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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!
7234 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: trade
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I wanted to add a mahogany to my collection. This banjo just really has a great sound. Lots of snap and pop, a 4th string that vibrates your gut, and sweet all the way up the neck. Great dynamic range and a clean hollow sound. But, plenty of bite when you bear down. I really love it.
Sound Rating: 10
Typical Stelling perfection. Very comfortable neck, low action and 11/16" bridge. It's so perfect that I don't even want to change the strings.
Setup Rating: 10
It's a Stelling. 'Nuff said.
Appearance Rating: 10
Everything is top notch. It stays in tune all the way up the neck and even when I capo.
Reliability Rating: 10
Short story here: When I receive the banjo the resonator had come off and the edge was damaged by the bounding flange of the banjo. It was used so it wan't under warranty. Geoff Stelling refinished the damaged area and returned it in one week and it is perfect. Service does not get better than that.
Customer Service: 10
Again, everything is top notch. I especially like the very smooth Gotoh tuners
Components Rating: 10
I've had a couple of mahogany banjos before but nothing prepared me for the sound and playability of this Stelling Crusader. It's just perfect in every way.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Directly from maker
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I love the sound of this banjo. Bright, dry, hollow, loud and with a woody knock to it. Consistent all the way up the neck. With the Huber ring and Cox rim it is very much in the Mastertone family. Louder and brighter than my Prucha Bat and drier than my Stelling. A very traditional bluegrass sound.
Sound Rating: 10
Setup was great. Even though the neck was wider than my other banjos and the action a little higher than I'm used to, it plays easily. Pulloffs and bends are really clean. I plan on leaving it exactly as it arrived
Setup Rating: 10
Simple but beautiful. A tobacco burst finish on presentation grade maple. Simple binding and a tight grained rosewood fingerboard give it a classic look.
Appearance Rating: 10
All the components are of the highest quality so I don't anticipate any issues. Cliff Fitch offers a lifetime warranty to the original owner.
Reliability Rating: not rated
Cliff was completely responsive in answering any and all question. He sent the banjo promptly and it arrived in good shape. Couldn't ask for better service than that.
Customer Service: 10
All the components are of the highest quality. Huber ring, Cox rim and resonator, Waverly tuners, Prucha hardware, Huber bridge, Huber case. Includes spikes at 7-10.
Components Rating: 10
A fantastic instrument. Obviously crafted as a labor of love. This is a perfect complement to my Stelling Red Fox and Prucha Bat. With this one, my days of banjo envy are over. It's a keeper.
Overall Rating: 10