Deering Calico  Reviews

Deering Calico submitted 11/6/2008 Submitter 1four5 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased BHO Classifieds Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid $2000 ($US) (bought USED) Sound This is my life long dream banjo. It's very powerfull. Loud. VERY bright. Very thick, serious "Dee-ring tone" with fat decay and good sustain. Also very sensitive, and no room for mistakes or slop when mic'ed. Great banjo for acoustic jams, no problem being heard. When I use it with the band, it's mic'ed with a Sure SM-57 to the mixer. When I play non-bluegrass with my friends (country-gospel-early rock-hymns-swing etc.) I have to be carefull not to drive this banjo to much, lest I step on the other's instruments. Balance is good, and note seperation is almost too much at times. I would actually like the sound to be a little sweeter and blended, and more forgiving, without loosing volume, but I'm certianly NOT complaining. Sound Rating 8 Setup When I got this banjo, it's set up was horrible. I think it has a lot to do with why I got it for a good deal. The head was WAY too tight, tailpiece too low and bent, no neck relief, and bad preload on the truss rods. The adjustments were easy to make, and once I got this banjo breathing again, it sound and playability is beyond my expectations. I don't like excessively low action, and with the stock 5/8" bridge, good head tension, proper neck relief, and neutral co-rods, the action is 3/32" at the 12 fret, without any buzzes. My rating is for how I personally set the banjo up to my preferences without any trouble. I've tried several heads, but went back to the original Deering head, as it's sound is the sweetest. I'm happy, but certianly not done tweeking, as I don't feel it's sound has completely "arrived" for my tastes yet. Setup Rating 9 Appearance No flaws. This banjo is pure beauty. Sweet inlays, not overkill. All the metal shined up perfectly. Killer patterned binding. The previous owner kept it mint, and I don't think it was ever played, and shows no signs of ever being a showroom model. In this catagory, this banjo was in new condition. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I've used it at gigs without back-up, and will continue to do so. There are no reliability weak points to this banjo. It's a lifer, for several lifetimes. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I bought it used, so it's not under warranty. I don't really care, because I do my own work anyways. I've never had to deal with any quality issues with Deering, so I really can't rate this catagory. Customer Service not rated Components Like I said in the "reliability" section, there are no weak points to this banjo. Everything is quality and does it's job top notch. I did play a gig with it in 100 degrees sun for two hours, and swet ran down the resonator and losened up the resonator cut-out felt... my fault. I also had to put a washer under the tailpiece screw head, because it wanted to cock in the overly wide slot. Also, the ONLY serious dislike I have with this entire banjo, is the gloss neck. Totally a preference thing, but it gets terribly sticky on humid muggy hot days. I'm also not too keen on the way the tapered walls of the resonator, make the resonator thumb screws visibly crooked, but that's just the jet engine mechanic in me. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments I would recommend this banjo, especially for the price I paid for it used. I don't think I would pay retail though. It's sound kicks ass and takes names in acoustic jams. More power, punch and volume than I expected when I bought it sight unseen. I play the snot out of it in different styles of music, but certianly don't use it to it's hard driving bluegrass potential yet. If you are reading this and thinking about getting a Calico, make sure you understand, and are willing to put up with the gloss finish on the neck. This banjo is my lifer, but it's really more than I ever needed. I will play it as long as my back can keep lifting all 13 beautifull pounds of it. However, if I were to do it over again, I would prefer a matte finish. Overall Rating 9

Deering Calico submitted 8/28/2008 Submitter rvrose (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased ebay Year Purchased 2003 Price Paid 1700.00 ($US) (bought USED) Sound I like the bright sound. I played alot of other brands and like this one best. Sound Rating 10 Setup I haven't touched the setup. Great action - easy to play. Setup Rating 10 Appearance The blond tiger maple and inlays are what initially drew me to this banjo. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I only wish it was chrome plated since the nickel does tarnish with use. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Never had to deal with support. Customer Service 10 Components The neck size and action make this banjo very nice to play. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I highly recommend for sound, playability and beauty. If stolen - I would get another one - but with chrome plate. I have played Gibsons in shops and never found one that sounded better to me. Overall Rating 10

Deering Calico submitted 1/13/2008 Submitter banjoboy95 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased I Don't Remember Year Purchased 2004 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound It had an okay sound. But not as ringy as I like it. Sound Rating 9 Setup It was setup perfectly fine when my dad first bought it. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Everyone loved how the banjo had a blonde finish. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I would rely on this banjo. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Customer Service not rated Components Nothing needed to be upgraded. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This is a good banjo. I didn't care for it that much but it was good. My dad sold it last year I think. Overall Rating 9

Deering Calico submitted 8/31/2007 Submitter Patrick Randall (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Tom Henderson (BG Parlor Tampa) Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 3K+ ($US) Sound Sound Rating 10 Setup Setup Rating 10 Appearance Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Customer Service 10 Components I might have the nickel arm rest chrome plated but I'm nit-picking now. Revision of my 10 aftyer a few weeks: I know its only a little thing but I wish they'd chrome plate the armrests. I polish after every playing (EVERY TIME i PUT IT DOWN!) but can see it will still develop that wear in the plating where your arm rests. :-( Components Rating 8 Overall Comments Absolutely. I'd buy another if it were stolen. I love the sound, playability and general oozing of quality. I tried Gibsons, GoldStars and other Deerings (a Golden Era). I was extremely lucky to have Kelly Emerson (Bill's son ) play the GE and the Calico, giving them both a good back-to-back workout. I video'd the whole thing and uploaded the last 5mins to YouTube. You can view it here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XkEiRRCU1A4 Overall Rating 10

Deering Calico submitted 8/22/2007 Submitter lost_virginian (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Turtle Hill Banjo Company Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound I love the bright crisp maple banjo sound. Sound Rating 10 Setup Dave set up when I bought it and it sound amazing, easy to paly the action is perfect for me. Setup Rating 10 Appearance It's a Deering, the attention to detail and appearance is legendary and mine is no exception. It's beautiful. I use SimaChrome on all the metal parts and that protects and shines like crazy Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Everything on all my deerings has been great, I don't gig but as a recovering guitar player, I would always have a backup. Not so much for the banjo but the strings always break when you least expect it. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Never used them Customer Service not rated Components Components Rating not rated Overall Comments I love it, would track the thief down with a blood hound and re-aquire it from the booger Overall Rating 10

Deering Calico submitted 7/8/2007 Submitter BanjoBobb (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Zepps Music Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Bright sound. Still experimenting with different strings though. So far GHS lights seem the best. Sound Rating 8 Setup Zepp set up the banjo before purchase. No problems noted. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Great finish. The maple finish is great. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I have had the banjo only six months, so it's difficult to tell how long the hardware will last. However, so far I have had no problems with any of the components. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service What little I have talked to CS at Deering, they are always great in returning calls and very professional to deal with. Customer Service 10 Components Haven't found any problems with parts at this time. Have had banjo about 6 months. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I would recommend this Deering. It's great to play and listen to. If this banjo had to be replaced, I would consider another like it, but would investigate other manufacturer's models. I would definitely consider purchasing a new one at Zepp's. He does a person right. Overall Rating 9

Deering Calico submitted 2/6/2006 Submitter jeanetbrown (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Mountain Music Shoppe Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 1995 ($US) (bought USED) Sound I have yet to get the sound dialed in, but it seems to be just a little right of bright, meaning maple banjo sounding, but without the annoying cracking. There is a huge difference when looking for the sweet spot to pick, so you need to experiment to find the sound you like. This is not a complaint at all. I like the tonal variety. Sound Rating 9 Setup Set-up seems fine, I thought the tailpiece is a little high, but that is easy to fix. I don't do much tinkering on a banjo, don't want to end up with a bucket of parts! I am going to put a Sosebee Cotton Mill on, 5/8", I think it will lower the action a little. The stock Deering bridge is a little high. It currently has GHS lights on, but I will change to Gibson Scruggs. They sound and play great, IMO. Setup Rating 9 Appearance A beautiful banjo, particularly with the purfling alongside the binding. I also like the design of the fretboard inlays. I bought a MOP truss rod cover. I would have much preferred the blonde Calico, the best looking banjo ever made, but this honey finish is nice too, and expertly done. Had there been a choice of finish available, I would have gone with the blonde, but that is a personal thing. The blonde finish seems to set off the purfling better than the honey. Nice tiger striping on the back of the neck. Appearance Rating 9 Reliability Hardware is good. Had some cloudiness when I brought it home, but a simple cotton rag shined it right up. I may go with some engraved replacement parts, like the armrest. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service No warranty. I emailed Deering to ask about a re-finish, and they took awhile to reply. That's OK, and not a problem. Customer Service not rated Components Deering, I know you are proud of your bridges and tailpieces, but there are better ones out there. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments When I get the sound right, I will love this banjo. I hate to say it, not real fond of the famous Deering neck. It is too tiny toward the headstock, and too thin toward the head for my liking, but I can live with it. I have a Morgan MGB-1C that is constructed just as well as this Calico, and sounds fine too. I probably could nave gotten by with the Morgan, but I wanted a step up. I would call the Calico a small step. Try one first, you probably will want something else. Overall Rating 5

Deering Calico submitted 12/2/2005 Submitter revdmike (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Hillbilly's (UK) Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 2,320 (UK Pounds) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound I wrote the first version of this review when I bought the Calico in mid-2005. I think that perhaps my playing has improved a bit since then, and now tests the instrument a bit more. I have made a few changes and now have a Kat Eyz bridge in place with Fults tailpiece. Obviously sound is subjective, but I believe these changes have improved what was already an awsome sounding banjo. Sound Rating 10 Setup I like a tight head and have found out by trial and error just how far I can go on that scrore - the second head is now installed after I broke the first! The way I have it now is much tighter that it was when delivered. As indicated in the 'sound' section, I have played around a bit, going from the original Deering bridge to a Snuffy Smith II, and now a Kat Eyz. I shall stay with the latter, and most probably with the Fults tailpiece I have just put on. Setup Rating 8 Appearance I love the appearance of the Calico. It is a delightful honey maple finish that corresponds well with the catalogue description. Mine is a standard production instrument with no custom features. It is not flashy with masses of complex inlays, but has a simple attractivenes, which in my opinion could not be bettered at the price. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I think I can now rate the reliability as good, if standing up to my tinkering is part of that! The only breakage has been a head, which I admit to overtightening. The instrument still looks pristine apart from a slight patina to some of the nickel plating, but I quite like that - makes it look used. Writing again in February 2007, I can say that everything hardware-wise is still in very good shape indeed, and I envisage no problems in the near future. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service It is covered by the Deering lifetime warranty, which covers the first owner. So far my contact with Deering has been via a series of friendly e-mails, when I wrote to thank them for the instrument. My rating reflects my limited contact so far. Customer Service 8 Components Parts seem very good quality - nothing cheap. As said elsewhere, I have changed the tailpiece and the bridge, but that is no refection on the quality of the Deering originals. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I love my Calico. It is probably the only top range instrument I shall buy, and I couldn't wish for better. My other two banjos are completely outclassed by it. I would recommend it to anyone at the price. Incidentally, the UK price may seem high by US standards, but it reflects customs duty, etc., imposed by our government. As an alternative to buying from Hillbilly's I priced up a private import and realised that I wouldn't save any cash, and I would forfeit excellent local dealer service. Overall Rating 10

Deering Calico submitted 12/20/2004 Submitter trybinski (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Mountain Music Year Purchased 2004 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Big full sound! I can actually FEEL the bass, but with no sacrifice of brightness on top. Sound Rating 10 Setup Perfect! Al Worthen at Mountain Music wouldn't let anything out of the store if it wasn't. I believe he added a Snuffy Smith bridge to it, but other than that, it's standard. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Bold, blond and beautiful! The banjo equivalent of Sharon Stone on a good day. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability The only thing I can see is a bit of tarnish from my skin on the armrest. I need to be more religious about wiping the banjo down when I'm done playing, because the nickel plating is sensitive. I'm told that the cure is to chrome plate it, but that you lose some of the acoustics when you do. I'll live with replating the arm rest every 5 or 10 years. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I haven't needed much from Deering, but they have been friendly and responsive by email when I contacted them. Al Worthen at Mountain Music wanted to see the banjo at 1 month and 3 to 4 months. [I still owe him the 2nd visit.] He's sort of like a banjo Pediatrician, who wants to know how his, "babies" are doing, once they leave his shop and go out into the world. Customer Service 10 Components The only other banjo I've owned is a Fender Allegro, which I bought in 1968 and still have. I must not be too hard on hardware. The tuners et. al. on the Calico seem top notch to me. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments Since I tend to buy a new banjo every 35 years whether I need one or not, I've told my wife I want a new banjo for my 89th birthday. Until then, the Calico is likely to be all the banjo I'll ever need. I'm told that this is the bottom end of Deering's top of the line [excluding tenbrooks] and I believe it. A really nice banjo! Overall Rating 10

Deering Calico submitted 3/28/2002 Submitter rmiller@sigecom.net (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Jim's House of Guitars, San Diego Year Purchased 1981 Price Paid 1295.00? ($US) Sound Clear, bright, crisp, and distinct with a 5/8 bridge. Sound Rating 10 Setup I picked the banjo up the day it arrived from Deering in Lemon Grove. I would have loved to pick it up at the factory. Straight out of the case the setup was solid gold. I had a bearclaw tailpiece on the Epiphone I had, but had it installed on the Calico. Later, I had three spikes added to the fifth string. I am now using a compensated bridge, but I am not satisfied that this has improved the sound, tuning, and so forth. I am exploring the acquisition of an Emerson "Power bridge." Setup Rating 10 Appearance This banjo is so beautiful it hurts the eyes. The fellow who delivered the banjo to me said, "it has the prettiest flame on the neck of any instrument I have seen from Deering." Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Again, this is far more instrument than I have capability. I have certainly not pushed it past any limits it might have regarding reliability. A professional player, can't remember his name, in Mansfield, Ohio compared it to his Stelling. He loved my Calico. I sounded beautiful in his capable hands. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I have not needed any repairs, but Caroline Bridges of Deering customer service responded the next day to my email recently as I bragged on the beauty of this instrument. She also offered suggestions on finding an instructor here in Indiana, and generously offered any services I might require of Deering Customer Service 10 Components The nickel plating requires attention to keep it bright. I use no abrasives at all. The quality of the sound, the wood used, the workmanship, the overall appearance of the beautiful blonde flamed maple of the neck and resonator are the standouts of this instrument. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments The price I paid was well worth what I received, but I was single. Todays price is only a sign of the times and were I a very experienced amateur, semi-pro, or pro, I would not hesitate to purchase this instrument. This instrument is insured, but if it were ever stolen I would bawl like a baby. It has always been under lock and key. Overall Rating 10