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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!

7137 reviews in the archive.

Chuck Lee: Marble Falls

Submitted by gkuchan on 3/26/2009

Where Purchased: Frailin

Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This is a loud growly tubaphone. Over the neck it sounds like it was ripped out of the bayou and handed to me it go and hammer out a few tunes. Closer to the bridge it is light and bright with nice bell tones.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Changed the strings and the bridge, tradition for me, makes me feel like I own it, but was fine out of the box.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Wow, the flamed walnut on this is breathtaking, the offset position makers, and the omega, very eye catching, the feel of the neck is just remarkable.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

This is of the vintage series, so I was concerned regarding the tuners. they took about a day to get used to, but now I love em! They keep their tune like no one's buisness!

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

What a class act...dealing with Chuck is a Joy!

Customer Service: 10

Components

The neck is the most subtstantial and comfortable I've ever played . Wow...wow...wow!

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This is one of the finest Banjos I've ever touched, the other being my other Lee. Try one, get one, play one....

Overall Rating: 10

Other: BanjoMate Thinline Armrest

Submitted by gkuchan on 12/6/2008

Where Purchased: Little Mountain Music

Overall Comments

Was having a bear of a time finding a armrest to fit my Lee Chalk Mountain Banjo, (14 brackets and 3-inch deep pot)...took a gamble, figuring I could add it to the growing collection, and wouldn't you know it fits! Love that it's adjustable for both hook spacing, simple design, easy to use.

Overall Rating: 9

Chuck Lee: Chalk Mt.

Submitted by gkuchan on 7/4/2008

Where Purchased: Elderly

Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This is an absolutely remarkable clawhammer banjo. The depth of tone is remarkable, a very woody plunk. Nice full rich woody tone,not loud but cuts though very well in a jam and on the back porch as the El Trains rumble through the back alley. I took the Banjo into my local shop (which will be carrying Chuck's banjos soon) to get their impressions, and wile a gentleman was playing an electric bass to test out some new amps, we could still hear the Lee cut though. And everyone at the shop went nut over it.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The set up was great. Action set very nicely. I've put on a sampson old time bridge and a set of medium strings that I like, but those are just personal prefernces...out of the box it sounded great.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

The neck is breathtaking, the slightly shorter scale is very comfortable. The large wizard on the headstock is breathtaking. The streaked ebony fingerboard is naked, but there are side dots. Wow...wow...wow!!!!

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

When they finally drop the bomb it'll be the cockroaches playing the Lee's. All jokes aside this thing is built like a tank. It very well might be the last banjo I need to own. I'm certain my great-grandkids will enjoy playing it as much as I will.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

You will be hard pressed to find a better artist to deal with than Chuck Lee. He is responsive to any and all questions and concerns, a real class act. He really is a joy to work with. The only reason he gets a ten is because this one won't go up to 11. Thanks again!

Customer Service: 10

Components

The neck is flawless. Tuners awsome, first rate all around

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

If you had a chance to by a Stradivarius from Antonio Stradivari or a Steinway from Henry E. Steinway, would you? I wouldn't, only because I don't play the violin or the piano. But, I did get a Lee Banjo that Chuck made with his own hands. I didn't know that a banjo could feel or sound this good. And until you get a chance to play one, you won't know either. They are remakable instruments at any price. Here we are in the golden age of openbacks take advantage of it. Get yourself a Lee.

Overall Rating: 10

Gold Tone: Bob Carlin BC-350

Submitted by gkuchan on 1/23/2008

Where Purchased: Different Strummer

Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: 750 ($US)

Sound

Rich warm sound with a hell of a lot of bass, which I love...Rumbles well, with out buzz. Very nice Clawhammer Banjo.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Set up beautifully, haven't had to change anything yet.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

No flaws, but I am a sucker for darker wood

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

Good and sturdy, tuners a little less responsive than I might like but overall very nice

Reliability Rating: 8

Customer Service

Haven't delt with them yet, but it does have a lifetime waranty

Customer Service: 9

Components

The wider neck and 12inch pot are wonderful. The mandolin frets are going to take some getting used to.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Went into the store to test out a WL-250, and I wish I could put this a little less emotionally, but when I picked up the BC-350 it just felt right, very easy to play. Beautiful warm sound and a quality instument. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade from their student/starter Banjo, but only on the condition that you get a chance to hold it before purchasing.

Overall Rating: 10

Gold Tone: Cripple Creek CC-50

Submitted by gkuchan on 1/23/2008

Where Purchased: Different Strummer

Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

A little flat, and muddy. not a lot to it

Sound Rating: 5

Setup

Set up perfectly, but just not a lot you can do with it

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Not a bad looking banjo, but fairly generic

Appearance Rating: 5

Reliability

This was a rental and had seen a good amount of action and it seems to have held up rather well

Reliability Rating: 7

Customer Service

n/a

Customer Service: not rated

Components

Not a lot to it

Components Rating: 5

Overall Comments

Great rental Banjo to get you started, but save your money and go a step or two up to get yourself something you won't outgrow so quickly.

Overall Rating: 5

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