I bought one like that for a lot cheaper that had the same tuning system. The tuning hardware slipped on the rim. After 2 years the bolts broke out the wood shell from the tension on the hardware. It had a powerbeat head. It is a nice paperweight. Cannot really be played at this point.


Hope these are an actual instrument for $200 or I would feel ripped off a second time.

I think that riq in Jeffrey's Nileshop link is the same one as on eBay and Amazon for about $80-90. There's also a wood body version (no inlay) that's otherwise exactly the same on eBay and Amazon for $20-30. I'm planning on getting the wood version in my next round of unnecessary shopping. I'm not too surprised to see the note about those types collapsing under their own tension after a while, I'll be sure and keep an eye on that if I get one. Maybe store it loose when not playing for long periods just to be sure? The zills in it don't look like they're nearly the quality of the $200 ones shown above though obviously. Still better than the blue plastic body, pop-rock, tambourine I currently play!