Mute Mike's Mute submitted 9/12/2008 Submitter nyartist Where Purchased Mike Overall Comments Very very nice! Hands down the best mute around and I've tried at least three others over the years. Each had issues and problems but this one is just perfect! So easy to put on and take of and does the job. Overall Rating 10

Epiphone MB-100 submitted 9/7/2008 Submitter nyartist Where Purchased not yet purchased Year Purchased Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound This was truly surprising to me. I went to Guitar City not to buy but to try out thinking this could be a good travel banjo. Not expensive and no great loss if damaged in travel. Sound Rating 7 Setup not bad.... I would replace the bridge but the action was at a height I like, the head was tight - no great issues with set up Setup Rating 7 Appearance Pretty decent. Not as nice looking as my Gold Tone Cripple Creek, but I did install planetary tuners on the Gold Tone so that looks nicer than the guitar tuners. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Hardware is decent and I believe will last. But you must remember that we're talking about a banjo that sells for $179 or less. Can't expect the same qualities as I have on my Chanterelle! Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service Guitar City does a nice job as far as I can tell of supporting after sale. Customer Service 7 Components Components are nothing to write home about but they sure as heck surprised me. I played that banjo hard in the store and kept checking the tuning. They (the tuners) did a good job of holding the tune and felt smooth and comfortable. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments Like I said - totally surprised and will definitely buy one for travel. I like my Cripple Creek with the rolled brass tone ring better but I like this better than the Rover I had a couple of years ago. Overall Rating 7

Hohner HOB200 submitted 1/10/2008 Submitter nyartist Where Purchased Elderly Instruments Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound I love the sound having owned a few other top rated openbacks and finding everything about this banjo more than I imagined. Sound Rating 9 Setup Elderly does a great job - no adjustments necessary. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Gorgeous instrument - no two ways about it. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I can find no issues with the reliability. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Elderly is the best for my money regarding service and being responsive. Customer Service 10 Components Great components - the tuners are sweet. As good or better than the higher rated and more expensive banjos I've owned. No need to mention them because they're great too and I'm not interested in putting them down. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I just love it... I use a Gold Tone Cripple Creek for traveling but this babe is my stay at home babe. Overall Rating 10