Chuck Lee Marble Falls
submitted 3/26/2009
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Submitter |
gkuchan |
Where Purchased |
Frailin |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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This is a loud growly tubaphone. Over the neck it sounds like it was ripped out of the bayou and handed to me it go and hammer out a few tunes. Closer to the bridge it is light and bright with nice bell tones. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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Changed the strings and the bridge, tradition for me, makes me feel like I own it, but was fine out of the box. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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Wow, the flamed walnut on this is breathtaking, the offset position makers, and the omega, very eye catching, the feel of the neck is just remarkable. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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This is of the vintage series, so I was concerned regarding the tuners. they took about a day to get used to, but now I love em! They keep their tune like no one's buisness! |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
What a class act...dealing with Chuck is a Joy! |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
The neck is the most subtstantial and comfortable I've ever played . Wow...wow...wow! |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
This is one of the finest Banjos I've ever touched, the other being my other Lee. Try one, get one, play one.... |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Other BanjoMate Thinline Armrest
submitted 12/6/2008
|
Submitter |
gkuchan |
Where Purchased |
Little Mountain Music |
Overall Comments
|
Was having a bear of a time finding a armrest to fit my Lee Chalk Mountain Banjo, (14 brackets and 3-inch deep pot)...took a gamble, figuring I could add it to the growing collection, and wouldn't you know it fits! Love that it's adjustable for both hook spacing, simple design, easy to use. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Chuck Lee Chalk Mt.
submitted 7/4/2008
|
Submitter |
gkuchan |
Where Purchased |
Elderly |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
This is an absolutely remarkable clawhammer banjo. The depth of tone is remarkable, a very woody plunk. Nice full rich woody tone,not loud but cuts though very well in a jam and on the back porch as the El Trains rumble through the back alley. I took the Banjo into my local shop (which will be carrying Chuck's banjos soon) to get their impressions, and wile a gentleman was playing an electric bass to test out some new amps, we could still hear the Lee cut though. And everyone at the shop went nut over it. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
The set up was great. Action set very nicely. I've put on a sampson old time bridge and a set of medium strings that I like, but those are just personal prefernces...out of the box it sounded great. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
The neck is breathtaking, the slightly shorter scale is very comfortable. The large wizard on the headstock is breathtaking. The streaked ebony fingerboard is naked, but there are side dots. Wow...wow...wow!!!! |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
When they finally drop the bomb it'll be the cockroaches playing the Lee's. All jokes aside this thing is built like a tank. It very well might be the last banjo I need to own. I'm certain my great-grandkids will enjoy playing it as much as I will. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
You will be hard pressed to find a better artist to deal with than Chuck Lee. He is responsive to any and all questions and concerns, a real class act. He really is a joy to work with. The only reason he gets a ten is because this one won't go up to 11. Thanks again! |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
The neck is flawless. Tuners awsome, first rate all around |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
If you had a chance to by a Stradivarius from Antonio Stradivari or a Steinway from Henry E. Steinway, would you? I wouldn't, only because I don't play the violin or the piano. But, I did get a Lee Banjo that Chuck made with his own hands. I didn't know that a banjo could feel or sound this good. And until you get a chance to play one, you won't know either. They are remakable instruments at any price. Here we are in the golden age of openbacks take advantage of it. Get yourself a Lee. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Gold Tone Bob Carlin BC-350
submitted 1/23/2008
|
Submitter |
gkuchan |
Where Purchased |
Different Strummer |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
750 ($US) |
Sound
|
Rich warm sound with a hell of a lot of bass, which I love...Rumbles well, with out buzz. Very nice Clawhammer Banjo. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Set up beautifully, haven't had to change anything yet. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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No flaws, but I am a sucker for darker wood |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
Good and sturdy, tuners a little less responsive than I might like but overall very nice |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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Haven't delt with them yet, but it does have a lifetime waranty |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
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The wider neck and 12inch pot are wonderful. The mandolin frets are going to take some getting used to. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Went into the store to test out a WL-250, and I wish I could put this a little less emotionally, but when I picked up the BC-350 it just felt right, very easy to play. Beautiful warm sound and a quality instument. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade from their student/starter Banjo, but only on the condition that you get a chance to hold it before purchasing. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Gold Tone Cripple Creek CC-50
submitted 1/23/2008
|
Submitter |
gkuchan |
Where Purchased |
Different Strummer |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
A little flat, and muddy. not a lot to it |
Sound Rating |
5 |
Setup
|
Set up perfectly, but just not a lot you can do with it |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Not a bad looking banjo, but fairly generic |
Appearance Rating |
5 |
Reliability
|
This was a rental and had seen a good amount of action and it seems to have held up rather well |
Reliability Rating |
7 |
Customer Service
|
n/a |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Not a lot to it |
Components Rating |
5 |
Overall Comments
|
Great rental Banjo to get you started, but save your money and go a step or two up to get yourself something you won't outgrow so quickly. |
Overall Rating |
5 |
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