Fender FB-54 submitted 9/4/2008 Submitter shawnderailed Where Purchased Chuck Levin's Music Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Mellower sound than most banjos. But sounds more "banjo like" whithout the resonator. Sound Rating 7 Setup I bought this already setup from the store. However, this banjo is easily upgraded and tweeked. However, with the guitar style tuners I'm conserned about how to put in Scruggs tuners. Setup Rating 8 Appearance I absolutly LOVE the look of the banjo. The staining is done nicely and the pearloid inlays are lovely. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability This is where this banjo shines. I've put my banjo through hell. Its been thrown off and on moving trains, been trecked through the rain while walking, and everything else possible. Most banjos I've encountered haven't survived this abuse, but this Fender has. I left it at a friends house for 6 months, then had it shipped across the country. When I got it back it was only slightly out of tune. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Customer Service not rated Components The bridge that came with it wittled away at the first string early on. The tailpeice is slightly warped, and the resinator stripped away at the connecting points to the rim. However, as I said I put this banjo through hell. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments I love this banjo and have gotten alot of compliments about it. I like the mellower sound compared to other banjos. I'd recommend this banjo to anyone who travels alot. Overall Rating 9