! It will outlive me and be a family heirloom. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 6/2/2007
|
Submitter |
scooke (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
From orginal owner |
Year Purchased |
2000 |
Price Paid |
1,850 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
I have owned several banjos and this one tops them all. Full rich and bright sound. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
This instrument was a 1994 and was in prestine condition when I bought it. The only change by orginal owner was that he added a SS bridge; however, after evaluating sound I put the orignal Stelling 5/8s back on and remain pleased. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Standard wood and inlay for Sunflower; a beautiful instrument. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
|
All hardware is in very good condition; I have polished it once since I bought it and it still looks great. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I have had one or two questions to Stelling over the years and found them always very responsive. |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
|
All parts are top of the line. One of the outstanding things I find is that when you put the tuners to pitch they stay there! |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
I see these going for about 20% more than I paid on eBay and I would have hesitation to let go for that. Dealer prices for used are more like $2,750 at this time as I see them. I would have to be trading up to a Staghorn or perhaps a Granada before I would turn this one loose. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 4/26/2004
|
Submitter |
captain (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
mikes music supply flintstone ga |
Year Purchased |
04/26/04 |
Price Paid |
$2700 ($US) |
Sound
|
i like the sound of it very much a real loud banjo notes are clear and true all the way up the neck i play scruggs style |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
set up was just right for me i ordered it with a 5/8 bridge jeff set it up perfect for me the action is perfect, head tenson perfect nothing needs to be changed |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
workmanship is flawless couldnt be any better you can tell just by looking at this banjo jeff takes great pride in his work |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
i know this banjo will last a lifetime finish couldnt be any better i know this banjo will last |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
this banjo was bought new but i have email jeff before asking questions and he has always gotten back quickly |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
every thing very well made im very pleased with this banjo |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
i would recommend this banjo to anyone i got a very good price on this banjo mikes music supply in flintstone ga was very nice to deal with answered all my questions i would recommend to check prices with this store before buying somewhere else i checked several stelling dealers and he had the best price by $500 |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 4/28/2003
|
Submitter |
rjohn7 (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Hogeye Music |
Year Purchased |
2003 |
Price Paid |
2175 ($US) |
Sound
|
Great. I was looking at a different banjo much lower in price and wanted to see the Stelling just for kicks and giggles. Once I picked the first string, I knew it was the banjo I wanted. Very loud with a great crack. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
The setup was very good. I need to raise the action just a touch and would like to put lighter strings on it, but nothing needs to be replaced or changed to a great extent. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
BEAUTIFUL. Nice dark maple with inlays that look very nice. No flaws of any kind. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
I have had it for a very short time now, but everything on it appears to be very solid. I was thinking about keeping a backup, but since my Stelling feels so solid, I don't think that will be necessary. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I have not had to work with Stelling yet. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
After about 1.5 years, I had to replace the fifth string tuner due to it locking up. Other then that, everything is working as it should. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
I got a great price on this banjo. From the short time I have had it, I have experenced absolutely no buyers remorse. I would get the same banjo if anything were to happen to mine (given I can afford a new one). Best banjo I have played. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 7/9/2002
|
Submitter |
Unknown |
Where Purchased |
Mandolin Brothers |
Year Purchased |
1981 |
Price Paid |
1750 ($US) |
Sound
|
Sounds great. One of the best instruments I have ver played. Loud and rich and responsive. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
When I bought it it was set up perfect.. Now 20 years later I have replaced the Snuffy Smith bridge with an Emerson |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Beautiful banjo. Curly Maple neck and resonator are stunning to the eye. Nickel is a little dull because I don't keep up with the polish. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
Everything on this banjo will last forever! Have used it numerous times without a backup. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
The people at Stelling were perfect gems to deal with when my grandaughter broke the neck by falling on the banjo 15 years ago. They fixed it like new and I can't tell the difference. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
The Stelling tailpiece is one of the best on the market. The neck is easy on the hands and the fretboard is smooth. The only change I have made in 20 years is trhe bridge. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I would reccomend this banjo to anyone. I would have to buy another if it got lost or stolen. I gave up a Gibson RB250 for this one and never regretted it. I LOVE IT! |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 5/27/2002
|
Submitter |
Unknown |
Where Purchased |
Individual |
Year Purchased |
9-8-2000 |
Price Paid |
1,850 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
|
I play bluegrass and have owned several banjos including my last Gibson RB3 remake. I was so pleased with the Stelling's sharp crackin' sound that I sold the Gibson (I have discovered you can only play one at a time, and usually always pick up the one that satisfies my taste). |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
The banjo was a 1994 model flathead and set up was as good as new. The seller was the original owner, and taken very good care of it. The ease of fretting and playability is excellent. It would take a sure nuff' better sound to make me change. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Neck and resonator are curly maple with Cremona style sunburst staining, rich in color. Wood is perfect, no flaws of consequence. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
Finish is great. Some tarnishing on flange as with old banjos of age. Jewelers rouge would restore its brightness, but that would reduce its character |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
No experience here; nothing needed this far. May someday need to find out after much fret wear. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
I know of no parts or components in need of upgrade. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
I would recommend this banjo for the serious player who is ready to upgrade. If mine was lost or stolen, I would likely buy a Stelling again; might swingup to a Staghorn, for appearance sake only. Would compare only with a Scruggs Gibson or greater. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Stelling Sunflower
submitted 2/27/2002
|
Submitter |
trapdoor2 (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Fret Shop, Huntsville, AL |
Year Purchased |
1986 |
Price Paid |
1800 ($US) |
Sound
|
Very bright sound. It is an archtop so the highs are really amazing. Lacks a little bottom end but it punches so hard up the neck that I just don't notice. Has std. overtone problems which are difficult to nail down. This is a bluegrass banjo (duh!) but I've found that the archtop really gives it excellent dynamic range, provided you can pick lightly enough. Classical stuff sounds excellent but it is difficult not to blow the db meter... |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
|
Initial setup was just right, Geoff hit my requirements spot on. I prefer medium gauge strings but it came with |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
Although it is a great looking banjo (no extras), the plating on the tone ring was well, miserable. I ordered it with a clear head and couldn't believe the big black stain on the tonering glaring through! Geoff offered to fix it but I just mounted a std. white head and haven't looked back. Otherwise, the fit and finish is everything I dreamed of. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
|
The nickle plating took one look at my leather strap and oxidized overnight. Not the banjo's fault, mine for being stupid. Only other wear is on the armrest, which is to be expected. Totally dependable...but I don't do gigs. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
2yr waranty, as I recall. Geoff was/is very friendly and willing to do what it takes to make the 'jo right. |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
|
I replaced the bridge several times, but that is one of those |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
You ain't getting one of these puppies for that price anymore! If it were stolen, I'd probably replace it with a Deering Hartford but that's probably because my tastes have changed over the years rather than because I'm dissatisfied with the Stelling. Best feature is the neck. I've never played a faster or more comfortable one. I've played a bunch of other banjos and nothing compares for that archtop sound and solid Stelling playability. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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