Picks: sammy shelor picks

Submitted by 3banjobob on 2/3/2010

Where Purchased: Elderlys

Overall Comments

Just received my Sammy Shelor picks today, right out the box they feel really comfortable, a lot wider and a bit heavier than my Dunlop 0.225 picks. Think it will take a while to get used to these the main reason for the change was that i am allergic to Nickel Silver having changed my arm rest to a Nechville wood one the picks were next . Been wearing them for a few hours with no allergic reaction they feel smooth when picking.

Overall Rating: 9

Stelling: Bellflower

Submitted by 3banjobob on 12/13/2009

Where Purchased: Mandolin Brothers

Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 3225 ($US)

Sound

This banjo suits my sort of music which is jazz to bluegrass, very clean with good note separation

Sound Rating: 8

Setup

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

Appearance

This banjo is a great looking banjo elegant and radiates quality.
Virginia Walnut with no visible flaws.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

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

Customer Service

No dealing with Mr Stelling

Customer Service: not rated

Components

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

Overall Comments

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