Stands: Cooper Stands

Submitted by Diego on 5/1/2012

Where Purchased: Janet Davis

Overall Comments

Well...The Cooper Stand is one beautiful piece of wood. It folds together smoothly, collapses into your banjo case flawlessly, has that new car smell when you take it out of it's lovely designed carrying case. What a pretty stand. I wish it worked. Unfortunately after shelling out 40+ hard earned bucks on this wooden Edsel it was clear that, as far as holding a banjo up securely I would have been much better off just leaning it against the wall or purchasing a twelve dollar wire stand. Here is the trouble (and it may work fine with a guitar, I don't think so but I'll be open minded) once you put the banjo into the stand it never really rests comfortably. It leans a bit off center no matter what you do to right it. Also, you're not sure what "groove" to set it into as there are two grooves patterned into the stand and neither seems to hold the instrument securely, one being too erect and liable to fall forward at the slightest breeze, and the other leaning to far back in the stand and threatening to fall back, taking the stand with it. Even when you get the banjo settled into this unfortunate "stand" and do your best at getting it propped up correctly it just doesn't feel safe. If you check this by gently jostling the stand (try this with your Goodtime - not your main axe) the instrument slips and slides out of alignment scaring the bejeezus out of you. Like I said, very pretty to look at but as close to nonfunctional as can be.

Overall Rating: 1

Deering: Golden Era

Submitted by Diego on 7/15/2006

Where Purchased: Deering Shop

Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

I purchased by GE at the Deering shop. It is an amazing professional banjo. Bright sparking crack and incredible sustain. I don't know about prewar sound (everything is so prewar these days) what I do know is that of my 7 banjos this one sounds so right and feels sooo good on my fingers that I favor it. I've tried most brands and own several but this is my babe.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

I am a tinkerer so set up is a non issue.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

This beaut is a maple banjo with a very striped neck. Hearts and flowers with custom work done on the first fret. No flaws or issues with my instrument. Perfect workmanship.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Everything is high end and built to last a lifetime. My son already knows that this is his banjo (and he's 2).

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Deering Cust. Service is the best bar none. Give this a try; Give them a call and ask them a tech question on any banjo (regardless of the label). They will bend over backwards to help you out and will not downplay the instrument you are playing. That's a class act.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Standouts are the neck of course (Deering necks are famous in the banjo community) as well as the finish. Weak areas...I would like to see an improvement in their tuners. I'm not a big fan of Gotohs. I wish they would work out a contract with Bill Keith and buy his tuners which are the best out there.

Components Rating: 7

Overall Comments

This is the banjo to get if you want an amazing bluegrass dominating instrument. Tried the Hubers and the rest and the Deerings are #1. If it was stolen I would buy another in a jiffy. Great, GREAT instrument!

Overall Rating: 9