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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!

7170 reviews in the archive.

Deering: Eagle ll

Submitted by doryman on 5/20/2018

Where Purchased:

Year Purchased: 2018
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

I was looking specifically for a resonator/tone ringed banjo that sounded good playing clawhammer style AND sounded good playing Scruggs style. In fact, it plays very, very good for both styles. A pure clawhammer player might think it too loud and not woodsy enough. A pure Scruggs player might think it too sweet and mellow. Regardless, the sound is sweet, pure and clear.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

I personally like the standard Deering set-up. It's an easy banjo to play with a fast neck (not too wide) and good action, and the banjo is made such that you get an easy banjo to play without much fussing. For this reason I rank it a 10. If you try to make this banjo something it's not, I can imagine one would rank it lower.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

It's a beautiful banjo. I don't go for overly ornate banjos, preferring simple, understated elegance. In fact, this banjo has the most bling I've had on any of my banjos, but it's not over the top.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

This banjo is rock solid and high quality. I bought it specifically for gigging.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

I had a few questions about the banjo when I purchased it and the folks from Deering answered my email the very next day.

Customer Service: 10

Components

There's nothing I would want to add or change other than perhaps the bridge, but that's just because I like to mess around with different bridges on all my banjos. It's an easy and cheap way to make a banjo sound different. In fact, one of my favorite bridges is the Deering 5/8, which I use on most of my banjos.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I first played a Deering Eagle during a wonderful afternoon at Elderly Instruments, where I had a chance to play probably 50 different high-quality banjos of all makes. The Deering Eagle instantly stood out, which surprised me because it was one of the lower priced options. I almost bought it on the spot, but I was traveling and I didn't want to risk flying back home with it. I couldn't get it out of my mind though and eventually, I found a used one to buy. It's a great, sweet sounding, versatile banjo. I've heard others say that it's one of Deering's entry level professional banjos but, for me, I can't imagine needing more.

Overall Rating: 10