BluegrassWarehouse - Posted - 03/08/2011:  04:49:37

Yesterday the UPS driver brought my dream banjo: a Stelling Virginian! It is beautiful and sounds great! Needless to say, this morning my fingers are very sore!

I have waited 13 years to get this, and I was finally able to get it! At some point I also want a Stelling mandolin and want it slightly customized to have the peghead and inlay pattern match the Virginian banjo. I hope I don't have to wait another 13 years before I can buy that!

Now I am motivated to practice more and I enjoy playing more as well. I guess the moral of the story is, if you want to play and practice more often, as well as sound better, buy yourself a new banjo!

Lance

TR Dockery - Posted - 03/08/2011:  05:03:50

Congratulations, Lance! I know just how you feel. It has been 21 years ago this May since I got my first high-end banjo, a Stelling Allen Munde Top Tension Staghorn, and I still love it. I had been playing about 15 years at that point and had always wanted a Staghorn since day 1. Mine was a 10th anniversary wedding present.

You are right--it will make you a better player, too!

Happy trails,
Randy in Germantown, TN

slammer - Posted - 03/08/2011:  05:04:36

Congrats Lance,
Nothing like a new banjer and you picked a good one!!!
Bet it was worth the wait!!! Enjoy!
Slammer!!!

John Allison - Posted - 03/08/2011:  05:31:27

A fine banjo indeed; looks good and sounds great. I have played the Virginian. Congrats Lance.

mike gregory - Posted - 03/08/2011:  05:43:24

Corn Granulations!

janeway - Posted - 03/08/2011:  05:50:43

Congratulations Lance, sounds real nice. Can't wait until I can afford my very own banjo,( using a loaned one at the moment) The feeling when you get your own personal,long awaited for banjo must be wonderful,from what I've heard from everyone. Happy picking Mate..

drefoss - Posted - 03/08/2011:  05:58:26

Yes congrats, good things come to those who wait.

plunka5 - Posted - 03/08/2011:  06:01:39

Congratulations Lance! Now, let's see some pics!

TR Dockery - Posted - 03/08/2011:  06:09:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by TR Dockery

, ...Allen Munde Top Tension Staghorn,

---

Edited by - TR Dockery on 03/08/2011 06:09:33

Tim13 - Posted - 03/08/2011:  06:12:20

My Virginian was my first real banjo upgrade as well. They are really a work of art. The abalone used in the decorative trim is stunning. Oh yeah, let's not forget, they sound fine, and are nice to play.

Tim

kris_rasnake - Posted - 03/08/2011:  06:43:19

Congratulations, Stelling is as fine of a banjo as anyone could own and something to be very proud of!!

501jaycash - Posted - 03/08/2011:  07:20:11

Good instruments do inspire your playing, I'm happy for you.

thehurricane - Posted - 03/08/2011:  08:26:50

Hey, I was thrilled when I got my Tyler Mountain so I could start pickin'. When I learn enough and move up, I am sure I will be feelin' the same way. Congrats!

DantheBanjoMan - Posted - 03/08/2011:  08:50:58

Congrats. That's a beautiful instrument.

stelling man - Posted - 03/08/2011:  09:56:28

The Virginian Is also my dream banjo, The next Stelling that I get will be a Virginian..

STELLING MAN

dustinTN - Posted - 03/08/2011:  12:06:04

Big congratulations, BW. That looks like a fine banjo. Maybe in 13 years, I can afford one, too!

michael6 - Posted - 03/08/2011:  16:04:53

Good for you!

dwalk - Posted - 03/08/2011:  16:45:03

congratulations....the Virginian is an awesome looking banjo.

Edited by - dwalk on 03/08/2011 16:47:03

Earl in name only - Posted - 03/08/2011:  19:47:56

Enjoy! When you've got the sound you want, the sore fingers are definitely worth it. Congratulations and keep on pickin'!

CurtissWhite - Posted - 03/08/2011:  20:14:46

Lance. You are now a WINNER! Congratulations!

Old Man - Posted - 03/09/2011:  02:34:54

It is very nice to own the Ultimate banjo.The more I play my Masterflower the more I appreciate it.Way to go.

mebacon - Posted - 03/09/2011:  04:59:08

Congratulations. All Stelling banjos are beautiful. The Virginian is particularly so. And waiting 13 years probably permits you to sound a whole lot more like that banjo looks when you pick it!

Augie - Posted - 03/09/2011:  05:37:04

My heartiest congratulations. I just want to hold a Stelling. I can't imagine what it's like to own one. I think that a Stelling will play itself. All you gotta do is hold it affectionately in your lab. :-)

BluegrassWarehouse - Posted - 03/09/2011:  17:47:05

It just happened to work out for me. I saw a used one advertised here on the hangout and I called him up and talked to him about it a couple of times. Then I went to SPBGMA and decided to buy it while I was there. When I got back and called him again, he had already sold it, but he told me about a dealer that had a new one at a pretty good price.

I checked into it and decided to go ahead and get it. Thirteen years was long enough. I REALLY like this banjo, it was worth the wait!

Lance

gdoc - Posted - 03/10/2011:  00:50:53

Welcome to the world of professional banjos. One any picker would be proud to own. Now............you got to live up to the quality!!!!!!!!!!!!! Practice my boy!

WVChuck - Posted - 03/10/2011:  08:08:56

Congrats on your Stelling Lance. Now get out their son and "Pick the Snot" out of that thing.

As the Lays commeriical say, "You just can't stop at one"

Chuck