Countryman BJ250 submitted 12/16/2007 Submitter keef Where Purchased EBAY Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 145 (pounds) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Full sounding ,leaning towards a bright mellow sound.Has a Remo head.This banjo was made in China (not korea) and as you read this hoards of the banjos are spreadig across the pacific and europe! My tutor the unsung hero of British Blue grass(Phil Morley) Agreed that it was value for money and played well ! .Its a dead ringer for a gibson with hearts and flowers inlay on fret board suitable for Bluegrass Sound Rating 8 Setup Medium to high Slacked off the necktruss rod Fitted a new bridge,light strings and action is as good as any. Setup Rating 7 Appearance Considering the cost it looks excellent all round Practically flawless Appearance Rating 9 Reliability Lets look at modern banjos in the lower price bracket ,they are all reasonable value for money as quite a few brands start life in the same workshops of asia and are branded accordingly.I see my purchase lasting as long as any other banjo unless you are a twenty stone knuckle dragging gorilla Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service friendly company 1 years warranty Customer Service 7 Components You could upgrade the neck ,head body .strings ,tuners,back bowl,clamps bridge etc with gibson parts? Strange It looks like one already!!!!!!!!!!! This chinese one has a tone ring fitted and is a heavier version of the korean countryman Components Rating 7 Overall Comments I thoroughly reccomend the Chinese countryman deluxe model If it was stolen I would contact MI5 I played a few different makes and models but we are talking value for money,this banjo does what it says on the packet? Overall Rating 8