jbanjoist - Posted - 11/13/2009:  13:01:51

Seems we have ourselves a convert fellow Nechvillians.

Welcome to the "brotherhood" Ray.

Jbanjoist
I'm a NECHVILLIAN!

EDUMACATE YOSEF!

You don't know until you KNOW.

pick1936 - Posted - 11/13/2009:  13:08:10

Ray i guess I missed You ao didn't see You in the crowd? I got there an hour late, But Tom, adjusted My neck rod, put on a new white Remo head, it sounds much better now, Towards the end I picked a little on all the banjo's, They all sounded great, But the Ball Bearing/Rosewood/Titanium Tone Ring, was the absolute best sounding banjo there, according to My Ears.


Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.


Nechville. In Higginsville.

Lee Kelso

RaYhOLio - Posted - 11/13/2009:  14:46:09

Lee.. I THINK I was sitting right next to you in the front row.. orange shirt.. I didn't recognize you based on your avatar.. think I figured it out after I was back on the road! :)

-RayHoLiO
Makin' grass grow in Joplin, MO
joplingreenscape.com

Want a bail out plan that actually works??
fairtax.org

pick1936 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  09:21:20

HI Ray, yes thats Me, In My picture there My Grandaughter put it on,, It was about 38 years ago, and I weigh 152 lbs Now Im about 186 lbs Maybe I'll meet You again, all Toms Banjo's sound great, BUT The one I played last was the best sounding to Me, It was the one with the Rosewood/Titanium Tone Ring, I hope to be able to get one someday, But Mine is souning Really good now, I'm taking it to Church tomorrow for practice Take Care Ray, Hope You Get a Nechville, You'll never want to ley it go.



Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

Lee Kelso

pick1936 - Posted - 11/15/2009:  05:36:43

I am getting ready to go to Church this Morning, Take My (Timbr--Tronic) Classicl Deluxe, and will be practicing with the Pastor. (What A Day That Will Be, When My Saviour I Will See)



Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

Lee Kelso

falconeman - Posted - 11/15/2009:  19:01:20

Couldn't wait any longer. Ordered an Atlas Deluxe openback. I want to play several styles, and this seeems to be what I want/need. Yes you CAN need what you want! It also looks like a banjo that I will want to play daily... will actually look forward to playing. That can only mean improvement. I may eeven finish Janet Davis' "You Can Teach Yourself Banjo" book. I've only been on it for 5 years!

Tom, I'm looking forward to this banjo like you can't imagine! Your banjo's are great!


Chris

Edited by - falconeman on 11/15/2009 19:02:59

pick1936 - Posted - 11/16/2009:  12:22:00

Question for Tom, Hi Tom, at the workshop in Springfield, I had a Great time altho I was an hour late, I played one banjo with a flat finger board, and noticed it had tiny frets, wheras, most all Your banjo have the nice big guitar size frets, So the Question, are You going to smaller frets, or, is it just on flat fingerboards, Besides the Wonderfull Hellemount system, and Cyclotronic, and Timbr--Tronic system, and the Great Neck adjust System, after all this I love, comes The Great Big Frets, So could You clear this up for Me THANKS..


Rings Like Silver.
But It;s Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

Lee Kelso

nechville - Posted - 11/16/2009:  12:58:01

The Radius fingerboards have Big frets, and the flat boards have normal banjo fretwire.

Banjo Revolution REV IT UP!
nechville.com

falconeman - Posted - 11/16/2009:  17:42:39

Tom, I ordered the Atlas Deluxe from Elderly Unfortunately, it's back ordered. Any idea when they will get a fresh batch? Business must be good!

pick1936 - Posted - 11/16/2009:  20:32:35

THANKS Tom, for the fast answer, I Love the big frets, so glad I got the Radiused board, thses frets are almost as big as big as My 50 year old Gibson Flat--Top Guitar, Keep on Pickin, and Buildin. THANKS Again.
THEY ARE GREAT..

Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Lee Kelso

Edited by - pick1936 on 11/17/2009 10:16:06

jbanjoist - Posted - 11/17/2009:  17:48:40

I have a bit older Nech with the flat board and the frets seem to be the same size as one my Vintage.
Did you used to use the larger frets one flat boards or perhaps it was requested by the customer?

I like them too. On both.

Jbanjoist
I'm a NECHVILLIAN!

EDUMACATE YOSEF!

You don't know until you KNOW.

Post unto others as you would have them post unto you.

nechville - Posted - 11/17/2009:  20:19:21

Well exceptions are made, and The big frets were likely a customer request, It's harder to use the big wire on the flat boards because it comes curved in a coil and needs to be flattened.

Banjo Revolution REV IT UP!
nechville.com

zach915m - Posted - 11/17/2009:  21:43:00

I bought the Atlas from 12th Fret and it's got the bigger guitar like frets on it too.

-Zach

pick1936 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  11:23:54

Big frets or little, Nechville's are THE best banjo being made today,, and Tomorrow, I myself prefer the big frets on any shaped board, BUT, I would go with whatever Tom builds, They are all great, I will be taking Mine to the big Jam in K.C. Mo. tomorrow night.----We had a great time.


Rings Like Siver.
But it's Wood.


Nechville. In Higginsville.

Edited by - pick1936 on 07/29/2010 06:10:18

jbanjoist - Posted - 11/18/2009:  17:06:11

Tom do you find the larger frets last longer?
Seems to be my experience, especially with my Vintage.

the-fish - Posted - 11/18/2009:  17:16:35

check this out heres here live right now.. ask him

livestream.com/frailinflix

pick1936 - Posted - 11/18/2009:  21:59:21

I tried to watch the video, But it would play about 5 seconds, and go black, come bcack on for 4 or 5 seconds and off again, something very wrong..


Wood is Good
Nechville. In higginsville.

RaYhOLio - Posted - 11/18/2009:  22:26:39

that's a shame.. Toms shop tour was really cool.. I wish he woulda had time to visit the R&D room though.. :)

nechville - Posted - 11/19/2009:  08:29:51

I didn't get to the R&D stuff, or the CNC router room, You'll have to come and visit me yourself.

RaYhOLio - Posted - 11/19/2009:  09:58:59

I've seen a lot of CNC.. my wife represents several distributers for the tooling industry.. Cool stuff :) I would like to come out and tour some day. :)

dustinTN - Posted - 11/19/2009:  15:28:06

I'm late to this thread and at 29 pages, I don't have the patience to see if this is already mentioned. I only recently bought a used banjo (a Gold Tone), and I am having a great time playing and learning (I'm a reformed bass player.) In fact, I'm having so much fun, I hope to buy a new, American made banjo within the next year.

I've checked out your stuff online and am very intrigued. However, for a newbie like me with limited knowledge about banjo mechanics and set-up, some videos on your website would likely be very compelling. I think showing off some of your engineering innovations in video would be a great addition. Since I recently tried to adjust the action on my Gold Tone (only semi-successfully), I am especially intrigued by your easily adjusted neck, but I'm not totally sure how it works. Video would be great. I'm a sucker for innovative design, though, so Nechville is definitely on my short list for a future purchase (now, does anyone need me to shoot a music video for them to help me earn the cash to buy one?)

nechville - Posted - 11/19/2009:  17:18:07

Dustin and anyone interested, be sure to visit nechville.com and click on multimedia page, There should be links to youtube videos on how the Nechvilles work, I also just did a 70 minute tour of the Nechville shop available for viewing at livestream.com/frailinflix You'll have to look for on-demand podcast of the Nechville tour.

falconeman - Posted - 11/19/2009:  19:14:25

My Nechville Atlas is on the way! I love Fedex. I've been tracking the banjo since it left Elderly Music. It's in a Fedex warehouse in Granby, CT. Now that's only a 30 minute drive, and I have a lesson Friday at 1:30. Guess which banjo I'll be bringing?

Chris

dustinTN - Posted - 11/19/2009:  21:18:57

Thanks, Tom. That is an AWESOME design! Ok, time to start saving the pennies....

the-fish - Posted - 11/20/2009:  06:13:29

good for you Chris! congrats... let us know how you like it!!

I did some calling around yesterday myself

falconeman - Posted - 11/21/2009:  06:46:01

I only had a chance to play my Atlas Deluxe for about a half hour, (work can get in the way!) so I can't give a fair and impartial review yet, so I'll just say it's freakin me out! I love it! Tom, you build a solid banjo. I'm going to pick a bit this morning with the intent to find something wrong, but I doubt I'll find anything! I'll post my review here soon and on the review section.

Chris

alprice - Posted - 11/21/2009:  10:19:22

Chris welcome to the wonderful world of Nechville. Glad you are enjoying your Atlas DLX!

In addition to our multimedia page, you can also see videos on the Neck and The Pot design on our "Banjo Tips" page.

Al

METRO123 - Posted - 11/21/2009:  12:44:13

Thanks for being on the cutting edge when it comes to the banjo world!! We have all seen what staying the course can do for any product I.E, Chevey,Ford,Chryler!!Being a certified tech in the auto industry I,ve seen first hand what happens when R&D doesnt produce new technology!!Everything can be improved upon-it,s called evolution!!

METRO123 - Posted - 11/21/2009:  12:48:42

How about a cash for clunker program!!! We could all buy a tone effecienct unit yeah!!!!

METRO123 - Posted - 11/21/2009:  12:56:13

Just kidding guys. How about a new model info session on what makes a nechville banjo stand out above all others?If you want to sell your product you must educate the masses!! I myself know the advantage as per your design, but if you want to break from tradition & really be the S!!! You need to educate potential clients!!!!

pick1936 - Posted - 11/22/2009:  05:37:01

Hey Glad You got a Nechville, They are the best banjo's being built Today, and Tomorrow..




Wood Is Good.


Nechville. In Higginsville.

nechville - Posted - 11/22/2009:  19:53:29

Thanks Ed, How about a checklist for buyers of new banjos? Here's some things that you may not have thought of but might want to add to your wishlist...

Smooth dressed frets (wider frets wear slower)
2 way adjustable Stainless steel Truss rod (Check under truss rod cover)
ergonomically contoured playing surface (compound radius retains neck integrity while improving playability)
no excessive weight (professional banjos can be 7 pounds or less)
Neck angle adjustability (don't expect coordinator rods to give you much if any adjustment)
Evenly tensioned head (Helical mounting guarantees even-ness)
Low enough string height with high enough bridge (taller bridges increase power and sustain)
beveled non-metal armrest (metal armrests cut down circulation in your arm)
Bridge properly compensated for intonation and optimal action on each string (bridge should be custom fitted to each banjo)
Easy head changing (Save time for more practice)
Wide and generous Neck to body interface (for tuning stability and solid sound)
Dual point anchoring for tail piece (tailpiece shouldn't move from side to side
Easy string changes (avoid tailpieces with covers for quickest changes)
Straight-line tailpiece design (keeps string energy directed straight into head)
Flexibility of options (does it have adaptability for alternative tone components or necks?)

Edited by - nechville on 11/23/2009 16:19:48

dpete210 - Posted - 11/22/2009:  20:44:57

I stopped by Tom's spot at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-time Music Association Harvest Jam held over the weekend at the Marriott Hotel in Minneapolis. Of course there were some nice Nechville banjos there to tempt those who wandered by. I had my Classic along and Tom asked if he could see it. He then asked if he could adjust the head tension as he thought it was a bit loose. I had just the day before put a new Remo head on it. Then he checked the action and gave it to me to test, and did that banjo come alive! I had not been tightening the head that tight thinking I liked the sound of a looser head better. But I was wrong. I jammed the rest of the afternoon with my "new" Nechville Classic and from now on it'll be a tighter head tension. Now how often do you get a free "tune up" of your banjo from its maker? Thanks, Tom! Yes, indeed, Tom and his crew make great banjos.

salvatone - Posted - 11/23/2009:  04:41:30

I haven't read all 30 pages of this topic. So I am sure I will repeat what someone else has said.

First, Nechville Banjos can hold there own tonewise with any banjos out there. But there is so much opinion about that and many good banjos on the market, so I am not going to build them up on that basis. But:

There is no other banjo that can be dissassembled, reassembled or adjusted as easily and a Nechville.

I have never played a more comfortable neck than the compound radiused neck on my Classic Eclipse. Actually I did play one as comfortable once on a Meteor that Tom had at Banjo Camp North one year.

The comfort bevel armrest is an amazing feature. It makes a tremendous differenct. Bela Fleck has one on his banjo.

No one is more supportive of their customers than Tom Nechville.

I have a Classic Eclipse.

Salvatone aka Sal DeMaio

DENNISNDODIE - Posted - 11/23/2009:  05:13:48

Ive never seen one but if I did Id probably like it.

alprice - Posted - 11/23/2009:  07:22:32

It is an excellent suggestion. We are acutely aware of the need to educate our customers and dealers about our product. To that end, we have posted numerous videos, write quarterly newsletters (downloadable on our site), post design details on our site and travel the country giving workshops.

Several new models are presented on our You Tube video channel. But a video showing and demoing the newer models all at once would be a great idea. Thanks for your suggestion.

Al

quote:

---

Originally posted by METRO123

Just kidding guys. How about a new model info session on what makes a nechville banjo stand out above all others?If you want to sell your product you must educate the masses!! I myself know the advantage as per your design, but if you want to break from tradition & really be the S!!! You need to educate potential clients!!!!

---

Goldstarman - Posted - 11/23/2009:  10:01:38

Wow, our band just cut its first CD, I got to do one tune on a friends Nechville, it may be the best sounding cut (for banjo) on there. These banjos rock soundiwise and play like a dream. One of these days Il get me one of these suckers to pick..lol

Edited by - Goldstarman on 11/23/2009 14:44:33

g-banjo - Posted - 11/23/2009:  12:52:52

Next year will see the start of my fifth decade of buying and playing banjos. In that time a lot of things have changed in the world: some for the better, some for the worse. I've seen, played, and even owned some excellent banjos in that time and been lucky enough for my playing to take me round the world quite a few times. The biggest change in my playing life came when I was first introduced to Nechville banjos - it was one of those moments when you find something that is exactly what you were searching for but didn't even know you were looking. I now play what I guess could be called a "Custom Geo" plus a Meteor.
I know I will never need to buy a banjo again but if I am ever tempted (and which banjo player can ever say that will never happen?) I know that the only banjo I will ever buy will be another Nechville.

Edited by - g-banjo on 11/23/2009 12:55:54

the-fish - Posted - 11/23/2009:  16:01:04

I want a Zeus

I think

its flip between Atlas and Zeus.. But for now, Zeus

Did that make sense?

mrphysics55 - Posted - 11/23/2009:  18:25:01

No ... none.



MrP

kcking1 - Posted - 11/24/2009:  09:16:17

The UPS man just dropped my new (to me!) Zeus at work. Thank you, Santa!

People heard on strum and started running into my office begging me to play - they have to wait until the holiday party (but I won't!)

Thanks to Tom N., Al Price, and Marc at Zepp Country Music for their innovation, help, advice and great service. It's even prettier in person than the great pictures Zepp had on their website.

Now I can turn into a Nechville zealot like Lee!


KC

the-fish - Posted - 11/24/2009:  10:27:01

KC

so, your the touble maker huh?

LOL

I was talking to marc at Zepp on that banjo on Friday asking about the "hold" that was on it..

He assured me that it was not avail LOL

congrats, it was a great buy

Rick

Guy - Posted - 11/24/2009:  12:31:28

Fantastic! So many people overjoyed with their new Nechvilles. Now for the good news! It doesn't diminish with time or familiarity, it just gets better. The longer you own one and get used to getting that pure sound the better it gets.

BTW I particularly like g-banjo's remark about finding that thing you didn't even know you were looking for.... Well that's just how it was with me.

Happy pickin' guys and gals

Guy

Jim Pankey - Posted - 11/24/2009:  13:50:52

Wait.. 30 pages and I missed this thread? Sheesh... too much time spent picking my Phantom and not enough time looking at the BHO. ;)

budbennett - Posted - 11/24/2009:  15:31:12

i'll tell you what, in a week or so i'll have a tenor neck for my phantom and for that, i am VERY excited. i love my nechville and knowing i can swap out the neck as easy as i can makes me really happy. i will post photos when it arrives, i'm pretty pumped about it.

this will be kind of a reverse conversion?

pick1936 - Posted - 11/24/2009:  18:34:49

Hey Jimbo thanks for the video with You using the String Drops, Very good.




Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

pick1936 - Posted - 11/25/2009:  09:10:32

I'm pickin My Timbr--Tronic Classic Deluxe today, These banjo's sare so great, With the radiused necks, They almost play without any effort at all, You just got to try one,, YES Try one.



Rings Like Silver.
But It;s Wood.

Nechville. In Higginsville.

zemacar - Posted - 11/25/2009:  15:30:51

I don't play banjo, but I spotted my first Nechville 4 yrs ago. It had planets on the FB and that skinny 5-tuner PH. I just knew that it was something special. Everything I hear confirms it, and they're even built in MN.

I'm on the BHO because I'm looking for a first banjo for my husband. Would like to give him something really good to start out with, but the Nechville might be out of my league financially for now. (Too much $$ in my own instruments, not much left in the wallet. Anybody looking for a nice custom F5 mando? ;-) )

pick1936 - Posted - 11/26/2009:  20:26:02

i would call Tom Nechville, He could probably build You a banjo with the neck You'd like, with just some dot inlays, and less fancy things, for a good price, and would sound as good as all Nechville banjo's, OR look for a Nice used one, You can't hardly wear out a Nechville, even if You try, Just GREAT Banjo's.



Rings Like Silver. But It's Wood.
Nechville. In Higginsville.