Stelling Master's Cross Standard
submitted 5/15/2009
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Submitter |
Thumpkeg |
Where Purchased |
Mandolin Brothers |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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The Master’s Cross has a deep rich sound all the way up the neck. I really enjoy the tone from the 10 fret on; I feel that Stelling has nailed the tone in this area and that the walnut neck really brings warmness to the notes. It is very senative to your touch and is very powerful on the output side.
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Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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The setup that came with the Banjo was not much to my liking. I tightened the head to 91 on the drum dial and lowered the action until the strings were buzzing then backed it off just a little bit. I think that the nut setting could have been taken a lot closer to the frets but that is my taste. I changed out the strings to a lighter gage but I haven’t found much difference in them yet, but that could take years to figure out what I like best. The Stelling Master Cross is a very easy to play Banjo. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
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On this Master Cross the neck is made out of Tiger Walnut and is very beautiful. One thing I found out about Stelling Banjo’s is that they don’t take good pictures. When you have one in your hands and look into the detail and workmanship that is there, you know that a master craftsman’s hands did there job well. A truly beautiful Banjo. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Stelling is Know for there commitment to there customers. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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The Mandolin Brothers were very responsive to my needs and very helpful to all of my questions. I had concerns about shipping from the east cost to the west cost and wanted to make sure that there was the least amount of stress on the insterment that we could do. They told me that they have very few problems with shipping. I choose to air freight it to eliminate the exposure time to travel. But after seeing the way that the Mandolin Brothers packed things it is easy to figure out why they do not have many shipping problems. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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There is not doubt that Stelling uses the best of what they can get there hands on. But what I have a problem with is that the flange did not get buried on the back side and left sharp edges. If you go to play the Banjo without the resonator on they are so sharp they will cut your clothing. I thought about grinding the burrs off but that would remove the plating and open it up to corrosion. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
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Stelling makes a beautiful instrument hands down. As far as the sound goes they probably have the most stable sounding Banjo on the market today. Using the wedge fit tonering to achieve consistent results has been achieved. I ordered a Stelling because of this. My Master’s Cross meets all of my expectations. I would not think twice about recommending or ordering another one. They are the best! |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Epiphone MB-250
submitted 3/31/2006
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Submitter |
Thumpkeg |
Where Purchased |
Guitar Center |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
499. ($US) |
Sound
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The sound is Real good for the price. I wanted something that would get me through the basics, 3 finger. After a year of playing it I am ready to move to something with good sound up the neck. |
Sound Rating |
6 |
Setup
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Guitar Center gave it to me just as they received it in the box unopened. On the neck it had a sticker that said that it was set up buy someone at epiphone. The neck was loose and the head was loose. I think that they probably make and pack a lot of instruments at one time. So they probably leave every thing loose because of being storied for long periods of time. (years) If you purchase one of these make sure that you get it set up or use the instructions at the Hangout. I could also not get the action on the neck as low as I would have liked to have it without a lot of work. |
Setup Rating |
6 |
Appearance
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Very nice look to it. Like most Epiphones, a copy of a Gibson design. I get lots of comments on the way it looks. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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I have not had any problems at all with it when it comes to reliability. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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I have never had to deal with Epiphone so I can not rate it. |
Customer Service |
5 |
Components
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When I first set the Banjo up it sounded OK. But after changing the Bridge and strings it took on a completely new sound. The Banjo itself has a solid feel and has been built well. The tonering being Aluminum does make the notes up the neck sound pretty poor. |
Components Rating |
7 |
Overall Comments
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I think for the money that it is a good Banjo to start with. I think if you are going to purchase a Banjo to start playing with. Have someone that can play, play a few of the starter models and select the one that sounds the best to you. |
Overall Rating |
7 |
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