budbennett - Posted - 09/06/2010:  08:24:19

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ah, i just assumed it was tuned to the high drone G.

i usually only capo up to the 2nd fret, only i think one time have i capo'd up to the 3rd. my band does a lot of fiddle tunes and i just have been too lazy to figure out how to play the tunes without a capo- it's on my list of things to do though, it's just kind of far down the list!

i really like that inlay you have there ray. way cool.

Guy - Posted - 09/06/2010:  12:56:49

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Art Nuvo!!! Fantastic Ray. Really pleased for you. You must be chuffed to bits!

Guy

nechville - Posted - 09/07/2010:  05:35:55

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Hey, Thanks Ray for the complete and detailed report, I am pleased especially with my finishing guy Rick Ahl, and set up people, Dan Schultz and Bob Gwinn. Hats off to them, It is especially gratifying when the guys can pull off this kind of work with me being on the other side of the planet. If anyone is interested in my goings on in Europe, you can read about it on my BHO blog. Cheers, Tom

rdale55 - Posted - 09/07/2010:  09:57:28

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Here's a pic of me with my new baby.

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/07/2010:  10:28:42

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Lookin' good there buddy!!

jetongue - Posted - 09/07/2010:  22:20:30

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The nechville thumb-side roll-off scoop that allows for playing up on the neck AND keeping those higher frets is probably the coolest thing i have ever seen on a banjo.

All other makers probably hung their heads for not thinking of it first.

nechville - Posted - 09/08/2010:  01:38:30

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Hello I just need to imortalize my last couple days with English Bluegrass superstars JER BOON AND KATHERINE SELBY. I have been staying in their lovely brick home since the last festival using their computer, eating their food, and learning their music. We left Didmarton, and arrived at their cottage where Jer whipped up his famous Cottage Pie. Imagine a gormet beef stew topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. There were no leftovers, so the next morning while scavenging for something to eat I found, of course, English muffins, labled simply muffins. So I ventured into the fridge seeking jam. I only found onion jelly, and Hot pepper jam, Oh what the... I tried it, and got my buds warmed up with a tangy sweet/hot onion pepper muffin sandwich. Not bad, but I was still a bit hungry, and I wondered if they had any peanut butter. The only thing close I could find looked like Chocolate Nutella or carmel spread. It was called Marmot, rich in B vitamins, and God knows, I need them. So I spread a huge portion of the paste onto my muffin and made another sandwich. Even though my buds were on alert from the first culinary surprise, they were not prepared to meet what I had just introduced them to. Instead of a creamy sweet caramel, I got a mouthful of the saltiest bitter shock of my life. (it didn't even compare to the taste of windshield washer fluid) I found out later that this stuff is the yeast residue left in the bottom of the barrel after brewing beer. It would be akin to drinking a large gulp of Coke and discovering it was soy sauce. I did solve the problem by pulling out the broccolli and using it to soak up the Marmot. Now this relates to the subject of this thread, because what you think of Nechville banjos has a lot to do with what you know about them, and the fact that the maker of Nechville banjos eats high vitamin Marmot and broccolli sandwiches for breakfast should give you extra confidence in making that long awaited purchase. Now that you are thinking I really need to hire a proper publicity person, I have to be serious for a moment and report that Nechville banjos seem to be everywhere here. 3 of the 4 banjo Workshop presenters at Didmarton played Nechvilles, and 4 of the 5 banjo players at the jam last night played a Nechville.

Banjo Island - Posted - 09/08/2010:  02:24:33

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quote:

---

Originally posted by nechville

Hello I just need to imortalize my last couple days with English Bluegrass superstars JER BOON AND KATHERINE SELBY. I have been staying in their lovely brick home since the last festival using their computer, eating their food, and learning their music. We left Didmarton, and arrived at their cottage where Jer whipped up his famous Cottage Pie. Imagine a gormet beef stew topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. There were no leftovers, so the next morning while scavenging for something to eat I found, of course, English muffins, labled simply muffins. So I ventured into the fridge seeking jam. I only found onion jelly, and Hot pepper jam, Oh what the... I tried it, and got my buds warmed up with a tangy sweet/hot onion pepper muffin sandwich. Not bad, but I was still a bit hungry, and I wondered if they had any peanut butter. The only thing close I could find looked like Chocolate Nutella or carmel spread. It was called Marmot, rich in B vitamins, and God knows, I need them. So I spread a huge portion of the paste onto my muffin and made another sandwich. Even though my buds were on alert from the first culinary surprise, they were not prepared to meet what I had just introduced them to. Instead of a creamy sweet caramel, I got a mouthful of the saltiest bitter shock of my life. (it didn't even compare to the taste of windshield washer fluid) I found out later that this stuff is the yeast residue left in the bottom of the barrel after brewing beer. It would be akin to drinking a large gulp of Coke and discovering it was soy sauce. I did solve the problem by pulling out the broccolli and using it to soak up the Marmot. Now this relates to the subject of this thread, because what you think of Nechville banjos has a lot to do with what you know about them, and the fact that the maker of Nechville banjos eats high vitamin Marmot and broccolli sandwiches for breakfast should give you extra confidence in making that long awaited purchase. Now that you are thinking I really need to hire a proper publicity person, I have to be serious for a moment and report that Nechville banjos seem to be everywhere here. 3 of the 4 banjo Workshop presenters at Didmarton played Nechvilles, and 4 of the 5 banjo players at the jam last night played a Nechville.

---

Hey wow, I've never been called a "bluegrass superstar" before! Or likely ever will.

I'm still tickled that you find the fact our house is built out of bricks to be quirky and interesting! And I love that you call Marmite "Marmot" - that name will stick from now on, in an ironic tribute to your eccentricity.

The jam session was awesome, if a tad noisy - and slightly worrying by the way you were taking peoples' banjos apart for them between breaks after several pints of cider...

Jer

dollywannabe - Posted - 09/08/2010:  02:30:34

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No I can't let that pass. The British are weird but not weird enough to eat Marmot

a heavily built, gregarious, burrowing rodent of both Eurasia and North America, typically living in mountainous country

It was Marmite. The finest of all by-product food stuffs.
Also used to control certain kitchen pests; small children and unsuspecting Americans chief among them.

It was great to meet you at the jam last night Tom. I was mesmorised by your ability to play a great break and, in the time that it took the tune to travel round the other players in the room, take the resonator off, tighten the head, change the bridge and the neck angle, put the resonator back on, retune and seamlessly take your turn. Fantastic.

I was sort of tempted to let you work your magic on my Phantom but I think it's perfect already! Maybe next time.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your travels.

TopCat - Posted - 09/08/2010:  02:55:25

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quote:

---

Originally posted by nechville

Hello I just need to imortalize my last couple days with English Bluegrass superstars JER BOON AND KATHERINE SELBY. ...............

I wondered if they had any peanut butter. The only thing close I could find looked like Chocolate Nutella or carmel spread. It was called Marmot, rich in B vitamins, and God knows, I need them. So I spread a huge portion of the paste onto my muffin and made another sandwich. Even though my buds were on alert from the first culinary surprise, they were not prepared to meet what I had just introduced them to. Instead of a creamy sweet caramel, I got a mouthful of the saltiest bitter shock of my life. (it didn't even compare to the taste of windshield washer fluid) I found out later that this stuff is the yeast residue left in the bottom of the barrel after brewing beer.

---

LOLOLOL!! They have clearly been feeding you gargantuan quantities of the local beer to bring on such an attack of the munchies.

Marmite also divides opinion here in the Old Country:

youtube.com/user/marmiteonline...1aq_yCgsg

youtube.com/watch?v=cHbpTrFPc7Y

tallpaul^ - Posted - 09/08/2010:  03:00:40

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the "love bridge" blew me away man, it was like being in the 60s (well a bluegrass version of it).

I wonder if tom has any swear-word bridges......

I know hippy joe would appreciate that.

Guy - Posted - 09/08/2010:  03:14:08

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I'm definitely going to be putting Marmot on my toast from now on. LOL

dollywannabe - Posted - 09/08/2010:  03:14:20

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Unless of course Jer and Katherine do keep Marmots in the kitchen.

TopCat - Posted - 09/08/2010:  03:30:58

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We used to have marmots raiding the bins when I worked on a ranch in the Rockies back in the day (seriously). How I wish I was young again!

nechville - Posted - 09/08/2010:  04:10:47

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Who was the guy a while back who had Janna design him a snowy owl playing a banjo? I think my new logo should be a picking marmot. Thanks for setting me straight on that. I'm going to go hunt me up some lunch...

frail42 - Posted - 09/08/2010:  04:26:49

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I can't wait to see what Tom does with the tiger bread...

Guy - Posted - 09/08/2010:  04:58:18

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This thread should be re-titled to "Care and Feeding of your Nechville"

budbennett - Posted - 09/08/2010:  05:10:36

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quote:

---

Originally posted by dollywannabe



..snip..

I was sort of tempted to let you work your magic on my Phantom but I think it's perfect already! Maybe next time.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your travels.

---

dolly, LET HIM WORK HIS MAGIC on your Phantom. i thought mine sounded good before he "fixed" mine, but after he worked his magic on mine it was like a totally different instrument!

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/08/2010:  18:10:14

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youtube.com/watch?v=46RTVGMRxx8

There's a video of my nechville banjo review.. along with some of my crappy pickin' :)

Mike Rowe - Posted - 09/08/2010:  18:21:23

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I'm 3 minutes into it right now, Ray!

Mike Rowe - Posted - 09/08/2010:  18:27:06

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"I can dig it!"

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 09/08/2010:  18:45:59

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Really Cool! That banjo has a really nice tone! I love videos where people show off there banjos. Especially Nechvilles!!

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/09/2010:  06:07:23

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Heheh thanks :)


I think that's gonna have to be my new tag line now.... what have I done!?

-Ray
"I can dig it!"

skywaterbanjo - Posted - 09/09/2010:  07:13:07

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Hey Tom,
Sorry to take so long to get back to you but I just wanted to thank you for getting us the camping spot next to you and Andy at the MBOTMA festival in August. I had a great time picking with you guys. Glad to hear you are having fun on your trip. Give me a call when you get back.

Mark Epstein
Durango, CO

---

Edited by - skywaterbanjo on 09/09/2010 07:13:48

nechville - Posted - 09/09/2010:  10:10:48

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Thanks to The Banjo Hangout and some great friends and customers, I have been invited to a special Scottish music jam in Edinburgh tonight. Iain MacLachlan has graciously taken me in as his understudy in Scottish and Irish music for the 5 string banjo, and we just spent about 8 hours playing our way through his new Mel Bay book, "Celtic Tune Encyclopedia for 5 string banjo". I recommend it. They are all in there. Iain has organized a jam and workshop tonight and we are shortly to depart, I'll tel you how it goes tomorrow,

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/09/2010:  14:42:29

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Had to do some maintenance on the banjo today... The head has broken in, and sagged a bit, so I tightened it up, and adjusted the bridge.... I thought it was a great oppertunity to show off the 'guts' and the truely revolutionary part of a nechville.. ha ha.

:)

youtube.com/watch?v=czpLALMsOrY

Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 09/09/2010:  19:14:30

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Sounds good! Did you have to adjust the action of the neck after you tightened the Heli-Mount? What was the song you where playing at the end?

Long live Nechville!

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/09/2010:  21:31:26

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Nope.. The action was good.. Really what I was doing in that video was trying to return it to factory set-up..

New heads sag after just a few days, and that threw off the intonation, tension, and action... After I got it back to where I thought it was supposed to be, the action was great, but I still had to adjust the bridge.

I expect I'll have to do the same thing again in a few weeks or a month, as it breaks in further.

The song was the opening licks to bonjovi's 'dead or alive' as often heard on the discovery channels "Deadliest Catch"

pick1936 - Posted - 09/12/2010:  05:22:18

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I will be taking My Nechville to Church this morning, Will pick (Precious Memories)----Up and down The neck, Open neck, Key of D. For You guys who havn't heard, The Drs. Think I have Cancer on My Adrenal gland, BUT not sure? I had a Pet scan Friday, won't hear anymore untill late next week, THANKS for all the prayers I have gotten, They help Keep Me going, Better get off now and get ready for Church, You guys Keep on Pickin, --- Fine looking banjo Ray, I hope to meet You again some where..---- I did enjoy Your videos..--WOw.



Nechville. Higginsville.
Lee Kelso.

---

Edited by - pick1936 on 09/15/2010 17:48:23

nechville - Posted - 09/13/2010:  05:08:44

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I also enjoyed the videos, It is interesting to see the process of getting a new banjo and have it documented so clearly. For anyone interested, I had a great visit to Norway, and even though The Norway Bluegrass scene is not huge, The people in that country like it, and it is becoming part of their popular, mainstream entertainment... read more on my blog page.. banjohangout.org/myhangout/blo...p?id=7893

Guy - Posted - 09/17/2010:  03:19:51

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Just off down to the Cornish Bluegrass Festival where I'll be meeting up with Tom again plus Jack Lawrence and Brother Mule.

Woohooo Cornwall here we come! :-)

Guy

alprice - Posted - 09/17/2010:  08:18:18

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Have a great time at Cornwall, Guy. Take pictures!

pick1936 - Posted - 09/18/2010:  09:27:23

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quote:

---

Originally posted by pick1936

I will be taking My Nechville to Church this morning, Will pick (Precious Memories)----Up and down The neck, Open neck, Key of D. For You guys who havn't heard, The Drs. Think I have Cancer on My Adrenal gland, BUT not sure? I had a Pet scan Friday, won't hear anymore untill late next week, THANKS for all the prayers I have gotten, They help Keep Me going, Better get off now and get ready for Church, You guys Keep on Pickin, --- Fine looking banjo Ray, I hope to meet You again some where..---- I did enjoy Your videos..--WOw. keep on building,, and pickin Tom.



Nechville. Higginsville.
Lee Kelso.

---

pick1936 - Posted - 09/21/2010:  18:57:43

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quote:

---

Originally posted by pick1936

I had the chance to show My Nechville to two new pickers, They really liked it, and the tone it emits, Pick reall easy, for back up,, Then really Dig in for a break.. ----- Up date, Will be taking My Cyclotronic Cocobolo Wood Ringed Classic Deluxe to Church This Morning.. ----- We had a great time.. ---- Wow, Great.-----keep On Picken..



Rings like Silver.
But It;s Wood.


Nechville. In Higginsville.

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pick1936 - Posted - 09/24/2010:  13:20:39

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I saw the surgeon yesterday, said I have a Mass on My Adrenal gland, about the size of a Tennis ball, Posably Cancer, but not sure, but because of the size of it, It has to come out, He will set me up for operation in next 2 weeks,, But I can still pick My great (Athenafied) Classic Deluxe for awhile yet. I will be going to a big jam tonight, always lotta fun.. WoW


Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso.

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Edited by - pick1936 on 12/04/2010 12:53:29

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/24/2010:  16:50:15

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Good luck Lee! Man, I feel for ya.. i've had, and have friends that have been thru that, and it's tough.... Keep on pickin'!

nechville - Posted - 09/24/2010:  20:31:45

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Hey Lee buddy, Sorry to hear about the health troubles you are having. Good luck during surgery, my prayers are with ya. Tom

jbanjoist - Posted - 09/25/2010:  11:53:53

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Lee sending you best wishes and prayers on your surgery.
Enjoy the Nechville during your recovery!

rdale55 - Posted - 09/25/2010:  19:21:11

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Played the Phantom outside at a small bluegrass venue today and several people came up and wanted to know what that "beautiful" banjo was. They said it sounded great, too. I always explain the Helimount, radiused fingerboard, and tunneled fifth string. Making some Nechville waves in Maine.

alprice - Posted - 09/26/2010:  09:08:54

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Lee, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted on your progress!

Al

quote:

---

Originally posted by pick1936

I saw the surgeon yesterday, said I have a Mass on My Adrenal gland, about the size of a Tennis ball, Posably Cancer, but not sure, but because of the size of it, It has to come out, He will set me up for operation in next 2 weeks,, But I can still pick My great (Athenafied) Classic Deluxe for awhile yet. I will be going to a big jam tonight, always lotta fun..


Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso.

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alprice - Posted - 09/26/2010:  09:11:05

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Keeping our eyes on the weather channel for a Five String Grand Tsunami in Maine...

quote:

---

Originally posted by rdale55

Played the Phantom outside at a small bluegrass venue today and several people came up and wanted to know what that "beautiful" banjo was. They said it sounded great, too. I always explain the Helimount, radiused fingerboard, and tunneled fifth string. Making some Nechville waves in Maine.

---

the-fish - Posted - 09/26/2010:  19:10:33

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Lee-hope everything works out and you will be in my thoughts


Going to elderly tomorrow or tues, looking for to pickin some nechvilles

dpete210 - Posted - 09/27/2010:  12:16:04

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I am pleased to report on a beautiful neck project that I had the folks at Nechville put together for me that has now replaced the original neck that was on my Deering Hartford banjo. This past winter the neck mysteriously warped and attempts to rid the problem in order to eliminate the resulting buzzing at the first four frets proved unsuccessful. Rather than replace it with a new Deering Hartford neck, I opted for the built in capo and 5th string capo that is available with one of Tom Nechville's neck designs (called by Tom a Zeus Nuvo). I really like both the Deering and Nechville banjos, so this banjo is not only unique, but sounds and looks terrific. While this neck is obviously not traditional I am really pleased to have one of them. The design makes so much sense and is just way cool! I am very satisfied with the results and want to thank Tom and his crew for a great job. The craftsmanship is excellent and I love the way the radiused neck plays. The flux capacitor system is used to attach it to the traditional pot used on the Deering Hartford banjo. There is also a Nechville enterprise bridge and the Nechville tailpiece on this banjo. If your ever in the neighborhood, stop by to try it out. You'll love it!

---

Edited by - dpete210 on 09/27/2010 12:23:23

RaYhOLio - Posted - 09/27/2010:  13:21:03

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What a beauty! Congrats on a fine banjo neck!

I just got back from a bluegrass fest here in Carl Junction last week... it was a small one.. but several players got to play on my nechville during the jam! Pretty darn good initial reviews.. people love that wooden tone ring above all else..

Beardog - Posted - 09/27/2010:  13:48:55

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That is a gorgeous neck, dpete. I am really looking forward to trying out an Atlas at IBMA next week-end.

Baltimonkey - Posted - 09/27/2010:  14:58:07

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What I beauty. I was able to play an early Nuvo when I visited the Nechville shop last month. What a great group of guys there. I am currently having a Cosmos built with the built-in synth. However, its still "cooking" and I only have pics of my Phantom neck so far (profile pic). I have to say that Al and the rest of the guys at Nechville offer -- Old Fashioned Service to New Revolutionary Banjos!!!

budbennett - Posted - 09/27/2010:  15:55:05

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I keep kicking around the idea of having a flux capacitor put in my steeling pot. Have you any thoughts pro or con about that now that you have done it?

dpete210 - Posted - 09/28/2010:  07:24:26

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budbennett, the flux capacitor is very stable and while it is certainly not hidden from view, blends so nicely so that you really don't notice it is there unless you are specifically looking for it. Judging by the sound of my Hartford banjo and the Nechville neck now residing on it, I don't see or hear any negatives. The original Harford neck played nicely and had it not warped would still be on it with no regrets, but I consider the Nechville neck an upgrade because of the radiused fingerboard, its functionality, quality, and looks great. I don't see any negatives associated with the flux capacitor. In my case the Nechville neck/flux capacitor was replacing a damaged neck, but if one were to use the system on a banjo where there was nothing wrong with the original neck, installing the flux c does not structurally alter the banjo so it could be easily changed back to the original if for some reason that was desired. It is solid, practical, and a terrific system.

*Edit: Click on the photo and you will get a closer view of the flux capacitor mechanism.

---

Edited by - dpete210 on 10/01/2010 09:58:04

Nechville Flux Capacitor Close up

pick1936 - Posted - 09/29/2010:  17:30:23

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man that really looks good, If I ever get another T.B.11 like I used to have , I'll have Tom Put On A nice neck like that. with a traditional look to it, BUT That sure looks great.


Nechville. In higginsville.
Lee Kelso