jbanjoist - Posted - 07/17/2010:  19:52:25

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Get better soon Lee. You know that Nechville misses you.

I played today giving a group a hand. We were practicing a bit out back and a guy comes by and he's really eyeballing my Vintage trying to see what is on the peghead.
I tell him what it is and who Tom is and he says he never heard of one and how it sounds real good.
He leaves and a while later he comes back bringing another guy and the first guy says to play him a tune.
He likes it too.
u
These were older guys and I assumed incorrectly that they weren't interested in anything but traditional designs but I think they were more interested in sound than what was on the peghead.
Cool huh?

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Edited by - jbanjoist on 07/17/2010 19:55:32

nechville - Posted - 07/17/2010:  20:59:07

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I'm at greyfox raining here cats and hounddogs. Luckily Jane and I are under cover at the local inn. I'm set up next to the masters stage where we get to pick along with some good players. A great way to really test the instruments along with the nearby stage. Lee wishing you a speedy recovery.

jbanjoist - Posted - 07/18/2010:  10:19:01

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Send that rain here to Virginia Tom. We sure could use it.

By the way I sure enjoy my two Nechvilles.

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 07/18/2010:  15:07:50

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You can have our rain too. I can't wait to play my Nechville!

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Edited by - Yellowhouseroad on 07/22/2010 11:20:02

pick1936 - Posted - 07/20/2010:  11:29:32

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Hi Tom, You old Greyfox,, Ha. I jsut wanted to tell You about The some of The guys I Pick with every Thurs. In K.C. Mo. there is useually 4 banjo that Pick together, A Custom Curtis McPeake--- A Staghorn--- an older Rb 250---and My Timbr--Tronic, I can be heard with no effort, and do not have to pick hard.. I hope to be well enough to go pickin this Thurs.?? And The Guys I pick With are Great Guys..-----Wow.--It Zings..

It never fails, This puppy Wails.
And puts a Big smile On My Face.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

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Edited by - pick1936 on 08/05/2010 08:18:30

nechville - Posted - 07/22/2010:  22:43:22

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Here I am in Lyons Colorado setting up a big display of Nechvilles old and new. Interestingly I have 2 extremely rare early Nuvo banjos with me. In fact one of them is my first totally self-designed and built "nova" banjo. I think this neck is from 1989. It's in great shape and I love the way it sounds and plays. It has a slightly squared neck shape with the built-in capo. It is the first and only one I have ever done in Birds eye maple. (If you've ever worked with it, you'd know why). I set it up with a newer Nechville bridge and tailpiece and it was earlier outfitted with the current quick neck adjustment. The other Nuvo is more like my current models but is the only Nuvo with a gold and engraved frame done by Ron Chasey. The name on the peghead says "Necvil". It was before CNC machining and I wanted to abbreviate my name to make it more in step with other banjo names with 6 letters. It still has the original early nechville designed tailpiece. I'll try to post a picture of them before they are gone.

edweber - Posted - 07/25/2010:  09:39:09

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Tom, I just gotta tell you I have a heap of respect for you and your banjo. You weren't afraid to step out of the box and create something new. New styling, inlays, and the Heli-Mount design says it all.

I was one of the judges at the Bluegrass on the Harpeth Festival yesterday in Franklin, TN. and got to hear a banjo player picking one of your models. I recognized the Heli-Mount but never could get a close enough view to see which model he was playing although I believe it may have been the Saturn. Great looking banjo with a wonderful tone! I'm a big fan of the Renaissance head. I wish I could've met the picker and checked out his banjo a little closer. I had brought my picks "just in case" but I was tied up the entire day from 8 am to 10 pm. I really wanted to get my hands on it but it wasn't to be.

Anyway, my best to you and keep up the great work!
Ed Weber

edweber.com

Helix - Posted - 07/31/2010:  16:41:51

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Hi Tom, how to get into the discussion without any misunderstandings is where I'm at.

How's your rim? What type do you use, how deep are they, and what are they made from?

This IS our weather for the year. We've had nice rain.

nechville - Posted - 08/02/2010:  16:55:30

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For any of you monitoring this thread from the Twin Cities, Don't miss the upcoming Banjo Fest 2010, With Andy Glandt from Germany, and the all new Banjo Revolution band! (I have not even heard them yet, but they have a guy that plays like Victor Wooten on bass, I wonder how they'll incorporate that?) Anyway it is August 11th at 7:20 at St lukes Church in Bloomington, and you can write, call or visit our website for details. Tom 952-888-9710.

Helix - Posted - 08/02/2010:  17:28:11

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Ok, well, I'll say Hi to Andy separately.

The last time I played on stage with him was in Plauen in 2003. He's a great guy.

Stuart Bowen - Posted - 08/06/2010:  13:54:22

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quote:

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Originally posted by nechville

I'm specifically looking for opinions on the Helimount system, the quick Neck adjustment, and the new Flux capacitor, All the best, Tom

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Tom, I've been enjoying the Nechville Vintage neck you recently installed on my 2 piece flange pot using the "Flux capacitor" attachment. I'd like everyone to know that I just couldn't be more pleased with it. It plays great and sounds great. The Nechville Vintage neck has the best feel and ease of playing of any I've played in over 35 years. The neck attachment device (flux capacitor) feels solid, works great and looks great. The Nechville tailpiece and bridge you installed to complement the wider radiused neck also enhanced playability and helped pull out a great tone.

The setup is perfect but it's nice to know I could reset the neck in 5 minutes if I needed to, or swap necks with my other Nechville, or take it apart and pack it for air travel. Bottom line - anyone who has a good sounding banjo in need of a new neck would be wise to look into getting the flux capacitor and a Nechville neck installed.

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Edited by - Stuart Bowen on 08/10/2010 22:34:24

RaYhOLio - Posted - 08/06/2010:  13:57:54

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I'm 2-3 weeks from recieving my custom nechville... couldn't be more excited! and oh yes... there will be pics. :) Maybe even videos.

pick1936 - Posted - 08/09/2010:  17:09:20

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Like Guy, and some others have said, Nechville's are sooo easy to adjust everything on it,, And like Mine With a Cocbolo Wood Ring, sounds just like a Bronze ring, Just great, I can get so many sounds from it,, When playing back up, just pick lightly, Then when I take a break, Just dig in enough to geat the Sound I want, Even pickin in the big jam circle of 15 or 20 people, I can Ring out above everyone, Just GREAT,, The last banjo I will ever own,, Unless I can get another Nechville.,,, And Tom don't worry about the praise,, You Deserve it, Keep Building, and Pickin. THANKS. Pop,, Knock,, Ring,, Bark,, Bite,, and Zing. and WOW.



Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

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Edited by - pick1936 on 08/13/2010 21:55:58

Stuart Bowen - Posted - 08/10/2010:  22:29:56

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quote:

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Originally posted by nechville

...my first totally self-designed and built "nova" banjo. I think this neck is from 1989. It's in great shape and I love the way it sounds and plays. It has a slightly squared neck shape with the built-in capo. It is the first and only one I have ever done in Birds eye maple...

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For anyone interested, I'm the original owner of this banjo. Purchased it from Tom 20 years ago and then got my money back (plus a little) on trade for the Nechville Vintage model this year.

I always liked the sound of the banjo, and the unique birds-eye maple is very nice. I just never got very comfortable with the built-in capo and the presence of all 5 strings between the nut and 5th fret on this model neck. The Vintage style neck with a regular 5th string peg and RR spikes suits me better (better than any other neck I've ever played in fact).

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Edited by - Stuart Bowen on 08/10/2010 22:50:37

pick1936 - Posted - 08/12/2010:  10:24:14

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quote:

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Originally posted by pick1936

In case I havn't mentioned it,, besides all the great adjustments, and eaze, and speed. This neck is absolutely the very Best neck to play on. out of all the many banjo's I have played on.,, The finger board is Compound radiused, with guitar size frets, which I love., Then The back od the neck,, From the peg head, It is V shaped--to the 5th string, where it smothly transitions to a nice C shape, It is just a joy to get Your hands on and The sound, is any sound You want, When I pick this beauty, nobody knows it has a Wood Tone Ring untill I tell them, I could say more, but it would take up to much space,, If anyone has never seen, or picked a Nechville, Try one, If You live in Mo. anyways close to Higginsville, come buy and try Mine. 419 fairground Ave. Apt. 106
Higinsville. Mo. 64037 --Come on by..



Nechville. In Higginsvile.

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Edited by - pick1936 on 08/16/2010 19:52:34

Helix - Posted - 08/18/2010:  16:34:10

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Tom, how to get into the discussion without any misunderstandings is where I'm at.

How's your rim? What type do you use, how deep are they, and what are they made from?

anterastilis - Posted - 08/19/2010:  10:17:17

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Hi Tom,

I am the happy winner of the Nechville Zeus that was raffled off at the Minnesota Old Time and Bluegrass Music Association festival out in Richmond, Minnesota this last weekend. I have an old banjo I have been tinkering with for years - I've taken lessons from time to time, but never seriously. I am not a gambler or an abnormally lucky person by any means - so this was a shock...but I am so excited!

I saw this stroke of luck as a sign from the universe that I needed to decide if I were going to take my playing seriously. I'm going to go for it. First lesson with the new banjo is today. I told my new teacher what kind of banjo I had...he's excited to see and hear it this afternoon.

So, thanks so much for the banjo! It's got a great story behind it. I'm going to practice every day (really, mom!) and do the banjo justice.

Cheers,
Elly

kcking1 - Posted - 08/19/2010:  10:50:07

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Lucky you, Elly! Congratulations! I bought my Zeus from Zepp's and really enjoy it!
I've been playing for several years but still feel like I'm just starting!

KC

Guy - Posted - 08/20/2010:  06:00:00

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Congratulations Elly! You could not have had a better prize. Enjoy!!!

pick1936 - Posted - 08/22/2010:  05:17:45

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I am taking My (Athenafied) Classic Deluxe to Church this morning, pickin in Church, Then We have a big meal, with much pickin going on, after We eat. It's good to have a Pastor who plays guitar, plus many others in the congregation, what (A day That Will Be)



Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

rdale55 - Posted - 08/22/2010:  20:16:18

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My new Nechville maple Phantom with cascade inlays shipped last Wednesday. Ray, I feel your pain, believe me. Oh, the sweet torture . . . .

RaYhOLio - Posted - 08/22/2010:  22:21:12

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Heheh It's truely miserable! :) I'm supposed to get mine by september at the latest. BTW... for custom shoppers.. When they say it takes up to 6 months... They truely mean it takes 6 months.

slickstrings - Posted - 08/23/2010:  00:03:37

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My instructor has two Nechville pots that he put his own custom necks on. My favorite of the two is his mahogany one that has his trademarked tunneled fifth string design. His second is a curly maple one. They both have great sound, and I'm lucky enough to be borowing his maple one. His one remark was that the head won't tighten as tight as a conventional design.

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Edited by - slickstrings on 08/23/2010 00:24:26

jaap - Posted - 08/23/2010:  03:00:03

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Been, a while since I checked in here,
I'm in Netherlands, Played at stage Kraaij en Balder last night with a bunch of Dutch guys, Had a blast. It actually was recorded on webcam and is still accessible via archive for some time.
To correct a previous post, You CAN get the Nechville head as tight as any banjo, but reaching a point past where it no longer has any bass response is not recommended. When I set up Nechvilles, I usually take a few extra twists without loss of tone.
Leslie and I are on our way to Denmark Tonder festival along with German Banjoree man Veit Doehler.

Guy - Posted - 08/23/2010:  03:34:21

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Hi Jaap,
have a great time at Tonder, please send my regards to Veit, had a great time with him at Sore Fingers in the UK about eight years ago, and was delighted to see him at EWOB this year.
Cheers
Guy

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 08/24/2010:  17:17:41

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I've been playing my new Nechville Orion nonstop ever since the MBOTMA festival! I still can't get over how awesome it plays!

alprice - Posted - 08/24/2010:  18:08:38

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Congratulations! The Orion is my new favorite banjo. I'd love to have one!

rdale55 - Posted - 08/26/2010:  16:38:09

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My new Nechville Phantom is supposed to arrive TOMORROW! Can you say "Christmas Eve" in August?

RaYhOLio - Posted - 08/26/2010:  18:25:01

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Lucky bastards.

Still waiting..... :)

rdale55 - Posted - 08/27/2010:  14:26:57

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It's here and I LOVE it! Thanks, Tom! And Dave at Turtle Hill!

RaYhOLio - Posted - 08/27/2010:  15:42:26

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It's beautiful.....

I hate you.

;) Congrats bro... looks like it's gonna be a late night for you!.. stayin' up with your new honey! :)

rdale55 - Posted - 08/27/2010:  20:39:51

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Not late enough - we had things to do and so I only got to play it for a little while. But tomorrow is coming!

Guy - Posted - 08/28/2010:  02:52:51

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Wow Rick!

She's a beauty! I think Ray's right to hate you and I also think you're new baby will be keeping you up at night.

I've got my Appleby Bluegrass Day on Monday (It's August Bank Holiday in the UK). It's my first attempt at running a festival but the omens are good and my Nextar, me and my friends will be cutting it up Monday night.

On Wednesday I have to pick up my good friend Tom Nechville from East Midlands Airport and thence to a jam session at the Odd House with some Real Ale Beer on tap. Anybody in the area will be welcome to and join us. Joe McIlvenny (JoeMac) will also be there and a few other friends.

Thursday, Tom and I will be driving down to Didmarton Bluegrass Festival to meet up with Leon Hunt and Lluis Gomez, two of Europe's finest banjo players, both owners and endorsers of Tom's wonderful creations. I will be playing on the Nechville Showcase with them on Sunday. I've already packed my brown underpants.

I shall also be meeting up with Jack Lawrence, one of my favourite flatpickers and one of nature's gentlemen. We'll be running through a few tunes as Jack is playing at the Hinckley ACT and we're planning to play a few tunes together there. Jack is touring with the UK's own Richard Plank, a very fine finger picker.

It's a hard life!

Guy

nechville - Posted - 08/28/2010:  03:36:50

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That will be an honor to appear with you Guy, and the others at Didmarton, Bring me a pair of those brown skivies.

Guy - Posted - 08/28/2010:  04:04:04

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The honours all mine Tom. I'll pop to down to Marks and Spencers later.
Looking forward to it!

Guy

pick1936 - Posted - 08/28/2010:  12:33:24

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Hey Ray, take it easy It will be worth the wait. are You going to the bluegrass Festival In Clinton, Mo?? If so I'll look You up, I will be walking around with My Nechville, nechville stickers all over it, i went to the big Thurs. night jam In K.C. Mo. and two guitar picker who listened to My Wood Ring Classic, when We were thru the two guitar pickers, came up and asked what kind of Ring I had in it, I told them Cocobolo wood, The both picked some on it, and Really liked the playability of the compound Radiused neck, and the BIG frets, And They Really liked the tone, and Volume.. ----- Settin Flat On Ready. MAN..



Nechville. In Higginsville.

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Edited by - pick1936 on 09/20/2010 09:34:07

rdale55 - Posted - 08/28/2010:  20:17:33

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Guy, tell Tom I'm going to try and start a Nechville revolution here in Maine! Good luck with everything - sounds like a blast!

pick1936 - Posted - 08/31/2010:  14:24:23

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quote:

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Originally posted by pick1936

Hey Ray, take it easy It will be worth the wait. are You going to the bluegrass Festival In Clinton, Mo?? If so I'll look You up, I will be walking around with My Nechville, nechville stickers all over it, i went to the big Thurs. night jam In K.C. Mo. and two guitar picker who listened to My Wood Ring Classic, when We were thru the two guitar pickers, came up and asked what kind of Ring I had in it, I told them Cocobolo wood, The both picked some on it, and Really liked the playability of the compound Radiused neck, and the BIG frets, And They Really liked the tone, and Volume.. ----- Settin Flat On Ready. kep On Pickin.



Nechville. In Higginsville.

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RaYhOLio - Posted - 08/31/2010:  16:32:45

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Looks like mine was shipped today.... I = super duper excited. :)

pick1936 - Posted - 09/01/2010:  14:17:00

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Good Deal Ray, You will be Rewarded, and have a great banjo. Hope to see You sometime..
Hang In There boy.



Nechville. In Higginsville.

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Edited by - pick1936 on 09/02/2010 12:33:22

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/01/2010:  14:47:35

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Got a bluegrass fest comin' up in carl junction MO late next month.. you should come out and play :) carljunction.org/bluegrass.htm

That's SW mo... 2.5 hours south of KC, and about an hour west of Springfield.. about an hour north of janet davis music in belavista, AR.. and about 2 hours east of tulsa, OK.. It's always REAL laid back.. not a huge fest... just the right size if you ask me....

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/02/2010:  14:27:16

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Just got 'er :)

Out of the box, I'm very impressed with the banjo, and the workmanship :) I'll probably post a lot more inclusive review later on :)

Nechville custom finish

Nechville custom

Nechville custom neck

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 09/04/2010:  07:02:11

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NICE!!! I love the finish and binding on the neck and resonator. Congratulations!

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/04/2010:  18:09:57

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Well.. Day 3 with the new nechville... and it just gets better every moment I spend with it. Thought I'd take a minute and give everyone a REALLY quick review.

Now, I'm no banjo condasouar... heck! I can't even spell it! LOL I've only played a handfull of banjos in my time... so take this for what it's worth.

As I opened the box to my LONG awaited custom nechville, my expectations could not have been higher. I always video tape the opening of new high ticket items, just in case there is damage, I want to have proof that it happened in shipping... Anyhow, It was packed sufficiantly in a TKL case, and I pulled it out of the box which read "26 LBS" (thought that was light considering it includes packing, and the case).. I open the case and just look at it for a second.. A banjo is only 'new' for a moment.. and I was about to drive it off the lot. I wanted to inspect it, and remember the moment. This was ordered with every intention of it being the 1st to be the last, afterall..

It was pristine. not a single scuff, smudge or obvious error in workmanship. The star inlay was aweome. I strum the strings... I'm very impatient. of course it sounds horrible. It was detuned for shipping. LOL but I had to try. I can no longer just examine the 'trophy'.. I have to hold it. So i lift it out of its box, and examine it further. Only then do I notice the black finish.. the binding, and all of the details. It's immaculate. I found a smudge from a peice of tape on the side of the resonator.... other than that, it looked kosher. No errors in workmanship that I can find.. and that's amazing to me. EVERY banjo I've ever had was inflicted with some factory snafu... a chip on the inside edge of a resonator, the nut sticking out a little too far, a bubble in the chrome.. little stuff.... but not on the nechville. it was 100%.

So initial inspection went well.. Inside the case I found 2 heli-mount wrenches, a couple allen wrenches, a warranty card, and a nechville players guide with maintenance instructions, set-up guides, and really very useful information. I don't know why... but I was sorta hoping for an 'easter egg' maybe a hat, shirt, keyring, picks.. I dunno. Something kinda cool hidden in the case.. Not that it matters.. but I just love that sorta thing! I once ordered banjo strings and they sent me free picks.. I thought that was the coolest..

At any rate.. I tuned her up, and started to play a bit.. I wasn't playing so good... I lost my favorit picks about 2 weeks prior... Low and behold, an hour later, my wife finds them in a pair of pants that she just washed.... talk about luck!

well.. my picks fixed everything... It was like tenatious D in 'the pick of destiny' all of the sudden I was able to play far beyond my skill level.. LOL honestly.. its the banjo design, and set up.. Out of the box it was perfect string height bridge placement.. sound. Everything was great.

This banjo is SO easy to play.

My wife is my biggest critic... she was unhappy about the expense, and even she wondered when I had time to practice, because I was messing up less. She also commented on the incredible sound that comes from it.

In contrast, the last time I purchased a banjo (went from a goldtone 250f to a RK-85), it was "I don't know why you got that.... the last one was prettier, sounded better... and you can't play good enough to justify an expensive banjo." LOL

So any time she can see the same thing that I'm seeing... I know that it's not just my wishful thinking / imagination.

You know, when showing off the banjo to others, I thought that the inlay would be the big hit with this banjo... but what everyone seems to REALLY love is the black finish with the cocobalo binding.. It's outstanding, and when the sunlight hits it, the figured maple lights up into shades of silver and grey, still keeping the contrast of black. It definately gets some oooohs and aaaaahs..

This banjo is a home-run... and the best thing is that later, if my playing style changes, so too can the banjo. I took the 5th string all the way to the nut with spikes in logical positions for more progressive style playing, and the quick head changes and tweaking options really make the possibilities endless, and easy to discover.

Been typing too long.. the sun is about to set.... time to go sit on the front portch and pick. :) Definatly grinning. :)

kcking1 - Posted - 09/04/2010:  18:23:18

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Ray,

What a spectacular looking banjo! I saw this tagged somewhere else on the Nechville site and loved it! I can't complain about my pretty Nechville, but yours is winner! Congratulations to you and to Tom Nechville!

KC

pick1936 - Posted - 09/04/2010:  19:40:38

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ray what kind of Tone Ring In that beauty??



Nechville. In Higginsville.

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/04/2010:  23:20:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by pick1936

ray what kind of Tone Ring In that beauty??



Nechville. In Higginsville.

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Rosewood cyclotronic pro tone ring with 50/50 ceramic / stainless ball bearings.

Sounds like a dream come true :)

rdale55 - Posted - 09/05/2010:  19:20:09

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Good for you, Ray!

budbennett - Posted - 09/06/2010:  05:18:36

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that's super beautiful ray, i'm very happy for you! i want to ask this just because i'm curious:

This banjo is a home-run... and the best thing is that later, if my playing style changes, so too can the banjo. I took the 5th string all the way to the nut with spikes in logical positions for more progressive style playing, and the quick head changes and tweaking options really make the possibilities endless, and easy to discover.


if you took the 5th string all the way to the nut, why do you have the 5th string spikes in there? wouldn't the capo that capos the other strings take care of the 5th too? again, i'm just curious.