Philj200
Approved
| Joined: | Thu Jun 2nd, 2005 |
| Location: | Sea Cliff, New York USA |
| Posts: | 1642 |
| Instrument Interest: | Clawhammer Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Mandolin, Fiddle, Autoharp, Other |
| Status: |
Offline
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They are Asian instruments. Quality varies all over the place from awful to surprisingly good. There is no way to tell by brand since the same factory may turn out any number of lines. Or several factories can all make one (or several).
One characteristic; they never come set-up in a playable condition. That con discourages a new picker faster than anything else does. Unless you are a competent picker with knowledge of instruments, go shopping with one. Look for neck angle, nut-height, string action... before you consider tone. Tone on an aluminum pot instrument is not an issue. The metal itself just does not give the same sound as pots that are more traditional. Be prepared to invest some time or some money… or both is getting it set up right.
I saw a good reference to a Mastertone rip-off in the mid $500 range.
I have a couple Chinese instruments including an Aida tenor banjo that's undergoing a metamorphosis. It will soon become a 5-string rigged for bluegrass.
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