Stelling Banjo Customer Comments


I have been remiss in sending this note for some time. I purchased a Master's Cross (#6330) through Janet Davis Music a few months ago. I could not be more pleased with the instrument or the service I received when placing the order. The banjo is a work of superb craftsmanship and beauty, and an absolute joy to play. I've received numerous compliments on it since I brought it back to England (I'm an ex-patriot from Georgia who's had the pleasure of working abroad these past few years), and when a buddy of mine asked me what I had paid for it, I told him with all sincerity, "less than it's really worth". My thanks for putting such effort into your craft. And my compliments to the Janet Davis team for their superb customer service. Sincerely, Ken G

Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know I have received my Virginian banjo this morning.
Thanks so much for your prompt attention to all details.
It shall be treated like "royalty"!!
Thanks again!
Marlia P
Hello Tom,
I got the Masters Cross yesterday - that thing was made for me. You were absolutely right about it as being well done. I really could not have imgined a better fit for me. It felt warm when I first picked it out of the case - like an old friend - meant to be. My fingers fly now without a buzz. The picks are excellent too by the way. THANK YOU!
Thanks again, James
Dear Janet, About a month ago I drove to your store en route to Kentucky from Fort Sill while on post-deployment leave. I spent a large portion of my free time in Iraq worrying about which banjo I was going to get when I got home. I came to look at the Stelling Sunflower and the Earl Scruggs models, which I had called ahead to ensure were in stock. Upon arriving at your store I was treated with great customer service. I played the Sunflower, a Gibson Blackjack J.D.Crowe model, an Earl Scruggs model Gibson, a Granada and the Stelling Virginian. While I didn't care for the heavier strings with which the banjos were set-up, I loved the sound of all of them. Ultimately, I chose the Virginian. The young man who sold me the banjo set it up with lighter strings at my request and was willing, though I declined the offer, to adjust the action. He worked with me on the price and I appreciate that. He also did the set-up on the spot for me which I also appreciate.
You definitely have a lifelong customer due to the outstanding service your people provided in the store and also for accommodating me while I was stationed in Baghdad by sending my a Deering Goodtime I ordered from there.
Thank you, Bobby D. S
Lawton, OK
Re: Bellflower
Hi Janet, thank you very much for this Banjo. I`m very happy with it and it really has the Tone I was looking for. Great Banjo and great Service. Thanks again, Benno
Janet, Janet, Janet,
I just opened my Stelling Virginian a few minutes ago. What a powerful sound...and how easy it plays up the neck. I've never held such a nice banjo in my hands. Not to mention, I've never seen a prettier instrument in my life. The setup couldn't have been better. FedEx got it here in perfect condition. It was still in tune!!!
Thanks a ton for all of your personal help. God bless you and yours. Todd B
Janet, I just wanted to send you a note to let you know how much I have been enjoying my new Stelling Crusader Deluxe. What an awesome banjo. You know I love mahogany and this banjo is a testament to the clear and crisp tones of mahogany. I have never owned a Stelling before this one, and what a Stelling to own!! This is a great instrument. What a great addition to my collection. It looks great, with a unique sound and great playability. It was a surprise to receive it from you much earlier than expected. Thanks to you, Jim, and all of JDMC for the fine service, set-up, and good, old-fashioned customer service. Ya'll have always treated me right!! Take Care and keep in touch, Benjamin V. G
I have received my new Stelling Crusader banjo an have been playing it a few days. I couldn't be more satisfied, this is one beautiful looking and sounding banjo. The packing and shipping was perfect. I notice it plays a little easier than my Deering Golden Wreath. Thank you very much for selling me the Crusader. From now on I'll be buying my strings and accessories from Janet Davis Music. Sincerely Gerry E
Hi, Janet, The banjo has arrived today : Incredible !! I can't explain in my poor english how it's fantastic for me to play this banjo...He's so clear, sharp, powerful, down and up the neck, with a perfect balance between the bass and the high notes, the sound is, in french, "scintillant". Till now I played a Gibson (not a prewar) and a Liberty but with this Stelling we can reach an other dimension! Thank you, Janet, thank you very very much for your kindness and for all. Paul M
Janet, The Red Fox arrived yesterday and WHAT A GREAT SOUNDING BANJO even compared to my old Red Fox. Thanks for the prompt service. Dan K
Dear Janet,

I wanted to warmly thank you for the excellent service you and your team provided.

Despite the relative short notice, I received as you promised my Stelling Red Fox on time before x-mas! Everything carefully packaged. It is always perceived as very risky to buy something pricey over the Internet and especially when dealing with overseas. However, your kindness and availability via email or over the phone made me take this risk and I do not regret it!

My Red Fox is just... beautiful!!! Much nicer than on pictures. I'm regularly going to look at it and touch it even without playing. Thus, it's already very special to me!

I had never played banjo before but thanks to your training materials I can already adapt some of my finger style guitar techniques and I'm having a lot of fun (even if wearing finger picks was a bit weird for a couple of days!). I didn't know anything about banjos except from listening from time to time to music CDs but the sound is incredibly loud, bright and beautiful to me. All my friends are curious about it since banjos are not that common around here.

Thanks again and all the best for 2004!
Philippe - Geneva - Switzerland.
Janet: Just wanted to let you know that the Masterflower arrived today. It looks and sounds great - I'm very pleased! Thanks for your assistance, and I hope you enjoyed the holidays. Fred M
Hi Janet, The Red Fox came in on Friday around 5pm, all safe and sound. Tracked the thing the whole way and was on pins and needles until it got here....lol. I have to tell you, it is awesome, in both look and sound. It is soooo impressive. My Mom just loves that little abalone Red Fox on the headstock. She says "no one around here has that". She has been listening to a lot of banjos, too, lately, and really loves the way it sounds. I remember mentioning to you a buddy that kept pushing me toward Stelling. His name is Alex. Actually, he has built numerous fiddles, mandolins, a few guitars, banjos, and a couple of basses, and has a Golden Cross of his own. Since he loaned me a banjo of his to learn on, and since he was instrumental in this long, drawn out effort of mine, to buy one of my own, I took the Red Fox to show him the very next day. He was stunned by it. He happily played about every banjo tune he knew on it, and loves the sound and the set up too, I might mention. I've never seen him that excited before.... he was actually shaking, he was so happy....lol. Alex is around 81 now. He was like a little kid on Christmas...lol. I was set on an old wood rim to start with, but am happy I got the standard rim instead. It made it more affordable for me, and I really can't figure it sounding better than it does right now. This Red Fox was the perfect choice for me, all around. I really appreciate your taking the time to make sure it was set up properly too. It will help me a lot, because, at 45, I'm just learning on it and need all the help I can get. Its sooo easy to play and get sound out of, even when just playing very lightly. Just wanted to send you a special "Thank You", Janet. I'm so, very happy with the Red Fox. Happy Thanksgiving and take care, Curt
Hi Janet, I talked to you a few weeks ago. I was seeking a Stelling Golden Cross and you talked me into a Master Flower. I have to tell you I absolutely love this banjo. I can't express enough how grateful I am. Everybody else that's laid eyes on this Master Flower and played it are truly in agreement that this things sounds fantastic. One guy, asked what I paid for it so I told him. He said its worth every penny. Anyway, I just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know how much I love this banjo and find it hard to put it down. It does sound SWEET! If you would offer me an even trade for a Golden Cross, I'd say "NO WAY" This banjo is part of the family now. I suppose the ultimate approval is sometimes hear my wife tinkering around with it when I'm not in the room; something she never did with my other banjo. Even she has taken an interest in it. Thank-you. Steve F
Hi Janet! I received the Stelling Bellflower a couple of days ago. It is beautiful! I mentioned to you that I had never played a banjo before so your instructional material was important to me. The materials are great - just what I needed. Thank you for all of your help and care with the instrument. I'll send you my first CD - in about 20 years. Bela Fleck, watch out! John S
Received my Staghorn banjo yesterday, in excellent order and packed, by the way, very well. All was fine, and more than meets my expectations. The wood in this thing is GORGEOUS and the sound just Barks like a ROTTWEILLER. Just happened to have had regular Tues. night practice with "Lock Stock and Barrel" (one of 2 BG bands I currently play with). The Staghorn really blew them away, but has a really mellow tone when played softer and/or the "y" position. My hat's off to you and your staff for a great service, and to Mr. Stelling for the finest banjos on Earth.
Sincerely...Jim F
Dear JDMC, I just wanted to say thank you ,and that I am very pleased with my new Stelling Bellfower that just arrived today. It really is more than I even hoped for. Not only does it sound fantastic, but it looks great, and feels so comfortable. The set-up is excellent. I couldn't believe it was even in-tune right out of the box. Eric W
Dear Janet, I just spent 15 minutes with my new Stelling Bellflower. What a beautiful banjo, and the sound was everything you said it would be. So sweet and clear. Thank you for following up when FedEx didn't deliver on time. It was well worth the wait. You all know customer service, and I will be a customer of yours for a long, long time. Like I told Michael when I called to let you know I had gotten it without a scratch on it, YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! I look forward to getting supplies from you in the future, and I look very forward to spending many hours my new Stelling. Regards, Susan H
I just received the Master's Cross. It's everything I had hoped for and more. Sounds great and plays superbly. Thanks for the fast delivery. I'm looking forward to years of enjoyment. This instrument will be a fantastic addition to the Stumpwater, Cabot, AR band. Will C
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT IM 100% ESTHATIC OVER THIS NEW BANJO. THE STELLING MASTERS CROSS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOOKING AND SOUNDING (NOT TO MENTION THE SMOOTHEST PLAYING) BANJO I'VE EVER CAME ACROSS. PLEASE GIVE MR. AND MRS. JIM DAVIS MY GRATITUDE AND A BIG HUG FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK.
ONE EXTREMELY SATISFIED CUSTOMER.
JONATHAN W