Zoom Hard Disk Recorder H-2 submitted 1/11/2008 Submitter PaulKirby Where Purchased Oslo Overall Comments I don't know very much about recording equipment, but the H-2 was the least expensive model, and it works really great for what I use it for, which is to record band rehearsals and voice lessons. Easy to use, good sound, manageable variety of options, and easy transfer to computer. Overall Rating 8

Cheat-a-keys Cheat-a-keys submitted 12/27/2007 Submitter PaulKirby Where Purchased Janet Davis Overall Comments Love the Cheat-a-keys! It went on in 5 minutes, was super easy to tune, and it works like it's supposed to. Love it. Overall Rating 10

Kateyz bridge Kateyz submitted 9/20/2007 Submitter PaulKirby Where Purchased Direct from Mike Smith in Dawson, Illinois Overall Comments Fantastic roundness of sound combined with great 'crack'. Mike's customer service is outstanding. He is someone who has a great ear and is willing to take the time to bring out the optimal clarity and balance in any banjo. Overall Rating 10

Dean Backwoods 5 submitted 9/12/2007 Submitter PaulKirby Where Purchased Music 123 Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 400 ($US) Sound Bright loud sound. Good for bluegrass. It's of course a little sweeter near the neck. Doesn't have the depth of character that a more expensive banjo has, but overall a bright, well-balanced sound. Sound Rating 8 Setup I had to set the bridge on it and tune it, but that was it. The action was pretty comfortable. The banjo was ready to go in 5 minutes. It was a good basic set up for this level banjo. Some whine in the 5th string. I've adjusted the nut height, and it's fine. A well-known component maker with lots of experience was impressed that the tension rods were pretty much as they should be. The head needed a little tensioning, but not much. It sounded great practically right out of the box. Setup Rating 8 Appearance Attractive looking banjo: nice traditional-looking fingerboard inlay. Excellent finish: virtually no flaws. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability The tuners were a little loose, but I tightened them slightly and now they are fine. It seems like a dependable instrument. Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service No experience yet. I ordered the banjo online and it got here in a few days. Customer Service 7 Components I've put on a Kateyz Prowler bridge, and will probably put on a bone nut. While tensioning the head, I noticed that some of the bracket nuts don't exactly fit the wrench. Tuners are nothing fancy but they are solid and work well. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments I would definitely recommend this banjo for it's quality/price. It's an excellent value. With the kateyz bridge this thing absolutely howls. I bought it without doing too much research, and I feel like I was super lucky. It's an excellent entry-level bluegrass banjo. Beautiful, heavy and loud. At the luthier's I got to play a pre-war Gibson Granada, and the Dean obviously doesn't have the soul of the Gibson, but it's pretty astounding considering its price. Overall Rating 8