1983 Stelling Sunflower Banjo SOLD SOLD

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 13 Jul 2010 8:11 am

This 'no-issues" excellent condition Stelling Sunflower is yet another example of Stelling's impecable workmanship. It includes the submerged 200+ year old block style rim, which adds a beautiful bottom end to the tonal quality.(I FOUND OUT TODAY FROM GEOFF STELLING THAT THIS IS HIS REGULAR RIM AND NOT THE 200+ YEAR OLD SUBMERGED RIM) I'VE ADDED MORE PHOTOS BELOW TO SHOW THIS RIM) This one is deep and full in the open string area, and full and bright up the neck. This Sunflower is also a powerful banjo and very open. As you probably know, Stelling compensates the string nut for accurate intonation all the way up the fingerboard, which is also unique.

The string height can be set quite low to the fingerboard for ease of playing, and the neck is very comfortable. Serial #2663 was made 26 Sep. 1983. This banjo was played only a few hours and is in it's original hard shell case since newly purchased. The one NEGATIVE is that the nickel finish is tarnished & will require some cleaning, which is why I'm selling it for less than market price.

$2350 shipped & insured free to lower 48 states. If Paypal is used, please add in the extra costs (3% of total) Otherwise Cashiers Check, Postal Money Order or cash (if you are in the Fargo ND area) are all acceptable. WILL ALSO TRADE FOR EMCI, MCI ALUMINUM FRAME OR ZUMSTEEL D10
Thanks all who expressed interest and who made comments. stevet

Marvin Born · Post by **Marvin Born** » 14 Jul 2010 10:00 am

Ron Spears · Post by **Ron Spears** » 16 Jul 2010 8:42 am

When was the Tony Pass rim put in it? It wasn't available in 83.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 16 Jul 2010 9:57 am

Thanks,Ron. I've emailed the previous owner of this Stelling and asked if he knows when the Tony Pass rim was put in.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 18 Jul 2010 12:04 pm

Ron, I'm still searching for info about the rim. The previous owner bought this banjo from Mandolin Brothers, so I'm trying to find out from them if they can tell me more about the rim.

Ron Spears · Post by **Ron Spears** » 20 Jul 2010 9:06 am

Do you have a pic of the inside with the resonator off.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 20 Jul 2010 9:17 am

Thanks, Ron, I intend to take some photos of the inside of the banjo this Sunday and have them up Monday. The Stelling is with a friend in Fargo who will keep the Stelling for me after I head back to China. If it sells eventually, he will ship. stevet

Joe Clymer · Post by **Joe Clymer** » 20 Jul 2010 9:52 am

I'm not an expert but I know that in Stelling's early year, Geoff used a block rim similar to the Pass rim. They sounded great. I have a "93 Sunflower and it came with a ply rim. I recently sent it back for a re-fret and had a Pass rim put in it. It sounded great before and even better now. If you call Geoff about this he can tell you all about it. He's a very nice guy that loves what he does and it shows in his banjos. You can't go wrong with a Stelling!

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · Post by **Michael T. Hermsmeyer** » 20 Jul 2010 10:13 am

It might be that the block rim is crafted the same way as the Pass rim, but not made from the 200 yr old "sunken wood". If memory serves me correctly, the Sunflower is the Sonny Osborne model and is a fine fine banjo with or without the Pass rim. I have heard many great reviews about the "sunken wood" and its comparison to vintage wood, and I'm sure its true. But I dont think anyone is gonna have a problem with this banjo and if you do then talk to Geoff. I would be very happy with this one! I consider the early 80's somewhat vintage and this one looks mint!!! Wish I had the money for it, but not at this time!

Somebody's gonna get a great deal!!!

God Bless ya Steve!!!

Ron Spears · Post by **Ron Spears** » 20 Jul 2010 1:46 pm

I'm no expert either. I believe the tony pass rims have his signature on the bottom. A photo of the banjo without the resonator should show that. Stellings with pass rims seem to sell for more. Knowing which rim it is would be helpful in determining the value.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 27 Jul 2010 9:11 am

Sorry for the misinformtion about the rim. I found out from Geoff Stelling today that this is his regular rim I'VE ADDED MORE PHOTOS IN THE ORIGINAL LISTING ABOVE TO SHOW THIS RIM. Thanks, Ron, Joe, and Michael for bringing this to my attention. Thanks too for the bump, Marvin. stevet

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 27 Jul 2010 4:00 pm

This is a great banjo at a great price. My Stelling is one of the finest instruments I own, period. If I were to buy a new one, this is the model I would choose.
Just wish it were a left-handed model. A new one would cost about double this price, or close.
Lefty

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 29 Jul 2010 4:57 am

Heh, Lefty, thanks for the endorsement of the Stelling. stevet

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 31 Jul 2010 2:38 am

Back to Beijing in a few days, so I will hold onto the Stelling and perhaps try again next summer. Thanks to the few who expressed interest and to Michael, Lefty & Joe for their comments about this banjo. stevet

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 31 Oct 2010 7:40 pm

I'm opening up this thread again. The Stelling banjo is with a friend in Minnesota who's a good musician He has mailed out a number of my instruments while I've been away from the USA and packs very well. Thanks, steve t

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 11 Nov 2010 2:40 pm

bumpo

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 11 Nov 2010 4:53 pm

Steve,
Quit making me wish I was right handed again.
What a deal on a fine banjo!
Lefty

Dallas Cheked · Post by **Dallas Cheked** » 25 Nov 2010 9:28 am

If I didn't have my Staghorn, I'd grab this one up in a hurry!

Dallas Cheked · Post by **Dallas Cheked** » 25 Nov 2010 9:48 am

steve takacs wrote:Heh, Lefty, thanks for the endorsement of the Stelling. stevet

Goeff Stelling never built a poor sounding or poor looking banjo. Even his most basic models are sharp and have tone to die for!

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 3 Dec 2010 4:03 pm

coming up for air again.......

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 12 Dec 2010 3:08 am

Would also trade Stelling banjo straight up for an aluminum frame EMCI, MCI or ZUMSTEEL D-10. Thanks steve t

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 15 Dec 2010 3:07 pm

lost in the ozone again. stevet

Rodney Shuffler · Post by **Rodney Shuffler** » 31 Dec 2010 11:52 am

Tone is subjective for sure, I chose to leave my Stelling as is .....it's a 1981 Whitestar with the original block rim. Seems like everytime I hear someone say change over to the TP rim, someone else will say it ain't worth it, especially if you like the way your banjo sounds now.
I love the Sunflower, it's my fave out of all Geoff's models.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 16 Jan 2011 3:00 pm

A "GO STEELERS" bump for the Stelling. Thanks for mentioning your tone ring and thoughts on the Stelling Sunflowers, Rondey. stevet

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 16 Jan 2011 6:39 pm

Rodney Shuffler wrote:Tone is subjective for sure, I chose to leave my Stelling as is .....it's a 1981 Whitestar with the original block rim. Seems like everytime I hear someone say change over to the TP rim, someone else will say it ain't worth it, especially if you like the way your banjo sounds now.
I love the Sunflower, it's my fave out of all Geoff's models.

I love block rims, the tone is much brighter and cleaner..I had 70's Bellflower with a block rim that had a kick butt tone, I sold it like a fool, after few years I bought a brand new Red Fox with TP rim and ton sucked, I sold it...

Db

The Steel Guitar Forum

1983 Stelling Sunflower Banjo SOLD SOLD

1983 Stelling Sunflower Banjo SOLD SOLD

rim

Photos Now Up

Rim photo

Stelling Rims

Correction On Rim Type

heading EAST put banjo on hold.....

Stelling Sunflower Back On Market Again

Bumpo

Trade For Emci Or Mci Aluminum Frame D-10

Tony Pass Rim

Steelers Bump

Re: Tony Pass Rim