Fitch Masters Five Reviews

Fitch Masters Five submitted 6/21/2008 Submitter David Ward (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Fitch Banjos Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 3100.00 historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound The sound is excellent, it was what I expected when I bought my 2003 RB3 Gibson but did not get! I can't wait to get in front of a microphone! I expect this banjo will get better the more it is played and I plan to do just that! Sound Rating 10 Setup The banjo was set up exactly like I asked Cliff Fitch to do. The banjo came from Texas to Wisconson so I expected to have to check out any adjustments . About 30 minutes after I unpacked it it was sounding great,no problems! Setup Rating 10 Appearance The banjo was perfect, The color was what I wanted exactly. This is a Mohagany banjo and the finish is excellent. High quality job! Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Iv'e only had it a couple days but I think there will be no problem. It stays in tune real well. I checked it out again today and everything stayed where I put it. It has a very nice neck.excellent work. This banjo already feels like an old friend. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I was really happy dealing with Cliff Fitch because he was always quick to respond to anything,no surprises. I just sent Cliff the pot out of my RB3 so he can cut a Cox rim to fit the Huber tone ring I also put in it.. I have complete faith in the work Cliff Fitch can do. Customer Service 10 Components I have to say it is all top quality , The Blaylock Bear Tracks tonering is awsome.Cliff does a great job building banjos.Everything fits real good. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I also own a Stelling,Huber,and Gibson, they are all good banjos but this Fitch banjo is a great sounding banjo. This banjo has more than enough volume so you don't have to pick real hard, the banjo has nice tone all around the neck . I feel this is one of the best banjos I have played. It is no wonder J.D. Crowe endorces this tone ring. He etches his autograph on each one. Cliff sent me pictures of J.D. doing just that! Overall Rating 10

Fitch Masters Five submitted 5/9/2008 Submitter dj9124 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Cliff Fitch Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 3100 ($US) Sound This is the most incredible sounding banjo I ever had the pleasure of picking. The Beartracks tone ring in this banjo is just amazing. Today I tuned it to D tuning for Rueben and I was just blown away, sounds so much like Earls banjo that I couldn't believe it! The sound is so rich and sweet yet the volume is fantastic, not harsh at all, the banjo sounds like it is years older than it is, just have never heard a new banjo that sounds this good. Sound Rating 10 Setup The setup was excellent when I got it from Cliff, the only thing I did was lower the action just a tweak. The banjo sounded so good that I knew I did not need or want to change anything else. Setup Rating 10 Appearance This is a mahogany banjo, the color that Cliff stained this is beautiful, when the light hits it it almost looks like copper reflecting the light. The finish is top notch and beautiful to look at. The FE inlays are perfectly done and the "Fitch" logo on the headstock looks very classy. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Cliff used all top shelf components and I have no doubt that there will not be any hardware issues. The 4 Keith tuners are exceptionally nice and smooth. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Of coarse being a new banjo it has Cliffs warranty should anything arise but as well as this banjo is constructed I am sure that if anything does need attention it would not be due to the fact of any builders defect. Customer Service 10 Components As mentioned components are top notch, Blaylock/Crowe Beartracks tonering, Keith tuners. I do not think anything would need to be upgraded. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments It has been a hobby of mine over the last 10 years or so to trade and sell banjos. In doing so I have probably owned at least 30 to 40 banjos but decided to give up the trading and settle down with a keeper. I was planning on a Stelling to be my last banjo but ran across the posts about the new Blaylock/Crowe beartracks ring. I inquired about the Masters Five that Cliff just completed with the new ring and he sent me a sound clip of it. It grabbed my attention enough to purchase it and I am so glad I did. I can say without a doubt that this is the best sounding banjo I have ever had out of all those banjos that I tried. This banjo sounds so good and is so amazing that it has really brought the fun and excitement back to my picking. I highly recommend a Fitch Masters Five mahogany with the beartracks ring. If I ever lost this banjo for any reason I would definitely buy another one without thinking twice about it. Overall Rating 10

Fitch Masters Five submitted 4/22/2008 Submitter jebmd (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased BHO Member Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound This banjo has a deep low end punch that I'm not use to, a nice dark growl on the forth string and plenty of pop on the first and second string. I love a Stelling but I must say I love the "dark" tone of this banjo. Sound Rating 10 Setup Just tightend the head and she was ready to go. The last owner took excellent care of this banjo. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Deep red straight grained mahogany, flying Eagle inlay. Engraved tail piece and armrest. Very nice fit and finish. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Even though I'm the second owner Cliff has extended the lifetime warranty to me. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service The best possible, look at the warranty. Customer Service 10 Components Mahogany neck and resonator, Sullivan FF rim, Crowe unplated ring, Krishot tuners and a Wadsworth bridge. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I don't think you can get close to this banjo's tone in this price range. In my opinion Cliff Fitch builds a superior banjo. A mega bang for the buck. The good news is if something happens to this banjo, I know where I can buy a replacement. Overall Rating 10