Last December I lucked out in finding a 1999 Sunflower in my price range. It was in nice shape, just needing a buffing on metal parts. I followed Geoff's setup tips and purchased a new Stelling bridge and Ludwig head. Things went well and I discovered a BHO thread on head tensioning that was invaluable. I took my time and two weeks ago found the sweet spot. OMG what a fine tone, volume, and ease of playability. I'd like to thank Geoff for his advice and Steve's writings and pics on head tensioning. What a great banjo community we have! This Sunflower is a keeper! Any Stelling owners out there in the Cleveland Ohio area? Good pickin!
8 Comments |
 | joemac says:
2/23/2013 9:13:11 AM
Well done!! A fine banjo. My sunflower is a2001 model and the tone is stunning, I hope you have many years of enjoyment with it, I hope to keep mine for ever.
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 | Banjos5 says:
2/23/2013 6:10:07 PM
Thanks Joemac. I was toying with the idea of having a Tony Pass rim installed by Geoff, however after discussing it with him I decided I didn't want to "mess with success". I might save up a bit, test drive a few current models and go from there. I'm not trading or selling my Sunflower though-it's just too super a banjo.
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| joemac says:
2/24/2013 12:53:55 AM
My advice, don't change the rim, I find the early rim is more able to produce mellow sounds as well as switching to the really thin hard driving tone. I play a lot of Jens Krugers tunes and my Sunflower can wipe the floor with the Deering Kruger model, just my oppinionated. So all in all she is the complete machine!!
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| joemac says:
2/24/2013 12:54:59 AM
My advice, don't change the rim, I find the early rim is more able to produce mellow sounds as well as switching to the really thin hard driving tone. I play a lot of Jens Krugers tunes and my Sunflower can wipe the floor with the Deering Kruger model, just my oppinion. So all in all she is the complete machine!!
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| Banjos5 says:
2/24/2013 5:35:05 AM
Thanks. I agree. I had an Ome Phoenix for several years and it had a TP rim the previous owner had installed. Good sound but not nearly as fine as my Sunflower. I put the OME rim back in it out of curiosity and it sounded, not better, but with a bit more depth and to my ear a little "sweeter". Same setup. It's all so subjective. At any rate I can't imagine changing my Sunflower form the current setup. Jens is an awesome musician.
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 | thombanjo says:
2/25/2013 4:35:14 PM
agree...my Red Fox has the Cooperman rim that was used prior to late 2003 when Pass rims became standard...the tone on my banjo is just wonderful and gets LOTS of comments like " I can't believe it's a Stelling" which I find strange ! Of course getting the bridge you like and head tension play key roles as does your own playing style...buck for buck the quality in Stellings is hard to beat when you look at fret work, inlay, wood /grain choice/ finish, hardware down to even the case it comes in....
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 | banjoez says:
3/12/2013 10:53:01 AM
Mine has the Tony Pass rim and it does add some depth and color but all years can be great sounding and much of it is in the setup. Stellings have such a wide range of adjustment that they are infinitely fine tuneable and little adjustments can make big differences. That can be good or bad depending on how much you are willing to experiment. To get to the fullest potential to my ear I ended up putting on a Scorpion 7/16" bridge, a REMO wagon wheel head at a tension of A (used the Steve Davis ruler and quarter trick, works very well on a Stelling) and the tailpiece exactly 1/4" off the head (measured from bottom of tailpiece). Set the bridge at 13 3/16" from 12th fret (test with harmonics) and my what a sound.
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| banjoez says:
3/12/2013 10:56:32 AM
Sorry meant to say "Scorpion 11/16" bridge in my post.....
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