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Bastertone - Posted - 12/29/2012: 13:26:00
Al, my E flat is a 22 fret as well and as you know sounds fantastic. I also made a 24 fret neck on a helimount with a tubaphone ring in it and it sound pretty nice as well.
Denton - Posted - 12/29/2012: 21:29:55
Al, Moonshine is the only decent banjo I own. So and since I am still learning I might be able to share Steam Powered Aeroplane in G. I would like to hear your banjo setup with those Pearse strings.
Thankyou
alprice - Posted - 12/29/2012: 23:19:40
quote:
Originally posted by Bastertone
Al, my E flat is a 22 fret as well and as you know sounds fantastic. I also made a 24 fret neck on a helimount with a tubaphone ring in it and it sound pretty nice as well.
That's a great banjo, Bastertone. I'd be curious to hear that Tubaphone.
rmcdave - Posted - 12/30/2012: 14:20:10
quote:
Originally posted by Bastertone
Anyone get a Nechville under the tree?
My lovely wife took me Christmas shopping yesterday. Came home with a new mahogany Phantom Galaxy. She's a keeper. . . My wife too. . .
Denton - Posted - 12/30/2012: 14:21:57
WOW!!!!
alprice - Posted - 12/30/2012: 18:26:48
quote:
Originally posted by rmcdave
quote:
Originally posted by Bastertone
Anyone get a Nechville under the tree?
My lovely wife took me Christmas shopping yesterday. Came home with a new mahogany Phantom Galaxy. She's a keeper. . . My wife too. . .
Congratulations. If she has a single sister, I'm sure some of these guys would like to meet her. :)
Welcome to the Nechville club.
Al
ABK - Posted - 12/30/2012: 20:26:43
Wow, now THAT'S a wife!!! Seriously, congratulations. You're really going to dig it!
Guy - Posted - 12/31/2012: 04:29:35
Totally fantastic! I'd like to meet your wife, there can't be many like her.
If it's not a rude question, what type of banjo did you have before and what made you choose a Nechville?
Guy
rmcdave - Posted - 12/31/2012: 06:30:42
quote:
Originally posted by Guy
Totally fantastic! I'd like to meet your wife, there can't be many like her.
If it's not a rude question, what type of banjo did you have before and what made you choose a Nechville?
Guy
Yep. She's incredible. Definitely one of a kind. Looked all my life for her. She actually enjoys listening to me play and is even able to fall asleep in the same room!
In addition to the Nechville, I currently have two Stellings -- a Sunflower and a custom Old Woody. For festivals, camping, and working on the road i have a RK-35. All maple banjos. We went to Turtle Hill on Saturday to look for something in mahogany. Tried many fine sounding instruments, but the Nechville really stood out from a playability standpoint. The radiused neck without the 5th string tuner made a huge difference. I like the whole technology of the Nechvilles. I had seen them several times on stage at festivals and was always impressed by the beautiful (if not slightly different) tone they produced. By the end of the afternoon I had narrowed my choices down to a gorgeous quilted mahogany Bishline and the Phantom. When I asked my better half which one she liked, she pointed at the Phantom and said "That thing is just beautiful". SOLD. I am one happy guy!
Excuse me now while I go kiss my wife. . . ; )
Guy - Posted - 12/31/2012: 07:04:26
What a great answer, makes me glad I asked. I was smitten in exactly the same way, I couldn't believe how great they were to play especially with the radiused neck, coming from the guitar I was right at home, then I picked up on the great musical sound they make. The roundness of the tone and lack of overtones was a surefire winner for me.
Enjoy your new instrument Dave, what a great way to start the year. Give your wife an extra kiss from me, she doesn't have to know where it came from ;-)
Guy
pastorstevensimpson - Posted - 12/31/2012: 09:01:45
Can't wait to see and hear it in person, Dave. Let's get together to jam sometime!
-Steven
Stolkee - Posted - 12/31/2012: 10:27:57
We went to Turtle Hill on Saturday to look for something in mahogany. Tried many fine sounding instruments, but the Nechville really stood out from a playability standpoint.
Curious, Dave, did you try out any of the Omes with the HG50 ring? If so, what did you think?
rmcdave - Posted - 01/01/2013: 07:21:12
quote:
Originally posted by Stolkee
We went to Turtle Hill on Saturday to look for something in mahogany. Tried many fine sounding instruments, but the Nechville really stood out from a playability standpoint.
Curious, Dave, did you try out any of the Omes with the HG50 ring? If so, what did you think?
Check your email. Happy New Year!
pick1936 - Posted - 01/02/2013: 15:13:23
My wife is pretty good to Me also, otherwise I might not have My Nice Nechville. I finally found My lost steel ball I lost last time I took it apart. It had rolled under the door into the closet. It is still sounding great, and plays slicker than snot on a door knob. The best neck You could put a hand around.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
TT - Posted - 01/03/2013: 11:18:41
What do I think of Nechvilles?Beautiful, well made, Modern and innovative.They do what they do well ,however are not suitable for Blugrass, they cant do what a Mastertone, Ode, Fender, Stelling style Banjo will do in a "Band setting" Calling a Nechville a great Bluegrass Banjo is like calling Roy Clark a great Banjo picker.
Denton - Posted - 01/03/2013: 12:05:16
This ought to be good
RaYhOLio - Posted - 01/03/2013: 12:12:50
Have you played / heard many nechvilles in professional hands?
I think it would be very interesting to have some blind comparisons between different banjo's... Listen to a couple clips, then pick the one you like best... maybe all played by the same artist. It might reveal that our taste for brands and styles is a lot more developed than ear.
That said, I can't argue that Nechville isn't traditional... That's a big part of the reason I chose it. But I've heard a lot of different sounds coming from nechville's, and would be suprized to learn that none sound as.. instead of 'good' lets say 'favorable'... as a stelling or many of the other brands you've listed...
The construction is so different on a Nechville, I feel that there is something different in their tone... more musical... I feel that many of the 'best' sounding banjos sound loose, and clangly.. like a trashcan lid with strings; Maybe that's the hallmark of a 'great' bluegrass banjo?
Not disagreeing with you, I hardly have the experience with those brands to do so.... I just detect some traditionalist bias...
pick1936 - Posted - 01/03/2013: 14:41:35
Right on Ray, I would not trade My Nechville for Stelling or most others. It can sound anyway You set it up for. I even had a Fiber Skin head on it for awhile, sounded old timy. I have a remo head on it now sounds great. I do not need another banjo, but if I did it would be another Nechville.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
ABK - Posted - 01/03/2013: 14:43:45
I don't know, but I always thought Roy Clark was kind of cool.....
TT - Posted - 01/03/2013: 15:53:07
quote:
Originally posted by RaYhOLio
Have you played / heard many nechvilles in professional hands?
I think it would be very interesting to have some blind comparisons between different banjo's... Listen to a couple clips, then pick the one you like best... maybe all played by the same artist. It might reveal that our taste for brands and styles is a lot more developed than ear.
That said, I can't argue that Nechville isn't traditional... That's a big part of the reason I chose it. But I've heard a lot of different sounds coming from nechville's, and would be suprized to learn that none sound as.. instead of 'good' lets say 'favorable'... as a stelling or many of the other brands you've listed...
The construction is so different on a Nechville, I feel that there is something different in their tone... more musical... I feel that many of the 'best' sounding banjos sound loose, and clangly.. like a trashcan lid with strings; Maybe that's the hallmark of a 'great' bluegrass banjo?
Not disagreeing with you, I hardly have the experience with those brands to do so.... I just detect some traditionalist bias...
All the bands playing this year at SPGMA i will look for any of the Banjo players on stage and see how many of them are playing a Nechville,this will also include the hundereds of people jamming that I see all over the Nashville Sheraton. Blind comparisons are moot..I didnt say they werent a good Banjo,just not the best tool for the job.you feel that the best sounding Bluegrass Banjos sound like a loose trash can lid with strings? I aint never heard that.I feel your description of a great Bluegrass banjo...in the words of the father "aint no part of nothin". Now go put that pretty Nechville banjo with the cyclomassage ball hangin tone sphere,Helimounted Aluminum thingamajig down. and get a 20 bracket, Nickle plated,Brass assed Mastertone and play some.Bluegrass.! and where in the hell did you come up with that trash can lid analogy?
ABK - Posted - 01/03/2013: 16:35:09
I own a Nechville and a Hatfield and they are both equally awesome banjos.
Stolkee - Posted - 01/03/2013: 16:35:40
Bastertone - Posted - 01/03/2013: 17:25:04
I have a stelling, a 52 year old gibson and a nechville classic delux, The nechville is the loudest with the best midrange and plays bluegrass as loud and as any other banjo I've heard, so my experience doesn't follow your suggestion lethegoodtimesroll. It also has a better neck and I can change the timber to suit all kinds of music. Who has Nechvilles? Noam, Steve Martin, Bela Fleck, Allison Brown etc.....
Corwyn - Posted - 01/03/2013: 17:29:08
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
Blind comparisons are moot..
The only reason that blind comparisons would be moot is if one has already made up one's mind based on something OTHER than sound. Blind tests (preferably double blind tests) are the premeire way of removing the biases we all have from an evaluation.
Edited by - Corwyn on 01/03/2013 17:34:34
dpete210 - Posted - 01/03/2013: 18:59:36
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
What do I think of Nechvilles?Beautiful, well made, Modern and innovative.They do what they do well ,however are not suitable for Blugrass, they cant do what a Mastertone, Ode, Fender, Stelling style Banjo will do in a "Band setting" [clip]
While you have clearly stated your opinion, you may have a hard time finding agreement with or convincing many satisfied Nechville owners of your claim. If you have followed this thread through the many months since it started, you may have noticed some folks stating something to the effect that you can set up a Nechville to sound how you want it to sound. While that in itself is open to opinion or interpretation, it certainly does reflect the versatility of a Nechville banjo. Keep in mind also that a crucial element in banjo sound is how the banjo is set up. Maybe my experience is different from other Nechville owners, but it took some experimenting with head tightness before I started getting a more optimal bluegrass sound. But that wasn't the banjo's fault. So your statement, which runs counter to my experience, leads me to think that you've either played or heard Nechville banjo(s) that have not been set up to maximize a bluegrass sound.
dmiller - Posted - 01/03/2013: 20:03:01
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
All the bands playing this year at SPGMA i will look for any of the Banjo players on stage and see how many of them are playing a Nechville,this will also include the hundereds of people jamming that I see all over the Nashville Sheraton.
Now go put that pretty Nechville banjo with the cyclomassage ball hangin tone sphere,Helimounted Aluminum thingamajig down. and get a 20 bracket, Nickle plated,Brass assed Mastertone and play some.Bluegrass.!
(snipped for brevity - - -)
Wow. Just wow! I haven't a clue as to how you came to the conclusion that Nechville banjos aren't "suited for bluegrass" but hey - - - that's your opinion and you're welcome to it. I tend to agree with dpete when he suggested that you've never heard or played a Nechville that was "set up for a bluegrass sound". It's obvious that you've never picked on mine.
The Nechville I have is currently set up for the "bluegrass sound', and it delivers just as much volume/ punch/ and tone as the 50 year old Gibson RB-250 or the 40 year old ODE D that I also have. The main difference between the Nechville and the other two is "the cyclomassage ball hangin tone sphere,Helimounted Aluminum thingamajig" that lets me go from sounding Bluegrass to sounding "different and more mellow" quickly and easily on the Nechville. It's a nice feature to have on a banjo. 
I'm not saying Nechville is a better banjo (although I personally think it is) because "better" is in the ears of the picker. You can think as you will, but Nechville can be (and is) just as much of a bluegrass banjo as any of the other brands you mentioned. It's all that and so much more. By the way - - my Mastertone and "Masterclones" all have 24 brackets. Where do I find one of those 20 bracket Mastertones you mentioned?? 
(edited for speeling - - )
Edited by - dmiller on 01/03/2013 20:19:18
dmiller - Posted - 01/03/2013: 20:57:52
And some of us made our points as emphatically as you did.
RaYhOLio - Posted - 01/03/2013: 21:34:47
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
This is all in fun..if you love a Nechville.. thats great! Just remember the topic is " What do you think about Nechville? "
Very true.. and I want to be careful how much I get onto you for your opinion, because I don't think us 'nechvillians' will not be doing ourselves much good if we tear apart anyone who doesn't love our brand of banjo..
My comment earlier about a trashcan with strings was meant to imply that I hear 'the great' banjo's and to me they sound loose, and overly tinny.. very small sustain, and the sound is down rite annoying after you get over the skill of the artist... to me it is anyhow.
Of course, I'm not a traditionalist.. I like a tight, more harmonic sound.. warmer. I even ordered mine with a 25.5 scale as to make it even more 'warm' and less 'traditional' To me it sounds better in small groups, and solo. It also sounds better with picking that is a little slower, with more modern music.
Like I say, I've heard a lot of them set up much differently than mine... and some sound damn bluegrassy... is the sound as favorable to bluegrassers as a prewar? I don't know. But I bet a lot of that has to do with a traditionalist loving traditional brand names, and more importantly.. traditional construction... Why would a true bluegrasser want something that LOOKS like it came off the set of star-trek?
Steve Martin may be a little over rated as a bluegrass artist due to his stardom.... (maybe not.) but he just picked up a Nechville, and claims that it's replacing one of his traditional (pre war I believe) for performances...
I don't see him doing that if he didn't think it was capable...
All I'm saying is don't judge too soon... Enjoy your time at SPGMA, and I hope you check back in after, and let us know if your opinion has loosened up any..
Keep on pickin'!
-Ray
Denton - Posted - 01/03/2013: 22:01:35
I practice with a guy that plays a Deering, a Sullivan, an open back he built with a tonering. He learned from Snuffy Jenkins in the 40's . He is promotes Nechville to his other students now that he has heard and played mine. If some youngster is just starting out it us hard to drop big cash on any banjo. But I have side by side recordings of my Excelsior compared with his Deering black Diamond with a fiberskin head and custom bridge and Gibson style open back and Both sound good to both of us. Mine gets a smile and an approving comment or two from a certified pioneer of bluegrass and that is all I need. That radiused neck, light weight and tone adjustibility are some things that sets it apart from other banjo's. It ain't What you shoot. It's how you shoot it.
Denton - Posted - 01/03/2013: 22:36:50
To Lee Kelso,
Mr. Smoak taught me a different part B to Cumberland Gap that might interest you. He told me that Snuffy Jenkins liked it when he came up with something different and what I learned is what Mr. Smoak played for him. I thought of you because you learned Cumberland Gap from Mr. Smoaks book and this is a totally different part B. I also suggested that he reissue his song book and he us considering it.
pick1936 - Posted - 01/04/2013: 13:05:50
Yes You are right, I have two Jim Skoak books, both older books. I would like to see Him put out a new book. I would like to find some recordings of Jim pickin banjo. I hope He likes Your Nechville banjo. I really like Mine. I have been thinking about trying the ceramic balls in Mine, BUT if it sounded much better I might loose My mind. HA.
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Denton - Posted - 01/04/2013: 13:28:28
He picked and picked and frailed on It. "Old timers call it Frailing".He said Mine sounded great.
Mr. Smoak just came out with a new CD. I have a copy. It is songs that were recorded in the 80's while he played in Bardstown KY for dinner theater and tour buses. jimsmoak.net will get you there. This Heart Of Mine is included in the tracks.
Now you can tell everyone that your not one ball short of a full "set"?
;)
Edited by - Denton on 01/04/2013 13:41:55
jswkingsfield - Posted - 01/04/2013: 17:40:27
quote:
Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll
What do I think of Nechvilles?Beautiful, well made, Modern and innovative.They do what they do well ,however are not suitable for Blugrass, they cant do what a Mastertone, Ode, Fender, Stelling style Banjo will do in a "Band setting" Calling a Nechville a great Bluegrass Banjo is like calling Roy Clark a great Banjo picker.
Chris: You're going to have a ton of fun at SPGMA, and you might want to try a Nechville while you're there. Sure, the traditional Mastertone-style construction is prevalent, proven & beloved. But, the Nechville is gaining a toehold -- I've seen at least 2 local bluegrass bands in the Seattle area with banjoists who tote Nechvilles.
At the risk of embarassing myself, as I am nowhere close to performance quality, in the name of science, I made 2 clips for another BHO member, who very nicely asked for a sample of the titanium-topped wood ring in action. One is my attempt of Train 45 on a Nechville, the other is the same tune on a 2004 Gibson RB-4 with Kulesh tone ring. I'll post later on which is which. (All in fun!)
Edited by - jswkingsfield on 01/04/2013 17:42:32
jbanjoist - Posted - 01/04/2013: 18:51:24
A good picker can make most any good banjo sound good.
I guess mr goodtimes roll got no roll?
Remember now, all in fun!
My Nechville and apparently my playing too has turned heads including older traditionalists.
I played a vintage Gold Star JD Crowe model for years.
My two Nechvilles have nudged it aside.
I love these banjos.
dmiller - Posted - 01/04/2013: 21:22:34
quote:
Originally posted by RaYhOLio
(snipped for brevity - - -)
Like I say, I've heard a lot of them set up much differently than mine... and some sound damn bluegrassy... is the sound as favorable to bluegrassers as a prewar? I don't know. But I bet a lot of that has to do with a traditionalist loving traditional brand names, and more importantly.. traditional construction... Why would a true bluegrasser want something that LOOKS like it came off the set of star-trek?
Steve Martin may be a little over rated as a bluegrass artist due to his stardom.... (maybe not.) but he just picked up a Nechville, and claims that it's replacing one of his traditional (pre war I believe) for performances...
I don't see him doing that if he didn't think it was capable...
All I'm saying is don't judge too soon... Enjoy your time at SPGMA, and I hope you check back in after, and let us know if your opinion has loosened up any..
Keep on pickin'!
-Ray
Yea well - - I agree with you raY, even though a Nechville is NEVER going to sound like a pre-war Gibby. I wouldn't buy one if it did (based on that fact alone). If someone's got the $$$ (cash in hand) for a pre-war - - more power to them. But they are going to get one sound, and one sound only out of that banjo. I guarantee you it'll be a damn GOOD sound, but it won't be "flexible" like the Nechvilles are.
My Nuvo will never sound like a pre-war Gibby, but I can guarantee you that it will sound "just as bluegrassy" as any other "hook and nut", one piece flange, (insert make of your choice here) in spades. That last sentence was for you lethegoodtimesroll. Have fun at SPGMA. Tom N. might be there. If he is, sit a spell with him and have him show you the capabilities of the Nechville banjo. It's always good to be fully informed.
Denton - Posted - 01/04/2013: 21:51:56
quote:
Originally posted by Denton
He picked and picked and frailed on It. "Old timers call it Frailing".He said Mine sounded great.
Mr. Smoak just came out with a new CD. I have a copy. It is songs that were recorded in the 80's while he played in Bardstown KY for dinner theater and tour buses. jimsmoak.net will get you there. This Heart Of Mine is included in the tracks.
Now you can tell everyone that your not one ball short of a full "set"?
;)
To be clear, Smoaks new cd was recorded in a studio like setting, not with a live audience.
jswkingsfield - Posted - 01/09/2013: 07:52:34
Thanks to the 4-dozen or so curious folks who listened to my clips. I've posted the answers: Clip 1 was made to provide a baseline for comparison, it is on a 2004 Gibson RB-4; Clip 2 is on my titanium-topped Timbr-Tronic tone ring equipped maple Nechville Classic DLX.
somarmd - Posted - 01/09/2013: 10:46:44
Nice of yo to have posted your clips. I especially appreciate that you did that for me originally...:) It definitely led to purchasing the wood tone ring. All the sound without the weight!
By the way I took my first Pete Wernick class last night. Great class.....but so much for me to learn....a bit overwhelming right now but look forward to learning as much as I can.
alprice - Posted - 01/09/2013: 14:39:27
quote:
Originally posted by somarmd
Nice of yo to have posted your clips. I especially appreciate that you did that for me originally...:) It definitely led to purchasing the wood tone ring. All the sound without the weight!
By the way I took my first Pete Wernick class last night. Great class.....but so much for me to learn....a bit overwhelming right now but look forward to learning as much as I can.
Just have a good time and take good notes. I have notes from 15 years ago I still use. There's always something new to learn.
Baltimonkey - Posted - 01/09/2013: 15:26:34
Some people like Nechvilles and some don't. Personally, I am not crazy about most Deerings (caveat: I do own one that I love). Diversity is what makes America so great. I have two Nechville banjos, a Deering, two older Gibsons, and a Yates. I love them all, and I play them all.
I can honestly say that my Nechville acoustic can hang with my other banjos in a bluegrass setting, and I do play bluegrass music with it. It is a timbertonic, and I currently have a set-up for a warmer/more round tone than my "traditional banjos" but it's more a matter of getting a different sound. It's definitely NOT a matter of not being able to achieve a more bright/crisp sound.
Personally... I do not want my banjos to sound the same. The fact that they all sound different is a BIG factor when convincing my wife to let me buy a new one (as Al can attest).
somarmd - Posted - 01/09/2013: 18:00:34
Thanks Al will do!
pick1936 - Posted - 01/19/2013: 11:44:50
Hi Richard, Good job on Cumberland Gap. Is that the newer version that Jim taught You? And how do You like the playability of That neck? I have been practicing some Gospel tunes for Church. I usually take My guitar, and sing when I play at nursing homes, I am going to take the banjo more and pick tunes for the folks. I would encourage anyone to go play for the folks at Your local nursing homes. The folks really get blessed, and You will feel good also. I have one nursing home here in Higginsville. and one about 14 miles at concordia. I go to both when I'm up to it. The Nechville banjo's are just so easy to play, and sound so good. So play for people who will really like it. These folks are Really lonesome people. I may end up in a Home like that, And I would be thankful if someone would come and make My day. like Eddy Arnold used to sing-- (Rockin Alone In An Old Rockin Chair).
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
Denton - Posted - 01/19/2013: 12:14:25
Hi Lee, yes that B part is what Jim taught me. I really like the neck playability. I have never played on anything like it. Good to hear that you are sharing the music with the elders. I know Jim plays at them also. I am nowhere ready to play in public.
Edited by - Denton on 01/19/2013 12:15:56
somarmd - Posted - 01/19/2013: 15:56:00
quote:
Originally posted by pick1936
Hi Richard, Good job on Cumberland Gap. Is that the newer version that Jim taught You? And how do You like the playability of That neck? I have been practicing some Gospel tunes for Church. I usually take My guitar, and sing when I play at nursing homes, I am going to take the banjo more and pick tunes for the folks. I would encourage anyone to go play for the folks at Your local nursing homes. The folks really get blessed, and You will feel good also. I have one nursing home here in Higginsville. and one about 14 miles at concordia. I go to both when I'm up to it. The Nechville banjo's are just so easy to play, and sound so good. So play for people who will really like it. These folks are Really lonesome people. I may end up in a Home like that, And I would be thankful if someone would come and make My day. like Eddy Arnold used to sing-- (Rockin Alone In An Old Rockin Chair).
Nechville. In Higginsville.
Lee Kelso
That's really nice to hear Lee. I hope to play my banjo for folks in the nursing home some day. I did play with 3 of my friends Ukulele (I play Baritone) last Christmas. It turned out nice and they did appreciate it. I think that's what it's all about playing with and for others when you can.
Tedd - Posted - 01/28/2013: 20:02:06
Excited to be with the Nechville team again @ SPBGMA. We're going to have a van load of banjos....some cool new ones since last year. Stop by to pick and say howdy to Al, Jeremiah and me.
Denton - Posted - 01/31/2013: 12:14:23
Ok here is what the Excelsior Moonshine sounds like again with the resonator attached playing a melodic tune. That radiused neck is fun to play on. I think This banjo is Much better than a mahogany RB250 I owned once and that Fender Artist, to my ears.
banjohangout.org/global/img/fi...s/mp3.gif
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