Sullivan Festival
submitted 3/14/2008
|
Submitter |
grayghost |
Where Purchased |
Janet Davis |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
1695.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
Nice full sound, bright with plenty of punch, but not overly bright/shrill.
Open/chorded/ or up the neck the resonance is superb, rich harmonies,
discordant notes clash with good effect.
Just a sweet, sweet sounding instrument! |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Set up was fine. Equipped with Sullivan Old Growth 5/8" Std Spaced bridge, string height is fine for relative novice such as myself. Not sure about string brand/gauge, sounds goods, plays fine, but will most likely go with my regular string choice when time comes to restring. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
She's a beauty. Maple with plenty of stripe figuring on neck/resonator/rim. I started to go with the blonde finish (have several blonde guitars), but so glad i decided to go with their Antique Brown.
Rich, glowing highlights set against the dark figure of the maple is just beautiful. Hard to believe this is their "entry" level" banjo!! Quality of wood (figuring, grain, etc.), execution of inlays on fretboard (hearts&leaves) and headstock (Sully logo, and Fleur D'), overall finish
(nitrocell), plating on hardware, engraving of that "Sullivan" name on the flange- all of it is TOP NOTCH!
I have owned Gibson, Guild, Martin, Grestch, Taylor guitars, so the "real deal" in quality is easy to spot in a banjo as well, and the Sullivan's have it. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
everything is heavy weight geared towards the long haul. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Sullivan life time warranty.
I suspect the quality of the istrument speaks volumes about customer service after the sale. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
All hardware is top quality.
Pancake planataries, geared 5th string.
again, Sully's old growth bridge, a very nice TKL hardcase-
everything is just great. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I, like so many other proud Sully owners would recommend this banjo in a heartbeat! It's hard to imagine getting more banjo (not talking inlays, gold plating, etc.-just warhorse of an instrument) for anywhere close to this price!! If it were to be stolen- first i'd cry, then i'd start looking for the sob who stole it, then i'd be on the phone getting another built- just like it!
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing, visiting, or doing business with Bill Sullivan personally, but i know his reputation and the high regard and esteem he is held in here at the hangout. After receiving my Festival i think i can safely say that Mr. Bill would be proud that his tradition is being carried on- and rightly so! |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Mastercraft Bluegrass
submitted 1/2/2008
|
Submitter |
grayghost |
Where Purchased |
BanjoHut |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
279.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
Good overall volume with a little edge on the treble side (all maple)
|
Sound Rating |
7 |
Setup
|
Good basic set-up as delivered. Stock strings are always the first thing i change out on any stringed instrument. After getting some good feedback from folks here at the hangout i fitted a 5/8" std spaced Snuffy Smith bridge, put a heavier brass Straightline tailpiece on which improved sound considerably |
Setup Rating |
7 |
Appearance
|
Very basic appearance. Maple has good color, not much figure grain-wise, but didn't expect it in this price range. Binding on resonator is clean. Std dot markers on fretboard w/ a small tastful black script logo on peghead. the finish is the production standard high gloss poly, little slick for my taste, but well done and is probably a good durable choice for a starter instrument. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
|
Hardware is average. Plating seems good (all chrome/nickel) on arm rest, brackets, etc. Came with planetary tuners/ geared 5th string- better than a guitar-type machine head, but not high precision either (again in line with expectations in this price range). The tailpiece as mentioned above was replaced- stock unit was light weight, and the added mass of the brass replacment unit definately improved the sound.
finish as mentioned above is a high gloss, tough poly type- i would guess it will hold up well. |
Reliability Rating |
7 |
Customer Service
|
N/A |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Covered most of this in the above sections.
strong point- good wood materials w/good fit/finish.
hardware (w/exception of tailpiece) good for price range.
Remo weatherking head was fine.
weak point- stock strings were not the greatest
stock bridge functioned fine, but replacment sounds much
much better. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
|
Overall i am very pleased with this as a starter banjo. i'm glad that i didn't spend the extra money on the model up from this, as spec's show same rolled tone ring/hardware just a little fancier wood, and appointments. I would have no problem recommending this for someone in my same needs position. kept in good condition this one will probably give biggest return of purchase price in effort to step up to a serious instrument as opposed to a similar quality but "fancier" banjo at a higher price point. |
Overall Rating |
7 |
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