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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!
7225 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Ebay
I bought one of Danny's Beech bridges on Ebay. Nice workmanship and sounds great. I've just recently begun using bridges made of woods other than the traditional maple/ebony. Now I wonder why I waited nearly 40 years to do so! Some banjos can really benefit from this kind of experimentation. And Danny will bend over backwards to get you what you want.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From Bart
I have an OME that was just too strong in the upper midrange - kind of clangy. Bart suggested one of his "mystery wood" bridges (uncapped) and it solved the problem instantly. Banjo now has a nice dry pop and is extremely well balanced from string to string. And his workmanship is second to none!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: StewMac
Great, deep archtop sound. I like it much better than 3 different prewars I've had in the past. Very full tone with a nice archtop snap. I have it paired with a Gibson mahogany neck and a walnut-skinned Cox resonator finished to match by Clancy M.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Very rich, full sound. Plenty of bass and plenty of sparkle and everything in between. Quite powerful and has a very satisfying "pop". The difference between the new Pass-rimmed Stellings and the older style is quite noticable to me. Any sound you want - it's in there!
Sound Rating: 10
Setup not great for me when received - action extremely low and buzzed here and there, but Stellings are pretty easy to set up compared with some banjos. I put the head right around G#, raised the tailpiece, raised the action, stuck on a Hatfield bridge and I was done (the original Stelling bridge had been butchered by someone before me).
Setup Rating: 6
Fit and finish all top notch. It's a Stelling. Nuff said.
Appearance Rating: 10
Stellings are built extremely well - I have no concerns.
Reliability Rating: 10
Geoff is a great guy and actually takes the time to answer emails; which tells me he really cares about your experience with his products.
Customer Service: 10
All excellent.
Components Rating: 10
I know this sounds like a Stelling commercial, but honestly Stelling banjos are world class, period. If you're looking for a Pro-level banjo at a very competitve price, you really should try to at least play one of the new Stelllings. You will be amazed.
Overall Rating: 10