I hate to keep posting so much,, BUT I can't control Myself, I was going to K.C, Mo. to a weekly jam, but have a bad sore throat, I honetly thinks that people who think Nechville banjo's are not tradtinal enough,, just have never seen, or played one? Whats not to like about a quality banjo, That You can change,, or tension heads in 7 or 8 Min. Remove neck, in seconds,, Adjust the string action to fit almost any bridge height, and still have low action,, every adjustment, can be made so fast, You need to try it to beleave it,, No other banjo can do the things, a Nechville can,, plus You can get any sound You want,, bluegrass or otherwise, and for looks My Calssic Deluxe curly maple, with diamond, and wings, looks about as traditional as any banjo. (Cyclotronic tone ring system),, ( compound radiused finger board), extra big frets which are (FABULOUS) One guy at a festival, wanted to trade even up, His Deering Calico,, It was nice but not as nice as My Classic.,, I know Tom was wanting to know why more people didn't talk much about Nechville's on the H.O.,, plus talk about what people DIDN"T like about them,, I really can't think of anything I dont like about Nechville's,,, I think that the real problem is, not very many people have ever heard,, or played a Nechville, That will change when people wake up... NOTE,,, I don't work for Tom,, but I want Him to keep building these nice banjo's Because I will probably want to buy another in the future...


Nechville In Higginsville.

pick the banjer son.

Lee Kelso

Edited by - pick1936 on 10/09/2008 16:40:50

As everybody knows Nechville banjos are not traditional, the most of the players that plays Nechville are non traditional players, people that are more interested in the Newgrass and other stuff than just traditional Bluegrass. Here in Spain there are some Nechville banjo players, Lluis Gomez is a great non traditional Spanish banjo player that plays a Nechville banjo.
Nechville banjos sounds great and play amazing, I had the chance to play several of them and with a good set up, better if is done by Tom , is almost possible to have any kind of sound, traditional or non traditional.The only sound that I haven’t heard on a Nechville is the tone of an Archtop as the ones played by Doug Dillar.
As a clawhammer Banjo player I feel that Nechville needs to pay more attention on the Open back banjos. I know that the most of builders that are focus on the bluegrass banjos rarely pay attention on the clawhammer players. Now a days there are more and more people playing old time music, and a lot of bands that plays OT with a R&R feeling so it will be great to see an Open back made by Nechville that fits their needs.


David Prat
myspace.com/davidprat
songslide.com/ArtistDetail.asp...istID=337

I've owned a mahogany Nechville Classic with cyclotronic system for almost 2 years - I HAVE NO REASON TO EVER BUY ANOTHER BANJO, AS I KNOW OF NOTHING OFFERED BY ANY OTHER BRAND THAT COULD BE BETTER THAN MY NECHVILLE. Now, I may buy another banjo for collection purposes, but that would be all. The design of Tom's instruments are very different, but absolutely so engineering smart. Plus, I've met Tom at Hatfield's camp, and I've dealt with Al by phone and email, and their service is first class all the way.
NUFF SAID! Ross, Dalton, GA

Ross Fox

Hi David
Tom Nechville does make open back Banjos, Check his website

Richard

Hi Tom I'm waiting for test one so I can endorse them,kidding of corse Ron.

Where can you go play one? I've been around alot of players and go to a lot of music stores and I've never seen one for sale. All the music store have anymore are el cheapos because they don't sale many and a high dollar ones set unbought so they don't stock them anymore. I know I can go to banjo.com or janets but it's hard to justify the trip.

Hi Gene
Contact Tom Nechville, He can probably put you in contact with someone in your area that plays a Nechville.
Email nechville.com Tom will try to help you.

Richard
Nechville rep UK

I think Nechvilles look awesome and I am an interested potential customer. The drawbacks to me are:
-- No dealers in my area (Denver) so it hasn't been possible to test drive one. Hard to justify the expense without trying one out first.
-- Street price on a Classic D-lux is at least 3.3K, which is $1300 or so higher than a new US made instrument like a Deering Sierra, Sullivan Festival, etc. I realize it's an apples to oranges comparison, but at my skill level I'm not sure I can rationalize the additional cost (I am definitely willing to try!)
-- Very little selection of used instruments as a way in... there's only one in the BHO classifieds and it's in the UK! This isn't Nechville's fault, just another challenge to becoming an owner.


Larry

Tom,

You wanted a skeptic, here I am. I had you build me a Banjo/Dobro a number of years ago. I think you charged me around $4500. It was horrible. It had no volume and was nearly impossible to play. I took it to a master luthier here in Canada and he could not believe the poor quality and design. He managed to make it playable and I was able to trade it off for a $1500 mandolin and was thankful to get that back. I have never been so disappointed in an instrument in my life. I got the feeling that you just gave up on it and sent me what you had.

Obviously, given the positive responses here, others have had a very different experience with your instruments. But, mine was not good,

Bill

email me at lakeside.productions@gmail.com

Edited by - BC Bill on 10/10/2008 16:34:22

A banjo dobro? That just plain sounds like a mess to start with.

A banjo neck on a dobro body? A dobro neck on a banjo body?

I shudder to think of it.

Jbanjoist
I''m a NECHVILLIAN!

I say bravo to your designs! They are brilliant in everyway. There is definetly a market for something different. Your necks have a great feel to them and I like the way they adjust. I think if you made the Heli-mount a little more tradtional looking, narrower bars on the frame, it might appeal to more players. If you are coming up on #1000, I think think you need any advice from me or anyone else here : )

FITCH BANJOS
FitchBanjos.com
Masters Five ,Firestorm, and Palomino Banjos
Banjo Repair-Setup-Restoration
New Recording King Dealer
Saga Dealer for Gold Star Banjos
Dannick Tone Ring Dealer- Installer

Hi Richard,
I know that Nechville also make open back banjos,The Moonshine, sorry my English is not good enough and I haven't explain properly what I wanted to say.
I think that the moonshine is a good banjo but for me doesn't looks as good as the other Nechvilles and the price is a bit high for an open back banjos,1400$ starting price, for 1000$ is possible to have an great open back made by some of the best Old time Banjo makers.
I'd love to have a Nechville because are really great banjos and Tom is a great guy but as a clawhammer player there are no Nechville that fits my needs and budget.

David Prat
myspace.com/davidprat
songslide.com/ArtistDetail.asp...istID=337

Edited by - Davidprat on 10/11/2008 02:25:25

Hi Tom,I've never seen one of your banjos in person but they did get my attention when I saw Bela playing the Meteor on his Live at the Quick dvd.Also I read Al Worthen's IBMA report over at his Mtn.Music site saying he's considering adding your line to his store near where I live.Hey if they get Al's seal of approval you folks certainly have something on the ball.He's very particular about the products he sells.Good luck!

I like the sound that comes from my Nechville Classic Deluxe. The engineering is top notch. My daughter is using it now to learn how to play banjo. I personally prefer my Stelling for it's neck. I'm also a tinkerer. The Nechville design doesn't allow for tinkering. You can't use a Fults tailpiece on it and I think it would be great if you could change out the tonering to a Dannick, Thunderbolt, or Burlile. The design doesn't seem to allow for it.

Victor

Stelling Master''s Cross Standard
Nechville Classic Deluxe (Mahogany)
Ovation LX Legend Contour Model 2077 LX
My Web Site: fontlife.com

You could use a Kirshner style if You wanted to, BUT The nechville tail piece works very good,, If You talk to Tom,, He could probably put in any kind of ring You want? not sure You could call Him,, Myself, I don't think any of those rings You mentioned would be any better than Tom's, Mine sounds as good, or better than any I have tried before..


Nechville.In Higginsville

pick the banjer son.

Lee Kelso

V Maybe you need to get to a TA (tinkerers anonymous) meeting and take the pledge.
Nechville's don't need tinkering.:-)

Maybe change out the bridge if you like. I got Silvio to make a real nice radiused 3rd string compensated 11/16 bridge for my Vintage and a another 11/16 compensated bridge for my flat boarded Nechville.

The tailpieces are top notch. i think it may be possible to change out tone rings but I've not heard of anyone being unhappy with the stock rings.



Jbanjoist
I''m a NECHVILLIAN!

I'm a proud owner on a Nechville. I love it. ITs so easy to work on, set-up, and adjust the neck its unreal. For the traditionalists out there, I"m with you. I like a banjo with some crack, and a good pre-war tone. That being said My nechville is a bit of a custom, but it has great crack, and its just full of tone. If you don't think that you can get "Traditional" tone from a Nechville, I challenge you to go and play a few of their banjos. Then ask tom about mine, and I"ll bet that he changes your mind. Anyone interested in hearing my banjo, or playing it need just e-mail me.
Adam

Adam Mcintosh
Jetts-creek.com
themandolinstore.com
recordingking.com
Drybranchfiresquad.com
myclassiccountry.com

I made an earlier post about not ever seeing one nor able to play one. One note here, I'm not a tinkier or a luther but trust me I know the fretboard. With that said and you were looking for some critics, The only thing I got to go buy are pics and utube vids. Not ever seeing one in person the hooks to the head looks like diecast to me and a little cheesy. But I'm sure it works well. Not picking on the brand or you, You ask and I'm giving you an honest answer. The best....Gene

Believe me, there's nothing cheesy about a Nechville!!!

Guy

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

Hi Guy, I'm sure it's not, Just giving an honest answer to a honest question.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tobes

Hello Tom,

Hope you are well. Just picking up on Guys thread. It is interesting how Nechvilles have taken off in the UK. The British bluegrass community is fairly small (well relatively to the states). One thought just struck me. Last year Noam Pikelny taught at Sore Fingers Bluegrass Camp - he had his Nextar with him - There were fifteen of us in the class and of the fifteen one had a Nechville already (Lluis Gomez). One year on and an additional five students now own Nechville banjos (me included). That is over 30 per cent of the class! That is a fairly amazing. I have never seen that happen with Stelling or Gibson.

But why did that happen? I think the thing that got me first was tone and playability. The Helimount and neck adjuster are great features and makes set up a breeze, but in many respects I think that the hook that will get most players is when they actually pick one up and play it. The more I looked at the design though the more I love it. I think that the problem is that until you have played one the design will almost scare people off - the fear of the unknown. The masterclone has for years been 'the' banjo design and many people are inherently traditionalists.

Anyway, hope you can make it back over to the UK soon for another EUNOC Nechville Jam.

take care

Tobes

---

The design is stronger than the norm, not needing all those hooks, nuts, coordinator rods, and such, and naturally if anything failed, which it won't, Tom would take care of it.

Jbanjoist
I''m a NECHVILLIAN!

Androo

I guessed you had bought that banjo. I was really suprised he sold it - it is a great sounding banjo. I think if he had offered it for sale while at Sore Fingers there would of been a fight to buy it.


Tobes

quote:

---

Originally posted by chrome

Hi Guy, I'm sure it's not, Just giving an honest answer to a honest question.

---

[/quote]

Hi Gene, ...
Tom will also fit a Tony Pass lost Timbre rim if you like.

Guy

You hum it son, I''ll play it!
salmagundi.me.uk
[/quote]

A Tony Pass rim? Nechvilles don't really have rims. There's a cast pot/rim/brackets/heli mount, and the head, tone ring, threaded heli-mount segment.

no rim/pot as in traditional style...

Does Tony Pass make a Lost Timber Wood tone ring for them?

Be yourself- everyone else is taken