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itstheplunk - Posted - 03/04/2008: 11:57:51
After lots of searching, I found a romero used. The most amazing thing is that Jason Romero put me in touch with the seller and actually worked out a lot of the deal for me. What an amazing guy...he isn't benefiting from the sale at all, but he wanted his banjo to find a good home.
This is the one: http://www.romerobanjos.com/07099/0799.html
I'll have it by the end of the month. Can't WAIT. 
Erica
chrome - Posted - 03/04/2008: 12:16:25
I had no idea what you were talking about untill I looked at the link. I've never personally seen one but I know your happy and can't wait to get it. Congrats!!!!!!!
'07 Gibson Granada SS
WGE - Posted - 03/04/2008: 13:39:12
That was quick. So you got old #0799. One short of his 100th banjo. I hope it lives up to your expectations; I think the cherry pot and neck will work nicely. Indeed, Jason is an accommodating fellow. Be sure to post a review.
Reneker - Posted - 03/04/2008: 13:46:33
Congratulations Erica!
That is a beautiful instrument.
Welcome to the Hangout!
Gold Star GF-85...Souped up!
skevincampbell - Posted - 03/04/2008: 14:53:04
Congratulations! You have a great banjo.
Kevin
2004 Hatfield Custom Walnut/ Gold
krazykat - Posted - 03/04/2008: 15:41:53
Wow! I'm totally envious. I love Jason Romero's banjos; wish I had a chance to try one out in person!
unclekurty - Posted - 03/04/2008: 16:24:36
Congrats on the Romero. The cherry will get even better looking as it darkens a bit as it ages. Same with the fret board. I like the hard oil finish. I've noticed you'll get probably get a nice shiny patina on the finish on the neck from the oil from your skin. And best of all I know that banjo sounds great. You'll be very happy when it arrives.
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/04/2008: 17:17:10
Thanks everyone! I am very excited. I feel very fortunate as this is my first banjo. Big thanks to my parents who are proud of their college graduate, even at 33 yrs old! This is a gift from them.
Erica
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/04/2008: 17:26:06
quote:
Originally posted by WGE
That was quick. So you got old #0799. One short of his 100th banjo. I hope it lives up to your expectations; I think the cherry pot and neck will work nicely. Indeed, Jason is an accommodating fellow. Be sure to post a review.
Yes, once i saw one used, I jumped on it. It doesn't seem like they come up very often. Plus, I don't own a banjo...i've been playing a friend's dean resonator, so I wasn't feeling very patient.
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/04/2008: 17:29:21
quote:
Originally posted by unclekurty
Congrats on the Romero. The cherry will get even better looking as it darkens a bit as it ages. Same with the fret board. I like the hard oil finish. I've noticed you'll get probably get a nice shiny patina on the finish on the neck from the oil from your skin. And best of all I know that banjo sounds great. You'll be very happy when it arrives.
I love everything about it. I don't know that I would have done anything different had I ordered it custom, besides maybe different inlay.
you sound like you know this banjo....have you played it?
harvey - Posted - 03/04/2008: 18:44:25
Congatulations, Erica. Enjoy your Romero!
unclekurty - Posted - 03/04/2008: 23:14:59
Erica I might have played this one. I've played other cherry Romeros. I'd like a cherry banjo one day. I would usually visit Jason in Arcata once a year. Now that he's a Canadian I guess I'll have to get a passport. I have a 12 inch pot Romero with a wooden tone ring I really like. I have a sound file on my homepage of it.
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/05/2008: 09:28:10
quote:
Originally posted by unclekurty
Erica I might have played this one. I've played other cherry Romeros. I'd like a cherry banjo one day. I would usually visit Jason in Arcata once a year. Now that he's a Canadian I guess I'll have to get a passport. I have a 12 inch pot Romero with a wooden tone ring I really like. I have a sound file on my homepage of it.
I've definately listened to your sound files, as well as anyone else's that I could find with a Romero. I've also read lots of posts about romeros, and reviews.....that is a large part of why I decided on one. I remember reading about your flying eyeball too...pretty cool.
SBS - Posted - 03/07/2008: 09:04:19
Hi Erica,
You're going to love your new Romero. I bought this banjo from The Music Emporium. It is absolutely gorgeous. The only reason I sold it was because I bought a Romero 12" Walnut All Wood. The tone was so close between the two that I couldn't justify keeping both.
What I really liked was the cherry/chechen wood combination, the perfect fit/finish and the light weight. Also Jason's cast tailpiece is cool.
I love my walnut Romero but will miss sitting on the front porch, this spring, with the Cherry/Chechen Star! I'm glad to know it has found a good home.
Best wishes.
Scott
Edited by - SBS on 03/07/2008 09:05:09
RWJones1970 - Posted - 03/07/2008: 22:58:56
Congratulations !!! Beautiful instrument. Looking forward to some wonderful music files on your homepage and hopefully a cool review. Happy Frails !!!
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/10/2008: 18:30:46
quote:
Originally posted by SBS
Hi Erica,
You're going to love your new Romero. I bought this banjo from The Music Emporium. It is absolutely gorgeous. The only reason I sold it was because I bought a Romero 12" Walnut All Wood. The tone was so close between the two that I couldn't justify keeping both. ....I'm glad to know it has found a good home.
Hi Scott! It is very cool to know it's history. Thanks for posting about it....I was curious why it has already had a couple of owners, so the story is nice to hear.
I don't have it in my hands yet.....anxiously awaiting it's arrival....and it will have a good home!
Thanks again for letting me know about it.
warmly,
Erica
SBS - Posted - 03/10/2008: 18:49:03
Hi Erica,
I really hated to see it go. A few things I found while playing it. Don't tighten the head too much. It loses some of its warm woody tone. If the tone doesn't sound just right try backing the nuts off by a quarter turn. If you like a warm bassy sounding banjo try a heavy moon bridge. Jason makes his own bridges that sound very nice. The action was a little high for me so I tried the heavy moon and it really brought out the bass. I went 1/8" lower and it was fine with no buzz. As I got use to playing it I went back to Jason's original bridge. On the back side of the neck Jason puts a little groove running down from the 5th string peg. It looks ornamental but when you play down there it is a very handy place to anchor your thumb.
Have Fun!
Scott
Edited by - SBS on 03/10/2008 20:53:37
Ray Soulard - Posted - 03/10/2008: 21:30:31
Congratulations Erica!
Not long ago I had the opportunity to visit the Music Emporium, where they generally have a great selection of the finest banjos ever made (new or old). As I noodled around with magnificent instruments, my lack of skill/talent rendering all of the builder's efforts futile, I couldn't help being struck by the exceptional beauty of the Romeros. I left the Emporium thinking that if I ever reach the level where I could actually do justice to a great banjo Romero's would be at the top of my list.
Enjoy
J-Walk - Posted - 03/10/2008: 22:38:22
Congrats on getting a fine banjo, Erica. I also have a Romero, and I love it. It might be my imagination, but it sounds better with age. Or maybe I'm just learning to play it.
I see you're in Columbia, MO. I spent four years there at the university. Nice little town. At least it was 35 years ago.
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/11/2008: 10:05:29
Hey J-walk...you're the third person on the hangout that went to school in columbia....more than 25 years ago. It is still a great town...not so little anymore though.
I would say that most beautfiul, well made things improve with age.
warmly,
erica
itstheplunk - Posted - 03/11/2008: 11:28:47
quote:
Originally posted by SBS
Hi Erica,
If you like a warm bassy sounding banjo try a heavy moon bridge.
Hi Scott...I was just checking out the moon bridges. Did you use the 5/8 or the 11/16?
SBS - Posted - 03/11/2008: 11:38:05
Erica,
I'm pretty sure it was a 5/8". I think that the Romero bridge was close to 3/4". To be on the safe side you might want to wait and measure it when the banjo arrives. You won't be disappointed with the sound of the Romero bridge. It was just a little high for me.
Scott
