Post by Martin on Apr 18, 2013 11:18:31 GMT
Manufacturer & Model: Cedar Mountain Vintage Model L
Year Purchased: 2009
Sound:
I got this banjo to replace my Gold Tone BC-350, which I really liked, but I was looking for a more old-timey sound.
I think I got it with the Cedar Mountain. It has a fair bit of 'plunk', which can be adjusted by altering the usual variables - head tension, bridge etc.
It came with a skin head, generic bridge and an integral rosewood tonerim, which I thought at first made it a lot quieter than the BC-350, but on reflection it affects more the tone than the volume, although it's not quite as piercing as the brass hoop Gold Tone.
I really like the sound, but I don't know if I prefer it yet.
Sound Rating: 8
Setup:
The head was quite loose, and needed a lot of tightening, but this was a personal preference of the previous owner. Other than changing the bridge, it was very playable right away, with a silky smooth neck.
Setup Rating: 8
Appearance:
It is a beautiful looking banjo, with attractive block rosewood rim, striking striped/flamed maple neck with matching dowel stick and rim cover, black ebony fretboard, heel cover and headplate and some rather impressive inlay work of stars, moon and planets, with especially nice custom star inlays for fret markers.
The wood has a hand rubbed finish which is lovely to look and and hold, and doesn't have the 'glassy' polished appearance of gloss.
The real skin head has a cool old-time look about it - in fact the only thing I would change would be the tuner buttons. I prefer ebony, but these are cream (ivoroid I think), and while nice, are not perfect.
Still, it IS a looker.
Appearance Rating: 9
Reliability:
The hardware and finish seem very durable - nothing has worn off in the almost four years since I've had it, and when I put a replacement calf skin head on it several months back, the whole thing came apart and put together again easily.
Reliability Rating: 9
Components:
Not too sure about the 'no knot' tailpeice, but everything else is very good quality on this banjo. The rim is incredible, as is the neck and fingerboard. The tuners are Waverley, although for some reason I preferred the Five Stars I upgraded my BC-350 with! The Waverelys do seem to have a bit more play in them that I'd have thought.
Components Rating: 9
Post-sale Customer Service:
Sent an email to Lo Gordon (the maker) asking about the year of manufacture, and he replied with a brief message within a couple of days, which was fine.
Post-sale Customer Service Rating: 8
Overall:
I first did a review of this banjo about a year after I got it. Now after having it for almost four years, I can appreciate the superb quality of the build, playability and sound of this instrument.
It plays and sounds better now than it ever did, and other than needing perhaps a slight truss rod tweak, it has never let me down.
Year Purchased: 2009
Sound:
I got this banjo to replace my Gold Tone BC-350, which I really liked, but I was looking for a more old-timey sound.
I think I got it with the Cedar Mountain. It has a fair bit of 'plunk', which can be adjusted by altering the usual variables - head tension, bridge etc.
It came with a skin head, generic bridge and an integral rosewood tonerim, which I thought at first made it a lot quieter than the BC-350, but on reflection it affects more the tone than the volume, although it's not quite as piercing as the brass hoop Gold Tone.
I really like the sound, but I don't know if I prefer it yet.
Sound Rating: 8
Setup:
The head was quite loose, and needed a lot of tightening, but this was a personal preference of the previous owner. Other than changing the bridge, it was very playable right away, with a silky smooth neck.
Setup Rating: 8
Appearance:
It is a beautiful looking banjo, with attractive block rosewood rim, striking striped/flamed maple neck with matching dowel stick and rim cover, black ebony fretboard, heel cover and headplate and some rather impressive inlay work of stars, moon and planets, with especially nice custom star inlays for fret markers.
The wood has a hand rubbed finish which is lovely to look and and hold, and doesn't have the 'glassy' polished appearance of gloss.
The real skin head has a cool old-time look about it - in fact the only thing I would change would be the tuner buttons. I prefer ebony, but these are cream (ivoroid I think), and while nice, are not perfect.
Still, it IS a looker.
Appearance Rating: 9
Reliability:
The hardware and finish seem very durable - nothing has worn off in the almost four years since I've had it, and when I put a replacement calf skin head on it several months back, the whole thing came apart and put together again easily.
Reliability Rating: 9
Components:
Not too sure about the 'no knot' tailpeice, but everything else is very good quality on this banjo. The rim is incredible, as is the neck and fingerboard. The tuners are Waverley, although for some reason I preferred the Five Stars I upgraded my BC-350 with! The Waverelys do seem to have a bit more play in them that I'd have thought.
Components Rating: 9
Post-sale Customer Service:
Sent an email to Lo Gordon (the maker) asking about the year of manufacture, and he replied with a brief message within a couple of days, which was fine.
Post-sale Customer Service Rating: 8
Overall:
I first did a review of this banjo about a year after I got it. Now after having it for almost four years, I can appreciate the superb quality of the build, playability and sound of this instrument.
It plays and sounds better now than it ever did, and other than needing perhaps a slight truss rod tweak, it has never let me down.
Jo whoever he is.
