I'm considering buying a new mahogony instrument and have currently shortlisted Huber and Yates based on reviews and endorsements. Does anyone have views, please, comparing and contrasting these makers, their products and service.
Regards,
Brian.
Topic moved from Banjo Bulding, Setup and Repair Ian Quayle
Listen to both and decide for yourself.. Even if you buy both you can sale what you dont like and get 90 percent of you money back, which is a cheap price to pay to have the one you want instead of always wondering if I should have bought the other...Buy used and you might even make a buck...I prefered the Huber...and traded the Yates..Good luck, Doug
You are likely to get lots of biased opinions based on whatever banjo the responder owns...The best advice is to play one of each and decide. But I realize that might be difficult in the UK.
I don't own either. But I've played both. They are both truly great new instruments. But I think they are very different choices. Here is my two cents worth:
Huber banjos are fantastic, pro-grade instruments that sound and play great! Steve's attention to detail in the design and construction is magnificent. There is no-doubt Steve knows a thing-or-two about pre-war Gibsons. He goes to great lengths to reproduce "pre-war" components and construction. Every one I've seen was well finished and quite beautiful. I think they sound as good as any major-brand, new banjo available today (better than most).
The Yates (Ron Stewart model) banjos are quite different from any other new instrument I've seen. They are designed and constructed to look and sound "old." They have a "dry", "punchy" sound ... with less ringing sustain than any other new banjo I've played. They really do sound like some of the old Gibsons (warning: not all old Gibsons sound the same). The brand-new "distressed" models look old, worn and a little dirty. If you want a new shiny banjo...this is not it. But if you want something that looks and feels very old...from day one...Eureka!
disclosure: I play a Williams Kenny Ingram model and a 1929 Gibson TB-1 conversion by Arthur Hatfield.
For my money I would say Yates. The number of endorsements is directly related to the number of banjos made. There are many more Hubers than Yates out there right now.
“A restitution of the Union has been rendered forever impossible.”
I play a walnut Huber and of course am quite partial to Hubers in general. Have not played Yates, but the Stewart model gets some rave reviews. I like Doug's idea of buying both. There is a nice Huber 3 copy in classifieds here on BHO at a nice price. Good luck, and I don't think you can loose either way. Les
Huber has a very loyal following as does Warren Yates (albeit a smaller one, because he is a relative newcomer). I am kinda partial to the Yates. Aside from being a "local" here, he has some pretty innovative and fresh design approaches. I am assuming that being in the UK makes playing each before buying, not much of an option. I think you would be well pleased with either. Go to their repective websites and do some serious research.
It''s a gDGBD (Gosh Darn Good Banjo Day)! Tony
Proud Member of The Gibson Chapter
"...if ya got time to breathe, ya got time for music..." Briscoe Darling - Apr.29,1963
They are both top grade, professional quality banjos. Both are routinely played by professional banjo players in the top echelons of bluegrass, on stage and in the studio. J.D. Crowe and Ron Stewart have played a Yates on stage, and Jim Mills and Sammy Shelor have played a Huber on stage. None of those guys is going to fool around with second rate equipment. You can hardly go wrong with either banjo.
I think what matters most, as others have said, is how the banjo responds in your hands. To find a good banjo, you can either:
1) Try before you buy, and get the one that speaks to you.
2) Buy, try, evaluate. 2a) Sell as needed and repeat step 2.
2) Buy, try, evaluate. 2a) Sell as needed and repeat step 2.
Hey! I resemble that remark!
There is no shame in that. I think it is a pretty good way to find your soulmate banjo, because the "try" period is extended for as long as you want, and you can play the banjo a variety of settings. It wouldn't work well for me though because I fall in love too easily and would never be able to sell. The key to approach (2) is to make sure you don't lose too much every time you sell. As long as you take good care of your banjo and are fairly well tuned into what used banjos are worth, I think (2) is a great way to find a great banjo.
I have a Huber and have played several. Great instruments. I've never played a Yates, but I have one of Warren's rings in a mahogany banjo. I love the sound files of the Yates on Ron Stewart's website, and my Yates ring sounds very good. The Huber is everything that's already been said. Either is a no lose situation.
I find the Hubers to be deeper and more "tubby" sounding, and the Yates RS mahogany to be sweeter--more my idea of "prewar". My personal preference is the Yates
I've played a Yates Rattlesnake with his original ring and a TB-11 with a V-33 ring and the latter of the two was a fantastic banjo and the former a good one. I've played 2 dozen Hubers and all but 1 were excellent banjos. I own a Huber Vintage and it's my one keeper banjo, being the best banjo I've ever played or owned.
I'm considering buying a new mahogony instrument and have currently shortlisted Huber and Yates based on reviews and endorsements. Does anyone have views, please, comparing and contrasting these makers, their products and service.
Regards,
Brian.
don't listen to reviews and endorsements, find each one and pick them yourself or you will always wonder it you made the right choice for you.
I have several Hubers obviously but played 3 different Yates models while in the mountains at Smoky Mountain Guitars. They were good also. I still liked the feel of the Huber neck and wasn't crazy with the distressed "look". Try em both if you can. I say Huber.
I own a Huber Lancaster and have played (2) Yates Ron Stewart models. I agree that the Yates is a little more "punchy" than the Hubers I have played. I like the sound of the Yates, but I agree with what the Banjodr said, I like the feel of the Huber necks a little better, they seem to play smoother to me. Both are really great banjos.
i bought the yates wl5. warren was very good to work with. best sounding banjo that i have played. aiso have one of his rings in a deering golden wreath. a great improvement. i have never played a huber. its on my to do list. i happen to like the distressed look , makes me feel more at home. good luck in ypur quest.
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.
I have played 2 Yates banjos and they are good. I have played many Hubers and love the feel, look and sound of them. As far as my pick I ordered a new Huber custom last week.
You can get a Yates Ron Stewart banjo without the distressed look.
I ordered mine without it, and got a brand new looking, shiny banjo. Top notch instrument, all the way.
My wife is resigned to the fact that I am going to buy banjos, so a Huber is on my short list of "next banjos". I have not heard a Huber yet that didn't sound good.
Hey Brian, I'm another Yates owner that will speak up (so yeah, i'm bias) I've only picked half a dozen or so Hubers, for short periods of time. Great feeling instruments, and great sound...if that is the sound your looking for. Just wasn't the banjo for me. The first time I picked up the yates...i knew it...done deal. It was the sound I was looking for. As far as feel, I think it's great, the fact that I don't think about how it feels and just play it, answers that question for me. If you have any specific questions about the Yates I'd be happy answer.
Maybe there are people in your area that have one of these that you could go play for a couple of hours?
I have a Huber Roanoke and it is my go to banjo whenever I go to a pick and want tone, volume, snap, projection, and up the neck performance. It's got everything I could want. I would like to play a Yates, but haven't had the chance yet.
RSS Feeds
Huber vs Yates
Posted - 03/30/2009 : 07:40:55
The key to approach (2) is to make sure you don't lose too much every time you sell. As long as you take good care of your banjo and are fairly well tuned into what used banjos are worth, I think (2) is a great way to find a great banjo. 
