Epiphone MB-100
submitted 9/1/2008
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Submitter |
duvidel |
Where Purchased |
Guitar Center |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
150.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
It seems pretty bright and gives the Deering Goodtime competition for an affordable price. I am glad I got an open back instrument. Unfortunately, there were not enough banjo technicians at the store so I took it to Music Folk (www.musicfolk.com) for head tightening, nut repair, and bridge moving. I intend to have spikes added soon. It's great for Scruggs style picking and clawhammer alike. I will use either a Barcus-Berry discq or Dean Markley dot pickup with it. I intend to learn clawhammer. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
I could not afford a hard shell case at the store, went with an electric guitar gigbag, which suits my needs, but would rather have had a Superior (TM) banjo gig bag. I suggest buying one wherever you can. As for the setup, move the bridge toward the tailpiece, adjust the head tighter and the action lower. I would suggest the Barcus-Berry Discq (it's a dot pickup) because you can stick it on near the bridge and stick the plugin jack on the rim or run it outside a resonator to the body and stick it on. I give it a 9 simply because I had to go elsewhere for the setup and Guitar Center could not do it. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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It is very plain and a light mahogany, no flaws. No custom work was done nor will be done. I do have a penchant for some wacky stickers on my gig bags though. :-) For instance, I would not use a Crybaby pedal with a banjo so stuck one on the gig bag. I am learning to leave things be and simple, to avoid inlay work. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
I believe overall it will be fine on its own. My only concern is that I believe it should have come with spikes for the price of the instrument, maybe $20.00 more for those added. The one thing I would change would be strap hooks or pegs independent of the brackets. That is a concern for durability, pulling too hard on the strap, etc. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
I added a 2 yr warranty so Guitar Center is giving me 3 years (1 yr manufacturer's warranty). I wish it were lifetime or limited lifetime. |
Customer Service |
9 |
Components
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I can't really answer, not knowing what to say. It is a great value for the money. It seems to have a very durable head. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
This is the banjo I should have bought long ago. I would replace it with an identical model asap, but get it at a store with a Superior gig bag, setup, and spikes, and a Barcus-Berry Disc pickup. I love it overall, especially the light weight, open-back size. For all resonating banjos are cracked up to be, light weight is for me. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Star Fire Star Fire 6 string banjo
submitted 9/1/2008
|
Submitter |
duvidel |
Where Purchased |
Ebay |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
150.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
it has a very full sound, but is rather heavy. I like the fact that it has 6 strings, durable head, but wish overall I had gone with a 5 string to play with tunings. It does not hold its tuning all that well in my humble opinion if tuned to standard guitar tuning. It is fine for strumming or picking, not clawhammer because you can't do drop thumb. I am amazed to even find Star Fire listed here! The instrument has strap hooks which seemed to stay in pretty well, except for 1 time when a strap came off and I had to repair it. |
Sound Rating |
5 |
Setup
|
The action probably could have been lowered. I did not mess with it. |
Setup Rating |
5 |
Appearance
|
I screwed it up, I admit it. I tried to put a stencil design on the head. My very bad mistake results in vast depreciation. The sound is still good. Do not monkey with it. It's not worth it. For a cheap way to play guitar on banjo, leave it as is and be happy. This was the only Star Fire I have ever seen. Stick with Galveston, Johnson, or pay for something better. Do not go on the cheap! Learn from my mistake. Have a setup done. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
It will last a long time, very strong neck, body and hardware. It is dependable and the only drawbacks are it may not hold to pitch. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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I did not deal with the company, I think it is 1 yr warrranty and forgot what vendor I contacted on Ebay. |
Customer Service |
5 |
Components
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Everything seemed okay, nothing to really discuss. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I would not replace this instrument with another 6 string banjo. I would get an Epiphone MB100 5 string and tune it with a capo if I needed a guitar-banjo. I don't hate it, but I wish it were an open back. If I had to get another, I would have paid no more than $120 but it was on auction. |
Overall Rating |
7 |
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