Enoch Tradesman submitted 8/22/2008 Submitter pernicketylad Where Purchased Zepp Music Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 1025 ($US) Sound This banjo is great for old-time music.It has a real traditional sound.I only have it for 6 weeks but it got to meet other instruments for the first time last night and it performed brilliantly....it really cut through without being one bit harsh. It had nylgut strings on it when I got it first and I was initially dissappointed in it.I persisted for 5 weeks but it sounded like a plastic basin to me.....tubby in the extreme.The thin 12" pot probably contributes to this aswell.As someone who listens primarily to 20th century recordings this is not the sound I associate with or love about the banjo.It was a bit 19th century-sounding for me (or what I'd imagine 19th century banjos sounded like!) Anyway, the nylgut strings are obviously what I didn't like because when I put the steel ones on it was a different story.It now has a warm sustain and the tone is somewhere between tinny and tubby.....just right really!If a banjo can sound 'friendly' this one does. I should also mention that I've stuffed a sponge under the skin to soften the overtones.This obviously lowers the volume (and I'd prefer to not have to) but it's not absolutely necessary, it's just a preference. It's a half-fretted model and the slides sound great.I think the slides were better with the nylgut strings though. Sound Rating 9 Setup The man at Zepp was very good to deal with but I had requested that the action be lowered.Maybe this was an oversight but it was not done when it arrived! I subsequently had it lowered as it was set very high. Setup Rating 9 Appearance I like the look of this banjo as it is very plain.I'd prefer an ebony veneer on the headstock though and I'm not mad about the fact that the maple rim is painted black (but the maple would probably clash with the cherry neck).The cherry neck on my banjo is really beautiful....really straight grain and a little knot in the wood is a nice feature.The Dobson heel looks great......beautifully crafted neck. The finish seems to be a natural satin finish.It feels great to touch and it looks great.However,I feel a more traditional laquer finish would probably be more durable.The inlay is basic too.....just dots on the fretboard(I think they're MOP).The tuners look well....they're black.....don't know if they're ebony or plastic? This banjo is honest.It'does what it says on the tin'.If you want fancy look elsewhere.The workmanship here has gone into the sound and that's fine by me.It's hard to give it a rating as a result. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability It seems durable but it's early days.The gotoh tuners are a little shaky and I'd fear for the finish in the long term.No problems yet though. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I rang Kevin in the early stages of my research.I was initially interested in his M200 model which he told me is no longer in production(although it's still on the website).Anyway, even knowing that I was no longer a potential customer he was a complete gentleman.He was very helpful.This banjo has a lifetime warranty so absolutely full marks here. Customer Service 10 Components I know gotoh tuners have a good name and they look great but as I've mentioned I find them shaky.Planetary tuners would be an idea.I'd probably prefer if the rim and neck were made of the same material.The no-knot tailpiece could also be upgraded and I wouldn't think the brackets and tension hoop are top quality but again its hard to rate this....if the components were better it wouldn't cost $1025! Components Rating 8 Overall Comments For the price I paid I couldn't recommend it enough.It's famous for being a quality,affordable banjo and that's what it is.The exchange rate really helped too!I'm just starting on the fretless so it's perfect for me.If it was stolen tomorrow I'd buy another and I wouldn't have to re-mortgage the house to do it.I'd also be confident the replacement would sound just as good.I got off to a slow start but I'm growing to love this banjo.It doesn't have the punch my Reiter Regent has but it sounds more earthy.I don't prefer either one.They both offer something different.This banjo delivers on sound....the most important thing.Check out the video files on the Zepp Music website for demos....they're great. It's unfair to compare it to more expensive banjos.For the money it's 10/10. Overall Rating 9

Bart Reiter Regent submitted 8/7/2008 Submitter pernicketylad Where Purchased Music Emporium (MA) Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 1375 ($US) Sound To me this banjo is ideal for old-time music.It's resonant but clear and rich with not too many overtones.While it's not as warm as my 1890s no-namer it's certainly not harsh and there's no need to stick a sock in this banjo!It's a very responsive banjo.....chucks and plucks really come off clear.It can be played loud or soft.It's not to bright sounding but that 5th string really sings...punchy.I can't find fault with the sound of this banjo and sound is the most important thing.It's quite tinny and metallic sounding but it is a banjo after all. Sound Rating 10 Setup The Music Emporium carried out my instructions to the letter by lowering the action by paring the bridge by about 1/16" but I was getting some buzzing on the 3rd string (and on the 2nd and 3rd when in d tuning).I think this is a common problem with the 3rd as it's quite slack.Anyway, I replaced it with an identical new bridge(I think it's a Snuffy Smith) and the 3rd only buzzes slightly when plucked very hard.Anyway,I've no-one to blame for this but myself. I don't like the way the tension hoop is proud.It's about 2/16" higher than the head.I'd prefer if it was flush.The notch cut out of the tension hoop at the scoop is also a minor complaint.I've hit it with my finger a few times.I'm sure I'll learn the hard way! Setup Rating 9 Appearance I love the look of the old Vega Regent models and this is practically identical.It's not flashy but I don't like flashy.The Vega-style headstock is beautifully done and it has the all-important star!I think all the inlay is MOP....the fretboard has dots at the 3rd,5th,7th,10th,12th,15th and 17th.The two-piece Maple neck with ebony strip is a beauty.Ebony heelcap and rosewood rimcap are also nice features.The finish is a traditional satin laquer finish beautifully executed.The planetary tuners are great but I don't like the plasticy look of them...they'd be nice in ebony or ivoroid.I like the look of the bracket band on the old Vega Whyte Ladies but I'm sure that's easier said than done!This Regent model seems to have everything Bart's Whyte Lady has except that ugly Gryphon on the headstock! Appearance Rating 9 Reliability Don't have this banjo long but it seems solid to me.The finish also looks like it would take alot of abuse.This is a heavy piece of machinery.I certainly wouldn't feel like I'd need a back-up.Time will tell how reliable it is but for the moment I'll gve it a ten!The TKL case was also included...that's a major plus. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I've never dealt with Bart Reiter but the banjo has a one year warranty.I have to mention Tim at The Music Emporium (MA) here for his patience and professionalism.No question was too annoying!I'm giving The Music Emporium a flawless Ten.Bart Reiter's website is a good resource and the banjo came with a handout on banjo maintenance. Customer Service 10 Components The Planetary tuners hold fast.I'd highly recommend them but as I already mentioned I don't like the plasticy look of them.The Waverly tailpiece seems to do its job.The Whyte Lady tone ring lives up to it's reputation if it is primarily responsible for the sound.I wonder if I replaced the five-star head with a skin head would the sound be warmer but I don't really see any reason to do this as it sounds great as is and I wouldn't want to sacrifice any of that gentle brightness.As I said earlier I'd love if there was a bracket band on it.I think Bart's Deluxe WLs have this feature.Nice thick pot but I think I'd prefer hex-bolts to hold the 24 L-shoes in place. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments For the price this is top notch!I think money won't buy a better sound at any rate.Most of my minor complaints were not surprises to me.......I bought this over the net and I researched well.As I've said sound is of paramount importance to me and this banjo is a joy to play and sounds great.It may not be the fanciest banjo in the world and there are a few minor things I would change but it's not custom-made and it's not a custom-made price.This banjo delivered on all it's promises.It's a nice contrast to my 1890's no-namer...It's like a clean,clear,professional,new-sounding version of it (which is just what I wanted).I don't know why the WL tone-rings were called "Electric" originally but this banjo has an electric twang to it.I love it and I will not need another banjo......but if a nice,clean 1920s Vega WL that sounded as good as this banjo landed in my lap I'd manage to overlook that hideous creature on the headstock!If it was stolen I would stuggle in vain to convince myself that you shouldn't let your possessions possess you............then I'd save up and buy another! Overall Rating 10

The Music Emporium (MA) submitted 8/4/2008 Submitter pernicketylad Overall Comments I cannot speak highly enough of The Music Emporium and the way they do business.My dealings with them were conducted over the phone and via e-mail.Tim,the employee I dealt with, was courteous and patient in the extreme.Nothing was too much trouble and I asked alot of questions!!!!Apart from being helpful they were also very professional.The requests I made re setup were followed to the letter.I received the banjo well packed and Tim spent some time and effort in finding the best deal available in terms of postage costs.I cannot recommend them enough.I see they are one of the dealers Banjo Bill recommends on his website and I can see why. Overall Rating 10

Zepp Music submitted 8/4/2008 Submitter pernicketylad Overall Comments Zepp were very courteous and patient....they answered all my annoying little questions.All my business with them was conducted over the phone.The banjo arrived well packed and in good time.Their website is also a great resource...the video/sound files are great!One complaint.......I did make a specific request re setup and it just wasn't done despite assurances that it would be.I was surprised...maybe it was an oversight. Overall Rating 8