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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!
7238 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: hangout
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 3850 ($US) (bought USED)
Beautiful, full, rich tone. The sound just sparkles out of this Maple banjo. I've had it for a few months and it still surprises me how good it sounds everytime i pick it up. Great volume too, probably one of the loudest banjos I've ever played. I like to wait a few months before writing a review on a banjo, this one has a great sound that has'nt worn off after the honeymoon.
Sound Rating: 10
Banjo was purchased used so was not setup by Geoff, but i did'nt change anything when i received it either. I really can't rate the setup because i dont know who it was done by. it was good when i received it
Setup Rating: 10
Best there is, Nobody has a nicer finish. These banjos are spetacular in there appearance. 2nd to none. Beatiful flamed maple, colorful abalone and perfect pearl inlays. This is as nice as it gets.
Appearance Rating: 10
It will undoubtable be here after I am gone.
Reliability Rating: 10
One of my tuning machines lost a fleck of chrome about the size of a BB. I don't know if it was a poor plating process or just a defect but I called Geoff and he sent me another without question. He wanted no proof, no pics and had no questions, He just sent me a new tuning machine. Hows that for customer service? He also answered the phone himself, I did'nt have to wait 1/2 an hour to talk with someone. again, 2nd to none.
Customer Service: 10
Hard to say, I havnt owned it long enough. Nothing appears cheap, all parts appear to be top notch and there is nothing I would replace but it will have to stand the test of time.
Components Rating: 8
I love this banjo, the sound and appearance are great but if i had one complaint it would be this, the neck is just too darn skinny for me. It is super slim and I wish Stelling had some more neck options. I prefer a little meatier neck and I have a hard time with the Stelling sometimes. I actually wind up playing my Deering Sierra more often just because it's easier for me to play. If I had a choice of some neck options I would probably keep this banjo forever, as it is now - as much as i like this banjo I will probably move on.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Murphy's Music
Year Purchased: 1993
Price Paid: 450.00 ($US)
Banjo sounds decent in the open positions and up to the 5th fret, after that it starts to lose volume and tone. Nice warm sound on the lower end and pretty good pop on the higher end, but again up the neck it loses alot!
Sound Rating: 5
Dont really remember or know, this was my first banjo and i did'nt know anything about setup at the time. I believe it came with a 1/2 inch bridge which i changed to a 5/8 but other than that i did'nt chnge too much
Setup Rating: 5
Banjo looks very nice, Its a copy of a Gibson bowtie. Has nice inlay on the headstock and back of the resonator.
Appearance Rating: 5
The Finish on the banjo is a very nice quality and all the chrome and other hardware has lasted for the whole time i've owned this banjo. Some of the other components are kinda cheap. I would have liked to have seen dual coordinator rods (this banjo has a single). I would'nt gig with this banjo. just dosent have enough sound, It's seems dependable enough, but you have to play it perfectly to sound decent and even then it's a stretch.
Reliability Rating: 7
never dealt with em, dont think i'd even bother trying if i had a problem. It's asian built.
Customer Service: 1
Plan on upgrading the tuners, they are of poor quality and do not hold tune for long. evrything else is decent enough
Components Rating: 3
This is an OK banjo for a beginer. Good for someone who wants to test the waters and see if their going to stick with it or not, but you'll need to ugrade to a better instrument after awhile. I actually think the poor playing quality of this banjo improved my playing. It made play everything perfectly, you can't get away with misfreting a note on this banjo, it just dosent ring if you do. If you can get one cheap for under 200 or 250 would be ok for a beginer.
Overall Rating: 5
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