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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!
7235 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: used
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: enough ($US) (bought USED)
Now: FANTASTIC! Just had the frets dressed, neck/action adjusted by Vinnie Mondelo and it's like a new Rolls. I play extremely low action and like fast, easy fretting up the neck. I've played a 1980 Scruggs Mastertone until I bought this and I'll never look back. A friend had a Staghorn at the jams in the early '80s so I've always known how good a Stelling sounds. When I got this one used, it was poorly setup and had a strange 'barking' aftertone/echo (related to the tightness of the coordinating rod's nuts) and had buzzes and a bad profile. Vinnie corrected all that. Perfect intonation, excellent frequency response all over the neck, great lows, crisp highs, scooped mids, throaty and LOUD which is why I can use such low action.
Sound Rating: 10
see above
Setup Rating: not rated
Fit and finish are simply the best!
Appearance Rating: 10
Perfect
Reliability Rating: 10
I was sorry to see the disgruntled person/review over in Staghorns and I'm sure most of what s/he says is BS but I will acquiesce that Geoff comes off as pretty grouchy over the phone when I've called him for consultation/advice, but I love my Bellflower so much that I don't care if he's less than gracious in demeanor.
Customer Service: 5
Components Rating: 10
I've heard/played 'em all (ok, a huge bunch anyway) and there are some nice banjos out there in the pro range but seriously, anyone who A/Bs a Stelling with anything else knows when they're driving a perfectly tuned Rolls Royce. I've played the top-of-the-line banjos at the festivals, in the high-end shops around the U.S., and in some of the factories: the Nechvilles, Mastertones, Sullivans, Deerings, Omes, etc. and while they are all very good only one has 'that' voice; the articulation, enunciation, volume, timbre, balance, are simply unparalleled.
The Staghorn is simply a Bellflower with fancier appointments. Save your money and trade up (even to a used one) when you're ready for the best playing, best sounding banjo.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Murphy Henry
Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This is the perfect banjo for bluegrass music. The way Geoff Stelling set this banjo up before it left his shop is the setup I use and it suits me great! This is a very loud and full sounding banjo. Plays great up the next and down the neck!
Sound Rating: 10
My Bellflower was set up great when I got it.
Setup Rating: 9
This is a beautiful banjo. It is "just right". There is just enough design on it to make it a great looking banjo but not so much that it is just a banjo to look at. No Flaws whatsoever!
Appearance Rating: 10
The hardware will definitely last! Everything is superb quality and will no doubt last many many years.
Reliability Rating: 10
Stelling is the best company for Customer Service I have EVER seen. Not just in banjo's, or music, but ANYTHING!
Customer Service: 10
All Parts are top notch and great quality.
Components Rating: 10
This is one of, if not THE, best banjo's out on the market.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Mandolin Brothers
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 3225 ($US)
This banjo suits my sort of music which is jazz to bluegrass, very clean with good note separation
Sound Rating: 8
Being new the banjo wasn't set up so just followed the field manual I received with the banjo step by step and it was fine, the only things I changed were the tuners to Keith pegs. I have a Snuffy Smith 11/16 bridge I try from time to time which gives a slightly warmer sound and is a little taller than the stelling 11/16 bridge. Up date changed Bridge to a 3/4 tall stelling bridge and rim rods to neutral,no pressure either way, height just under 1/8 on the 12 fret.
Setup Rating: 8
This banjo is a great looking banjo elegant and radiates quality.
Virginia Walnut with no visible flaws.
Appearance Rating: 9
Everything on the Bellflower is top quality and should last a very long time and will use it on a gig without question.
Reliability Rating: 8
No dealing with Mr Stelling
Customer Service: not rated
All parts are top quality, especially like the shape of the neck, the only weak component I found was the 5th peg, being a bit stiff hopefully will get better in time if not will replace it hopefully Mr Bill Keith will make a 5th peg to match the rest of his tuners.
Components Rating: 9
Great Banjo fast neck, loud, fantastic quality this banjo will last you a life time. When I bought this banjo in Mandonlin Brother I tried every banjo I could get my hands on from Gibsons to Deering and the 3 best soundind banjo's off the peg (new) where Stellings, the best being the Staghorn by far tried to buy but it was taken the next was the Bellflower and Crusader if I get another banjo it would be a Staghorn.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: morgan music lebanon mo
Year Purchased: 1977
Price Paid: 1.200.00 ($US)
set up for bluegrass,with a snuffy smith bridge,clear head I dont remember the d tuner brand but have been on there as long as I have had the banjo....the sound is amazing bright and crisp but with a mellow side to and a sweet spot in the middle which is instantly recognizable by anyone who plays it ..the action is a little high,but I prefer it that way..in jams with other banjos it will totally dominate all others if I want it too.
Sound Rating: 10
the banjo came setup almost like it is now ......in or around 1990 while playing on stage I set my banjo on a stand and walked away for a break when i returned my stelling was laying face down on stage to my horror I learned the the peghead just behind the nut was cracked ..we repaired it as best we could and have never had a problem to this day...i think it somehow improved the tone
Setup Rating: 10
I had problems with the brackets bending when I went to tighten them..I finally replaced them and have had no problems since...also had two of my 5th string railroad spikes heads break off...some rust appears on the star tuners but is easily polished...but the banjo is over 30 years old
Appearance Rating: 9
as I have said I have had this banjo for over 30 years....I have owned gibson,fenders.plus a newer belleflower. I think I have played just about every banjo under the sun I dont think I could trust any banjo as much as this one
Reliability Rating: 10
all of my dealings with mr stelling have been very helpful and you feel that you are more than just a customer
Customer Service: 10
except for the original brackets there was nothing that could be done to improve on this fine handcrafted banjo
Components Rating: 10
I would highly recommend a stelling to anyone....I love this banjo it has lasted through 3 wives if it were stolen it would be like losing part of myself..............there is no comparison in any other banjo I have ever owned or played
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: The Fret Factory, Ormond Beach, FL
Year Purchased: 1981
Price Paid: 1,200 ($US)
Very bright and extremely loud.
Sound Rating: 10
The banjo had a 5/8" bridge and the action was a little above 1/8" at the 12th fret.
Setup Rating: 10
The neck and resonator were made of walnut. The hardware was nickel plated. The armrest was slightly tarnished and there was some fret wear, likely from prospective buyers playing it.
Appearance Rating: 8
A well built banjo that will last a lifetime with proper care.
Reliability Rating: 10
Customer Service: not rated
This banjo was made from the best materials available.
Components Rating: not rated
When you purchase a Stelling, you get what you pay for...a top notch banjo in every respect.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: eBay
Year Purchased: 2002
Price Paid: 1700 ($US) (bought USED)
All the above - it is rich, full, loud and bright. I love it! Somehow, it reminds me more of an old time sound, although it's nothing like an old Gibson (which I also love, so no Gibson slam intended).
Sound Rating: 10
Setup was fine, as it arrived from another player, however it has started to develop a bit of a buzz on the 1st string. It probably is due for a maintenance setup.
Setup Rating: 8
I think it's a great-looking, classic style. Rich walnut color. Very nice, not overdone, with a bound headstock (which was discontinued on the Bellflower sometime after '86). The woodgrain on the resonator is awesome. Wavy and full of depth.
Appearance Rating: 10
This banjo seems to be built to last forever. I bought it 16 years old and besides the usual armrest wear it is in terrific condition. Like all Stellings that I have ever seen, it's craftsmanship is rock solid.
Reliability Rating: 10
No experience.
Customer Service: not rated
Top notch components. I like the tuners better than the Grovers my Gibson had. They don't need as much adjustment. Everything else is very solid (which is probably why this thing weighs a ton!).
Components Rating: 10
I love this banjo and will keep it forever. I knew it the second I played it. Just a terrific, bright, happy sound, I can't help but to smile everytime I play her. I would definitely recommend it, however I would also recommend you play a Stelling before you purchase one. They have a unique sound.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Gulfport, MS Southern Traditional Music
Year Purchased: 2002
Price Paid: 2500 ($US)
The banjo came with the head too tight but still sounded great. Loud, piercing, ringing tone depending on how hard you pick. I replaced the 11/16 Stelling bridge with an 11/16 Hot Spot bridge.
Sound Rating: 9
There was a slight buzz on the 4th and 5th strings at the 12th fret but, it was setup great other than that.
Setup Rating: 7
The wood is natural color black walnut with a glaze finish. It is about like a chocolate color.
Appearance Rating: 10
Very dependable. Thick flange and built well. There are no holes drilled in the tone ring. Solid brass with chrome coating.
Reliability Rating: 10
Lifetime warranty
Customer Service: 10
Comes with tools in the case of top quality.
Components Rating: 10
The sound is the best part of this banjo of course. If it were ugly and sounded good, I would still play it.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Manuf. (when Stelling in Calif.)
Year Purchased: 1980
Price Paid: 1475 ($US)
Classic Stelling sound. Powerful, Loud, Bright, Kick-Butt sound! Can be somewhat brittle sounding, if you dig in real hard.
Check out the review of my Deering Hartford model, too!
Sound Rating: 10
Setup was excellent at time of purchase. Action was low-to-medium. I replaced the orig. bridge with an 11/16 Stelling bridge.
Setup Rating: 9
It's a beauty...Black walnut, gloss finish, standard Bellflower inlays (Geoff Stelling's version of Hearts & Flowers). In 1980, Bellflowers had a bound headstock, which I really like. No custom work on this banjo. The fingerboard on this banjo is made of a synthetic material - Ebonol - which Stelling used from late '77 through Aug. '80. Mine looks like wood - have had no problems with it. The banjo arrived with one flaw... the pearl in one of the hearts in peghead inlay is broken (I assume during the inlay process) - the pieces were just inlaid in broken form into the peghead. The hardware has (after 21 years) tarnished quite a bit. In addition, a portion of the flange is heavily oxidized - the result of the way I've stored the strap.
Appearance Rating: 9
It has lasted...like I said some oxidation/tarnish on the metal - some places on the resonator where the rivets on my jeans have left some dents.
Reliability Rating: 10
They were very friendly during the order/purchase time. Have not had to have repairs or service. Have run into Geoff Stelling at festivals doing field service on banjos, and he has always been friendly and helpful. Manufacturer's warranty was 2 years.
Customer Service: 10
5-Star pegs, Stelling's unique approach to tone-ring/rim fit accounts for the powerful Stelling sound. Also, the nut is compensated for intonation. No upgrading necessary.
Components Rating: 10
You couldn't get a new Stelling for what I paid for this one. Stellings are worth what you have to pay for them. If this banjo were stolen, I'd replace it with a Stelling - the hard part would be deciding which model. I love it...especially the sound and looks. I had a 1976 Gibson RB-250 when I bought
the Stelling. The Gibson sounded great. The Stelling sounds great, is prettier than the Gibson. My new Deering Hartford is prettier than either one.
Overall Rating: 10
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