Iida Six String-5long-1drone
submitted 4/30/2004
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Submitter |
CEN92337 |
Where Purchased |
eBay |
Year Purchased |
3-04 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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I love 5 string bluegrass.My old tired ears prefer a bright clear sound. Set up right this Iida 6 string delivers. It can be played as a 5 or 6 string.Took me about a week to get used to the wider neck. Many tunings can be used but I like ggDGBD since I can use standard 5 string tabs and Chords. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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Setup as recieved was BAD! Broken tailpiece and bridge,torn head,tension ring bent out of round,and strings shot. Put on OME tailpiece, Remo frosted head very tight,Yates maple moon bridge, FQM tension ring and GHS pf 140 strings. Setup adj. time was lengthy but not difficult.Still adj.gauge of 5th string.028 to 030 bronze wound best |
Setup Rating |
7 |
Appearance
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Unusual peghead shape. Peghead inlays are vine and flower with the large letter I at the top. Neck and resonator are mahogony.Rosewood fingerboard inlayed with small diamonds and large star at 3d fret. Single blk/wh circle inlayed on back of resonator. No Killer Looks but I won't have to show up at jams wearing a ski mask either. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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As modified above this banjo will last many years given normal care. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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No Warranty-Used eBay purchase-No contact with Mfg. All repairs done by myself. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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The best part is the original 20 hole tonering. Sweet Sound. Also love the growl of low g 5th string. The orig. tailpiece and bridge were cheap. Tension hoop probably damaged by a previous owner overtightening a head. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
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Highly recommended to a current 5 string player. Not rec. for a new student since the 6th string will most likely confuse tab and chord learning.This model Iida not made since early 80s and seems very few were made.I really enjoy this banjo,and if lost I would look for an older openback 6 string of simular type, 5+1. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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Aria 6 String
submitted 4/28/2004
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Submitter |
CEN92337 |
Where Purchased |
eBay |
Year Purchased |
2004 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
I prefer 5 string blugrass.I like a bright clear sounding banjo and this one delivers.If I slack the head tension it gives a more deep richer tone but my old tired ears prefer the bright clear sound.This 6 string Iida sounds better than any import I've tried but can be played just like a 5 string.The growel of that low g 5th string is awsome. Tuned ggDGBD. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
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Setup as recieved was BAD! Broken clamshell tailpiece,torn head,bridge butchered by seller,poor fitting tension hoop and corroded strings.Put on a very tight frosted remo head,OME Harp tailpiece,Yates wood moon bridge,new tension hoop and GHS pf 140 strings.After much head and tailpiece adj. it now gives the sound i like.Used .028 wound string for #5 but still experimenting for best low g sound. |
Setup Rating |
1 |
Appearance
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Unusual shape of the peghead. Peghead inlays are flower and vine plus a large letter I. Neck and resonator are mohogony and bound with ivoroid.Rosewood fretboard inlayed with many small pearl diamonds and a large star at the 3d fret.Back of resonator inlayed with single large ring of white/black ivoroid. No killer looks but pleasant to look at. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
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Finish is a gloss clear coat of high quality that should last many years.After modifications listed above I am very confident this banjo will play great for many years with minimal care. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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No Warranty -Purchased on eBay. All repaires done by myself. No contact with mfg. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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The most impressive part of this banjo is the 6th string and the original 20 hole,chrome plated,brass,flat top tonering. As listed above: Tailpiece and tension hoop were junk, should be replaced. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
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This model Iida 6 string is hard to find. Not made since earlly 80's and probably few were made.I highly recomend it to a current 5 string player.Not a good learning banjo for new 5 string student. It has the best tone of any import banjo I've played to date.I love it. If it turns up missing I'd look for an older open back 6 string of simular type. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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