banjoy - Posted - 10/27/2009:  20:48:03

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Hey there. I've been really into Nechville banjos for a while and am finally breaking down and getting one built.

Has anyone seen the new Athena model with its cool inlay?

http://nechville.com/athena2.html


I'm having one built out of curly maple instead of walnut, and using Tom's standard cyclo-whatever tone ring. Definitely a radiussed fingerboard. Got to have that.

I'm doing the headstock a little different but other than that, I'm open to ideas.

Has anyone seen one of these up close and personal? I've seen lots of Nechville but not this model...

--Frank

Banjov1 - Posted - 10/27/2009:  22:31:34

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I haven't played one myself, but I've seen one in photos and think it's gorgeous. Tom and his group make beautiful banjos. And that IS a cool inlay pattern.

I'm guessing you've probably seen the Janna banjo threads, but in case you haven't...
http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...IC_ID=149445

There's a lot of photos and videos of her Athena on that thread as well as her profile page.

Can't wait to see pix of yours when you get it

Tony

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Edited by - Banjov1 on 10/27/2009 23:16:00

Guy - Posted - 10/28/2009:  02:15:12

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Tom had one with him when he came to North Wales Bluegrass Festival. It was absolutely gorgeous and was very well received with a lot of people trying it, most of whom expressed a desire to own it. Several people were talking seriously about buying it and it was sold to a very discerning customer who was delighted with it.

This model was walnut with a cocobola tone ring. It was light, elegant and sounded great. You will not be disappointed!

Guy

You hum it son, I'll play it!
www.salmagundi.me.uk

banjoy - Posted - 10/28/2009:  03:27:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by Banjov1

...I'm guessing you've probably seen the Janna banjo threads, but in case you haven't...

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...IC_ID=149445

There's a lot of photos and videos of her Athena on that thread as well as her profile page.

Can't wait to see pix of yours when you get it

Tony

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Hey Tony, thanks for the link. I had NOT seen that thread and read up on that. How cool is that? It waaaaay cool to see bluegrass around the world like this. I have a feeling we'll hear a lot more to come from Janna. And I have a feeling that Tom was probably a silent driving force in helping make that happen.

I was going with a Classic model then I saw the Athena, which as it is now on order, is as follows:

--All flamed curly maple (instead of walnut)
--Rosewood peghead overlay (instead of ebony)
--The cyclotronic tonering system instead of the wood ring

Everything else is the same as the Athena, so I guess this would be a customized version?

...although after reading more about the "stocK" Athena I may need Tom to explain the wood tone ring to me a bit more. I just don't want to drive him crazy (any more than I already have, anyway)!

--Frank

banjoy - Posted - 10/28/2009:  05:47:19

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I will add, too, that Tom Nechville has been one of the most gracious luthiers I have had the pleasure of talking to, and I've talked to tons of guitar and banjo builders over the years (Lynn Dudenbostle is also another gracious luthier to chat with). It's clear to me that Tom takes a hands-on approach with his customers and has shown a great deal of patience, sincere interest, and is taking my wants and needs to heart. It seems Tom wants a Nechville banjo in my hands just as much as I want one.

(Thanks, Tom. I'll get this puppy nailed down soon. Pkg in the mail to you today BTW...)

--Frank

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Edited by - banjoy on 10/28/2009 05:48:32

goldtopia - Posted - 10/29/2009:  00:16:35

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The Nechville Athena is a very good banjo though it is rather expensive which is why I bought a Fitch Palomino. But if you can afford an Athena, go for it.

Bill.O

www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk

pick1936 - Posted - 10/29/2009:  13:10:52

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I have almost an Athena, Mine is a Classic Deluxe, with The Cocobolo wood tone ring, great banjo only weighs 7 lbs.



Rings Like Silver.
But It's Wood.

Lee Kelso

glsmi - Posted - 10/29/2009:  14:38:09

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You won't be disappointed beautiful inlay pattern and a fine playing and sounding banjo.
Barry

banjoy - Posted - 10/29/2009:  19:15:43

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Cool thanks for all the great feedback.

After reading all this here and elsewhere., I am reconsidering two things:

1) Wood. Walnut vs. Curly Maple wood. I am not familiar with Walnut as far as sound goes and have always liked curly maple, both for looks, and sound. The walnut model in the pics looks nice. Any opinions in this?

2) Tonering Tom's new tonering, the wood one, kind of freaks me out a little but I am intrigued by it. Everyone says it sounds awesome. If I go with the wood ring, will it be problems down the road? Is the wood ring affected by temperature and humidity? How on earth does it work and are there photos of it? Or, if I go with the cyclotronic tonering, will I have 80 ball bearings bouncing around my kitchen floor if I ever have to take the banjo apart for some reason?

Feedback is appreciated and may help to clarify these things for me.

THANKS!

--Frank

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Edited by - banjoy on 10/29/2009 19:25:10

pick1936 - Posted - 10/29/2009:  22:01:06

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Hi Frank The wood in Mine seems to be stable, In the winter I put a small Himidifier in the case, I do the same with My 50 year old guitar, My wood ring has been in since last Thanksgiving, so far seems to be no swelling, or shrinkage, time will tell?? I think just like anything else You have to take care of Your Instruments. The 80 balls are no trouble at all, Since November I have taken Mine apart twice, Don't even have to detune the strings, just tip the bridge over, carefully, lay it on the kitchen table, with a blanket under it, so You won't loose the balls, screw it apart, Clean it up, put some of Toms White Grease on threads, screw back together repositition bridge, touch up the tunning, and be pickin again, all in about 20 to 40 Min. Its just so eazy to adjust any part on these banjo's, It's like Childs play, Of Couse I'm a 73 old Child HA, No joking, You would love one.


Wood Is Good.
Nechville. In Higginsviile.

Lee Kelso

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Edited by - pick1936 on 10/29/2009 22:05:28

40bpm - Posted - 10/30/2009:  12:53:04

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Hi Frank - I have a Nechville Phantom with Athena (wood) tone-ring + the big ball bearings and a radius fretboard. The wood tone ring lighter in weight but not in tone. My old shoulders like the lighter weight.

This a banjo to keep forever - excellent build quality, and the thing is just so darn "musical" sounding. The tone can be sweet or it can be bold and brassy depending on playing style and set-up (another plus for the Nechville).

I'm done looking for the "ultimate" banjo - my Nechville is perfect for me. Good luck in your banjo-quest!

Jan

40bpm (not my heart rate)

banjoy - Posted - 10/30/2009:  15:14:53

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Wow. Thanks everyone for the terrific feedback. This means a lot to me, for real.

I am definitely rethinking the tonering. I also like the idea of lighter weight. I just weighed my top tension banjo and it's 13 lbs. With the Calton Case it's about 25 lbs.

So the idea of a great sounding banjo that weighs 7-8 lbs is definitely something I'm interested in. I'll need to ask Tom more about the wood ring.

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Edited by - banjoy on 10/30/2009 15:20:34

CodeSmith - Posted - 11/01/2009:  01:06:39

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Just a couple notes, I rcvd my custom phantom from Tom & crew last week and I couldn't be any happier! It was a first class experience collaborating with them my ideas for dream banjo and seeing it beautifully executed. I went with the cocobolo tone ring after trying first hand, a phantom equipped with the latter. The wood ring & bearings combo sounds great! I've since upgraded my Nextar with the wood ring/bearing combo with equally pleasing results. The Nextar's tone ring differs in that it's rosewood which Tom had mentioned they are now using (different sound properties?). Although not a apples to apples comparison, I found them tonally different, the cocobolo seems to have a very clean, clear even round notes and the rosewood very dynamic? Hard to express, it's different in a good way. Something to consider and chat with Tom if you go with this option. I like them both, still fine tuning the setup on Nextar but it's sounds pretty good right now

I almost went with a maple Athena, it's a beaut but I was hooked on the Phantom after playing one
All the best,
Wayne

nechville - Posted - 11/02/2009:  09:02:29

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Thanks for everybody's insights, I still have trouble describing the significant difference in tone between the metal and wood, It's hard to describe, the wood is punchy and distinct, but can sound full and warm with the head just a tad loose, The volume is good, and seems to carry in a noisy room or jam, but I'd say the "size of the note" is bigger with the metal tone ring. It's a broader sound, rich and more surrounding. Great if you can make any sense of that, Now to make a suggestion, Take both tone rings! Use them over a period of time and you may find purposes for both. Compared to the cost of the banjo, an extra tone ring is not that much, in fact, If anyone is lingering out there with the thoughts of a new Nechville, I'll throw in an extra tone ring to the next person that orders a banjo and mentions this post to me.
Now as to the difference between Maple and walnut? I can only speak in general terms, You can tweak banjos made in either wood all over the map, but I found a very cool combination with Walnut, neck, Wood tone ring and Renaissance head. To use the description above, warm, full yet punchy and distinct. Now What would happen If you just change the wood to Maple? I'd expect more fullness, same punch, same or less warmth and distinction. Tom

Banjo Revolution REV IT UP!
www.nechville.com

banjoy - Posted - 11/19/2009:  15:57:12

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Okay so after a lot of back and forth on my part, and talking to Tom about some ideas, here's what I've nailed down so far:

--Flamed curly maple neck and resonator

--Color to be the about same as the Classic Delunxe as shown on the Nechville website

--Rosewood peghead overlay, with white/black binding on peghead

--Black banjo-type tuners

--Radiussed fingerboard, the wide, comfortable one

--Under-bridge pickup installed and jack mounted to flange


I'm still undecided on whether to go with a metal tone ring or wood. I'm leaning toward wood, but then there's some choices even on which woods!

Anyway, as I understand from Tom, this is already in production! I have some time to decide on the tone ring...

--Frank