Deering Deering/Vega Longneck Reviews

Deering Deering/Vega Longneck submitted 3/5/2008 Submitter mainejohn (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Acoustic Outfitters, Stratham NH Year Purchased 2000 Price Paid 2025 ($US) Sound The sound is unique. It's louder and brighter than a vintage Vega tubaphone...not quite as "old-timey", yet well suited for folk music. Sound Rating 10 Setup Fairly well, although I needed to lower the acion a bit...no big deal. Setup Rating 8 Appearance I would have preferred a vintage maple rather than the chocolate brown. I was disappointed in the fact that the peghead overlay was very rough where it meets the nut. Gary, the AOMC owner fixed it himself rather than send it back. I also upgraded all 5 of the tuners, as they were sticky, and upgraded the tailpiece, the cover of which broke off. Appearance Rating 6 Reliability The finish after 8 years has held up well. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service I emailed my initial concerns to Deering, and they never responded other than with boilerplate. Gary, at AOMC, the dealer in NH where I bought it new was extremely helpful. It's warranted to me as long as I own it. Deering cust serv: 2 Dealer cust serv: 10 Customer Service 5 Components Aforementioned tuners were cheap, probably Schallers. I upgraded to 4 Keiths and an old Kroll 5th. Components Rating 2 Overall Comments For the price I paid, I would recommend it. The list price, however is very inflated. I think it's now arond $4700. I also have a vintage Vega longneck, and I switch back and forth. They are both excellent, but sound different. Overall Rating 9