TheChief - Posted - 02/19/2015:  09:37:16

Kenny Ingram now plays that "Roll Muddy River" Vega with the Larry Stephenson Band.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

bbanjoboy - Posted - 02/19/2015:  09:38:58

Does Raymond McClain still have the 6 string?

TheChief - Posted - 02/19/2015:  14:54:11

as far as I know

s

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/19/2015:  15:27:06

Thanks Sonny. I heard "Big Spike Hammer" on the radio the other night and thought the banjo sounded really good. Of course the right hand playing was a lot of it too.
Eric Ellis

bbanjoboy - Posted - 02/19/2015:  18:42:31

Seems I read somewhere that when you stopped playing the 6 string you said that you never could get the 5 back to the way you once had it.. or am I remembering wrong?

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/20/2015:  09:30:41

My last post should have read "the right hand playing it was a lot of it too".
Eric Ellis

TheChief - Posted - 02/20/2015:  09:46:21

I speak for ME ONLY!.

After I had played the 6 string banjo for several years, I went back to the 5 string and was never able to recover the speed I once had. I could play fast in spurts but was very hard for me to maintain that speed while getting all the correct rolls without taking shortcuts. That affected me till the end of my career.

Weighing both sides, playing the 6 string banjo was worth the sacrifice.I considered the 6 string to be a valuable experiment. Proving that it could be done. Challenge met and defeated.  

However I remember once in West Virginia, on stage with JD Crowe. I was having a particularly bad day and he played Pike County Breakdown rather fast and I refused a break. My dad always said to know your weakness and stay away from it then only you would know. Well, I knew my weakness, but it didn't help much on that day..2000 people knew it too! That kept me awake at night for weeks. Yeah right, as JD would say.The sound of the bus engine, scraping gears, or black snakes is what kept me awake. (Black snakes you ask? yep!)

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

fgodbey - Posted - 02/20/2015:  10:05:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by bbanjoboy

Does Raymond McClain still have the 6 string?

---

Yep, he still has it & plays it out in a variety of settings.  Here's a video from a couple of months ago of a McLain Family Band reunion show of them doing "Turn Your Radio On."  Raymond's banjo break starts around the 0:45 mark.  The audio is not the greatest, but Raymond's definitely playing the 6-string:

facebook.com/video.php?v=76281...ermPage=1

--Frank

gibson49classic - Posted - 02/20/2015:  10:42:51

Sonny after hearing you play the six string it made me want to get one. And I've had one for about 8 months or so now and have learned a great deal on it. The hardest thing is to stay off that extra string until you need it, but I've learned that there are more options on it when taking a break. The band I play with loves it and enjoys what it adds to my playing. The only thing I have discovered is that when playing with die hard traditionalist in a jam setting, they kind of shun it? I'm not shure why because I'm not overbearing with it? It's almost like they just won't accept it? Did you ever have this experience when you played it around other people than your band?

TheChief - Posted - 02/20/2015:  14:46:35

Honestly I never played around nor with anyone except our band etc. I didn't participate in jam sessions nor contests. EVER!

And, I never really cared what anyone else thought, whether they liked it or not. But in thinking back, I don't ever remember anyone seeming to not like it, vocally anyhow. Everyone I remember was interested in how I had the strings configured. Once in Arkansas, I think, there must have been 30 Japanese kids who took pictures of the six string. Sometime later, I received a newspaper article from Japan, or a magazine article in a Japanese publication..had a picture of a young man with the title of the article that read: "HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS SONNY OSBORNE!" I never knew what the intent was, but I thought it was funny. Still do. Lord, that's been over 40 years ago.

As I said earlier, Challenge met and defeated. Move on.

I found if you use it when it's needed, and not just because you have it you play it where it doesn't fit, I can't really see the point in any kind of controversy because if used properly, you are playing the actual melody of a song. That was the reason for the 6 string to begin with.

Oh well. Carry on.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

bbanjoboy - Posted - 02/21/2015:  12:55:29

Did frank ever make a 6 string chief?

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/21/2015:  13:42:46

Mike Toppins uesed to play an Arthur Hatfield 6 String with Bobby Osborne:

TheChief - Posted - 02/21/2015:  14:14:03

Frank made a 6 string Chief. I recorded "I Get So Dog gone Lonesome" on a Sugar Hill album with it and while it sounded good, I just didn't want to go down that road again. Raymond McClain has that banjo now.

I heard Mr. Hatfield's banjo in the hands of Toppins. I was not impressed with the tone but once again I am so sold on Frank Neat's genius touch, I might be prejudiced. (Might be? that's a good one)

If you're asking me whether Frank will assemble one for you, if you were to ask him he would probably say yes.

On the peghead of Raymond's 6 is "F.NEAT" and below that is "SONNY 6". If you were to do that I would appreciate the recognition. Oh yeah, Good Luck.

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

Spike2 - Posted - 02/21/2015:  21:31:05

I was hoping to read more about those black snakes. :-/ :-)

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/22/2015:  10:17:45

Sonny, I don't think the lack of speed hurt your playing any. A lot of banjo players (myself included) played too fast for years. Too many bluegrass musicians, not just banjo players think speed and volume equals drive. It don't. In my opinion it takes away from the dynamics and phrasing (especially with the singing). That's just my opinion.
Eric Ellis

TheChief - Posted - 02/23/2015:  23:46:34

Eric, I agree with you but on the other hand, if the situation presents itself, you should be able to meet the challenge.

After the 6 string spacing, I couldn't...honestly do that. I learned to fake, and take short cuts, and possibly only I knew of my inability, but that was the part that spelled the beginning of retirement!!! 

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

bbanjoboy - Posted - 02/24/2015:  06:55:09

Sorry to mislead, I wasn't wanting one constructed, just wondered if any were out there. Years ago when I was still dealing with Frank I remember seeing a neck on the wall that he said he was making for you. I can't recall exactly what it was, but it was bizarre. Might have been a 10 string.. perhaps double strung like a mandolin or something... but it was odd...

TheChief - Posted - 02/24/2015:  10:22:11

He finished that banjo. I called it the "UGLY BANJO" because it looked so strange. I put two sets of tuners on it. My Ugly tuners and a set of Cam style tuners (Made by Lonnie Hoppers Dad) and a set of Keith tuners. Still had only 5 strings. Interesting to say the least.

I used it on one recording session. Jeannie Seely did a Bluegrass album, of which I don't know if it was ever released, and it worked out quite well. But the problem being, a banjo is so unstable because of the flexibility of the head and bridge, it just wouldn't stay in tune for any length of time. It would be right down present day banjo players ally wouldn't it. They tune constantly. Very irritating to the fan sitting in the audience. I tuned my banjo once, and rarely messed with the tuners again. I just never was one for tuning. People pay good money to see you perform, not tune.

Wanst again (as Charlie and Ira Louvin would say) this is only my opinion.

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37075

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

bbanjoboy - Posted - 02/24/2015:  10:35:10

that's nuts.. what became of it?

TheChief - Posted - 02/25/2015:  08:32:00

I have it.

s

stringman711 - Posted - 02/25/2015:  21:52:08

Sonny could play very fast! Houndog, Rocky Top, Ruby, etc. Made it rough on a Yankee guitar player!

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/26/2015:  08:28:37

Son of a Sawmill man, and if you listen to Live in Germany, Tennessee Hound Dog was moving on!

gibson49classic - Posted - 02/26/2015:  08:31:04

Your constant speed on ruby always amazed me Sonny, how did your arm not give out because that was a pretty lengthy song and you seem to keep a solid roll going the whole time?

Gary Griffin - Posted - 02/26/2015:  09:19:10

Hi,
I know you've addressed this before, but didn't you use medium strings for most of your career and then eventually go to lights or medium lights? Thanks for all of your help and tips Sonny!

chuckv97 - Posted - 02/26/2015:  10:43:25

Mr. Sonny Osborne could cook on the banjo, for sure. Saw him and Bobby with the band in the late '70's in Vancouver, and he was flyin' on the ol' 5.

markbyrum - Posted - 02/26/2015:  14:21:10

Ruby is like a high octane version of Reubens and John Henry rolled into one. I was wondering how you, Sonny, coordinated with Bobby as to how long you could dither around with John Henry and such while he held out that long note. Did he give you a "hi sign" our something that he was running out of air.

TheChief - Posted - 02/27/2015:  06:28:37

I started using 10-11-12-20-10 but I broke so many firsts I went to 11-11-13-22-11. It seemed to work. I did this for years. Finally when I endorsed a set for GHS I wanted it to be a little different so I went to 11-12-13-22-11. I liked these because the banjo seemed to have a little more bottom, depth, and I didn't break firsts any longer, so it stuck. At the last part of my career I used light strings. 10-11-12-20-10.We weren't playing 25 days a month and those strings worked well on the Granada, as well as the Chief and they weren't nearly as hard on the fingers. A little more sustain too.

Did you know that in the early days (49-55) we didn't have much to go on so far as strings were concerned. Bell Brand, Eagle Brand (Which could be bought at some drug stores) Black Diamond, (which sounded absolutely great for about 2 hours) and Gibson. (which were like playing ropes they were so big) Mapes, and probably some brands I've forgotten. A string was a string. In an emergency I have tied a broken string. Hey, it worked. We are so sophisticated now we wouldn't consider do a thing like that. If anyone found out, how embarrassing would that be!!!!!

~

s

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/27/2015:  09:26:00

Weren't you using a 3/4" high bridge on the Granada when you first got it?

I'm not sure it's changed so much, as I had a friend that left his guitar capo at home and didn't realize it until we got to the gig. He then proceeded to take one of his boot laces out and he found a #2 pencil rigged the capo up that way. Sounded terrible but it got us through the gig. Gladly that was about 13 years ago and have not had that happen since.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/27/2015:  09:34:53

Sonny,

In case you have not seen it, there is an ongoing thread abut J. D. having sold the Banger.

banjohangout.org/topic/300021/2/#3797627

ken

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/27/2015:  14:37:16

Sonny, I know what you mean about meeting the challenge on playing fast. What's funny is that several fellows that I've picked with asked me to play fast on some occasions and I did what they asked me to do. Then after the set was over almost every one of them came to me and said "I wish we hadn't play the song that fast". However, there are in my opinion, a few songs that do need to be fast. I enjoyed your post on the string gauges too. I used Bell Brand and Black Diamond back in the 70's, but for them to sound good you had to put a better 4th string on than what came with them (most of the time a Gibson or Vega 4th).
Eric Ellis

markbyrum - Posted - 02/27/2015:  15:56:24

Sonny,
I like your comments about the paucity of string choices "back in the day." I started on the Banjo in 1972, and string choices were not much better. Then "Deliverance" came out and the banjo world blossomed! I t is curious how occasional social phenomena affect the music, and the instruments - a similar thing happened after "O Brother Where Art Thou." Just an observation. Your results may differ. Pass performance is no guarantee of future success, etc.

Spike2 - Posted - 03/02/2015:  13:34:51

Sonny, Ol' What's His Name here and I were wondering if you could tell us how many walnut Bean Blossom engraved Chief banjos there are. I think it's just two with mine being the prettiest.

Thanks!

bcampbe5 - Posted - 03/02/2015:  16:43:27

I'd like to see pictures of that one Jan...

Spike2 - Posted - 03/02/2015:  18:33:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by bcampbe5

I'd like to see pictures of that one Jan...

---

There's a little piece of it in my photo here. Sorry, bcampbe5, I don't do pictures well.

Banjo Stan - Posted - 03/02/2015:  19:06:14

Hey Sonny and all,

I haven't been on in awhile.  I'm having shoulder surgery tomorrow and it made me think of Sonny.  Looking forward to getting my left arm working good again so I can throw my twin grand-daughters in the pool this summer.

Hope all are well.

Stan

Spike2 - Posted - 03/02/2015:  22:30:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banjo Stan

Hey Sonny and all,

I haven't been on in awhile.  I'm having shoulder surgery tomorrow and it made me think of Sonny.  Looking forward to getting my left arm working good again so I can throw my twin grand-daughters in the pool this summer.

Hope all are well.

Stan

---

Hey Stan! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Hugs to you and Tammy Swinette.

Banjo Stan - Posted - 03/03/2015:  05:16:34

Thanks Jan!

Surgery is at 1:00 today; not fun fasting for this long but looking forward to getting this over with.

Best wishes,

Stan

TheChief - Posted - 03/04/2015:  05:11:09

Stan. Good to hear from you. I miss seeing you.

One thing about shoulder surgery, DO THE THERAPY. When they put mine back together, there was one muscle missing. My doctor, a specialist, said it had deteriorated. My banjo playing day had come to an end.

I hope it went well.

TheChief - Posted - 03/04/2015:  05:13:59

Jan, as far as I can tell there were 2. Come on now, they were both beautiful.

Say hello to Mike. Arizona is looking gooder, and gooder!

TheChief - Posted - 03/04/2015:  05:41:31

Mark in Louisville, I got news for you buddy.

Banjo world exploded long before Deliverance or Brother. It happened when some split toothed, humble, genius guy with an unbelievable right hand burst on the scene, way back yonder in the 40's. John Hartford had a song that pretty much explains it.

"Boys From North Caroliner" If you haven't heard it, you need to.

The Lord was kind enough to put me here in time for me to see and hear it first hand and at it's best. Records are wonderful, but to actually see this guy stand there, stone faced, and doing what he did...frightening, scary! I was 14 and it was truly unbelievable. Scarred for life. WNOX Mid day merry go round. Knoxville, 1952.Holy McWow!

1945 MR. Earl was getting standing ovations as a sideman in Bill Monroe's band. George D. Hay would introduce Bill with something like: "Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys with Earl Scruggs and that fancy banjo!"

When E showed up, School was out!!!!!

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 03/04/2015:  06:13:02

The Boys From North Carolina:

youtube.com/watch?v=vZTJ3KOHpnM

Looks like an pretty interesting group.

ken

Edited by - From Greylock to Bean Blossom on 03/04/2015 06:15:48

RB00 - Posted - 03/04/2015:  08:25:37

Looks like some pretty shady characters in that video!

markbyrum - Posted - 03/04/2015:  10:38:17

Re: the Boy from North Carolina.
Sonny:
I couldn't agree more. Earl, THE Boy (man) from North Carolina, created the "Big Bang" when it came to Bluegrass banjo and while I only got to see him live in the late 1960's and early 1970's, he was the man! Having created the "Big Bang," my comments were aimed more along additional "fuel for the fire" brought about by the movies noted. I'm with you on Earl's influence - you're preaching to the choir on that one. I learned banjo,from watching, LP records, Earl's book, and your book (you signed it for me a couple of years ago at NashCamp Banjo Camp) . Thanks for participating in this forum. It's like sitting around listening to you speak! I have the John Hartford song (The Boys form North Caroliner) on my work computer, among other Bluegrass tunes. Those walking the hall during lunch get a regular dose of Bluegrass!

Ebanjo - Posted - 03/04/2015:  13:49:47

Mark, It's nice to hear you talk about learning from the same sources I did. No such thing as videos back then.
Eric Ellis

Banjo Stan - Posted - 03/04/2015:  17:57:47

Hey Sonny!

The surgery went well; the bone spurs and A/C resection went as expected,  My bicep tendon had a tear which they cleaned up without having to screw it to the arm bone.

I'll start doing light exercises tomorrow; feeling a little stiff right now but at least the nerve block has worn off and I can actually feel my hands and arm again.

Good to be on the Hangout again too;  It's been a long time!

Take care,

Stan

Spike2 - Posted - 03/05/2015:  10:28:02

Thanks, Sonny. I thought it was just two, mine being Numero Uno.  And mine IS the prettiest of the two if for no other reason than because it's mine.

Yep, yep, I'd have to agree with your comment about Arizona right about now, too. This warmer weather is wonderful, especially compared with what you're dealing with today.

Come on out! Bluegrass Festival down river in Lake Havasu this weekend so you'd even have a bit of entertainment to enjoy!!

TheChief - Posted - 03/06/2015:  05:52:25

Jan:

There are at least 2 more Chief owners in Arizona. Mark Krieder and Jim Koeple. I'll bet they will be at that festival

S.

davehicks - Posted - 03/06/2015:  08:00:42

Sonny, did you get a chance to listen to the stuff I sent?
Thanks,
Dave Hicks

banjoman56 - Posted - 03/06/2015:  17:31:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

I started using 10-11-12-20-10 but I broke so many firsts I went to 11-11-13-22-11. It seemed to work. I did this for years. Finally when I endorsed a set for GHS I wanted it to be a little different so I went to 11-12-13-22-11. I liked these because the banjo seemed to have a little more bottom, depth, and I didn't break firsts any longer, so it stuck. At the last part of my career I used light strings. 10-11-12-20-10.We weren't playing 25 days a month and those strings worked well on the Granada, as well as the Chief and they weren't nearly as hard on the fingers. A little more sustain too.

Did you know that in the early days (49-55) we didn't have much to go on so far as strings were concerned. Bell Brand, Eagle Brand (Which could be bought at some drug stores) Black Diamond, (which sounded absolutely great for about 2 hours) and Gibson. (which were like playing ropes they were so big) Mapes, and probably some brands I've forgotten. A string was a string. In an emergency I have tied a broken string. Hey, it worked. We are so sophisticated now we wouldn't consider do a thing like that. If anyone found out, how embarrassing would that be!!!!!

~Sonny, I saw James King tie a string back on stage at a festival in Barbersville Ky several years ago. You guys were there too and played after James's band, so you might remember it.

s

---