I posted this in a different forum but I think I should have put it here in the first place. I'm in the market for a new banjo. It will be a Yates for sure. I originally wanted, and still do, a Skillet Head. But I already have a Kettle Head. If I go with a Skillet Head it will have to have the holed tone ring because my Kettle Head has the No Holed ring. I suspect the sound would be too similar otherwise. I'm strongly considering the BT1949 or the RS33 or maybe the RS75. Just curious what some of your thoughts might be.
14 Comments |
 | Oldfives says:
12/5/2014 1:11:20 PM
RS75
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 | GlennB says:
12/5/2014 1:29:42 PM
I have a RS mahogany and I'm not that crazy about the tone. I LOVE my Skillet Head. I see a lot of RS mahogany banjos being sold on BH.
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 | Ozark Mountain says:
12/5/2014 1:53:33 PM
I like my Skillet Head too and just got it. Although it has the "no holes" tone ring I am totally sold on it. I just posted a few clips of #24 on my page and see what you think. I believe Warren and Ron are really onto something with the "no holes" Yates Skillet Head. Great banjos.
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Dfen says:
12/5/2014 1:58:42 PM
OMB, I tend to agree with you, but with my Kettle Head also having no holes, I'm concerned that the sound of the two would be too much alike to warrant the investment. That being said, I can't help still leaning towards the Skillet.
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 | bAJNo says:
12/5/2014 2:40:33 PM
GlennB Im surprised by your comments about the tone. Properly dialled in they are killer banjos. Being that they are modelled on JDs Banger it's my favorite Yates.
Personally if i was in the market for a new Yates I'd go for a BT49. Maple to complement my mahogany.
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 | bulldog bob says:
12/5/2014 2:43:28 PM
Selling BT-1949 #1 now in classifieds, have skillet head that will be selling soon too
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 | kaybone says:
12/5/2014 2:56:02 PM
So Dfen, I think the sound of the Kettle and Skillet will be very, very close anyway, holes or not. If you want something that has more of a different tone for a choice from time to time, I would suggest something with a Maple or Walnut neck, since the Skillet Heads have Mahogany necks.
All of the Skillet Heads made up to this point have Mahogany necks, that was never an option like the tone ring holes. The Maple version of the Skillet Head is pretty much the BT-1949, give or take the shape of the neck, and thickness of the tone ring mebbe.
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Dfen says:
12/5/2014 3:37:41 PM
I appreciate the advice and all of your thoughts. I think I'll head to the classified section and put more thought into the 49. thanks again
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 | dobroman says:
12/7/2014 8:12:09 AM
I have a 33 Maple. It has a straight grain neck. I am so happy with this banjo, I'm not even looking for anything else. I had several others, all gone now. To my ear nothing could compete. I don't see these come up for sale. Is it because few were made? Or those that have them keep them?
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Dfen says:
12/7/2014 9:23:17 AM
Dobroman, you bring up a good point. I couldn't say how many were made, but I never see em come up for sale either. I agree with you, most must think they are keepers.
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| Ozark Mountain says:
12/7/2014 3:55:57 PM
I would call Warren. There are a lot more differences in "how the cake is baked" than just the tone ring between the Kettlehead and the Skillet Head. Having said that it all depends on what you want to hear. I would get on down to see Alvin at Morgan Music since he has several you might be interested in. It is a candy store for Yates Banjos.
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 | Dave_RB75 says:
2/1/2015 9:01:42 AM
I have a BT-1949 maple whose feel and tone I love. Murphy Henry played it and said, "sounds like Earl!"...
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 | Skyflyer911man says:
2/1/2015 5:07:06 PM
I went through a similar search that you appear to be going. Someone once told me that you don't find a great banjo, a great banjo finds you. In my case that is true. An acquaintance "just happened" to have a mahogany RS that I was able to trade for. I could not imagine having better tone or playability; different maybe, but not better. I've only owned 3 banjos, but I can say that I've never played a more "silky-smooth," "easy to play," better sounding bluegrass banjo.
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Dfen says:
2/28/2015 1:19:01 PM
Well, thanks to all who helped me with making my decision. I like my current Yates Kettle Head model so much that I've decided on another one. Skillet Head #26 has been ordered and is being built as we speak. Hopefully will be finished towards the end of March sometime. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and contributions.
Derek
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