alprice - Posted - 07/17/2012:  20:28:42

Hard to say, Lee. I don't know of a date in the near future.

pick1936 - Posted - 07/27/2012:  11:45:56

Going to the jam in K.C. Mo.  tonight.  Will  be  picking  My  great  Classic  Deluxe  with  Timbr -- Tronic.  Should  have  a  great  time.        (Cowboy In  Town,  Trouble  Expected)

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

jbanjoist - Posted - 07/27/2012:  14:38:00

Have a great jam Lee. Going to a friends Friday night pickin too. Will of course be taking my Nechville.

Tedd - Posted - 07/29/2012:  01:59:01

I decided to wear my "Banjo Revolution" tee shirt to dinner in Edinburgh, Scotland a couple night ago.  I was hoping someone would connect--even though I knew Garry Finlayson was gigging out of town.  It didn't take long before I had a nice visit with 2 guys from Prince Edward Island, Canada who were in Scotland with Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys.  Nechville is well respected and recognized in the world.  Tom has done a lot of work on the UK and continental Europe.

Edited by - Tedd on 07/29/2012 02:00:34

imac50 - Posted - 07/29/2012:  06:47:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tedd

I decided to wear my "Banjo Revolution" tee shirt to dinner in Edinburgh, Scotland a couple night ago.  I was hoping someone would connect--even though I knew Garry Finlayson was gigging out of town.  It didn't take long before I had a nice visit with 2 guys from Prince Edward Island, Canada who were in Scotland with Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys.  Nechville is well respected and recognized in the world.  Tom has done a lot of work on the UK and continental Europe.

---

Hi Tedd

If you are still in Edinburgh get in touch. My Nechville is always looking for company.

Iain

Guy - Posted - 07/30/2012:  02:55:39

There's quite a few of us playing Nechvilles here in the UK. Tom comes over quite regularly and is currently planning to come over in September.

Please try and get to see him if you can, he is always delighted to meet up with customers and is always happy to dispense advice on how to get the best out of your banjo. He honestly can't help himself. His Itinerary so far as I know it is:

Thursday 30th August to Sunday 2nd September Didmarton Bluegrass Festival

Monday 3rd / Tuesday 4th September (TBC) Workshop at Banjos Direct. I'm not sure of the dates or where the shop is, maybe Norwich way.

Tuesday 11th (TBC) Eagle music store in Huddersfield

Wednesday 12th / Thursday 13th Somewhere around Leicestershire. Should be some workshops and jam sessions.

Friday 14th to Sunday 16th Cornish Bluegrass Festival.

From Thursday 6th til Sunday 9th Tom will be in Norway, so if there's any Norwegians following this thread you can catch up with him then.

Apart from the two festivals, details are still a little bit sketchy. If anybody would like to see Tom in the Uk and needs more details, please contact me I will be happy to help.

Guy

alprice - Posted - 07/30/2012:  07:23:07

Thanks, Guy. Tom will be doing a workshop at $Sound while in Norway. Details are posted on the calendar page at nechville.com.

Guy - Posted - 07/30/2012:  08:51:24

Your very welcome Al. Really looking forward to seeing Tom again.

I forgot to mention. Don't forget to bring your banjos. Also, Tom loves to jam, so bring your picks too...

Guy

buckbybanjoboy - Posted - 07/31/2012:  03:33:04

Guy, let us know about Tom's visit to Leicestershire, and I'll be sure to come up, if I possibly can...................... Cheers Peter V.

Crobanjoman - Posted - 07/31/2012:  10:11:04

I bought Nechville 11' Atlas 5 months ago - my first openback banjo - from Dave at Turtle Hill Banjo, over the phone (I know... :) ).
It is a pleasure to play, an understated beauty. I like it very much.

When playing, the instrument disappears and only the music remains...

fixdent - Posted - 08/06/2012:  19:28:34

Tom is delivering a Phantom Galaxy to me at the Minnesota festival this weekend..... can't hardly wait.

--

Gordon

Guy - Posted - 08/09/2012:  11:26:15

Really excited for you Gordon. I definitely had butterflies waiting for mine. :-)

Denton - Posted - 08/10/2012:  04:57:56

My neck is getting a crick in it from playing on the old heavy banjo. Waiting for my new Nechville to arrive!!

pick1936 - Posted - 08/11/2012:  12:42:39

I  bet  You  will  like  that banjo,  They  are  a  joy  to  play,  and  sound  great..

Nechville.  In  Higginsville

Lee  kelso

Denton - Posted - 08/13/2012:  06:39:33

I was taking a lesson with Jim Smoak the other day and showed him pics of the Nechville banjo. He thinks it is cool and looking forward to checking it out. Around here in the southern Indiana and Louisville KY. area there are not any Nechville dealers. We have Sullivan and Deering for the premium brands only.

Lee Kelso, my grandmother was a Kelso.

jswkingsfield - Posted - 08/13/2012:  16:56:50

Okey doke, LEE, finally picked up a Timbr-Tronic ring from Al Price, and got it into my Classic.  Of course you're right, really sounds like a metal tone ring, but it weighs so much less, I can actually stand up with it this way! 

Denton, you're going to really enjoy that instrument when it arrives, hope it arrives safe & sound soon!

pick1936 - Posted - 08/13/2012:  19:41:56

Great,  I  hope  You  like  it.  looking  at  some  bands  You  Like.  Look  up  Timera  String Drops.  (Tim  Wallace),  great  guitar  picker,  uses  3  benders,  and  3 strings  drops.  The  string  drops  work  great  as  D  tuners on  banjo  also,  anyway  I  bet  You  will  really  be  liking  that  wood  tone  ring.

Nechville  In Higginsvulle.

Lee  kelso

jgwoods - Posted - 08/16/2012:  17:13:25

My Nechville is so light I have to keep a tether on it so it doesn't float away when I put it down...not that I ever put it down.:)

pick1936 - Posted - 08/19/2012:  18:09:58

O.K  Joe,  don't  let  it  get  away   now.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

Baltimonkey - Posted - 08/20/2012:  18:58:43

I love my Nechville Banjos. I bought a Saturn off Tom and Al a few months ago. I have it set-up with a chunky bridge and it has a really great warm sound. Because it nice and light (because of the cocobolo ring), it seems to be one I gravitate toward. It just sounds and feels good.

My daughter was about a week old when I bought the banjo and i put her little foot-print on the head. I smile every time I open the case. It's a very special banjo to me.

Guy - Posted - 08/21/2012:  11:48:30

Hi Jason, it's hard not to love a Nechville ;-) I love the footprint. What a great idea!

Guy

Baltimonkey - Posted - 08/21/2012:  14:07:28

We were making foot prints for the grandmothers for Mother's Day cards. Once we got it down, I wanted to try one on the banjo head. I was happy with how it came out. It's amazing how much bigger her foot has gotten since April.

pick1936 - Posted - 08/21/2012:  15:05:22

Richard  ,If  You  are  tking  lessons  from  Jim  Smoak,  You  are  lucky,  I  have  two  of  His  books.  I leaned  Cumberland  Gap  from  one   back  in  75.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  kelso

Denton - Posted - 08/21/2012:  15:59:08

I took lessons from him in '74 and now again. Heck I would just pay to sit next to him to hear him sing! He has alot if energy. He is 79 now. He is very enthusiastic about teaching and playing and singing. I am recording alot of my lessons. I wanted to mainly learn to play along with other people. He makes music make sense. I am picking and frailing with him. He writes his lessons out specifically for each student for what they need to learn.

alprice - Posted - 08/21/2012:  21:19:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baltimonkey

We were making foot prints for the grandmothers for Mother's Day cards. Once we got it down, I wanted to try one on the banjo head. I was happy with how it came out. It's amazing how much bigger her foot has gotten since April.

---

mikeyes - Posted - 08/22/2012:  09:08:27

I just got back from the Milwaukee Irishfest where I played two prototype Nechville tenor banjos. These are superb instruments! They are light weight, solid with great tone. One had a TB-11 neck on it while the other had a Nechville neck. I preferred the more modern neck as did everyone else who played them but both banjos were stars.

Kudos to Tom for making these banjos!

Mike Keyes

Baltimonkey - Posted - 08/22/2012:  10:59:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by alprice

quote:

---

Originally posted by Baltimonkey

We were making foot prints for the grandmothers for Mother's Day cards. Once we got it down, I wanted to try one on the banjo head. I was happy with how it came out. It's amazing how much bigger her foot has gotten since April.

---

 

Jason, we make banjos with 12" heads, too. :)

---

Al:

I like your style.  You know I have you in my phone for when I am ready to get another one...  When she is an adult, I will have to buy the Nechville bass that is listed in your Attic.  

Denton - Posted - 08/22/2012:  11:19:07

Baltimonkey I like what you did there. You could call your group.. The Barefoot Banjo Heads.

Edited by - Denton on 08/22/2012 11:25:56

pick1936 - Posted - 08/24/2012:  14:53:44

That foot print  is  cute.   My  old   Timbr--tronic  Classic  Deluxe  is  still  sounding  great.  I  have not  played  as much lately.  But  I  can  pull  lit  out  anytime  and  it  is  in  tune,  and  ready.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

the-fish - Posted - 08/24/2012:  18:14:57

I hope to get one some day, ive put it off for years now!! some Ive played, I didnt like, than I went
to accoustic vibes in AZ, they were set up right and man they were good. but need to thin the herd to
make some room... being in Mn, I need to visit tom some day :-)

Denton - Posted - 08/28/2012:  02:31:51

We got underway from Baton Rouge yesterday with a north bound tow and Isaac chasing me like the hound of the Baskerville's. My thoughts and prayers are with all in it's path.
On topic sort of is this... What should the first song played on my new Nechville be? Has any one here had that thought? Waiting to receive it is sort of like waiting on the birth of a child.

CAPT Steve - Posted - 08/28/2012:  16:04:44

Yeouch Denton.  Looks like Isaac will be chasing you all the way back to Indiana.  I can tell you the first song I played on my new Nechville was Foggy Mountain Breakdown, but I got it on 29 March, the day after Earl died, so it seemed appropriate to play something that I knew that was one of his songs.  Hope you come up with something that's as appropriate for you as FMB was at the time for me.  Best,

Steve

dmiller - Posted - 08/28/2012:  19:43:17

I had my Nechville delivered to the group home where I work,

since I seem to be there more than I am at my own house!

It got delivered (go figure!) on my day off, so I had to go there anyway, to get it.

The first tune I picked on mine was Cripple Creek since that was the first tune I learned.

Then - - since the clients there at the house were watching me get this banjo,

I decided to pick The Beverly Hillbillies theme for them, since that was a tune they knew.

The first tune I picked on mine was the first one I ever learned,

and the second was one to share with others.  Have fun choosing!  

Denton - Posted - 09/02/2012:  23:30:45

I'm thinking, Earl died on March 28th. I saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones on April 28th, playing the last show of their reunion tour back where they all met the first time in Louisville. BTW THE BEST CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN. Bela gave a touching tribute to Mr. Scruggs. Then on April 18th, we lost Douglas Flint Dillard. I like the ideas of playing a tribute song and a first learned song on my new Nechville. I am thinking Whole World Around, one of my favorites by the Dillards. Then while in Gm frail my favorite version of Shady Grove as taught to me by Jim Smoak. As far as playing something by Bela... I think that best be left to maybe T. Trishka?

Denton - Posted - 09/03/2012:  02:40:45

Correction on Doug Dillard, he passed on May 18th.

Edited by - Denton on 09/03/2012 02:42:07

pick1936 - Posted - 09/21/2012:  17:51:27

Hi Denton,    If  You  had  Jim  Smoak  teach  You,   You  had  one  of  the  best.   a  good  picker.    My  Classic  Deluxe  Timbr--Tronic  is  still  playing  easy   and  sounding  great.   If  You  want  something   great  to  put  Your  hand  around.  try  the  neck  on  a  Nechville.    Just   GREAT  banjo's

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

Denton - Posted - 09/21/2012:  23:13:25

Hi Lee, I have a Nechville on order! I am patiently waiting on its arrival. JIm Smoak was and is really a wonderful all around musician and teacher and deserves a lot more recognition. I mean here is a guy that played banjo with Bill Monroe when he was 18!  The true legends of bluegrass are getting scarcer. He told me his first practice with Bill Monroe's band was onstage!  The story had to do with a lesson. He picks runs anywhere he wants and it always fits the song. His high singing voice makes the banjo's literally ring in the practice room. It is a little intimidating trying to keep up with him, but that is what trying to progress is all about I suppose. We are working on Little Darlin Pal Of Mine picked five ways from Sunday.  And yet another frailing version of Shady Grove in Bm tuning as played in his Moonshine Sonata album.  I took a lesson yesterday from Mr. Smoak and will take another this morning. Then my wife and I are heading up to Bean Blossom for Uncle Pen Days, Legends of Bluegrass festival for a day. I will be looking around for Nechville's.

briln - Posted - 09/22/2012:  14:31:51

What do I think of Nechville?  I think they are great! 

I just received my new Nechville Atlas with a radiused fingerboard to keep my Phantom company. I went with the Atlas since I want to work on my clawhammer and after playing many other open back banjos with necks built  like tree trunks the Nechville was an obvious choice. Add to it the portability and adjustability of the flux capacitor and ability to do a pretty descent job even playing bluegrass in a pinch the Atlas was just too good and too versatile to consider buying anything else.

I couldn't resist having it customized a bit so I added an ebony armrest and some additional fancy inlays and it is a beauty. Just like you would expect it looks and plays great! It might just be the only banjo I bring to banjo camp next year.  Can one banjo do everything?  No it doesn't quite have the punch of the phantom or my Stelling but it can hold its own and is so light and nice to play.

Edited by - briln on 09/22/2012 14:38:23

Denton - Posted - 09/23/2012:  12:34:55

Sweet, unique look there.

jgwoods - Posted - 09/23/2012:  13:45:08

Love my Atlas 11 pot, 25.5" scale with .0105 strings.

jgwoods - Posted - 09/29/2012:  08:45:01

Happy birthday Tom. Many more, and keep on cranking out those fine banjos of yours.

Denton - Posted - 10/02/2012:  07:25:45

My wife and I went to Nashville and got to meet Tom and Al at their booth. They were popular folks and were constantly busy. Tom was adjusting banjo's and greeting people. I got to get my hands on several models and let me just say that they feel and look Great! I have no doubts that I will be receiving a quality instrument. I liked the sound of the Atlas along with the models with Timbre Tronic and the full on Phantom with the 40 hole bell bronze tone ring. If I were rich I'd have them all! And I am just a casual player. Congratulations Tom on offering a truly unique and great instruments.

Edited by - Denton on 10/02/2012 07:28:52

Stolkee - Posted - 10/02/2012:  20:28:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by Denton

 

I liked the sound of the Atlas along with the models with Timbre Tronic and the full on Phantom with the 40 hole bell bronze tone ring. If I were rich I'd have them all! And I am just a casual player. Congratulations Tom on offering a truly unique and great instruments.

---

Richard, I am curious about your impressions of the Timbre Tronics compared with the bronze ringed banjos.  Were the bronze ring instruments much more powerful (for bluegrass), or were the differences more subtle?  Also, could you feel a big weight difference between the two?

Denton - Posted - 10/03/2012:  05:41:51

As for as sound goes in my mind, and heard in the very noisey atmosphere of the convention area, I would say the sound volume nearly the same with the bronze being a tad louder. This is not apples to apples here. The Phantom is walnut and the Timbre Tronic I believe was Maple. The sound from the TT was sweet with a nice ring and not brash. The Phantom had a little more punch and a little more sustain. The weight difference is noticeable immediately. I think both would suffice nicely in a jam and on a stage with mics both again will hold their own. On a stage without mics and performing I would go with the Phantom. Just my 2cents.

Guy - Posted - 10/03/2012:  13:08:21

Having played quite a few now, I'd say there is surprisingly little difference in volume between the cocobola ring and the brass. As you rightly say, the difference is subtle.

Check out this review (just posted) banjohangout.org/reviews/searc...edir=true

This guy is looking for a straight ahead bluegrass sound and owns the following instruments: Stelling Whitestar, Prucha Fall in Love and a Stelling Staghorn 2012.

His new Nechville has a Cocobola tone ring

Guy

jbanjoist - Posted - 10/04/2012:  08:27:46

Anywhere we can listen to A/B comparisons? Would be interesting, yes?

pick1936 - Posted - 10/14/2012:  21:50:19

The  Wood  Ringed  Necvhille's  can  hold  their  own  against  any  banjo.  The  guy  above  does  have  some  nice  banjo's  BUT  I'll  stick  With  Timber  Tronic Classic Deluxe.  It  has  everything  I  like,  and  need  in  a  banjo.  I  really  think  everyone  should  at  least  play  one  once.   You Do  Not  have to be  a  nut  turner.   Pop  Knock  Ring,  and  Zing..

Nechville  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso  

pick1936 - Posted - 10/18/2012:  12:27:23

I  tightened  My  head  only  3/4  inch  more,  and  man  its   Sound  is  Lovely.  GREAT.  It's  hard  to  to  convince  people  UNLESS   They  have  played  a  Nechville.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso

mikesven - Posted - 10/25/2012:  06:56:25

I was hoping that someone may be able to shed a bit of light on something for me. I have been playing around with some different sized bridges on my Phantom recently and have noticed that the spacing seems to be a bit wider on the 1st and 5th strings with the stock bridge I had received. I took a look at the writing on the bottom of the bridge and am wondering if the DWS written on one of the legs references a specific type of string spacing? The other information seems pretty straight forward to follow. 3/4 inch height, 2.8g weight. But what does the DWS mean? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike