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alprice - Posted - 11/04/2010: 10:19:29
I've always liked "Amazing Grace" and "Power in the Blood" on banjo. Have fun!
quote:
Originally posted by pick1936
I finally got to pick My great (Athenafied) Classic Deluxe for about an hour today. Man it is so nice. I have this young family at Church, Three Girls, One is learning Mandolin, One Fiddle, One Guitar. They want to pick with Me and My banjo, some Old Hymn at Church, BUT I have to get with them a couple of times and practice. I'm Thinking Precious Memories,, Or Just a Closer Walk With Thee, have to find out whats good for them. It's great seeing a family band coming together.
Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee kelso.
Majorbanjo - Posted - 11/12/2010: 17:11:27
My Vintage is more musical than any banjo I own......seems like all other banjos are a bunch of parts thrown together and tuned to work.....the Nechville feels like all it's parts are just engineered to fit together on just this instrument...it feels custom .....like every part was scrutinized and fitted just so....and the neck is out of this world playable...no wonder Bela plays one......if I ever convert another prewar pot I'm going to get Tom to fit a flux capacitor and a neck just like this vintage....WOW!!!
ukd73 - Posted - 11/13/2010: 06:07:26
Had a Rocky Grass custom had to sell it in a money crunch but bought a phantom and love it too. it has the tone and playability that I can't compare it to anything like, because there is nothing else like it. Love it Tom wish I still had the Rocky Grass but I did what I had to do to get by
Guy - Posted - 11/14/2010: 12:26:11
One word, FANTASTIC! 
Baltimonkey - Posted - 11/17/2010: 15:18:48
LOVE the site, Al. But, I already told you that. I guess I am just posting, so other banjoheads will check it out. Thanks for everything.
Yellowhouseroad - Posted - 11/17/2010: 18:30:30
Now that is going to be a awesome electric banjo! Really cool Baltimonkey!
Baltimonkey - Posted - 11/20/2010: 09:45:21
Thanks Yellow - I am excited. Pretty good chance I will get it next month.
pick1936 - Posted - 11/23/2010: 08:27:16
I finally got to feeling good enough to pick My Timbr--Tronic Classic Deluxe. Man I forgot how Great it sounds, and the great feel of the neck. Pop,, Knock,, Ring,, Growl, and Zing. ----WOW.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Edited by - pick1936 on 11/25/2010 12:41:32
Majorbanjo - Posted - 11/24/2010: 11:45:44
I just pulled my Vintage out of the case in the parking lot of the Hospital on Fort Stewart, Georgia over lunch and played a few tunes for my NCOIC............yeehaa...
dmiller - Posted - 11/26/2010: 20:27:45
I just bought a Nuvo last Monday. Can't wait for it to arrive here. 
dmiller - Posted - 11/26/2010: 20:38:27
Woops - - - I forgot to add a couple of pics, eh? 
Edited by - dmiller on 12/21/2010 17:49:14
Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 11/27/2010: 04:15:48
What a interesting looking tailpiece!
dpete210 - Posted - 11/27/2010: 07:52:37
dmiller, I believe you're gonna really like that Nuvo neck and Nechville banjo. The spelling of Nechville and design of the peghead shows that it has a few years under its belt. Notice you have a space after the nut where a capo can sit when unused if you have or should want Tom to craft a capo to slide in that same track as your sliding 5th string capo. That is the same inlay I have on my Classic DLX. Reminds me of maple leaves Nice!
Majorbanjo - Posted - 11/27/2010: 10:10:11
dmiller.....wow!....I love that Nuvo.....very nice looking banjo.....got any pictures of the back?.....congrats!!!
dmiller - Posted - 11/27/2010: 18:38:28
quote:
Originally posted by Majorbanjo
dmiller.....wow!....I love that Nuvo.....very nice looking banjo.....got any pictures of the back?.....congrats!!!
Thanks for the comments everyone. It can't show up here at the house soon enough!
Majorbanjo - - - The photos above are from Tom's site. No pictures of the back of it,
with the exception of a pic of the back of the peghead. Here's that pic for you:
I'm guessing/ hoping that the resonator looks as pretty as the neck and peghead.
cframe - Posted - 11/27/2010: 19:03:28
As a banjo newbie, I can say I have never seen tuners like those. What are they?
Majorbanjo - Posted - 11/27/2010: 19:05:23
Beautiful......looks kind of funny with 5 tuners on the peg head......:-)....but beautiful none the less.....I'm sure the resonator looks likewise as beautiful.....
pick1936 - Posted - 11/28/2010: 17:06:38
It looks great, BUT I don't understand the Tail--Piece? Tom's regular Tail--Pieces are absolutely GREAT, Thick,, Heavy,, solid,, and Most of All (STABLE),, Once You are in tune You hardly ever have to touch it up.-----Wow.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Edited by - pick1936 on 11/30/2010 18:06:41
dmiller - Posted - 11/28/2010: 18:43:51
quote:
Originally posted by pick1936
It looks great, BUT I don't understand the Tail--Piece? Tom's regular Tail--Pieces are absolutely GREAT, Thick,, Heavy,, solid,, and Most of All (STABLE),, Once You are in tune You hardly ever have to touch it up.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey there Lee.
I mentioned this banjo over on
THE BANJO HOLLER as well.
Stanger made some poignant comments about the "zero fret" and the tailpiece as well.
Here's what he said (great learning for one and all from someone who knows whereof they speak)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Congrats! Looks like a great banjo!
The zero fret works in a couple of different ways- it sets the scale accurately, so the following frets are more accurately placed. If the leading edge of a nut is slightly out of proper place on a banjo without a zero fret, none of the other frets will be correctly placed.
A zero fret allows a nut slot in the peghead to be placed and cut less critically, as the nut only acts as a string holder. Zero frets have the strings resting on them, which makes for naturally lower action as well, and eliminates the possibility of string buzz from nuts string slots that are cut too deeply. Action changes only need to be done on the bridge end, as long as the nut isn't too high.
On long-neck banjos, which always have a capo on them, the zero fret also acts as a handy stash for the capo when the banjo is played open.
All the Selmer guitars- the jazz guitars Django played- have them, and the early Odes all had them. The idea is used commonly in Europe, where all the scale lengths were originally worked out, but they're an extra step in building, and never caught on widely here. That they're not more commonly seen is just a part of the American building traditions.
I really like that tailpiece! Similar ones were used on some banjos made in the US in the 20's, and many are seen on English made banjos. Gariepy used a similar design in the 60's, and I think Lane had one, too. The whole idea of pressure with no mass is why the original Presto is so popular, and this design takes the Presto a step further.
regards,
stanger"
pick1936 - Posted - 11/29/2010: 11:07:36
I just wonder if You put Kieth D tuners on all 5 strings, How could You Figure out how to use them, For a Tune.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
JamesTanglewylde - Posted - 11/29/2010: 13:31:07
I've been wondering about mahogany rims for a while now and can't seem to shake the desire to try one out on my Nechville. Has anyone here ever used a mahogany rim in a Nechville? And if so, what did you hear? Thanks!
Luke
CodeSmith - Posted - 11/29/2010: 17:15:57
Yes, an friend made up for me an experimental mahogany rim for my nextar several years back (prior to the cyclotronic system). The rim was deeper than the reg. nechville rim and was mated to an TN20. I seem to recall it produced a very deep, mellow darker tone with less bite. While I generally prefer my setups to have a rounder fuller note, it seem too much in that end of the spectrum. It didn't seem to quite work but that may have been more my lack of experience with setting up an Nechville. However your mileage with an mahogany rim may vary! let us know if you try.
One of these days I might try swapping it back in, now I have better feel/understanding of what to tweak to get the sound I like on my nechvile. Currently the nextar is setup with an cyclotronic rim, rosewood/tungsten bead ring. I like this combo a lot, has a more 'traditional' tone but is still uniquely nechvile. However, I miss kicikin in the turbo! Prior to the wood ring, it was powered by an awesome matching turbo module Tom made for me (also great for late nite practice through head phones!)
All the best,
Wayne
alprice - Posted - 12/01/2010: 07:12:29
We've made some mahogany rims for people. Give us a call if you want to order one. I can't say I've heard one in one of our banjos yet.
dmiller - Posted - 12/02/2010: 22:12:07
Had to take the "house van" into the shop today to get the electric wheelchair lift worked on, since it's "temperamental", and we don't tolerate that at our place of work. When we need it to work it had best work, and flawlessly at that. Anyhow, while I was there today at the shop waiting on the mechanic to make some adjustments to a switch in the van on the wheel-chair lift, I decided to call down to Minneapolis (Nechville), and see what was happening with my banjo that I bought a week ago.
Talked to a Dave Hill there, and he was (figuratively speaking) the picture of politeness over the phone. Once he heard my name, he knew the banjo I'd purchased and told me that it was still there and "being worked on with upgrades to it", but was soon to be sent out to me. When I heard they were "doing upgrades to it", I said something like "Oh. OK. Well, hmmmm. Don't cut any corners if you don't have to". He said - - - "Cutting corners is something we DON'T do here". I'm still not sure what they saw fit to "upgrade" there at the Nechville shop, but dang!
I bought it as a used Nuvo, but Tom and crew aren't going to let it out of their shop without it being in (their opinion) tip-top shape, and up to the specs they've set for both it and themselves. I'm impressed! The only detriment to this is - - - I have to wait a bit longer while they make it better! 
Majorbanjo - Posted - 12/03/2010: 11:49:28
I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!!!!........that is one beautiful banjo.....
pick1936 - Posted - 12/05/2010: 14:32:20
All of Tom's Banjo's Are Great, and (No Nut Turning)---Wow.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso.
Edited by - pick1936 on 01/26/2011 10:19:01
dmiller - Posted - 12/06/2010: 22:26:01
It arrived today, and it's here at the house. Good Lord - - - this banjo almost plays itself! It's that smooth! The radiused fingerboard gives an entirely new dimension to picking that I've not experienced before. I haven't been able to put this thing down since I got it 5 or 6 hours ago. The finish on the back of the neck and resonator is glossy (not the satin finish I prefer), but the left hand glides along the fingerboard and neck as if it were a speed neck. The tone and volume is incredible.
I had the banjo delivered to my workplace, since I'm there 5 days out of the week. Well - - - Sundays and Mondays I'm off of work, and wouldn't you know it - - - I got a call from work today (Monday) saying I had a big package waiting there for me. Knowing what "package" was waiting for me, I put my picks in my pocket and made a bee-line to the house that I work at. All the clients there were curious to see what was inside that "big box". I told them what it was, but they didn't believe me until I opened it and pulled the Nechville out of it's case.
The first tune I picked on it was Cripple Creek (that was the tune that first got me interested in banjo when I first heard Earl pick it), and then (for the benefit of the clients there at the house), I played "The Ballad of Jed Clampett". My boss at work there came over to look at the banjo and said: "OMG!! That's beautiful!", and then confessed that he thought I was crazy for spending what I did for "just a banjo", until he saw/ and heard the final product.
Will post detailed pictures later. Meanwhile, I need to pick! 
Edited by - dmiller on 12/13/2010 22:16:07
budbennett - Posted - 12/07/2010: 05:36:10
congratulations david and welcome to the nechville family!
Guy - Posted - 12/07/2010: 11:42:23
Wow David
You got a beauty there and a bit of Nechville history to boot. I love my Nextar to bits but I can't resist being just a teensy weensy bit envious.
Enjoy!
Guy
Majorbanjo - Posted - 12/07/2010: 12:25:51
thanks for the report.....that's one smokin hot banjo for sure......
the-fish - Posted - 12/07/2010: 12:27:43
Im still not sure what to say about that banjo! :-)
alprice - Posted - 12/07/2010: 20:57:50
David, congratulations. Its great to see that banjo is in good hands. Its a player, all right.
Al
quote:
Originally posted by dmiller
It arrived today, and it's here at the house. Good Lord - - - this banjo almost plays itself! It's that smooth! The radiused fingerboard gives an entirely new dimension to picking that I've not experienced before. I haven't been able to put this thing down since I got it 5 or 6 hours ago. The finish on the back of the neck and resonator is glossy (not the satin finish I prefer), but the left hand glides along the fingerboard and neck as if it were a speed neck. The tone and volume is incredible.
I had the banjo delivered to my workplace, since I'm there 5 days out of the week. Well - - - Sundays and Mondays I'm off of work, and wouldn't you know it - - - I got a call from work today (Monday) saying I had a big package waiting there for me. Knowing what "package" was waiting for me, I put my picks in my pocket and made a bee-line to the house that I work at. All the clients there were curious to see what was inside that "big box". I told them what it was, but they didn't believe me until I opened it and pulled the Nechville out of it's case.
The first tune I picked on it was Cripple Creek (that was the tune that first got me interested in banjo when I first heard Earl pick it), and then (for the benefit of the clients there at the house), I played "The Ballad of Jed Clampett". My boss at work there came over to look at the banjo and said: "OMG!! That's beautiful!", and then confessed that he thought I was crazy for spending what I did for "just a banjo", until he saw/ and heard the final product.
Will post detailed pictures later. Meanwhile, I need to pick!
dmiller - Posted - 12/08/2010: 00:33:02
I've got a topic going on over on the Banjo Holler about this banjo.
banjoholler.org/forum/index.ph...ic=2534.0
I was asked for a comparison to my other banjos. Here's what I said:
quote:
rob_jenny on Yesterday at 10:08:44 PM
I been waiting for an update on the nechville, please give us your impressions and findings,
how do you find/compare the tone? I am very interested
thanks
[i]"I'll do that rob-jenny. The initial "observations" I can give are these:
I've got 3 banjos now. My first one a 1962 Gibson RB-250/
second one a 1974 GTR (250 Masterclone)/ and now the Nechville.
The 62 Gibson has a "thunkier" tone to it than the others, but with plenty of volume.
It's got the sound I usually associate with Gibsons. Good tone/ quick note decay/ etc.
The neck on it isn't original, and is super thin. Easy to pick, but the notes aren't always "true" up the neck.
I'm thinking it could use a set up by someone who knows what they are doing.
The 74 GTR has more of a "Stelling sound". Little (if any) decay to the notes at all.
Rings like a bell, but that's probably because the rim cracked about 5 years ago,
and I removed 4 or so of the laminations. It's now a 3-ply rim and the high notes are great.
Both the Gibson and the GTR have AMB heads and Cryogenic strings on them (11/ 13/ 15/ 24w/ 12).
Both of those banjos also have the Fults tailpiece. Gibson has the 34 parallel/ GTR has the 34.
The AMB heads and strings (along with the Fults tailpieces) TRUELY enhanced both banjos.
With the addition of the strings/ heads/ and tailpieces, both banjo's tone and sound improved DRAMATICALLY.
Now - - - on to the Nechville. I can't use any of the "spare parts" I have here at the house on it.
It's so radical, nothing I have here will fit or work on it. I thought about trying a different bridge on it.
I slid one of my best old ones (handmade in Kansas City, Mo) under the strings, and they were way too high.
I looked at the tailpiece, to see if a Fults would work on it. It won't.
The Fults tailpieces clamp on to the tension hooks, and the Nechville has no tension hooks.
So - - - I'm stuck with a banjo that I can't "tinker" on like I've done to all my others in the past.
But - - - the good news (to me) is that I don't have to. What's installed on this banjo works - - flawlessly.
The tone and volume of the Nechville is great. The notes don't "decay" as well as the Gibson,
nor do they "ring out" as long as the GTR. They seem to "hang in there " long enough each and every time.
The Nechville notes "true" way up the neck, and the radiused fingerboard facilitates ease of getting there.
At my age, I doubt I'll ever be in position to buy another banjo, but if I did I'd definitely go for a radiused.
My fingers don't move as fast or as dexterously as they did in my youth, so the radiused fretboard is a real gift!
I find I can actually do some of the licks that I used to be able pull off easily, 30 years ago.
I'm also REALLY loving the sliding capo with it's built in rail all the way up the neck.
This thing has a main capo, and a fifth string capo that operate on a rail, built into the side of the neck.
I was picking along with a song being played tonight on the
BLUEGRASS MIX.
The song was in G, and then the band switched to A right there in the middle of the song.
It took me all of two seconds to get the capo in position, and keep on picking.
I'll be taking some up close pictures of this banjo soon, so stay tuned.
Edited by - dmiller on 12/08/2010 08:25:22
pick1936 - Posted - 12/09/2010: 00:05:30
Hey Dave, with that Nechville You don't have to tinker, Or Be a Nut Turner, But You can Change Heads,, Tone Rings,, Or Adjust The neck angle for different action, and do it all fast and Eazy, or You can just pick the fire out of it. It looks real good. I'd bet Your bridge from K.C. Mo. is a Bob George bridge, and if The strings are to high, Change the action in just minuets It will take any bridge..
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Edited by - pick1936 on 12/09/2010 00:11:07
dmiller - Posted - 12/09/2010: 00:18:24
Yep. The bridge from KC Mo is a George bridge. One of the best I've ever used!
pick1936 - Posted - 12/10/2010: 14:50:17
yes david Great bridges, Bob Passed away, But I still meet pickers with one of His bridges, I had one on a 1976 RB 250, traded off the banjo, and I forgot to Change the bridge, I would really lke to find a Bob George bridge for sale. Maybe some day. If anone has one for sale Let Me know,, THANKS.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Edited by - pick1936 on 12/12/2010 05:41:11
Mudpie - Posted - 12/12/2010: 08:34:47
I love your banjos, I just can't afford 'em. It would be nice if you could offer a model for $1000.00 or a little less. If I had the money, one of your banjos would be very high on my list, though. They sound wonderful.
pick1936 - Posted - 12/13/2010: 12:34:46
You no what,, a Good Neck builder would charge Over a Thousand Just for the Neck. With a Nechville You get way more Than Your Money's worth, My 2004 Classic Deluxe with Wood Tone Ring will Be My Last banjo, Unless I buy another Nechville??--- Just like the old Buick add---Ask The Man Who Owns One.. Man I just take this Beauty out, after weeks sittin in case. It's still In Tune, action always perfect, with any height bridge, Run My hand up and down the wonderfully Smooth,, Compound Radised, neck,, The nice big frets. Pick some (Home Sweet Home) a little (John Hardy). If You could Just play one for 3 or 4 Hr's You would Buy One. Just GREAT Banjo.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Edited by - pick1936 on 12/13/2010 12:45:38
dmiller - Posted - 12/13/2010: 23:21:48
Every job needs a "supervisor". Here's Mittens (the group home pet cat) making sure I get the photos right!
Mudpie - Posted - 12/14/2010: 18:30:35
That banjo is absolutely gorgeous, dmiller.
pick1936 - Posted - 12/15/2010: 14:20:29
quote:
Originally posted by pick1936
You no what,, a Good Neck builder would charge Over a Thousand Just for the Neck. With a Nechville You get way more Than Your Money's worth, My 2004 Classic Deluxe with Wood Tone Ring will Be My Last banjo, Unless I buy another Nechville??--- Just like the old Buick add---Ask The Man Who Owns One.. Man I just take this Beauty out, after weeks sittin in case. It's still In Tune, action always perfect, with any height bridge, Run My hand up and down the wonderfully Smooth,, Compound Radised, neck,, The nice big frets. Pick some (Home Sweet Home) a little (John Hardy). If You could Just play one for 3 or 4 Hr's You would Buy One. Just GREAT Banjo.---Wow.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
pick1936 - Posted - 12/16/2010: 14:42:59
quote:
Originally posted by pick1936
I finally got to pick My great (Athenafied) Classic Deluxe for about an hour today. Man it is so nice. I have this young family at Church, Three Girls, One is learning Mandolin, One Fiddle, One Guitar. They want to pick with Me and My banjo, some Old Hymn at Church, BUT I have to get with them a couple of times and practice. I'm Thinking Precious Memories,, Or Just a Closer Walk With Thee, have to find out whats good for them. It's great seeing a family band coming together. Settin Flat On Ready. Great..
Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee kelso.
pick1936 - Posted - 12/19/2010: 13:06:17
I finely feel good enough to pick My fantastic Classic Deluxe, with Wood Tone Ring, after sitting under the bed For almost a month, It was in Tune, How many banjo's can do that, I think it is because of The Massive and Super Stable Tail Piece.. This 7 Lb Nechville is just just GREAT..
This Morning I picked Silent Night, And Joy to the World In Open Neck Key C.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
lee Kelso.
jbanjoist - Posted - 12/19/2010: 21:44:21
Hey Lee. Glad you are feeling good enough to play that nice Nechville of yours.
I played The First Noel in D, regular G tuning on my Vintage for the church play tonight.
Works out nice especially with some minor chords thrown in for variety.
Hope you keep feeling better and keep picking that Nechville.
pick1936 - Posted - 12/21/2010: 11:23:22
yes I'm feeling some better now, still not getting out of the house. I tightened My head last night, untill I started loosing some bass, Then loosened it up just a little, sounding good. I did all this, and practiced 8 tunes. Then went to bed. That was all done in 45 Min.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
dmiller - Posted - 12/21/2010: 17:53:52
Good to hear you're feeling better Lee.
I've been experimenting with the Nuvo. It'a amazing how you can go from BRIGHT sound to SUBDUED sound.
And - - - all in a matter of just a few minutes! Nechville's banjos are one amazing instrument for sure!
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