Deering Sierra submitted 12/20/2008 Submitter DENNISNDODIE Where Purchased Willis Music Year Purchased 1997 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Sounds good has a sweet mellow sound.I prefer the mastertone sound but I bought it without playing it they didnt have one in stock ordered it from a deering advertisment.But again sounded alot better than my previous banjo.The newer sierras have a different tone ring and a different tail piece. I think mine was one of the first ones sold.The sound when played up the neck was not great a little dull not as crisp and bright as I would of liked. It is a mahogany banjo the newer maple sierra banjos are probably more to the sound that I like. Sound Rating 7 Setup set up was close had to move bridge and lower tail piece but you got to expect that from a store that dont know much about banjos. Setup Rating 7 Appearance Looks good but nothing fancy about it. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Never had any problems with hardware but the tail piece was to small and short I thought, probably why they changed it on the newer models. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service never had to make a call to them Customer Service 5 Components Well made banjo nothing fancy was a big step up in sound from my previous banjo a flatiron montana rose I should of replaced the tail piece may of changed the sound a little more to my liking. Components Rating not rated Overall Comments A good sounding quality banjo ,but not the classic gibson sound, but all the same sounds good.If I had it all to do over again I would of bought a Mastertone or Master clone just because I like that sound better. I did like the neck alot very fast and slim easy to play. Sold the banjo in some hardtimes. Overall Rating 7

Flatiron Montana Rose submitted 12/3/2008 Submitter DENNISNDODIE Where Purchased Willis Music Year Purchased 1989 Price Paid 800 ($US) Sound Sound was not great was a beginner at the time and it was slightly better than my Alvarez bluegrass special I had before. Didnt know much about set up but knowing what I know today probably would of sounded better if set up properly. Sound Rating 5 Setup No set up action was good easy to play Setup Rating 3 Appearance Very nice looking banjo Appearance Rating 8 Reliability Never had any problems with it Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Willis music is great from my experience with them sometimes a little slow with customer service. Customer Service 8 Components Never had any problems Components Rating 8 Overall Comments Very nice looking and would sound and play well with a good set up. Sold the banjo and bought a Deering Sierra. Which was much better Overall Rating 6

Alvarez Bluegrass Special submitted 12/3/2008 Submitter DENNISNDODIE Where Purchased Willis Music Year Purchased 1987 Price Paid 375 ($US) Sound Sound was good for a beginner very loud but not very crisp up the neck was very flat.With a good set up would sound a little better had a steel tone ring. Sound Rating 5 Setup no set up action was good Setup Rating 5 Appearance Simple looking but looked good very shiny chrome had it for a couple yrs and it still looked good and after many hours of practice. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Never had a problem with it Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Willis music is good.Sometimes a little slow with customer service Customer Service 8 Components Never had any problems Components Rating 8 Overall Comments Good beginner banjo looks good plays good sounds ok quality parts traded it in on a Flatiron Montana Rose which was not much better. Overall Rating 6

Homespun Video Alan Mundes Lick A minute submitted 11/13/2008 Submitter DENNISNDODIE Where Purchased Willis Music Overall Comments Very helpful licks from a banjo super uber love his style of playing. Alot of moveable licks . It has helped me alot. Overall Rating 10