Stelling Bellflower submitted 7/23/2008 Submitter banjorandy Where Purchased morgan music lebanon mo Year Purchased 1977 Price Paid 1.200.00 ($US) Sound set up for bluegrass,with a snuffy smith bridge,clear head I dont remember the d tuner brand but have been on there as long as I have had the banjo....the sound is amazing bright and crisp but with a mellow side to and a sweet spot in the middle which is instantly recognizable by anyone who plays it ..the action is a little high,but I prefer it that way..in jams with other banjos it will totally dominate all others if I want it too. Sound Rating 10 Setup the banjo came setup almost like it is now ......in or around 1990 while playing on stage I set my banjo on a stand and walked away for a break when i returned my stelling was laying face down on stage to my horror I learned the the peghead just behind the nut was cracked ..we repaired it as best we could and have never had a problem to this day...i think it somehow improved the tone Setup Rating 10 Appearance I had problems with the brackets bending when I went to tighten them..I finally replaced them and have had no problems since...also had two of my 5th string railroad spikes heads break off...some rust appears on the star tuners but is easily polished...but the banjo is over 30 years old Appearance Rating 9 Reliability as I have said I have had this banjo for over 30 years....I have owned gibson,fenders.plus a newer belleflower. I think I have played just about every banjo under the sun I dont think I could trust any banjo as much as this one Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service all of my dealings with mr stelling have been very helpful and you feel that you are more than just a customer Customer Service 10 Components except for the original brackets there was nothing that could be done to improve on this fine handcrafted banjo Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I would highly recommend a stelling to anyone....I love this banjo it has lasted through 3 wives if it were stolen it would be like losing part of myself..............there is no comparison in any other banjo I have ever owned or played Overall Rating 10