toneman - Posted - 11/14/2009:  06:51:25

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I want to take a moment to admonish Steve Gill and his resonator products. I bought a burl walnut reso and once I got it I ran into some snags with the binding etc and just ran out of time to complete my project. I asked Steve for help he said he would be glad to help. His workmanship is top notch and his prices are fair for the quality goods you receive. so if you are looking to buy a resonator pick up the phone and give him a call he has a wealth of knowledge that he is eager to share.

toneman

eagleisland - Posted - 11/14/2009:  06:56:12

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You sure you meant to use the word "admonish?" Here's the definition:

1. to caution, advise, or counsel against something.
2. to reprove or scold, esp. in a mild and good-willed manner: The teacher admonished him about excessive noise.

Sounds to me from the rest of your post that you're singing Steve's praises (which would make sense - he makes great stuff).

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe

Joe Jakonczuk - Posted - 11/14/2009:  07:05:01

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I've been using Steve's resonators for about three years now and they are excellent. The last two I got were the prewar construction. We ran several tests and his resonators do improve the tone, at least to the ears of those involved. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending his resonators and as a bonus he's a great guy as well.

The Pope - Posted - 11/14/2009:  10:36:09

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I've got two of his prewar types and they are fine resos. The last one I ordered the neck notch was too small. I e-mailed Steve and he gave me explicit directions on how to fix it. I thought about it but finally decided that I did not have the correct tools and knowledge to mess up a nice reso. Steve said just send it back and he'd take care of it. I did and he did. He's the man!

The Pope
KI #9
2 parts Masterclones

"Learn a few chords on the banjo, it's the key to life."

Vince Gill

toneman - Posted - 11/14/2009:  10:39:03

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my bad. I had the new Guiness 250 last night. I was thinking of admire. glad someone is reading my posts.


toneman

Retropicker - Posted - 11/14/2009:  10:58:56

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Maybe you should edit it ;) Embelish if you may...
Yea, Steve does great work.

____Keep the hay in Bluegrass__________________________

jmori - Posted - 11/14/2009:  13:03:33

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Does anyone think there would be any noticable difference in sound between the pre war and modern construction gill resos?Just wondering. They sure do look nice, and I am thinking of trying one.Jerry.

eagleisland - Posted - 11/14/2009:  13:16:18

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Some may think differently, but when Arthur Hatfield was building my banjo I asked this same question. Arthur didn't think there was any noticeable difference in the sound - and I was willing to pay the extra, too.

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe

SteveMo - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:03:42

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Can't be beat!!! HIGHEST QUALITY--LOWEST PRICE--NICEST LOOKING,SOUNDING RES. ON THIS OR ANY OTHER PLANET,and he's not a half bad guy himself--actually one of the nicest guys to do business with around!!!!!!He called me up before starting my last res. and apologized for running a little behind and to double check on specifics&details...also e-mailed to congradulate me on finished product when I finished 'er off. This guy ought to be elected banjo businessman of the year!.............................alright Steve....What about that diccount?????????????

jmori - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:21:06

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Thanks for the response eagleisland, that should pretty well answer it.The birdseye maple sure would be nice, but looks like it is only avaliable in the modern construction on the Gill web site.The consensus seems to be they are all great and he is great to deal with.Jerry.

eagleisland - Posted - 11/14/2009:  14:58:28

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quote:

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Originally posted by jmori

Thanks for the response eagleisland, that should pretty well answer it.The birdseye maple sure would be nice, but looks like it is only avaliable in the modern construction on the Gill web site.The consensus seems to be they are all great and he is great to deal with.Jerry.

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Hey, if you WANT birdseye maple, talk to him - I'd be willing to bet that he'd be more than happy to put birdseye on one of other ones given enough time to do it. And I'm not arguing that one's better than another - merely that a banjo builder whose opinion I trust completely felt that it wouldn't make an appreciable difference.

Tellya what - the veneer that blows me away every time I see it is quilted mahogany. I've got a beautiful walnut burl on my Hatfield (walnut neck, too) and am very well pleased with it. But that quilted mahog.... oh my goodness, it's gorgeous. I've seen these at Arthur's and I'm pretty sure that Steve Gill makes them.

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe

SteveMo - Posted - 11/14/2009:  15:11:19

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Amen on that quilted mahog.The one's I've seen seem to be a redder? color than plain mahog.Are they colored first or just a different brand/origin of wood?I'd like to hang one on my 30 year old? Stew-Mac,but it seems to have a browner color to the wood.Guess I could always try to color match the neck,but I hate to take it apart.It's got the sweetest,loudest tone of all my'Jos.Hate to lose that set-up!!!

steve davis - Posted - 11/14/2009:  15:14:13

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I've swapped resonators around (pre war, Cox and old Stew Mac) and
can't tell any appreciable difference.

eagleisland - Posted - 11/14/2009:  15:43:05

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quote:

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Originally posted by SteveMo

Amen on that quilted mahog.The one's I've seen seem to be a redder? color than plain mahog.Are they colored first or just a different brand/origin of wood?I'd like to hang one on my 30 year old? Stew-Mac,but it seems to have a browner color to the wood.Guess I could always try to color match the neck,but I hate to take it apart.It's got the sweetest,loudest tone of all my'Jos.Hate to lose that set-up!!!

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Most likely a function of the stain, Steve. Resonators (and necks) are generally stained before the clearcoat goes on.

eagleisland

"I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe

desert rose - Posted - 11/14/2009:  16:17:36

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You can read my thoughts about Steves resonators and his customer service on the Gill website, simply the best of all worlds, period.

Regarding the burl mahogany, yes it like burl walnut will be darker than unfigured material, matching is simple in the painting process

Scott

Desert Rose Musical Instruments
www.desertrosebanjo.com

prewartb3 - Posted - 11/14/2009:  17:52:05

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We tested resonators one day at the house here. We could not hear any change between the Gill resonator and my original 3 resonator. Take that to the bank.

Swapped my resonator on my 04 Granada for a Gill for a world of improved sound. Add a few other good parts and you got the sound you're hunting for.

PrewarTB3

jmori - Posted - 11/15/2009:  09:24:57

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It looks as if both the modern and the pre war versions have the same inner maple layer on the inner side panel and the same back panel contruction. Soit seems they would have to pretty darn close in sound.also, in checking out thumbnail picture of the quilted quilted mahogany on the Desert Rose website,I'll bet is is impressive, and looks like it might be a good match for either a curly maple or maogany neck.Jerry

uncledelphi - Posted - 11/16/2009:  09:57:36

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I'm another happy user of Gill resonators. I've never had the honor of dealing with him personally, but Arthur has built some banjos for me using Gill resonators and I've always been pleased.

ambpicker - Posted - 11/16/2009:  11:37:43

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I plan to use him at some future date. I have some crotch walnut that has been air drying for about 8 years now. He quoted me a very reasonable price to make a Top Tension style resonator, using my own wood.

Leslie

dpeacock1 - Posted - 11/16/2009:  15:25:35

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Arthur Hatfield built me a mahogany banjo using a finished Gill resonator that I supplied. Steve Gill was a pleasure to deal with.

Doug

Enjoy the music!