Stelling Red Fox submitted 7/9/2008 Submitter thombanjo Where Purchased on a Scruggs Mastertone trade Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Following Alan Munde's advice I've got the tailpiece up as far as it will go. It has a Sunffy Smith head and bridge ( 11/16 )I use D'Addrio Light Plus stings. This is the best sounding banjo I've ever heard. It has plenty of vollume and clarity of tone BUT it is also sweet with that "tick" in the stings. It suits my melodic style nicely as I often play very lightly. This Red Fox ws made in Aug of 2003 and was one of the last Stellings without the Pass rim. I can't imagine the Pass rim being an improvement on the sound of this banjo. It has plenty of bottom already. Each string plays to its full potential and clarity; no string stands out as being loder than the others-not even the 5th. It cracks of course close to the bridge and has a great sweet spot right between X and Y position. Up the neck chords sound great with just the right amount of decay. This banjo just vibrates in my hands. I put an abalone truss rod cover on it and it just suits the peghead wonderfully, matching the abalone fretboard inlay. The head is tuned to a hair under G#. I use Psarianos Violin Clearner/Polish on the wood which does an excellent job. Like I say, I traded a Scruggs Masterone to get this and I definitely traded up; not only in quality of workmanship but in sound quality as well. Sound Rating 10 Setup This Red Fox was set up by Snuffy Smith with his head and bridge and later adjusted by Steve Barr in Galax,Va. The action has never been adjusted as it was perfect already. The intonation is great. I would recommend that Stelling players try raising the tailpiece up. Alan Munde does this and to me, this one change just brings out all the colors of the Stelling tone. I know that Stellings come with the Ludwig heads, but the Snuffy Smith head has been an improvement on my banjo. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Great appearance. The red stained maple is subtle-not "tacky" The ivory colored binding is beautiful against the dark-red-stained maple. I put an abalone truss rod cover on and this really dressed up the peghead, bringing out the red fox head figure and wonderfully matching/enhancing the abalone inlays on the frettboard. Geoff Stelling picked through his abalone trc collection to find one that would match the typical colors of a Red Fox and came up with a perfect match for mine! The case is arched with the green crused lining and keeps the banjo snug and secure. I put pearlescent buttons on the tuners, replacing the ivoroid ones and to me, this brightend up the overall appearance of the tuners. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability My Red Fox is totally relaiable. I wipe my hardware after playing and lightly polish or at least wipe the wood. I've noticed that I get longer life out of my strings on this banjo. This banjo sounds great with the capo as well. I know that there have been some who say that Stelling hardware is hard to maintain but so far, if properly wiped, I'm having no problems. Weather changes have not affected the sound of this banjo. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I've had great, generous help directly from Geoff Stelling via emails and direct phone conversations. I received parts from Stelling in a very timely matter. Geoff had to drill out the pearlescent tuner buttons that I wanted, converting them from square to oblong holes. I sent them to him and got them back in three days! I'm sure Stelling owners out there already know what I just discovered; Stelling takes their instruments and their owners very seriously and sincerely care about how each banjo is made and serviced. Customer Service 10 Components I think the Stelling peg head shape is a standout. Of course the Red Fox face on the peghead is eye-catching and the tastefull maple leaves inlay is classy and understated. I know the Pass rim is an upgrade but it will take some convincing for me to want to chage the sound of this banjo. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I would recommend this banjo to anyone. Yes it's great for the loud driving band player BUT it's as sweet and colorful played with a light touch as well. I'd have to go into therapy if this bajo was stolen. I just couldn't replace it. I've played Bishlines, Gibsons, Deerings, and Hubers- nothing compares to the Red Fox with the set up I have. It is well worth the price. Although I traded for it, a 2003 Red Fox in the condition of mine would go for around 2500. The Scruggs I traded had a Pass rim installed. It was a 2006 and would bring around 3200-3400 used. The Gibson was a fine instrument but I still believe that I got a BETTER banjo in the trade. Overall Rating 10