getoutthere - Posted - 10/07/2009:  11:57:26

I have a 1976 Gibson that I'm thinking of selling, and have been thinking about either a Huber Roanoke model, or a Stelling (maple). I played a Stelling, liked the neck (I have small hands and it was very playable) so am wondering if anyone can shine some light on the similarities/differences in these. I am looking for a bright sound and more volume than what I'm getting with the Gibson.

drwt1 - Posted - 10/07/2009:  12:03:13

Buy the Stelling!!!!

Texasbanjo - Posted - 10/07/2009:  12:26:53

I have a Stelling that I wouldn't trade for any other brand. I love the way it sounds, the way it looks, the way it picks. I, too, have small hands and it is very easy to pick.

I'm not familiar with the Huber but have heard it's a good banjo, so I'm not knocking it, just can't recommend it as I've never played one.

Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

Shorty P - Posted - 10/07/2009:  12:36:26

Get out their and pick them all and you be the judge, pick the one you like . There are some really good banjos out their . Dont go on someones else's say so and you won't be sorry.

Its time well spent.
Shorty P.

Grey Dog - Posted - 10/07/2009:  13:08:34

Play 'em!!

Even if you have to drive 12 hours to do so!

I've been in a similar situation, played the two, and ended up buying a third impromptu option instead! It found me.

][ Grey Dog in NH

pdbanjo - Posted - 10/07/2009:  13:18:43

Shorty said it true. Be your own judge. I have both a Gibson and a Stelling. Both have different voices but one doesn't have the voulume that the other does. One is distinctly clear while the other has a growling attitude. One plays like butter but feels hard in my hands. The other plays hard but has a sweeter richer tone. Both are keepers. IS one better than the other. Different but not better.

PD
There's so little time and so much room to experiment, why choose to play like someone else? If I were Earl, I wouldn't play it like me either.

Ian_banjo - Posted - 10/07/2009:  14:21:33

I live with a Roanoke and I've played a couple of Stellings. For me it has to be the Roanoke. Playability of both is excellent. To my ears they have roughly the same volume, but I find the Roanoke tone more complex and rounded. But it's a matter of personal taste. As others have said, you'll have to play both, listen to both then make your mind up.

Ian Quayle

kevin0461 - Posted - 10/07/2009:  16:19:17

I'm more inclined to agree with everyone... it seems that any banjo I've picked sounds just a bit different than the other. If you pick enough of them, the right one will find you.

I have a couple... a Gibson ESS and a Granada clone that I put together and loaded with a factory floor rim and Tenn 20 tone ring. They are both essentially the same (Neck, resonator, strings, Price tailpiece, set-up, etc.) but one feels better and sounds just as good but in a different way. I try to give them both equal time but my Granada always wins out.

PEYSSON daniel - Posted - 10/07/2009:  17:24:58

I have a Stelling Masterflower (brand new) and a Huber Lexington and the Stelling plays much louder, it's a killer ! and it can have a very sweet sound also. So I prefer the Stelling.
I intend to sell the Huber and buy maybe a Yates, I read several times that this banjo is really really good. I 'd like to play one. (excuse my poor english, I'm french).

RB5 - Posted - 10/07/2009:  18:06:03

You have to go and try a bunch of different banjo's in order to make the correct choice. What sound,plays and looks good to me might be a whole different ball of wax for you.

Bonjour Daniel Peysson. Sur le pont D'avignon on n'i danse on n'i danse. Tous va bien en France? Les chose vont tres bien ici au Canada.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Robert.

Edited by - RB5 on 10/07/2009 18:09:22

dpeters - Posted - 10/07/2009:  18:30:56

For me it's the Huber, but I've always loved the beauty and craftsmanship of the Stellings. You're just gonna have to play them both..!

granada40 - Posted - 10/07/2009:  18:57:38

Huber

Gold Star GF-100 Conversion

Grey Dog - Posted - 10/07/2009:  18:59:07

Well, if this turns into a vote I need to say my piece: Huber!

][ Grey Dog in NH

banjodr - Posted - 10/07/2009:  19:50:11

I've owned a Staghorn and now have a couple of Hubers and a new custom on the way. There were and are several differences none of which are bad. The Stelling neck was slim and I loved it for the style at the time that I was playing more of....melodic Alan Munde type stuff. After a long while (regretful) away from the banjo on a regular basis, I grew to the Crowe, Scruggs stuff more than the melodic stuff which is still great but my brain can't decifer it any more. So that being said, each suited me at different times. I think the sound of both were are great and guys like me that like to tinker can get just about any tone you like with enough practice and patience. Play them both and see the feel and the "hit" you get in your belly from them. Then take the one you like.

Stay Tuned! gDGBD

getoutthere - Posted - 10/13/2009:  10:22:31

Thanks so much for the input. Right now I am trying to sell my 1976 Gibson, and looking at other options. From what I understand, the tone ring in this time frame wasn't the best, and I am getting to have a good enough ear that I can hear it. I played a friend's banjo with a Huber tone ring in it, and then didn't even want to play mine anymore. I had considered just putting a new tone ring in my banjo, but by the time I do that I'm getting into the price range of a Huber or Stelling, and might find something that is more playable for me.
I have fairly small hands, and so the neck of the Gibson is a bit roundish so I find it hard to wrap my thumb around. Plus, the idea of the speed neck on the Huber appeals to me, although I haven't been able to try it yet. I don't have a super aggressive attack, so having a banjo that has better tone and volume would be great, it feels like I try too hard to get the volume out of the one I play now, especially in a jam (believe it or not, my banjo isn't loud enough, haha)
I like the tone of walnut and maple, more than the mahogany, and found the volume and tone of the Huber tone ring more what I'm looking for, although I haven't played one of their banjos yet. Maybe I'll look for a festival in January where I can go play some banjos, there just isn't the selection up here in the snowy north, unfortunately.

Cornflake - Posted - 10/13/2009:  13:17:23

One problem I see in these kinds of choices is that a banjo that's been played for a while sounds significantly different from a new banjo. When I bought my Stelling Red Fox new in '02 I was surprised and a bit disappointed that it wasn't louder. it was sort of mellow. It took at least a year of steady playing for it to start coming around. Now I love the tone. It's quite loud and has developed some of those special warm undertones of the Gibson or Huber. I'll never sell it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I love my excellent sense of humor. Unfortunately it gets me into trouble, and un-funny people think I'm an idiot.

Old Man - Posted - 10/13/2009:  15:31:39

Stelling. The Ultimate Banjo

jccobrien - Posted - 10/14/2009:  04:35:16

Huber walnut

80Heel - Posted - 10/14/2009:  12:21:15

I have both a Gibson RB-75 and a Stelling Golden Cross (maple). The Stelling is extremely bright and has tremendous volume, which is very noticeably different (even to my wife, from across the house) than the Gibson. Both are great, and I think the Stelling has unsurpassed craftsmanship. However, I've come to prefer the more mellow Gibson tone, and that's why I have the GC listed for sale. It's just going to be dependent on your taste in tone -- no other way to find out other than to try them.

I agree with you on the Roanoke -- would love to try one.

HookedOnBluegrass - Posted - 10/14/2009:  16:54:22

Huber all day!! But Ive played about a dozen Stellings that were fine banjos. Met a guy at IBMA that had an older gold Stelling Sunflower that was a hoss. Man what a banjo.

Practice makes "better".