Submitted by SouthCreek (see all reviews from this person) on 9/13/2016

Where Purchased: Deering Suplier Australia

Year Purchased: 2016
Price Paid: 5,200 (AUS) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

At the timeof writing, I've had this banjo for about 6 months. I spent two years deciding between the Deering Sierra and the Deering Eagle II. I eventually decided on the Eagle due to the tonal properties of the thicker woodrim and Twenty-Ten Tonering. The highs are less pronounced due to the thicker woodrim, but fretting up the neck produces extrodinarily vibrant highs with beautifully balanced, subtle overtones. I find this much easier to listen to than the Sierra. The brass tonering softens the properties of the maple and produces a warmer, sweeter tone. It is similar to a mahogany banjo in that sense, but the maple produces clearner note separation. So we get the best of both worlds.

When playing bluegrass the sound is reminicent of Terry Baucoms hard driving midrange. With head tension set to 91 all around, this banjo produces some serious crackle. When playing something more along the lines of Jens Krugger or Steve Martin, I set this banjo up for maximum sutain. I've never heard another banjo sustain like it.

The playability is fantastic - I love that Deering slender neck design.

Like any Scruggs fanatic, I added Keith D Tuners. The D tuners are great fun and this banjo sounds sweet in D tuning because the lows and midrange are so powerful. However, I encountered intonatio issues in D tuning and after a long process of deductionI decided the Deering TrueTone tailpiece had to go. I replaced it with a Fults34Parallel Lite with XYZ 20mount (size 1). . All fixed! In fact, the Fults brought out the quaities of the banjo like nothing I ever thought possible. And this thing is loud....very loud. I can't imagine needing more bass,midrange or highs. The note sepearation is brilliant - even in the face of all that sustain. However, the prevalence of higher frequency harmonics can beover powering if not setup properly, or using too lite a bridge (i.e., the stock Deering bridge). I corrected this by adding a Sampson 5/8 Maple Compensated Bridge (see my reviewon the Sampson for further details).

Overall, this is a very versatile banjo, capable of any genre - required one takes advantage of setup knowledge. The TrueTone tailpiece is ok, but if you want to hear what this banjo is really capable of, definitely consider a Fults.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The head tension was a little on the low side for me (around 89-90). I increased the tension to 91 using an accurate digitial drumdial. This increased the height of the action, but I don't mind it.

The Eagle II came with action set for light gauge strings. I only use medium gauge and had to re-adjust the action accordingly.

The addition of 2nd/3d string Keith D Tuners was really simple: the peg holes are a match.

All changes were easy to make and banjo easy to take appart.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

The stained maple is really beautiful.The wood is high quality - I saw no blemishs or imperfections and the finish is spectacular. The pearl inlays are also fantastic. This is a beautiful banjo. Would not change a thing.

I recently ordered a Deering pearl trussrod cover with custom script and that will complete the look.

The hardware is fine.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

This banjo is built solid - it will outlast a jail-house. There are no cheap feeling components or rattly bits.

The fretboard seems to need re-oiling after 3months,but that may be because I play quite a lot.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Never dealt with Deering directly.The Aussie supplier forgot to put frets on and I had to send it back for another week.

Customer Service: 10

Components

The banjo stands out as a whole. It's difficult to pick on any component.

I only reccomend upgrading the tailpiece - not because there's anything wrong with the TrueTone, but because a sturdier talipiece could bring out the banjos qualities even more. I bought a Fults 34Parallel Lite with XYZ 20mount (size 1) and that suited my needs. But I suggest anybody looking for that pre-war sound to go for the full weight 1934Parallel.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This is an amazing banjo. Powerful,versatile, responsive (if set up correctly) and beautiful. I will keep this banjo for life. 

This is the kind of banjo which gets better with age. 

Overall Rating: 10