Capos Shubb Sliding 5th-String Capo
submitted 1/4/2009
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Submitter |
Jaunskots |
Where Purchased |
Ithaca Guitar Center |
Overall Comments
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This is a very nice capo, especially for necks that vary in thickness as you go up the neck. Just a little fiddly in that it really requires two hands to adjust the tension (the first time really, in my case), but if the neck doesn't get much thicker as you go up or if you mostly use it at the second fret to play in D or A as I do, it's one-handed from then on anyway. I like it a great deal and have no desire to buy anything else. As advertised, you can set the tension so the instrument stays in tune. There's no point in going back to elastic ones or trying to save a couple of bucks on a cheaper variation.
Highly recommended. I gave it a 9 on the ground that perfection may appear later. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Straps Neotech Super banjo strap
submitted 1/4/2009
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Submitter |
Jaunskots |
Where Purchased |
H&R Music, New Glasgow |
Overall Comments
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Amazingly comfortable, and works as advertised. It doesn't look as elegant as leather, but I'm not going back. I'm planning to get one for each banjo. Apparent weight of a heavy banjo is reduced and a light banjo doesn't move around--a huge improvement on any strap I've ever tried. Attachment is simple and works well. Someone will have to go a long way to make anything that works better.
Everybody who has either a heavy banjo or a light banjo that moves around should try one of these. It's almost a 10, except for the faint possibility of perfection in the future. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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El Degas Masterclone
submitted 6/6/2008
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Submitter |
Jaunskots |
Where Purchased |
Private sale, Toronto |
Year Purchased |
1990 |
Price Paid |
300 (CDN $) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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Bought used from a newspaper ad. Dunno the model number; it isn't marked (no serial no either). This is a typical Japanese flathead clone with a tone ring of some mysterious copper alloy (i.e., brass or bronze) weighing 2 lb 4 oz, multiply mostly maple rim, tube-and-plate flange, and pretty heavy resonator. A lot like a 1970s RB-250. My son just gave it back to me after many years, and I'm still fooling with setup. I like it better than a used Gold Tone BG-250F I tried a while back and a modern gold-plated Fender import I tried the other night. It beats the Samick ones I've tried lately as well. Good response to a light touch, nice sound up to about the 15th fret, where it starts to get a little harsh. I'm still working on getting it working a little better way up the neck. See setup. Lots of volume if you dig in.Reasonable tone suitable for Bluegrass, especially Scruggs style. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
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I think this banjo was made in the 1970s. By 1990 the previous owner had tweaked the truss rod, so I had to undo that. His fooling with the coordinator rods had put the rim out of round and done bad things to the action--way too low.
I've been bringing the rim back into round gradually, shimmed the heel (temporarily at least) and the action is now tolerable. Once it is round again and the tone ring can be fit up, I have hopes of undoing all of the problems. the instrument is now very playable in any case--pretty good for more than 30 years. I'm still working on the sound way up the neck.
As they came from the factory, the El Degas banjos were set up pretty well, BTW, so the rating only reflects the previous owner. |
Setup Rating |
3 |
Appearance
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Inlay and hardware are like a 1970s RB-250 -- uncomfortably so for Gibson, as I recall. Lacquer, purfling, finish were pretty good. The resonator is pretty clunky, though, especially on the inside. All in all pretty good for the money, both what i paid and what it cost new. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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It has held up so far--about 35 years at a guess. Someday I'll have to replace some frets, and maybe one tuner (maybe an excuse to acquire a set of Keith tuners). No complaints at all. Love that two-piece flange--no pot metal for me. I'd take it anywhere I was strong enough to carry it, heavy beast that it is, without fear of anything letting me down. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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No experience. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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They seem ok so far--and they would have failed by now. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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It's a great banjo for $300! I'd guess it's about on a par with the Ibanez clones, if a little less fancy in appearance. If it were stolen I'd have to spend a lot more money to replace it. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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Epiphone MB-100
submitted 3/21/2008
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Submitter |
Jaunskots |
Where Purchased |
Halifax Folklore Centre |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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The sound is fine for such an inexpensive banjo. Initially I thought it was terrible, but as I got back playing, it got better without any modifications other than new strings--I was the problem as I learned how to play again after nearly 20 years. That said, the sound is only OK, a little thin and nondescript. Any banjo with any kind of tone ring will be brighter and more substantial. It's not loud--a good thing for the moment--and will probably only overwhelm three or four guitars instead of six or eight (or ten for a Stelling?).
The rating reflects the US$150 price I've seen on the Web--I got the banjo as a gift and don't know what my daughter paid for it. You'd certainly have to pay two or three times as much to see much improvement.
[Addendum 29 March 2008] The sound seems at least as good as that of a Gold Tone CC100R I tried in a local shop after writing this review, although this may just indicate that the Epiphone was set up better. |
Sound Rating |
7 |
Setup
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I received the MB-100 as a gift from my daughter, and it had been properly set up by Tom at the Halifax Folklore Centre, who really knows what he is doing.
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Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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This lily has not been gilded, and I'm glad. It's quite plain and simple--dots on the fingerboard, no stain, guitar-style tuners. The dots may be mother of toilet seat, but they fit better than the MOTS dots on my 1960s Vega did, and the board seems to be something like rosewood.
I like the feel of the neck finish--satin and not too thick. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
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It seems reliable enough to last a decade or two before there's the least bit of trouble. I drag it around and don't worry about it breaking .
The flat hooks give me some concern that they may bend in 15 years or so. The two brackets under the armrest have had the L cut off; they may tip over towards the tension hoop in a few years (10?) if I don't put some sort of washer behind them.
[Addendum 29 March 2008] The hooks and brackets seem identical to those on a Gold Tone CC100R I looked at in a local music shop.
The neck has a nice feel--much like the 1960s Vega I once had. Not at all a baseball bat, and a truss rod too, if it ever needs adjustment. |
Reliability Rating |
7 |
Customer Service
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I didn't deal with Epiphone, but the Halifax Folklore Centre set the instrument up well and I'm sure will be as good to deal with as they have been the past 35 years. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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Everything is inexpensive but works. The tuners seems reliable and work well. I suppose I'd prefer planets, but only on the grounds of prejudice.
The tailpiece is one of those really irritating cheapies. I replaced it with a No-Knot, because I found the cheapie annoyed me when changing strings. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
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The MB-100 is a steal for US$150 including a bag. I don't think there is anything that can touch it at the price. I recommend it for both beginners and players who need an outstandingly adequate banjo they're not afraid to take anywhere. Those who can't set it up themselves _must_ make sure that it is set up properly, but you'll still have money left over from $200 if you have to pay for this. While you're at it replace the tailpiece.
BTW, I'm comparing the MB-100 with my previous banjos, an aluminum-pot Raven with a very crude neck, a 1960s Vega, and an El Degas Mastertone copy.
[Addendum 29 March 2008] After trying a Gold Tone CC100R, which sported a much higher price (and is commonly recommended here), I think the Epiphone compares nicely, and I'm all the more convinced that the MB-100 is a terrific buy. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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