A. E. Smith Shelburne II Banjo Reviews
A. E. Smith Shelburne II
submitted 6/16/2009
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Submitter |
jojo25 (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Elderly Instruments |
Year Purchased |
1979 |
Price Paid |
850 ($US) |
Sound
|
I love how this banjo rings. It is very bright and brassy. It has been my main man now for 30 years and is still going strong. Works great for clawhammer and fingerpicking. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
had one little defect when I bought it...off kilter nut...I changed the bridge and shimmed the neck/body joint a bit. Solid setup. Have replaced the tailpiece twice over the years...added a Bacon and Day armrest about 10 years ago and I like how that cuts down on my arm muting the bright tone |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
fairly plain...but nicely done...neck is laminated and it is done well...woodwork on the internal resonator is well done |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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in 30 years I've worn out tuners, frets, tailpiece...had to have the neck rods worked on once...still has original head! Finish has taken a LOT of abuse but is still hanging in there...very reliable |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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only dealt with long since defunct company once when they replaced the skewed nut...I was disappointed that the company disbanded as the banjo had a lifetime warrenty |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
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laminated neck, internal resonator, large archtop like tone ring that does NOT contact the head...very solid |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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though I have tried Bart Reiter's similar banjo, I've found nothing like this Smith...no regrets and I would buy one again with no doubts...stolen?...I'd be major bummed as they don't make them anymore...I would strongly recommend that you buy one of these if you are lucky enough to find a used one |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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A. E. Smith Shelburne II
submitted 7/30/2005
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Submitter |
RWPark (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Guitar's Friend Moscow ID |
Year Purchased |
1981 |
Price Paid |
800.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
Very Bright, crisp and yet rich and full sound...internal resonator and 3 piece tone system. I love the sound of this banjo. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Well set up when I bought it some twenty years ago. I've tweaked it some over the years. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Neck is quarter-sawn maple, fancy peghead inlay, ebony fingerboard, peghead, healcap. Contrasting veneers under fingerboard, peghead and healcap. A beautiful banjo. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Very reliable, solid banjo. Some crackling of the finish on the back. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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The banjo was made in the late '70's by Kate Spencer and Mark Sergies. Kate now owns Maple Leaf Music in Vermont. I recently exchanged some e-mails with her about the origin of this banjo. Very friendly and helpful. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
The 3 part tone system. The Bacon style internal resonator. I've replaced the head with a Renaissance and the bridge with a Moon.
My only complaint would be some roughness on the ends of the frets. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
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I truly love this banjo. I've never found another that's quite like it. You never see much about them on the net so I thought I'd sing its praises.
If you ever get a chance to buy one...go for it. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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