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banjobubba - Posted - 09/23/2009: 18:48:55
I was just sitting around picking my banjo tonite and I was once again amazed at what Warren Yates and company have accomplished. This pot assembly is awesome!!!! I think Warren described the sound so well in this month's issue of the Banjo Newsletter. It is a pure joy to play. If you are in the market for a new banjo, play a Yates before you buy. If you don't, (imho) you will be sorry!!!!!!!!!!!
Surveyor - Posted - 09/23/2009: 21:52:56
I want one. I am totally into charity if anyone wants to throw a bone my way. Just sayin! :)
Mr. B
Wind me up and watch me go!
CoolSpring - Posted - 09/24/2009: 05:02:24
Haven't played one yet but I keep hearing great things about them. I definitely love the sound of them. In my opinion it it the best sounding new banjo out there.
Blaine N. - Posted - 09/29/2009: 17:24:43
I have been waiting for my Distressed RS Maple Yates! Arrival date is tomorrow. Should be a great day. Warren is absolutly great to work with. Always helpful on the phone and willing to take the time to answer any questions and talk about his building process. What a nice guy. Warren and Ron Stewart have something special going with these banjos! I had the chance to play a friends Yates RS maple for a couple of months, and, well.......there is no going back. The sound just blew me away. It just has THE sound. Playability, workmanship, feel, and above all else, tone. Check out these banjos for yourself. I think we will be seeing alot more of these monsters in the near future!
Warren Yates - Posted - 09/30/2009: 20:29:55
The entire Yates Banjo crew will be at IBMA walking around during Fanfest. We will also be at the award show. If you see us walking around, say hi. We would love to meet you all!
Later, Warren Yates
www.yatesbanjos.com
A banjo picker saying, "This is the last banjo I will ever buy" is like a drunk saying, " I can quit any time I want." It is a sickness and we all have it.
Scout70 - Posted - 09/30/2009: 23:29:34
I bought a mahogany RS last year, number 23. Had the V33 tone ring in it. The banjo sounded great. I asked Yates if he could put some Keith tuners on it and match the antique finish. I sent the banjo back and he told me I could upgrade my RS to include the new RS tone ring--only available in the RS model now--and update the rim. He also shaved down my neck slightly to the optimum thickness. Anyway, I should get the banjo back with new tuners, new rim, the RS tone ring and faster neck. Can't wait.
People who have an early model Yates RS with the V33 ring might want to inquire about upgrading their banjo to the new ring.
I will report on how the banjo sounds and plays when I get it. Warren described the banjo now as a "monster." Can't wait.
Scout
jdluke - Posted - 10/01/2009: 01:08:48
quote:
Originally posted by Scout70
I bought a mahogany RS last year, number 23. Had the V33 tone ring in it. The banjo sounded great. I asked Yates if he could put some Keith tuners on it and match the antique finish. I sent the banjo back and he told me I could upgrade my RS to include the new RS tone ring--only available in the RS model now--and update the rim. He also shaved down my neck slightly to the optimum thickness. Anyway, I should get the banjo back with new tuners, new rim, the RS tone ring and faster neck. Can't wait.
People who have an early model Yates RS with the V33 ring might want to inquire about upgrading their banjo to the new ring.
I will report on how the banjo sounds and plays when I get it. Warren described the banjo now as a "monster." Can't wait.
Scout
Very interesting new...... Luca www.bononiagrass.it http://myspace.com/bononiagrass http://cdbaby.com/cd/bononia
Bow-tie75 - Posted - 10/02/2009: 07:19:32
I got an email about "an upgrade" from warren, haven't had the time to call him about it yet.
Hey Warren, I'll give you a ring after the IBMA craziness.
Man, if the new upgrades make this 5 sound better...it would be scary good. I'd honeslty be real hesitant though, I like this banjo a lot! Don't know if I'd take a chance by messin' with it. I'll keep my ears open though.
Cheers,
D'Arcy
jeremy blankenship - Posted - 10/02/2009: 13:28:15
Well I dont own one. But I have played D'Arcy's and he is right. That is one good banjo! Seen ron at IBMA yesterday proudly carrying his YATES around.
Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!
mastertone250 - Posted - 10/02/2009: 13:59:23
New ring. I thought it was the V33. Hes made a new one now?
"Surround Yourself With Good Muscians". -J.D Crowe
“Nobody is a legend, we all put our pants on one leg at a time.” - Sonny Osborne
SamM - Posted - 10/03/2009: 06:13:19
I emailed Warren about this, the new ring is being designed for the RS banjo and rim and will not be sold separately. The V33 ring apparently is designed to work with any rim. Personally, I am still very pleased with my Rattlesnake that has the V1 ring which I have had for about two years now.
JohnTheWhite - Posted - 10/05/2009: 18:35:47
It looks like the original RS was manufactured in Warren's one-man shop for about a year and a half. Assuming 20% of those buyers have their instrument "upgraded", I wonder how many of the inferior-sounding, unmolested mahogany ones will be left in existence, besides my own of course?
===
This is bluegrass type advice; you can do what you want to with it.
The advice is, "Don't let your deal go down."
Bow-tie75 - Posted - 10/06/2009: 06:28:45
JohnTheWhite,
I'm thinking I'll be in the same boat as you, but I'm stubborn and not a tinkerer. My Bowtie hasn't seen a wrench of any type in 6yrs I think (it's supper stable though) and the Yates has only had the head tightened a few times, rods haven't been touched, bridge is original, tailpiece original..etc.. But I've got respect for Warren and Ron in not settling and continuing the search. I'd be lying if I said I'm not curious though...you never know...
Cheers,
SamM - Posted - 10/06/2009: 06:43:53
I have a Rattlesnake that I bought from Warren that I have had for almost two years. It has the V1 tone ring. I do not consider it in any way "inferior"; hardly.
JohnTheWhite - Posted - 10/06/2009: 22:17:30
quote:
Originally posted by SamM
I have a Rattlesnake that I bought from Warren that I have had for almost two years. It has the V1 tone ring. I do not consider it in any way "inferior"; hardly.
Sam I intended the "Inferior Sounding" comment as a gross exaggeration. My instrument has a year-and-a-half on it, (going on 70), and there will be no replacing of tone rings or rims or much of anything else, certainly while it remains under my care. During the "golden years" of Gibson there was a lot of variation in materials, but I don't believe then or now that it constitutes the deciding factor in tonal quality. It's the soul and the knowledge of the builder(s). That's the wonderful thing about a hand-made instrument. It captures what was going on in the lives of the people who made it, and I would say that Warren and Ron were in a pretty positive place during the last few years when our instruments were made.
Beardog - Posted - 10/07/2009: 05:10:35
Warren offered me the "upgrade". Then, I plulled my banjo out and played it. He immediately said "I won't touch that banjo. It doesn't need anything".
Beardog
37banjer - Posted - 10/13/2009: 14:15:45
i just picked mine up last friday and haven't put it down yet!!!!! it is KILLER!!!!!!!! i can't get over how powerful and clear this thing is!! thanks to warren and ron for putting together the ULTIMATE banjo!!!!
J.D.
granderman - Posted - 10/14/2009: 03:12:36
Hey Sam how is the Chief sounding , what is your assessment ?
"for those of you who think you hold the cards , I send to you my kind regards
For those of you who love and care I'll see you down the road somewhere "
SteelDrivers
www.4everBlue.net www.nucraftdental.com
aloha T
Beardog - Posted - 10/14/2009: 03:57:57
quote:
Originally posted by granderman
Hey Sam how is the Chief sounding , what is your assessment ?
It is really beginning to settle in well. I believe that within a couple of months, it will be on par with my Yates. I have played several Granada's, and the Chief has them all beat (the ones that I have played...not every Granada out there). Beardog
Scout70 - Posted - 10/15/2009: 05:03:18
I own one of the early RS models, #23. I sent it back to Warren to put some Scruggs-Keith tuners on it. He mentioned thatI could upgrade the banjo to the new RS ring, new rim, plus he suggested the neck be reduced a bit to meet the specifications of what they are doing now with the RS model. I decide to go with the upgrade given it was not very expensive and I felt like Warren and Ronnie had fine tuned what they wanted in the model with further RS development. I should note that my RS pre-upgrade was fantastic and I had no complaints. (He held the parts in case I was not happy with the upgrade.)
Well I got the banjo back this week. Wow!!! Thanks Warren. The reduction in the neck thickness made for a better fit. The tuners and new antiquing of the buttons looks fantastic. The head tension is at G# and the action is dialed in exact!!! Best of all, the new rim and tone ring make the banjo louder, the tone is very clear. I really notice a difference. It rings "exact" all the way up the neck and the tone can go from sweet to solid with slight movement up or down with the right hand.
I suspect that this banjo will settle in more over the coming weeks and only improve. Throughout the upgrade, Warren stayed in constant contact with me advising me of the progress and I felt like an anxious parent sitting in the waiting room being constantly upgrade on the surgery for my child!
What makes this banjo so special to me is that it truely is a work of art and Yates has really captured the sound people are craving. It is a package deal--instrument, hours and hours of toil to get the RS model right, and customer service that is so personalized you wonder where on earth did this guy come from.
I cannot thank you enough Warren!!!!!
Scout
WBTBanjoGirl - Posted - 11/10/2009: 13:57:13
Yates banjos are AWESOME!!! The sound is just stellar, and next time I get a banjo, that's what I'm getting!!!!!
~Alana
BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 11/10/2009: 15:24:34
quote:
Originally posted by Scout70
I own one of the early RS models, #23. I sent it back to Warren to put some Scruggs-Keith tuners on it. He mentioned thatI could upgrade the banjo to the new RS ring, new rim, plus he suggested the neck be reduced a bit to meet the specifications of what they are doing now with the RS model. I decide to go with the upgrade given it was not very expensive and I felt like Warren and Ronnie had fine tuned what they wanted in the model with further RS development. I should note that my RS pre-upgrade was fantastic and I had no complaints. (He held the parts in case I was not happy with the upgrade.)
Well I got the banjo back this week. Wow!!! Thanks Warren. The reduction in the neck thickness made for a better fit. The tuners and new antiquing of the buttons looks fantastic. The head tension is at G# and the action is dialed in exact!!! Best of all, the new rim and tone ring make the banjo louder, the tone is very clear. I really notice a difference. It rings "exact" all the way up the neck and the tone can go from sweet to solid with slight movement up or down with the right hand.
I suspect that this banjo will settle in more over the coming weeks and only improve. Throughout the upgrade, Warren stayed in constant contact with me advising me of the progress and I felt like an anxious parent sitting in the waiting room being constantly upgrade on the surgery for my child!
What makes this banjo so special to me is that it truely is a work of art and Yates has really captured the sound people are craving. It is a package deal--instrument, hours and hours of toil to get the RS model right, and customer service that is so personalized you wonder where on earth did this guy come from.
I cannot thank you enough Warren!!!!!
Scout
Great to hear a happy banjo picker. The fifth child is a doozey.  Life is but a vapor.
banjobubba - Posted - 11/11/2009: 12:40:33
I just got my new Lyle Creek model from Warren's shop last week. This thing is killer. I ain't never played a banjer that even comes close to the sweet harmonies this thing is producing. Thanks Warren, from another happy customer .
Goldstarman - Posted - 11/12/2009: 08:42:39
They do sound otherwordly man. I have a friend who is good friends with a Pro picker....Very Famous pro picker...Like top 10...he endorses other banjos....he had told my friend about a yates he had (this is one of the best banjos Ive ever heard)
"Aint" aint a word
TownBranch - Posted - 11/12/2009: 08:55:32
quote:
Originally posted by Goldstarman
They do sound otherwordly man. I have a friend who is good friends with a Pro picker....Very Famous pro picker...Like top 10...he endorses other banjos....he had told my friend about a yates he had (this is one of the best banjos Ive ever heard)
"Aint" aint a word
A www... C'mon. Tell us!!! We ain't gonna tell anybody!!!! B. Elkins www.townbranchbluegrass.com
Goldstarman - Posted - 11/12/2009: 09:02:04
Couldnt hardly tell his name now could I?... Like I said he endorses another banjo comapny and this is just what my buddy told me
I know one thing, Im going to try and sell mine and get one although I dont know if I can afford it right now, but i hate playing a Gibson on stage doing 120 shows a year and people asking me, what ya playing and having to say "Gibson"
Why?..Because QC. Over the past 10 years Ive only owned a couple that didnt need something done to them, the one I have now is a good one, a great sounding one but, I like the yates, and Ive read and heard about Warren on here, seems to be a stand up guy.
"Aint" aint a word
Edited by - Goldstarman on 11/12/2009 09:02:46
banjobubba - Posted - 11/12/2009: 12:59:17
I have never heard anyone say that they were displeased with any of Warren's customer service. He's very good to work with. Oh, by the way, did I mention how great these things sound?
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