Wesley...Yes, parts from Korea, assembled in Florida. The retailer insisted there was no case or bag included. That might be just for the Canadian market, I'd like to know.

Mandotim...Yes, I agree about the head, but I'm in no hurry, having overspent my instrument budget this year by 2 or 3 instruments.

Capt...Yes, well, there are a lot of folks who apparently listen with something other than their ears when they judge an instrument...their loss. This forum is full of discussions about what to do to change a mediocre instrument into a good or great one, and though I think this little banjo started off much better than meiocre, the new strings helped a lot and maybe someday so will a new head and tuning machines. But doesn't it burn you to hear folks so unwilling to accept something? Bang for the buck wise, this is a good axe. I've heard way too many vintage/desirable instruments sound like crap simply because they're not set-up and cared for properly, and many great sounding lesser instruments because they were set-up and cared for properly.

Anyway, have had a couple more hours with it and it sounds pretty sweet, maybe not as sweet as the Orpheum I once had long term loan of, but sweet nonetheless.

Peace, Mooh.