Overall Comments

I bought the Deering Sierra that came with Deerings hard case. Got the case home and the inside lining was coming unglued and rolling down the sides. One of the buckles was riveted 1/4 inch too high and the lid didn't close properly. I took it back to the dealer to inquire about shipping it back for a replacement. THEIR DEALER says, "we'll just replace their Deering case with a generic case if that is acceptable. Deering will give us too much hassle over the return." This is how their authorized dealer feels about their relationship with Deering. I suppose the dealer just ate the cost of an inexpensive generic case. I basically traded a $267 Deering case for a $159 "Superior" case. Again, Deering cost me money. $117 that time (according to their catalog advertised price for the case).

I emailed Janet (via the hangout) regarding what to do about the case before I took it back to the dealer. Never got a reply.

Overall Rating

1

Overall Comments

Awesome little tuner. I love the inconspicuous size. Banjo fits in the case with the tuner attached. Tested against my two Snarks and found it just as accurate.

Overall Rating

9

Sound

Sound is fantastic. I play bluegrass and I like the hard-driving loud bluegrass sound. The Deluxe is crisp and clear without the tinny twang found on my Fender and is capable of delivering in a jam with other instruments.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

Beautiful clean inlay pattern. Just the right amount, not too plain and not too gaudy. The wood finish is beautiful, and the fingerboard flawless. I particularly like the peghead inlay.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

They answer the phone.

Customer Service

4

Overall Comments

Not much to say. A decent banjo if it holds together.

Overall Rating

3

Overall Comments

I just love this strap. I initially purchased a different cradle strap and it was just too fat and bulky. Wouldn't fit in the case. I got the Lakota initially because it was thin. Found out it was tough but soft, really well made, and thin enough to fit in the case.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

This is my second one. The first one, the plastic swivel pin that holds the foot to the mounting bracket broke the day after I got it. They really should have made those pins from metal instead of plastic.
The thing performed so well and was so easy to use I purchased a replacement knowing that the pin was an achilles heel in the design.

Overall Rating

8

Overall Comments

Worth the $30. They fit well and stay put. No ragged edges, a smooth stainless finish that doesn't wear like the nickel-silver. I like the fact that one has the logo on it so I know which one goes on which finger without having to ghetto-rig one with fingernail polish or filing a scratch in it. If I lost one, I'd purchase another set.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I was skeptical at first. A metal thumbpick with a huge flat plastic blade riveted to it. It even looks weird. But I was also frustrated at every plastic thumbpick I had ever used got larger and larger until the strings would get in the open gap and trap my thumb. I could've spent the rest of my life heating plastic thumbpicks in boiling water and trying to reshape them. The metal loop doesn't stretch out like plastic and the plastic blade doesn't clank like the all-metal thumb picks. Really good design. Won't ever use anything else unless something better comes out. Plus it is 1/10th the cost of the bluechip, which is very very close in design.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I ordered a mother of pearl truss rod cover from Ron directly for my Deering Deluxe. It arrived in a few days. Beautiful truss rod cover with outstanding craftsmanship. Engraved with my initials.
Earl's 5 Banjo Shop highly recomended.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Been a customer of Zepp for several months now. Marc is always willing to answer all your questions about anything banjo you may have. I feel fortunate to have such a resource close by!

Overall Rating

10