dmiller - Posted - 11/25/2012:  13:00:21

quote:

Originally posted by alprice

Edited by - dmiller on 11/25/2012 13:02:11

Denton - Posted - 11/27/2012:  22:05:54

I like my Moonglow. Jammed tonight and songs just played themselves.



 

Edited by - Denton on 11/27/2012 22:11:23

dmiller - Posted - 11/27/2012:  22:49:11

I took the Necvil to a jam quite a few months back, and there was immediate interest from the pickers there in it.  Kind of on the lines of "Hey! A banjo we haven't seen!"  After hearing it, the other (male) banjo pickers wanted to give it a try.  No problem with me - - I handed it over to them and picked up the fiddle and the other pickers and I backed them up when they did the tunes of their choice.

Ironically - - there was a lady banjo picker there with an RB-250 who looked a little "miffed" at the interest in the Necvil.  When the Necvil was handed back to me, I asked if she'd like to pick on it also.  She just smiled, shook her head and said something to the effect of "No, that's OK.  I've got my own banjo here. this one's good enough for me".



Shucks - - I wasn't trying to sell it or anything.  Just offering it up for perusal.

An offer to pick on it and give the thing a try.  Experience something new.

I got turned down faster than a geek trying to get a date with a sorority queen.

I have never been able to understand women.  Guess I never will either.

 

Guy - Posted - 11/28/2012:  04:45:45

Maybe if you'd had a nice Athena with Tom's Turquoise inlay, or you could have offered her some chocolate... 

Andyincov - Posted - 11/28/2012:  05:26:32

I played all the one's he brought along with him to the Didmarton bluegrass festival in the UK.  Some of them blew me away - others didn't have a sound that I particularly liked but were great as well.

The thing that most impressed me were the ones with wooden tonerings

pick1936 - Posted - 11/29/2012:  07:10:54

I  think  woman   are  hard  to  understand.  How  She  could  resist  to  try  something  new,  gets  Me.  

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

Guy - Posted - 11/29/2012:  11:57:31

Hi Andy, as many others on this thread will testify, Tom's banjos are a doddle to set up and you can get pretty much any sound you want out of them.

If you ever fancy like having another go, I'm not far away and it would be great to see you.

All the best

Guy

Bastertone - Posted - 11/30/2012:  06:01:28

Gibsonitis can be cured with just one good dose of Nechville!

Tedd - Posted - 11/30/2012:  15:28:16

Pretty sure I know dmiller's RB250 lady..she actually has 2 identical 70's RB 250's.  She's never accepted trying my Phantom either....nor would she let me touch her banjos, neither of which are set up well.  One thing I'll say is...she can pick Earl well, but she's just not into new-fangled banjo picking or banjos.

Denton - Posted - 11/30/2012:  16:45:15

sort of like car heads, Chevy verses Ford and Dodge.
I showed off my Nechville to Jim Steilberg of Steilberg Stringed Instruments in Louisville KY today and a Famous Picker was there. A banjo Geek as Jim said. He picked on it and I had to Literally PRY Moonglow away from him. He has a 1920's Gibson archtop, among others, and he had a good story about his early Gibson collectable. He Loves Moonglow. He picked Huckleberry Hornpipe, a Turtles tune and some off the wall stuff, and some obscure things. He Knew Courtney Johnston and a host of others from the past. I was very impressed by the sounds he got form the Nechville. So was he. He "Shimmered" as he called it playing fiddle tunes. We are going to jam soon.
I also showed my new Moonglow to Jim Smoak tonight. He picked on it. He had brought an open back with a Wyte Lady tone ring that he built. I recorded some things he played on Moonglow. He is VERY impressed with Tom's creation. Jim likes the Moonshine banner, so he started picking Mountain Dew. LOL He also picked the Entertainer, Jingle bells...
p.s. Moonglow says Moonshine on the banner. Maybe Moonglow on the next one?

dmiller - Posted - 11/30/2012:  23:00:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tedd



Pretty sure I know dmiller's RB250 lady..she actually has 2 identical 70's RB 250's.  She's never accepted trying my Phantom either....nor would she let me touch her banjos, neither of which are set up well.  One thing I'll say is...she can pick Earl well, but she's just not into new-fangled banjo picking or banjos. 

---

Yup, yup, and yup.  You nailed it.  And she does Scruggs stuff better than I do.

At that same jam place (many years ago when Mark N. was still alive), was the first time I actually saw and had a chance to pick on a Nechville.  Mark brought his Phantom with him to the jam and I thought "what the heck is THAT" when I first saw the peghead.  I made some comment about "Your Gibson isn't good enough"?  He smiled and said "Well - - you can't have too many banjos!"  He passed it on over to me to try out, and even though I couldn't get used to those five tuners on the peghead back then, the neck was unbelievably smooth and so easy to play any tune I could think of. I was mightily impressed.

I've gotten even more impressed with the Nechville banjo over the years.

Now that I have one of my own, it's hard to imagine why I didn't get one sooner.

If given the chance - - everyone should try one and decide for themselves.

 

Denton - Posted - 12/04/2012:  04:29:35

I'm sittin' here frailing "900 Miles" that Smoak taught me the other night. He never wrote it down before but has recorded it once. Nice lonely sound coming form this Nechville. I am throwing in some double finger frailing that I made up and some drop thumb for kicks. I had to raise the action a bit to accommodate hard string striking. I was getting a slight buzz on the fourth string and the third when tuned to f#. This was the first time I fiddled with an adjustment since I received it. Not hard at all. Tom had set the action up nice and low for picking, which worked fine until I started hammering on it.
This banjo unleashes creativity. The Excelsior frame without resonator has that nice curved profile that sits in my lap very comfortably. Light weight and a radiused fingerboard makes the hours drift on by. My wife doesn't even complain when I am working on a tune. She really digs it.

Denton - Posted - 12/05/2012:  05:10:12

Jammed last night for a couple hours with my neighbor. I played the Moonglow with resonator off. My friend played an acoustic guitar and the volume levels were equal between the two when we were picking hard or medium.

bjango53 - Posted - 12/08/2012:  04:20:31

Any thoughts or experience of the black suede heads on the Midnight Phantom compared to a frosted , sound wise ? 

Edited by - bjango53 on 12/08/2012 04:23:15

pick1936 - Posted - 12/08/2012:  09:49:18

man  You  guys  are  sure  having  lots  of  fun,  But  with  a  Nechville..  It's  all  fun.   Just  Great.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

gnatman - Posted - 12/08/2012:  10:16:22

I have the black head on my midnight phantom, it looks great, and honestly I can't tell a sound difference. I only get complimented on the sound of my Nechville, never heard any complaints.

somarmd - Posted - 12/08/2012:  14:30:09

So I received my new wood tone ring with Titanium hoop and replace my brass tone ring. I love it even more. To me the sound is still bright, may need to tweak a little more, not sure yet. I really cant tell much of a difference and less weight is a definite plus!

I took some pictures along the way (in my album) for anyone interested in seeing process.

Love my Nechville....:)

bjango53 - Posted - 12/08/2012:  15:44:34

Thank's gnatman 

Beardog - Posted - 12/08/2012:  19:30:18

Hey Al and Tom.

I had a walnut Galaxy Phantom that I sold in a moment of weakness a couple of years ago.

I almost bought an XXV anniversary model last year, but spent the money on a 1937 TB-11, instead.

Now I've got the itch for another Phantom. I love the totally different look of the XXV's, but I understand that the XXV's are all sold. Is there a chance that you will have an XXV "clone" at SPBGMA next month? I saw one on Acoustic Vibes' website, but I really want to try one before buying.

Denton - Posted - 12/09/2012:  10:23:29

Try an Excelsior

Debbiej - Posted - 12/09/2012:  12:04:57

I changed the 20 whole tone ring out of my nechville a week ago and put in my new titanium hoop wood nechville ring. I changed the head from the renaissance to a remo frosted head and it was great. I just received my bull frog compensated radius bridge, that I ordered off the hangout, and popped it in my banjo yesterday. I have to say the banjo is sounding great! Now I have a lightweight banjo that pops for bluegrass. These nechvilles are so easy to change around and have such a variety of tones.

I was wondering if nechville ever tried making brass tone spheres to use on the banjos?

happy in nechville land,

Debbie

alprice - Posted - 12/09/2012:  20:37:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Beardog

Hey Al and Tom.

I had a walnut Galaxy Phantom that I sold in a moment of weakness a couple of years ago.

I almost bought an XXV anniversary model last year, but spent the money on a 1937 TB-11, instead.

Now I've got the itch for another Phantom. I love the totally different look of the XXV's, but I understand that the XXV's are all sold. Is there a chance that you will have an XXV "clone" at SPBGMA next month? I saw one on Acoustic Vibes' website, but I really want to try one before buying.

---

alprice - Posted - 12/09/2012:  20:39:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by bjango53

Any thoughts or experience of the black suede heads on the Midnight Phantom compared to a frosted , sound wise ? 

---

alprice - Posted - 12/09/2012:  20:40:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by Debbiej

I changed the 20 whole tone ring out of my nechville a week ago and put in my new titanium hoop wood nechville ring. I changed the head from the renaissance to a remo frosted head and it was great. I just received my bull frog compensated radius bridge, that I ordered off the hangout, and popped it in my banjo yesterday. I have to say the banjo is sounding great! Now I have a lightweight banjo that pops for bluegrass. These nechvilles are so easy to change around and have such a variety of tones.

I was wondering if nechville ever tried making brass tone spheres to use on the banjos?

happy in nechville land,

Debbie

---

dmiller - Posted - 12/09/2012:  20:42:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by alprice

quote:

---

Originally posted by Beardog

Hey Al and Tom.



I almost bought an XXV anniversary model last year, but spent the money on a 1937 TB-11, instead.



Now I've got the itch for another Phantom. I love the totally different look of the XXV's, but I understand that the XXV's are all sold. 

(snipped for brevity - - -)

---

 

I know Turtle Hill has an XXV available right now.

---

turtlehillbanjo.com/images/Nec.../xxv.html

Edited by - dmiller on 12/09/2012 20:46:31

bjango53 - Posted - 12/10/2012:  04:19:14

Just ordered my big Six 0hh  bithday present (in Jan) from me to me, a Midnight Phantom in maple with cascade inlay and

titanium topped tone ring.   Now the hard part - the waiting

Beardog - Posted - 12/10/2012:  05:26:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by dmiller

quote:

---

Originally posted by alprice

quote:

---

Originally posted by Beardog

Hey Al and Tom.



I almost bought an XXV anniversary model last year, but spent the money on a 1937 TB-11, instead.



Now I've got the itch for another Phantom. I love the totally different look of the XXV's, but I understand that the XXV's are all sold. 

(snipped for brevity - - -)

---

 

I know Turtle Hill has an XXV available right now.

---

turtlehillbanjo.com/images/Nec.../xxv.html

---

Thanks, I'm looking into that one! Acoustic Vibes has a very similar banjo in stock, too.

Debbiej - Posted - 12/10/2012:  18:31:33

What are the size of the tone spheres in the nechville?

alprice - Posted - 12/11/2012:  18:42:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by Debbiej

What are the size of the tone spheres in the nechville?

---

13/32"

Slick Salmon - Posted - 12/16/2012:  17:09:00

For what it's worth, I just played several Nechvilles and I thought they were amazing. Their open back doesn't have all the fancy helio-whatevers, but it's still a mighty fine instrument. I'm buying one tomorrow.

pick1936 - Posted - 12/17/2012:  15:55:23

Hi  Slick,  You  will  really  like  Your   Nechville.  Tom  puts  complete  precision  and   perfection  in  all  His  banjo's    Kind  of  like  the  way  old  watch  makers  used  to  work  on,  and  build  watches,  Like  many  years  ago  when  They  made  REAL  watches.  Before  The  Chip  took  over  watches.   GREAT  BANJO"S.   THANKS  TOM.

Nechville. In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

Edited by - pick1936 on 12/17/2012 16:00:25

jswkingsfield - Posted - 12/17/2012:  22:31:58

Hey, gang, look at what Marc Horowitz just posted!  banjohangout.org/reviews/searc...edir=true

dmiller - Posted - 12/17/2012:  23:45:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by jswkingsfield

Hey, gang, look at what Marc Horowitz just posted!  banjohangout.org/reviews/searc...edir=true

---

Well written/ succinct and to the point/ and most of all - - - 100% accurate!

Guy - Posted - 12/18/2012:  01:22:58

I've taken the liberty of linking it to the Nechville owners group. I know we're mostly all Nechville owners already on there but I'm sometimes lost for words when people ask me about Nechvilles and that is a brilliant precis of what makes Nechvilles so great. It's also great that it comes from someone with an Atlas and a Vintage, covering both bases as it were. We just have to persuade Marc to buy an Excelsior now so we can have a succinct review of that as well

Guy

Bastertone - Posted - 12/27/2012:  07:51:43

Anyone get a Nechville under the tree?

bluenote23 - Posted - 12/27/2012:  09:10:28

I did, in a way.
I bought the Classic 'Plus' that was in the classifieds (Christmas present from me to me) but I won't see it until early January. Looking forward to it. It's my first banjo.

dmiller - Posted - 12/27/2012:  09:29:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluenote23

I did, in a way.

I bought the Classic 'Plus' that was in the classifieds (Christmas present from me to me) but I won't see it until early January. Looking forward to it. It's my first banjo.

---

Congrats!!   Dang - - You've got GOOD taste for a first banjo!!  

I hear you about the "me to me" Christmas present.  No one else 

was going to get me a Nechville, so two years ago I decided to

"give myself one".  Since I didn't want to wait, I got mine a month early!

You're going to have some fun now!  Nechville is one of the smoothest

and easiest playing banjos out there (these days).

bluenote23 - Posted - 12/27/2012:  09:50:08

Thanks.
I recently got a student grade mandolin and went onto something better a few weeks later so I did not want to do that with a banjo.
I was looking at something like a Gibson RB250 but the weight issues and the ease of setup really attracted me to the Nechville.
But right now I don't know anything at all about banjos so it's all in the future for me...

somarmd - Posted - 12/27/2012:  12:19:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluenote23

I did, in a way.

I bought the Classic 'Plus' that was in the classifieds (Christmas present from me to me) but I won't see it until early January. Looking forward to it. It's my first banjo.

---

I love reading this, makes me feel better....... I bought a Classic and it was my second banjo.  I guess you could say early Christmas gift too.

Slick Salmon - Posted - 12/27/2012:  12:29:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bastertone

Anyone get a Nechville under the tree?

---

No, but I put an Atlas open-back there for my wife.

As far as I'm concerned, that Marc Horowitz review is completely accurate.  I wish I had looked harder at Nechville before I bought my current banjos.  My wife's new Atlas is the only one we have.

Edited by - Slick Salmon on 12/27/2012 12:33:49

Denton - Posted - 12/27/2012:  12:43:26

I could say that the Excelsior Moonshine was my early Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years all rolled into one.

Edited by - Denton on 12/27/2012 12:47:15

Bastertone - Posted - 12/28/2012:  07:50:58

Maybe next christmas an excelsior will make its way to my tree. That banjo stands alone in its design. Gorgeous!!

Denton - Posted - 12/28/2012:  11:10:09

Thank you. After I get off the boat next year I will try to make a sound clip to post. I Really like the sounds.

Bastertone - Posted - 12/28/2012:  15:53:34

Denton, tune it down to E flat and play a few of those Hartford river boat songs.

Stiv_MacRae - Posted - 12/28/2012:  17:23:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by Slick Salmon

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bastertone

Anyone get a Nechville under the tree?

---

No, but I put an Atlas open-back there for my wife.

As far as I'm concerned, that Marc Horowitz review is completely accurate.  I wish I had looked harder at Nechville before I bought my current banjos.  My wife's new Atlas is the only one we have.

 

---

Slick - You're my hero!

Denton - Posted - 12/28/2012:  22:00:50

I'll try but I think his E Flat stuff was on a 24 fret neck. Tom.. are you here? Could you make a 24 fret Hartford neck?

Edited by - Denton on 12/28/2012 22:04:27

Denton - Posted - 12/28/2012:  22:33:50

It could be called "Riversong". Might be interesting to see what it would sound like on a 12" Atlas too. Mayby even Nygut strings?

dmiller - Posted - 12/29/2012:  00:42:52

For what it's worth - - - I use heavier gauge strings on all my banjos.

The Gibson/ Ode/ GTR/ and Nechville all have heavy cryogenic strings.

Some don't like them, but I do.  11/ 13/ 15/ 24w/ 12 (first to fifth string)

will help with the "Hartford tuning" on a 22 fret banjo (as all mine are).

The heavier strings will tune low, without having to "dink" with the tuning.

Using lighter gauge strings will cause you to have to constantly re-tune,

since they don't hold a lower tuning very easily.  Something to think about.

Denton - Posted - 12/29/2012:  01:45:57

I will give it a try. I already ordered 23 and 24 ga. bronze wound strings to replace the 4th string. I ordered both to see which one works better. I used to use a 24 ga Martin bright bronze wound guitar string on my Fender Artist for the 4th with a bearclaw tail piece and a Shubb compensated bridge. I liked the sound of that put together with lighter gauge strings. Switching to heavier strings might be a more cost effective way to achieve that low sound without building a new neck though. But...It would be fun to see what Tom would come up with.