Stelling Whitestar submitted 11/7/2008 Submitter 5 String Where Purchased Private Individual Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 1500 ($US) (bought USED) Sound 1988 Stelling Whitestar - serial # 3267. Curly maple with original 3-ply rim. This banjo is extremely loud and has a very sharp pop to it. I like the sound of this banjo better than any Stelling I have ever owned. Sound Rating 10 Setup I took the banjo to Geoff Stelling and had him do a set up on it. A new bridge was installed along with a set of Keith D-Tuners and a personalized truss rod cover. Setup Rating 10 Appearance This banjo has been unplayed and stored for 20 years. It is in pristine condition. The nickel plating has no tarnish. The finish is original with no cracks or lacquer checks. Curly maple with reddish brown stain, diamond inlays in the fingerboard. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Being that it has been in storage for 20 years and is in pristine condition, I would say that it will last. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I live 20 minutes from the Stelling shop. When I called Geoff about this banjo he said to bring it on up. He did the necessary adjustments and set-up on this banjo while I waited. Stelling's customer service is second to none. Customer Service 10 Components This banjo has the best parts available. I would not change a thing. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This banjo is an absolute hoss. IMO it is the best there is. Overall Rating 10

Stelling Virginian submitted 8/22/2006 Submitter 5 String Where Purchased Janet Davis Music Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 4375 ($US) Sound The banjo is very loud and the Pass rim gives it a full sound with a lot of bottom end. Sound Rating 10 Setup I picked up the banjo from the Stelling shop and had Geoff Stelling set it up to my liking. 11/16" bridge, action about 1/8" above 12th fret, head tuned to A. Keith D-Tuners, engraved truss rod cover and engraved armrest. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Curly maple with a sunburst stain/finish. The sunburst stain really highlights the quality of the wood. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability With reasonable care, this banjo will last a lifetime. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Janet Davis was a pleasure to deal with. I would not hesitate to do business with her again and if I am ever in the market for a new Stelling, I will call her first. Geoff Stelling's customer service is phenomenal. He wants his customers to be satisfied and will do whatever necessary to see this is done. Customer Service 10 Components The parts used are the best available. There is nothing that can be done to upgrade this banjo. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments Stelling banjos are second to none and well worth the money. You get what you pay for with a Stelling...the absolute best. Overall Rating 10

Stelling Bellflower submitted 4/2/2004 Submitter 5 String Where Purchased The Fret Factory, Ormond Beach, FL Year Purchased 1982 Price Paid 1,200 ($US) Sound Very bright and extremely loud. Sound Rating 10 Setup The banjo had a 5/8" bridge and the action was a little above 1/8" at the 12th fret. Setup Rating 10 Appearance The neck and resonator were made of walnut. The hardware was nickel plated. The armrest was slightly tarnished and there was some fret wear, likely from prospective buyers playing it. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability A well built banjo that will last a lifetime with proper care. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Customer Service not rated Components This banjo was made from the best materials available. Components Rating not rated Overall Comments When you purchase a Stelling, you get what you pay for...a top notch banjo in every respect. Overall Rating 10

Stelling Staghorn submitted 11/10/2003 Submitter 5 String Where Purchased Stelling Banjo Works - custom built to my specs Year Purchased 1999 Price Paid 4,500 ($US) Sound I had this banjo built to my specs by Stelling Banjo Works in late 1998 and it was delivered to me in January 1999. The banjo was very loud and had a very bright sound. In December 2002 I had Geoff Stelling install the Tony Pass old wood rim. The banjo now has a very rich and full sound to it. It has more bottom end, less treble and is still very loud. Sound Rating 10 Setup The setup on this banjo is the standard factory setup by Stelling. Setup Rating 10 Appearance The neck and resonator are made out of highly figured claro walnut. Abalone shell is used to make the inlays and to trim the neck and resonator. The custom features that I requested are: matte gold plating on the metal, an elk carved into the tailpiece, my name enscribed on the armrest, my band name enscribed on the truss rod cover, Keith D-Tuners, and the neck made to my specs. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability The matte gold finish shows no sign of wear except for a small spot on the armrest where my arm makes contact. This is to be expected with normal use. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I have owned and played Stelling banjos exclusively since 1981. This is the first banjo that I have ever had built just for me. Geoff Stelling suggested that I visit his shop during the construction of this banjo to ensure that it would be made to my specs. I paid numerous visits to the Stelling shop and was very involved in the making of my Staghorn. I could not have asked for, nor received, any better customer service. This banjo has a lifetime warranty for as long as I own it. Customer Service 10 Components All parts on this banjo are the best that can be found. There is nothing different that I would do to it. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This banjo is well worth the money I paid for it. I highly recommend to anyone that wants a custom built banjo to call Geoff Stelling at Stelling Banjo Works. Overall Rating 10