TOPIC: Stelling Banjo?

Is anyone familiar with a banjo Stelling made circa 1980s called a MoonFlower? This is of course a used banjo, sounds pretty good, but doesn't have the submerged wood rim. What would something like this be worth?

Let me know your thoughts and price potential.

Hey I saw one down at the local guitar center. used $1,999. Itook a look. Geoff Stelling said it is just like a Sunflower.
Can be upgraded to an old wood rim for around $500. Is that a reasonable price?

Buzzart - I just sent you an email. Yes .. the wood rims will cost approximately $500.

Kamando -

A new Stelling Sunflower will go for $3225 with the Tony pass rim. This instrument you saw sounds to be similar. A used instrument will obviously go for whatever the market demands. A word of warning, make sure you know how to inspect an instrument for any visible signs of damage, fret wear, string buzzing ect. Some instruments have been repaired and may not be noticeable without careful inspection or knowledge of the instrument. Buyer Beware.

I recently had a student bring a similar banjo to me (thinking he got a great deal) $600+ additional dollars later, he was able to have it repaired.

All things considering, if this is the same instrument at $1999, your only saving a couple hundred for a used Stelling without the old wood rim (especially if you intend to put in the $500 old wood rim and ship it insured). For a Stelling, you need to send that back to Geoff Stelling himself. To do otherwise, is not very wise.

Hope this helps.

Dave

One thing you may want to check is if the fingerboard is ebonol. From the Stelling website:

"Ebonol fingerboards are used beginning with serial no. 558. The company returns to using ebony in August 1980 with serial number 1619"

It does appear to be quite similar to the Sunflower except it is walnut in color. i believe it was made of maple and stained to look like Walnut but you could always call Stelling to know for sure.

It sounds like the price is about right.

BTW. some of the older rims are pretty nice so you may want to check with Geoff Stelling.

Well i went against the current and got a used Stelling Moonshadow.
The price was okay, and condition good.. so now i can start rolling.