Swamibanjo - Posted - 03/21/2009:  11:54:02

We've got a little contest going out here in the NW to name my banjo. I'd like to invite the creativity of BHO to have a pick at it, too. Thanks for thinking about it, Tom . Here's the story:

THANK YOU to those of you who have already sent in a name suggestion for Tom's new banjo. It's fun to collect the nominations and read why you think you've come up with the best name for this instrument. Because so many of you wanted more information about the banjo before coming up with an entry, Tom has taken a few moments to share "the scoop" with you. . . .



Tom tends to have long term relationships with his banjos. He still has his Vega Pete Seeger Long Neck that he started playing in high school. In 1971 he built a banjo based somewhat on the Earl Scruggs' instructions and partly on the generous candor of the Duke of Pearl. It had a slim jazz style neck and a wreath inlay pattern augmented by a winged omega ("flying resistance") and a heart above the nut and on the heel. That banjo was named "The Rocket" and was stolen two days after Christmas in 1988. He would dearly love to play it again.



In about 1990 he was delighted to find an ODE Model "D" at Pioneer music and has played it ever since. About four years ago Tom saw an OME Bright Angel at Wintergrass that had what Tanya of OME called "Clockwork" metal work. It was a striking alternation of gold and nickel metal parts and left Tom with a case of banjo lust. In 2005 he bought an OME Monarch that had been kept under a bed on Thunder Bay whose plating had grown fusty and started making plans.



In the recording studio, on play back, we noticed that his "D" though rich in tone needed more "bite" for his solos. That spurred him to an inspired upgrade of his Monarch. He set it up with a black head, gold and nickel metal work, and black buffalo horn tuning peg buttons. He raised the action and did some other set-up tricks for "bright bite" and gave it a debut performance at our CD release show February. It is an edgy black and gold beauty of gorgeously figured honey maple with sparkle and bite in its tone and old Thunder Bay soul in its heart.




E-MAIL YOUR NAME ENTRY TO KATHY AT kathyboyd@phoenixrisingband.org WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE END OF THE SUMMER OR WHEN THE "PERFECT" NAME APPEARS!




Tom Tower

Banjoman - Posted - 03/21/2009:  11:55:41

How about "Bill?"

Hugh
Picking since 1964

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