briln - Posted - 09/03/2011:  16:14:51

Since this Forum is titled, "What do you think about Nechville?" I will comment based on receiving my new Custom Walnut Galaxy Phantom yesterday. It was custom because I requested a bound head to match the curly maple binding on the neck and resonator, Coco-bronze powder sprayed heli-mount / resonator bolts and tailpiece, gold turners, coco tone ring with 1/2 delrin and 1/2 ceramic tone spheres and a slimmed down neck, just for me.



I think the craftmanship is excellent I would rate it at about 99 out of 100. The design and execution is great and for the Phantom is is a melding of the traditional with the modern. I think it belongs in MOMA (Museum of Modern Art).



The heli-mount is an incredible innovation. When I got the instrument I thought it lacked just a little punch. I tightened up the head in less than 5 minutes (most of the time was spent removing and putting back the resonator bolts), perfect. The heli-mount is the greatest development for the banjo. It now has some punch with a beautiful 4th string that I can feel vibrating through the fingerboard. And yet it has that mellow tone without that harsh shrill that banjos all too often have. Kind of even gives me a headache and I love Banjo music.



My training is in science and engineering. Scientist love reproducible results in their experiments. The heli-mount allows quick perfect tensioning. Sure the hooks and nuts work but not like a hel-mount. It is interesting how people normally embrace technology, which is an obvious improvement, except for so many banjo players. It is clearly the banjo design of the future. I doubt I would ever get a non heli-mount banjo except for nostalgia sake.



The Galaxy inlay against the coco bolo fingerboard really is out of this world. Since my hand are pretty small and I was concerned about the extra width of the normal Phantom, I had Tom make the fretboard slimmer for me (he told me it was overall about 1/8 inch thinner and it really seems to makes a difference. It is easier to play than my other banjos and I can fret the 5th string much better. I think it's because the radius brings it down just a bit.



My overall experience working with Tom was a 10 out of 10. I know that I can try the patience of most people since I can get a bit anal about these things. whenever I contacted Tom with a new change or question he was always patient and complete. His main goal is to make your perfect banjo. When I called him asking about whether I could get the reunion blue gig bag instead of another hardshell case, he was receptive and made it happen. I don't think no or I can't do it is in his vocabulary. It is a true collaborative effort.



Thanks Tom, to you and all your skilled luthiers.







 

Edited by - briln on 09/03/2011 16:18:01

j2wood - Posted - 09/03/2011:  17:37:06

Beautiful banjo briln and great work by Nechville! Now I really can't wait for my new Orion to show up.

pick1936 - Posted - 09/08/2011:  21:05:36

 I  have  been  neckin  on  the  on  My  great  Timbr--Tronic.   Classic  Deluxe.   Working  on  a  new  up  the  neck  break  for   (Gold  Rush). and  By  the  way  has  anyone  heard  the  gret  (Noah  Crase)   His  instrumental  (Ambush)  It's   fantastic.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 09/10/2011:  20:41:48

Man  My  Nechville  is  really   sounding  better   every  day. The  head  is  settling  more  into  the  wood  ring.  I  have  it  dialed  in  real  good.   The  volume  and  tone is  right  there  up, and  down  the   neck. for  people  who  have  never  tried   Nechville's  should  check  them  out.  They  are   GREAT.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

jbanjoist - Posted - 09/10/2011:  21:22:08

Lee I'll be picking my Vintage tomorrow night at church. We'll have a great time.

pick1936 - Posted - 09/12/2011:  21:02:50

O.K  J,  It  sure  is  good  to  see  You  are  pickin  for  the  Lord.  Keep  it  up.  I  do  all  I  can  also.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville. 

Lee  Kelso.

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/13/2011:  14:45:27

Eagerly awaiting a Maple Phantom as the weather turns.... By the holidays I may know if I want to play with the spheres/ring and how.

pick1936 - Posted - 09/13/2011:  21:17:45

Hi  Marla,  If  You  choose  either  the  bronze  ring  or  the  wood.  You  can't   go wrong.  as  for  the  spheres. Steel--Delrin--or  Ceramic.  They  will  al  sound  good.  the  main  big  thing  is  the  cyclotonics  part.  I  wouldn't  want  to  go  without it.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/14/2011:  09:56:10

Thanks, Lee!  I'm looking forward to having the options.  These are not inexpensive instruments, but between quality and ability to customize and tweak fast, they are pretty special.   And I respect the invention and craft that goes into these, and that isn't free.

Choosing one is tough, though.  I love the Phantom neck and head, but liked the Timber Tronic sound in Saturns... and then I got to play an Atlas at Elderly Instruments - absolutely gorgeous sound.  To me, the most beautiful open back banjo "voice" I've ever heard.  But it wouldn't be responsible to buy TWO new Nechvilles at once (they don't pay me that much) so I wanted to have the Helimount system and ability to customize first.  Maybe an Atlas later, now that I'm totally spoiled for other open backs by hearing that incredible, rich sound in person...

Tinfoot - Posted - 09/14/2011:  10:27:12

I am with you on the Atlas. First time I laid eyes on it, I got all tingly all over. It had a presence all its own (I think its the first time I have ever felt that way towards an instrument lulz). Gonna take me awhile tho to save up. eheheh

briln - Posted - 09/14/2011:  10:27:24

I got my Phantom with the Timbertronic (cocobolo ring/delrin and ceramic tone spheres). Seems to be pretty perfect.

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/14/2011:  10:51:41

I love the Timbertronic sound, but could not buy one with it, without the Phantom neck/head.  So we shall see - maybe I'll love the metal tone ring too?

dpete210 - Posted - 09/14/2011:  14:56:32

StraitsBlueGal, since the cyclotronic system is standard in the Phantom, I am pretty sure you can have a wooden ring made that you can interchange.  Metal when you like, wood when you like.    It is easy to interchange between the two.  I do it with my Nechville Classic.  There is an advantage to being a Nechville owner/customer, so talk to Tom Nechville if you would like to have the wooden tone ring option.  

Edited by - dpete210 on 09/14/2011 14:57:05

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/14/2011:  15:01:48

Dave - you are correct.  With the cyclotronic system I can call Nechville for ring and sphere options.  Al Price has been very helpful already in letting me know how to do that after I've received and played the Phantom for a while and am ready to experiment.  Dave at Turtle Hill has also offered to walk me through setup and change issues and how-tos (very much appreciated as well).

dmiller - Posted - 09/14/2011:  21:45:49

Al is one heck-uva-sales-guy.  When Nechville re-did their website, I found "The Attic" and saw the Nuvo (used) for sale that I now have.  I gave a call to one of the two phone numbers mentioned, and got Al on the other end of the line.  We talked about the banjo in question and he answered all my questions.  Long story short - - the price of the banjo (even used) was still too much for me to pay.  I thanked Al for his time and he said (with a smile in his voice) - - "Hey.  that's what we're here for!".  Then we both hung up.

About one week later, I got a phone call from Al to let me know that the Nuvo I'd been asking about had just been reduced in price by over a thousand bucks.  He wondered if I might still be interested in it and then (I'll NEVER forget this) - - he said "I told Tom he was NUTS to even think about reducing the price on this banjo!   As a salesman I think we should get top dollar for the instrument, but Tom said to lower the price so that's what's happened.  Are you still interested?"

Given the new asking price, the Nuvo was now within my $$$ range.|

Had Al not been "on-the-job" and perceptive of potential customers - - -

I wouldn't have my  Nechville Nuvo today, almost a year later than I got it.

Sometimes I think others know what you "need" better than we do for ourselves. 

 

alprice - Posted - 09/16/2011:  11:03:55

Thanks, Dave. I remember that conversation well. You got a great deal by visiting the Attic page in the first place. Some cool stuff is up there right now and more to be posted in the next few days. You heard it here first...

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/16/2011:  12:39:09

The Attic makes me curious - how did the Erhu get there, for instance? Some items are more predictable than others.

alprice - Posted - 09/16/2011:  20:11:50

I surely don't know, Marla. Tom Nechville is a complicated man. And no one understands him but his woman.

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/17/2011:  11:01:35

I was actually considering buying an erhu on Ebay last year (I studied Chinese once).  That would probably be the last straw to husband and cat.  Anyway, what tuning do you use?

Orion J - Posted - 09/17/2011:  14:55:04

My new Nechville Orion just arrived!!!

alprice - Posted - 09/17/2011:  17:19:23

Congratulations!

alprice - Posted - 09/17/2011:  17:21:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by StraitsBlueGal

I was actually considering buying an erhu on Ebay last year (I studied Chinese once).  That would probably be the last straw to husband and cat.  Anyway, what tuning do you use?

---

A Google search says usually D&A.   

Orion J - Posted - 09/17/2011:  18:48:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by alprice

Congratulations!

---

Thanks Al!  Is there a way you can you tell me when the Orion model was introduced?  I'm 15 and wonder which came first, me or my banjo?  :) 

dmiller - Posted - 09/17/2011:  22:03:01

Wow - - - Congrats to all the new Nechville owners!!  Here's hoping you have your "chores done" around the house, because you (surely) aren't going to get any of them done with a new "toy" like that just begging to be in your lap and being picked on!  

dmiller - Posted - 09/17/2011:  22:20:25

Hey Orion - - congrats on the banjo.  You're going to love it.    While it would be nice to know how old that banjo of yours is, in the end it really doesn't matter unless it's from a "historical" point of view.  What really matters is how it sounds to you, and how well you like having it.  I've got three banjos and I'm older than all of them - - but that's O.K. to me, since I think they all sound mighty fine.  Maybe Tom N. can tell you when yours was made, and then that question can be laid to rest, eh?  

One thing I have to say is - - - I wish I had an instrument as good as the one you have, 

when I was 15.  You are one lucky person.  Make the most of it.  

Orion J - Posted - 09/18/2011:  08:41:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by dmiller

Hey Orion - - congrats on the banjo.  You're going to love it.    While it would be nice to know how old that banjo of yours is, in the end it really doesn't matter unless it's from a "historical" point of view.  What really matters is how it sounds to you, and how well you like having it.  I've got three banjos and I'm older than all of them - - but that's O.K. to me, since I think they all sound mighty fine.  Maybe Tom N. can tell you when yours was made, and then that question can be laid to rest, eh?  

One thing I have to say is - - - I wish I had an instrument as good as the one you have, 

when I was 15.  You are one lucky person.  Make the most of it.  

 

---

Thanks dmiller.  I hope to be playing it a lot.  I am asking for more of a historical perspective of the model Orion simply for namesake to see if the Orion name has been around longer that I.  My banjo is actually brand new sounds great.  It is a lot different than my other one.  I like the radiused neck.

alprice - Posted - 09/18/2011:  11:05:51

The Orion model was introduced a couple of years ago, about the same time as Saturn and Zeus, and just after the Athena.  

Al  

quote:

---

Originally posted by Orion J

quote:

---

Originally posted by alprice

Congratulations!

---

Thanks Al!  Is there a way you can you tell me when the Orion model was introduced?  I'm 15 and wonder which came first, me or my banjo?  :) 

---

pick1936 - Posted - 09/22/2011:  22:58:23

My great  Nechville  is  kinda  like  a  Christian,  or  a  republican. it   likes  to  be   picked  on.   just  great.

Nechville.  In   Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 09/24/2011:  15:22:45

I  am   sorry  I  used  those  two  terrible  words    But  Nechville,s   really  love  to  be  picked, and  I  love  to pick  them.   (Roll  ON Buddy  don,t  You  Roll  So  Slow,, I  owe  My  Soul  To The  Co.  Store)

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee   Kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 09/26/2011:  12:36:12

I  think  that  many  do  not understand  the  beauty   of Nechville  banjo,s.     You  can  completely  remove  the  neck,  without  taking  the  strings  off.  In  about   3 min.    You  can  take  the  banjo  apart  put  on  new  head,  and  Tone  ring. and  put  it  back  together  and  be  picken  in  as  little  as  10  Min.  15  min.  tops.  You  can  change  neck  action  and  adjust  for any  height  bridge   in  around  10  min.   to  doe  this  with other  banjo,s  can  take  up  to  3,  or 4  days,  and  still  be  off.   Plus   when  You  screw  it  tight  the  head  will  have  even  tension  all  way  around. 

Nechville. In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

dmiller - Posted - 09/26/2011:  12:53:48

You're right Lee.    For whatever reason (when picking on the Nuvo last night), it sounded kind of "dull".  Took off the resonator/ got out the two wrenches/ tightened the head (it took about 30 seconds)/ put the resonator back on/ and next thing ya know - - the banjo was sounding "bright" again.

The same thing happened to my GTR banjo about a week ago.  The head was loose on it too.  Maybe there's something here "in the air" that causes my banjo heads to lose their tension?  I don't know.  Anyway - - I tightened up the head on the GTR.  It literally took me almost a half an hour to do the same thing on the GTR (given the 24 nuts and hooks) that I was able to do on the Nechville within one minute.

I still love my GTR (it's a really kick A** banjo), but it surely isn't as easy to adjust!   

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/26/2011:  13:14:28

Got a maple Phantom at home, just waiting to be taken out of its case for its very first practice session tonight....

pick1936 - Posted - 09/28/2011:  21:41:25

Marla,  I  bet  Your  liking  that  phantom?   If  You  have  only  half  as  much  fun  with  it,  as  I  have  had   with  My  Timbr--Tronic  Classic  Deluxe.     Pick  It  Girl.

Nechville. In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 09/29/2011:  14:15:13

I'm loving it, Lee - and it is lighter in weight and tone than I expected from a metal ring.  Gotta get home tonight, make sure the string I changed on it is holding (my first wrap, crimp and tighten job) and play for a while.  It's a thing of beauty.

pick1936 - Posted - 10/01/2011:  20:34:44

I  took  Mine  to  festival  at  Clinton  MO.  Friday.  showed  it  to  3   pro  banjo  pickers  in  established  bands.  They  all  liked  it  very  much.  none  had  seen  on  before,  NOR  even  heard  of  Nechville  banjo,s   They  will  catch  on  when  finally  more  pickers  become  aware    of  them.   Guys  and  Gals.  Mine  is  sounding  better  everyday.  GREAT.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

Debbiej - Posted - 10/02/2011:  05:58:50

Hey Lee,

How long have you had your nechville? I've had mine almost a year and I find I'm playing it the most out of my banjos that I have.

Debbie

pick1936 - Posted - 10/02/2011:  22:02:54

Hi  Debbie,   I  have had  mine  for  3 &1/2   years.   about  a  Year with  the  bronze  ring, The  rest  of the  time  have  been  witth  the  cocobolo  wood tone  ring.   7  lbs.   I  play it  when  I  pick  with others.   I  do  practice  some  at  home  with  a  Good  time  with  steel  tone  ring. But  when  I  really  want  to  get  serious It,s  the  Nechville.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

yumagah - Posted - 10/03/2011:  17:39:31

I got to play Nechville's for the first time today, a Phantom and a Zeus. My reaction was surprise at how different they look and sound from the typical Mastertone-style banjo. I don't mean that as negative - they seem like high quality instruments all the way. I could see how somebody would like that sound they have more than a Mastertone. But frankly it was too different for me. I wouldn't consider a Nechville except as an "alternative" banjo.
It's hard to describe the difference in sound: kind of loud and metallic, but not like a cheap aluminum banjo. Both of them seemed to be set up properly and both models had the distinctive sound. I'm not a bluegrass purist by any means.

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 10/03/2011:  17:47:31

Well, isn't "loud and metallic" the resonator banjo target zone?  "Loud" sure is!

ETA - do you know what kind of tone ring the Phantom had?  I think that the Zeus is a wooden ring, so you might have gotten the same sound "feel" from Nechvilles regardless of tone ring?

Edited by - StraitsBlueGal on 10/03/2011 17:48:51

yumagah - Posted - 10/04/2011:  07:56:06

It's hard to describe different banjo sounds in words. The Nechvilles I played did not have the low end I would expect on a traditional Mastertone, but they did have a quality sound. I'd call it loud and "clangy" but that sounds bad. It sort of reminded me of an electric guitar's sound compared to an acoustic.

briln - Posted - 10/04/2011:  08:04:40

Wow. I have a Stelling Sunflower(1983 original), 2005 Deering 25th Anniversary (Jens Kruger ring) and a 2011 Nechville Walnut Phantom with Tibertron/Cocobolo ring and ceramic/delrin tone spheres).

I would describe the Nechvile as very even/smooth. The 4th string vibrates right through the neck and has great response(growl) without being harsh. The higher tones are great without being shrill.

I guess we all have different ears/sensibilities.

dpete210 - Posted - 10/04/2011:  09:51:12

yumagah,  one of the things I learned through set up experimentation that influences the sound of my Nechville was what a difference a tighter head can make.  Also how different the banjo can sound with different heads, for example a Remo versus a renaissance or 5 star.  A tighter head made a world of difference in the 4th string voice on my banjo.  Your post doesn't indicate how the banjos  you played were set up.  Not to say they were set up wrong, but the way they were set up would influence your  impression.  Take a listen to the Nechville on this video found on this thread:banjohangout.org/topic/217161         

I wonder how the ones you played sound compare to the one in the video.  

The Nechville, properly set up, will produce a beautiful sound, but if a person is looking to get the Mastertone sound from it, then it is my opinion a good way to do that would be to put a Nechville neck onto a Mastertone pot.         My Nechville Classic is different from my RB 250 and from my Deering banjos.  And each has its distinct sound that separates it from the other.  

It was good you got to try out a couple of Nechvilles, but before you make a final judgment or totally rule out ever buying one, maybe talk with the person responsible for setting up the banjos where you played them to see how they were set up, or when they were last tweaked to keep them sounding their best.    However, in the end, it really does come down to the fact that our ears are the best judge of what sound they prefer.     Best wishes in your banjo journey!

budbennett - Posted - 10/04/2011:  11:25:28

one of the reasons i love my nechville so much is BECAUSE it doesn't sound like a gibson or other typical bluegrass banjo.  i have a stealth that sounds pretty "standard", two stellings that sound like stellings and a nechville that sounds like a nechville.  variety is the spice of life in my book.

pick1936 - Posted - 10/05/2011:  09:10:10

Bud  You  are  right  On.   If  You   get  a  Nechville  thats  what You  have.  I  like  My   Timber--Tronic  Classic  Deluxe  very  much.  I  can  get   real  close  to  any  style  or  sound  I  want.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville

Lee  Kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 10/08/2011:  09:54:17

I  am  having  a  Family   pickin  today.  My  brother  picks  guitar, and  Dobro..  Should  have  a  great  day.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

DerekWest - Posted - 10/11/2011:  11:23:30

I've been playing my new Phantom for three weeks now... My initial impressions were "wow what great tone!" ... but as I've played more and more I find that it's the most comfortable banjo I've ever played. The ease of setup, comfort of the armrest and radiused neck, and tone make a win-all instrument for me.

pick1936 - Posted - 10/13/2011:  13:19:03

I  have been  neckin  on  My  Nechville  today.   It  just  plays so  easy,  and sounds  so  good.  just   (Sitten  Flat  On  Ready).   and  rollin  on.

Nechville. In   Higginsville,

Lee  Kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 10/16/2011:  12:49:29

Pickin  on  The  Classic  today.   Sooo   Great.

Nechville. In Higginsville

Lee  Kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 10/18/2011:  22:46:08

Bump   Timbr-- Tronic   Coco,  Great.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso