Here's a pix of my new Lame Horse open back banjo prototype.
I'm thrilled with its tone and the wood is really beautiful.
If you'd like to see close up pix and hear a couple MP3s--here is the link to Jenkins Brothers Guitars.
http://www.cjenkinsluthier.com/Lame_Horse_Instruments/Shooting_Star_Banjos/Shooting_Star_Banjos.html
Here's my review of this banjo. :)
Review of new Lame Horse Shooting Star banjo prototype.
Sound
Clear and pretty tone. Records extremely well. Good volume for playing with other instruments without being too bright or ringy.
Sound Rating
10
Setup
Yes, it was set up nice, but it was shipped from Texas and I had a local luthier set it up for the new environment.
Setup Rating
10
Appearance
The wood and craftsmanship on this banjo are breathtaking--but very tasteful and not gaudy.
The pot is made of 48 solid blocks of wood.
The pot is bubinga and anigre. Both are
west African woods, which are very beautiful, and very good tone
woods. The neck is anigre, maple, and bubinga. The peghead overly is
ebony, as is the fingerboard. The peghead inlay is mother of pearl
(gold and white), and the inlay at the 5th fret is ivory.
Appearance Rating
10
Reliability
It has those new black tuners that are so expensive--but they work wonderful.
This whole banjo is made of quality parts and workmanship.
Reliability Rating
10
Customer Service
Chris Jenkins is the best. This particular banjo was the prototype for this model.
This is a top notch luthier who is interested in producing an awesome open back banjo for the Lame Horse Instrument line.
Customer Service
10
Components
Everything is lovely on this banjo. I particularly like the clear woody tone--it has the woody tone without sounding muddy. The ebony fretboard is particularly smooth and easy to finger.
There is a pretty scroll at the top of the scoop. The inlays (a small lame horse and a shooting star) are understated but exquisite.
Components Rating
10
Overall Comments
Love this banjo--we bonded immediately and it had to stay here. It is one of my favorite banjos.
You can hear an MP3 of it on my webpage:
maryzcox.com
You can see detailed pix of it and hear sound samples on the Lame Horse web site:
http://www.cjenkinsluthier.com/Lame_Horse_Instruments/Shooting_Star_Banjos/Shooting_Star_Banjos.html
Overall Rating
10
