Always having my eye out for a great true Mastertone bluegrass banjo I found this banjo in downtown Austin when Strait Music Co. was closing that store. It was amazing. I could npt imagine getting anything so authentic for twice to three times the price and my jusdgment has held up for 20 years. I did put a Fiberskyn head on it to get a little but of the Screggs high--humidity Saturday night special sound but otherwise the wood is spectacular, and I did no other modifications except to have my local luthier adust 3 frets so that no sliding 5th strung fretting was needed. Just slide the 5th strung under the carved out fret. I've never seen this modification and don't know what to call it, but it works on my 2016 Reiter Tubaphone Old Time Banjo as well.
The nickel plating holds up well and I couldn't be happier with a modern "vintage" Mastertone (a bit on the heavy side, though). I have replaced the tailpice but otherwise I have a low action, super Bluegrass banjo for what today would be twidce to thrice the price. Deering made this a Hearts and Flowers clone and it works. There is no better Bluegrass banjoy anywhere near the price and quality of wood and metal parts. Wow!