Deering: little wonder

Submitted by spoonfed on 9/1/2011

Where Purchased: Eagle music Huddersfield

Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: £850 (GBp) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

somewhere between clucking and bright, just the sort of sound I hoped for from an openback, you can frail this baby or pick it or strum it ! I do all three.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

superb setup straight out of the case, this banjo made a road trip to my house of several hundred miles and was in tune when it arrived ! good courier ? great banjo! this instrument is very precisely made and needs to be in tune to the Nth degree to sound right but , when it is !!

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

the look of this banjo for me was one of its major plus points, beautifuly plain and understated giving it a "ready to go to work" appearance, superb satin finish to the neck make it a pleasure to play for long periods (I cant put it down !) the lovely ebony fingerboard adds a touch of class and the fretwork is superb, You get the picture, I just love the thing !

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I gig this banjo sometimes three nights a week without a backup and it gets better and better, I think it will go on improving and last for years to come, obviously this is a real lightweight instrument and would not benefit from bashing it about, word of caution; it blew off its stand at an outdoor gig and crashed to the floor ! no harm done but, it is very light !

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

All Deerings come with a lifetime warranty, so no issues there so far ! so unable to comment on the company.

Customer Service: not rated

Components

like I said, the ebony fingerboard and satin neck are outstanding ! I like also the nickel plated hardware, the armrest is tarnishing already but thats through playing in a short sleeved shirt all summer outdoors, but I think that just looks cool!

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I have heard lots of comment with regard to the price, too much is what most are saying but, I am very happy with this banjo and only time will tell if it turns out to be good value, if it lasts like its namesakes have done , and being made by Deering there is every hope that it will, in summary, I think this little banjo shows every sign of carrying a much revered name into the next century.

Overall Rating: 10