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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7238 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: McINTYRES MUSIC Charlotte, NC
Year Purchased: 1974 ?
Price Paid: $250 ($US)
It was OK when I got it brom McIntyre but it lay many years before a local 'luthier' Roger Hart did some magic on fitting the tone ring and rim. It will do anything my Deering Sierra will and, actually, better. Plenty loud and no dead spots anywhere on the neck.
Sound Rating: 10
For the archives. Some people have heard of 'McIntyre Acoustic Pickups', some haven't. This is the same fellow. Met him when he and a couple others had opened an instrument repair shop in Charlotte, NC. Carl McIntyre also gave music lessons. He had a very creative way of putting down in writing his "tablature". Likely he didn't invent it but I've never seen it anywhere else; it was very effective. ANYWAY: Carl had somehow gotten a hold of a badly damaged shipement of banjos. From the salvageable parts he constructed complete instruments; that explains how I bought the banjo new for the price I got it for.
Setup Rating: not rated
Always felt it was a very good looking instrument with the exception of the headstock.
Appearance Rating: 10
Many a long beer soaked night playing till three and four in the morning. The Aria always hung in there and is ready to go today. Excellent finish. The decorative inlay in the resonator has begun to swell up a bit but the finish remains unchecked and uncracked.
Reliability Rating: 10
No expereience here.
Customer Service: not rated
Clamshell tailpiece just big, ugly and in the way. I see nothing in my Deering that appears to be of better quality than the Aria. Actually, the 3 ply rim in the Aria is heavier and better finished.
Components Rating: 9
All original except the tailpiece and the normally changed stuff i.e. strings, bridge, head etc. Yea, and the frets. Carl McIntyre did one his 'famous' fret jobs on this instrument. People in this and the surrounding area really loved the McIntyre 'rounded' fret ends, very smooth. If you haven't heard of his Pickups then google McIntyre Acoustic Pickups and see what you find.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: harry & jeanie wests' fine instruments
Year Purchased: 98
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
great considering the alternatives in the price range. deering advertising seems to imply they take great pains in getting things right before they leave the factory. they missed big on mine. fairly loud.
my Aria PRO II is every bit as loud and responsive BUT , sadly, it has what feels to me a more friendly fret board.
Sound Rating: 8
i expected more from deering but didnt get it in terms of 'setup'. the 'helpgul' info pamphlet also leads an unsuspecting novice such as myself down a dangerous path in terms of providing instruction on settings using the truss rods. I'm now seeing the sad results in the rim.
Setup Rating: 5
outside appearance just fine. disappointed to pull tone ring and note they applied the stain to the rim AFTER installing the tone ring. rim top shoulders now unstained and the wood rough; didn't even finsish sanding. the 'slot' they cut in the tone ring is total slop. appears like somebody just hacked till they got an opening; not even close to squared nor finished.
Appearance Rating: 8
finish seem OK, should last. its sturdy enough to got it alone.
Reliability Rating: 9
haven't tried. like to see more info on their website.
Customer Service: not rated
don't know what or how but the tailpiece that came with this one is a disaster with minimal functionality.
Components Rating: 8
its OK. i've tried some other of the new sierras in stores and they don't sound as good as what i have. that being said; i;ve seen a lot of other brands, much higher priced, that had nothing to offer over the sierra.
Overall Rating: 8
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