One of the 2 instruments rated at was poorly set up when received. It is not going to be a controlled bell bronze foundry casting by any means. I would presume the steel parts of the primers are included in the mix, the powder residue will probably cook out. There is a lot of that brass lying around on the ground in Asia, and the kids are probably commissioned to bring it in to the village for collection. My guess that the current spate of banjos with brass tone rings (Morgan Monroe comes to mind, also one of the Gold Tones) is because someone has realized you can use spent ammunition casings to cast them, just like all the statuary and horns and such that are sold inexpensively by the roadside here. If it is as described and reasonable quality, which is possible given what it costs to actually build a banjo over there, it could be a super deal. The wood parts look similar to Korean Epiphone, also a Gibson offering. Maple w/ sunburst finish, H&F, rosewood fingerboard, one piece flange, brass tone ring, planetary pegs w/ geared 5th (Ping brand?), clamshell tailpiece, white plastic inlays. So even though there is a 90 day money back policy shown, it does imply that if you buy one, there will be very little after the sale service, if they could not be bothered to reply to an inquiry before the sale. Wayne Norman and I corresponded about this banjo a while back, and he sent an email to the sellers asking specific and informed questions about the details. After being out of stock since about April 2003, they are now again listed. Music Yo is a division of Gibson(!) The price and information on the MusicYo site were enticing the price was $350-400 or so, did not include a case and shipping. Some appear to be Samicks, there is also one with an eagle head inlaid in marquetry into the maple resonator that seem more BC Cho like. Lark In the Morning - I don't know what names they have put on these current instruments. Leo Deluxe was especially fancy in the inlay department. Marketed by Fender (Leo Fender, get it?), endorsed for a while by Doug Dillard.
Leo - Japanese, about the quality of Ibanez, ie good, 1980- 88.Įarly 80's.