Chuck Lee: Prairieville Vintage

Submitted by Mark D on 11/24/2014

Where Purchased: Lowe Vintage

Year Purchased: 2014
Price Paid: $1895 (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Wanted to try a 12" open back banjo with a metal tone ring to compare against a 12" Ome Wizard with an integrated maple tone ring and this 2008 Chuck Lee Prairieville vintage fit the bill.
Rich, full sound without being too loud or harsh and bright.
Nice sustain.
Good range of sound from playing near the bridge to the S-shaped scoop. I like the two partial 18th and 19th frets.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Very well setup by Lowe Vintage. It had been used with nylon strings, but it was sold with steel strings in place and so far I've made no changes.
No string buzzing.
Sounds good with the Renaissance head, although I may try a goatskin head on it in the future along with a slightly lower bridge.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

Great looking banjo. For a 6 year old instrument it is in close to mint condition. Exactly as described,
Top quality woods and finish work. Nothing extremely fancy, although the flamed maple rim cap looks very nice.
Standard Chuck Lee offset fret markers in the fingerboard.
Abalone prairie flower in the headstock.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Too soon to tell how it will stand up to my playing, but I think it will be fine. Very little signs of playing wear from the first owner.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

No problems encountered with the banjo.

Have not communicated with Chuck Lee and no need to at present. He has a great reputation.

Will and Ed Lowe were a pleasure to deal with at Lowe Vintage Instrument Company. Quick and thorough e-mail replies and extra photos on request. They answered the phone right away and addressed my questions. Shipped on time with a great packing job. I would purchase another instrument from them without hesitation.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Great neck. The best on any banjo I've played so far. Shorter 25-1/2" scale and a little wider at the nut. Good depth on the neck carve. It just feels good to play. Neck adjustments are suppose to be easy on Lee banjos, but I have not had to touch this one.

I've wanted to try the Pegheds brand tuners and they work great after getting use to them for a day or so.

Good height on the pot.

Fancy scalloped nut.

No Knot tailpiece has felt under the strings which is a nice touch.

The bracket shoes are held in place by hex head screws which I prefer to the slotted round head screw found on some instruments.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Best sounding open back banjo that I've owned so far. Very happy with it. I'd like to try a Lee with a Dobson, Bacon, or Electric style tone ring after playing this one with the rolled brass ring.

Overall Rating: 9