Tyler Mountain TM5-80 submitted 7/10/2008 Submitter BruceH Where Purchased Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid 180 ($US) (bought USED) Sound No expert, but for playing bluegrass it's been a great first instrument. The sound is full, not to bright. It's loud enough for any playing I do. Sounds best to me with light strings. Sound Rating 7 Setup I bought it used, but I think it was hardly played. I had it profesionaly setup and the nut and bridge replaced (bone nut, compensated grover bridge). The action has always been great. Keeps in tune for weeks. Setup Rating not rated Appearance It's your basic korean "masterclone". Flamed maple resonator, mahogony neck. Inlays are ok, not fine craftsmanship though. Finish is shiny, looks like a well made banjo. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Hardware is what you would expect, all works but nothing fancy. Held up daily playing for two years now. Finish has held up great. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Customer Service not rated Components Everything is of a "basic" quality that should last. Can't think of anything that I think would need to be replaced. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments I think they are around $500 new, which seems like a fair price. If it was stolen, I'd probably figure it's time to upgrade to something else. It's been a great first banjo, I could keep playing it for years. Similar to a fender FB58 (looks like it was made in the same factory). Overall Rating 7