Fitch Masters Five submitted 5/9/2008 Submitter dj9124 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