banjoman56 - Posted - 07/24/2015:  22:42:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by jcomfs

 

question-  my scruggs tuner on the third string of my Chief - seems to have "slop " in it-  there is a period during which I turn the tuner but the sting pitch does not change- then it seems to engage - but it makes the tuner kind of ineffective.  can this be adjusted somehow-?

its almost like it doesn;t "grab" for a bit of the turn of the peg

---

John, you might check the tuner buttons to see if they have worn to where they are fitting sloppy.  If that's the case, you can shim them till you get a new button for it.

TheChief - Posted - 07/25/2015:  13:52:50

I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT WE HAVE ONLY 15 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR BANJO CAMP. DATES ARE OCTOBER 9, 10, 11. SO, IF YOU WANT IN, BETTER DO SO.

JANET DAVIS....BILL EVANS.....ALAN MUNDY.....TONY TRISCHKA.....FRANK AND RICKY NEAT.....CINDY SINCLAIR.....RAYMOND McLAIN.....AND I WILL BE GETTING INVOLVED THIS YEAR, NOT BANJO TEACHING, BUT I BET YOU'LL FIND IT INTERESTING....BEST FOOD YOU WILL GET ANYWHERE...GETTING CLOSE..

S

Lost 54 - Posted - 07/26/2015:  11:40:45

i was looking at a chief for sale in the hangout classifieds by lester crowe ,it says" rumours are circulating chiefs will no longer be produced ",is this true or just another rumour.glad i have mine ,best banjo i have ever owned by a long shot

TheChief - Posted - 07/27/2015:  13:46:31

When Frank Neat quits, I'll quit.

I don't know where this erroneous information originates, but no, it's not true.

Maybe from someone who wants me to quit, and wishes I would. But if and when that decision is made it will come directly from me, more than likely by way of this page of Banjo Hangout.

S

jcomfs - Posted - 07/30/2015:  11:25:30

banjoman-  the tuners have seldom been used.  has been like that since new, but 1)  I figured I'd live with it.   and 2) there was a stretch of time where I had NO time to play , sadly-  now that picking again ,  it bothers me-  I may just take the old Keith tuners

off my GOLD STAR and put them on the CHIEF , but they are silver and not gold.   OR just buy new ones

TheChief - Posted - 08/02/2015:  08:20:04

HEY THERE.

I JUST GOT CONFIRMATION ON SOME GOOD NEWS.

LARRY STEPHENSON AND BAND, WHICH INCLUDES KENNY INGRAM, (TRULY ONE OF THE BEST TRADITIONAL BANJO PLAYERS IN THE WORLD) WILL BE DOING A SET FOR US AT BANJO CAMP ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, AT 4:30 PM.

KENNETH WILL BE PLAYING THE VEGA BANJO I RECORDED "ROLL MUDDY RIVER" WITH...IN 1966.

~

S

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096

Edited by - TheChief on 08/02/2015 08:22:27

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 08/03/2015:  10:18:02

Would love to attend that banjo camp... sounds fantastic... wish I could go!

Work took me away from picking for a few weeks, but I'm finally trying out these Chief / Hoffmeyer picks.

Man, they are great! They are different from the regular Hoffmeyers; the blade is a bit flatter, so the feel and tone are slightly different between them.

I'm going back and forth between them now, currently leaning a bit towards the Chiefs... but it's just great to have this kind of choice available for the best new picks out there.

Thanks Chief and Dean!

Barnet in SoCal

___________________________

-->Earl:  the one… the only….

Timeless1952 - Posted - 08/03/2015:  12:22:59

Great times for Banjo Players these days.  Many , many choices.

K

Edited by - Timeless1952 on 08/03/2015 12:23:50

myfavefive - Posted - 08/05/2015:  21:26:36

flickr.com/photos/armadilo60/s...105584577

Here's a couple of shots from Larry & Kenny's performance at the Darrington Bluegras Festival in 2011 photographed by Eric Frommer. That Vega sounded sweet but their harmonies on some of those old Osborne Bros. tunes were even sweeter I have to say 

Tom

Edited by - myfavefive on 08/05/2015 21:34:48

TheChief - Posted - 08/06/2015:  08:13:33

MR. BANJO MAN SUPREME. TWO PORTRAITS OF A REAL DEAL. LOOK AT THAT GRIN ON LAWRENCE'S FACE...HE KNOWS IT TOO!

MY GOODNESS, CAN HE EVER PLAY. GOOD PICTURES OF THE OLD "MUDDY RIVER" VEGA TOO! NEEDLESS TO SAY ITS IN GOOD HANDS.

YOU'RE ALSO RIGHT ABOUT LARRY'S BAND NOW. THEY ARE GOOD.

~

S

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville, TN. 37077

615-824-0096                    

Edited by - TheChief on 08/06/2015 08:17:37

Timeless1952 - Posted - 08/06/2015:  11:37:43

Glad I have dropped a few pounds since those pics were taken,,,,, Whew!

K  

texasbanjos - Posted - 08/06/2015:  12:05:37

Big K playing 'Pike County Breakdown' on Sonny's old Vega:   

youtube.com/watch?v=Zebbd80VLwY

Awesome!        

Tim13 - Posted - 08/06/2015:  20:04:07

I can't count how many times I've watched that PCB video.  It makes me smile every time.

Tim

BanjoFlyboy - Posted - 08/07/2015:  15:45:06

My favorite is my pal K bearing down on "The Muleskinner Blues"!  Lord!

markbyrum - Posted - 08/07/2015:  17:58:02

Man, Kenny, that Muleskinner Blues banjo playing is like a machine! A very quickly running machine!. Great video! I'm looking forward to the NashCamp Banjo Camp participation by Kenny Ingram!
Mark

TheChief - Posted - 08/14/2015:  11:27:21

BANJO FINALISTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

THEY ARE;



ROB McCoury

KRISTIN Benson

RON Stewart

NOAM Pikelny

SAMMY Shelor

So whattaya think?

KRISTIN

ROB

RON

NOAM

SAMMY????

Holy McWow! 

Edited by - TheChief on 08/14/2015 11:32:59

thebanjobert - Posted - 08/14/2015:  17:49:30

Uh, can we vote for all the above???

Aradobanjo - Posted - 08/14/2015:  19:13:22

Hello,

I like them all.

Noam Pikelny

​Rob McCoury

Sam Shelor

Ron Stewart

Kristen Benson

TheChief - Posted - 08/15/2015:  11:08:32

Quite the collection, huh!

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/15/2015:  11:21:55

Sonny,

All great players but I have a little problem with the awards and if you care to give feedback it would be appreciated. I have heard Mr. Ingram play back to back with some of these folks and for him to not be on the list.... well it bothers me. So I am almost thinking that these awards should maybe not be given because of the the people they omit. I don't know how the pros feel about it and maybe I am missing the boat on something or not seeing the big picture. It sure won't be the first time.

Thanks and if you want to not get caught up in this I can sure understand.

Ken

bbanjoboy - Posted - 08/15/2015:  12:35:00

Well, as good as those guys are, they can't hold a candle to the chief

The Pope - Posted - 08/15/2015:  13:30:07

Hey, Sonny, you posted a while ago: "Hoffmeyer Chief finger picks must be pretty good. I wish they were around whilst I still played."

I was on his website but didn't see anything about the Chief picks. Are they available to the general public? Thanks.

PS You get extra credit for using the term "whilst"...

TheChief - Posted - 08/15/2015:  15:41:00

I can think of more people who are as, if not more deserving...Kenny Ingram is one of the best, top banjo players in the world. And, how about Joe Mullins? And wonder where Jens Kruger, Aaron McDaris, Dave Talbot, Ned Lubrecki, Huh? Where are their names? Where would they rate?  Awards are nothing more than a popularity and personality contest, at best. I'm not putting any of these players down, please understand that, but the fact is the fact. I would also like to ask the question: "Who knows enough about banjo players and their talent (But other banjo players) to be able to judge, and then vote on who is best?"

Seems to me, we that play/played the banjo should be the people voting on who is the best player in the land. It's a lot like asking me who is the best guitar, mandolin, or fiddle player? How would I know? And then, what does one have to do to be considered best. What does A need to do to be better than B, or D? I could go on about this system but to what end?

I have a room filled with awards...and NEVER appeared to pick up any of them. NOT A ONE.Because I didn't believe in the system, still don't!  But then I was considered a MAVERICK with a bad attitude. Still describes me I guess....

S

Edited by - TheChief on 08/15/2015 15:51:34

TheChief - Posted - 08/15/2015:  15:55:46

Hoffmeyer/Chief finger picks are available to anyone who wants them. I don't know why they are not listed on Dean's website.

They are pictured on my website

Sonnyosborne.com

s

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/15/2015:  21:19:39

Thanks for the answer and explanation Sonny. I much appreciate how you have always been able to cut straight to the chase.

ken

TheChief - Posted - 08/15/2015:  22:35:14

I can't believe I left out great banjo players..BILL EMERSON, WYNN OSBORNE, DANA CUPP and I'm sure others. My apologies.

And, I left out melodic players because, not being one, I 'm not the person who needs to judge these people. Ha...I know nothing about it...which is what we have now!!!!!!! Well, isn't it?

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/16/2015:  03:43:25

That is why I wish Major League Baseball would go back to having the players pick the All Start Team instead of the fans doing it.

ken

The Pope - Posted - 08/16/2015:  12:41:03

I don't like that fans can vote many times for the All Start Team - doesn't seem fair...

TheChief - Posted - 08/17/2015:  09:48:17

Fair?

A popularity contest should not decide a person's talent.

s

banjobrandon - Posted - 08/17/2015:  13:06:53

Mr,Sonny,

Do I need to include my address with the check or PM it to you? Gonna send out the money today for a set of Chief picks. Thanks

TheChief - Posted - 08/17/2015:  16:21:07

Yep..include your mailing address.

Check in the amount of $25 per set plus $5 handling and postage. ($5 postage for up to 5 sets.)

Send it to:

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37077

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com">sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

bbanjoboy - Posted - 08/17/2015:  16:45:37

Awards are like contests... I played one contest in my life and needless to say it was the last. I remember it well. I was about 18 and I have to admit, I kicked some butt on "When you and I were young Maggie"... just like Don played it.. or pretty darn close..slow and fast.. always loved that tune.. then the 'local' favorite got up and played foggy mountain breakdown or something relatively easy and had the people on their feet and walked away with the 'prize'.. not being a sore looser, but just found the politics to be incredibly sad.. especially since it was so obvious that the guy had won before he opened up his case... that was it for me..

bhrb75 - Posted - 08/18/2015:  13:31:23

Not to take away anything from any of the folks that got nominated, but I would really like to see Kenny and Charlie Cushman added to that list...

Originally posted by TheChief

 

Fair?

A popularity contest should not decide a person's talent.

s

---

bbanjoboy - Posted - 08/20/2015:  16:21:09

So Chief,
I must add to this ...
Just trolling on Youtube and came across this youtube.com/watch?v=E-2KB-d3sa4

SO sorry to say, but I have to... the guys on the list above can not hold a candle to what you did here... It's about TASTE.. you sir, are the KING... you are to the banjo what Larry Sparks is to the guitar.. You aren't the Tony Rice or the Eddie Van Halen, you become one with the banjo .. just as Larry does with the guitar.. . You NEVER put too much in and you never leave anything out.. I consider it an honor to be able to converse with you and your 'bad attitude'...LOL If everyone played banjo like you do, there would be no banjo jokes!

banjobrandon - Posted - 08/21/2015:  16:05:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Yep..include your mailing address.

Check in the amount of $25 per set plus $5 handling and postage. ($5 postage for up to 5 sets.)

Send it to:

~

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Co.

PO Box 647

Hendersonville,TN.37077

chiefbanjo@comcast.net

sonnyosborne.com">sonnyosborne.com

615-824-0096

IN GOD WE TRUST

---

TheChief - Posted - 08/23/2015:  12:35:13

I thank you for the kind words. Deserving or not, awfully nice of you to say that.

Of course we've all heard the "deserving" thing, haven't we?

" I don't deserve those accolades, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either!" 

~

S

Edited by - TheChief on 08/23/2015 12:47:22

bbanjoboy - Posted - 08/23/2015:  14:35:27

LOL...that's great..

bevans - Posted - 08/26/2015:  14:08:27

Hi folks! Here's a NashCamp Banjo Camp update. Cindy Sinclair tells me that as of August 26th, just seven beds remain on site at camp - five for men and two for women: students are grouped four to a room together with private bath in several cabins on site at Camp Marymount. There are also at least five student slots left for those who prefer to stay off site - and there is a new, chain hotel nearby in Fairview, TN.

This year's camp is October 9-11, with a concert at the Station Inn on Thursday, October 8 and this year's staff can't be beat: Tony Trischka, Alan Munde, Janet Davis, Raymond McLain, Frank and Ricky Neat, Bill Evans and, of course, the Chief! Sonny, Cindy and I are working hard to make this our best camp ever and you already know that the food is the best.

Airlines are running sales right now into Nashville - so there's no excuse not to join us!

All the best,

Bill Evans

bill@billevansbanjo.com

Edited by - bevans on 08/26/2015 14:09:28

TheChief - Posted - 09/01/2015:  12:40:22

Latest Bluegrass Unlimited has a great picture on the cover of Kenny with the "Roll Muddy River" Vega banjo. That was my favorite Vega.

Kenny will be playing it at banjo camp. Saturday 4:30 to 5:30. Y'all come now, heah?

Nice.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 09/01/2015 12:42:55

gibson49classic - Posted - 09/01/2015:  14:28:21

Hey Sonny, did you you ever see or hear Earls Vega? I wonder where that banjo is now. He didn't seem to like his, maybe a setup issue. Yours always sounded fine.

TheChief - Posted - 09/02/2015:  14:31:53

I never saw nor heard him play the Vega. He was so wrapped up in Gibson I seriously doubt if he ever played it. I looked at his involvement as a $$$ deal. Could be wrong, but......! Once again, my opinion only. 

Banjo Camp is drawing neigh!!!!

s

gibson49classic - Posted - 09/05/2015:  10:26:11

Thanks for your knowledge Sonny. Look what I found on Facebook today, looks like you had someone watching you awful closely!! And you seemed to be having loads of fun!

Edited by - gibson49classic on 09/05/2015 10:26:54

 

TheChief - Posted - 09/09/2015:  12:26:03

Good friend, banjo playing genius, and banjo camp partner, Bill Evans, has done a of demonstration of my Maple Chief, and the Mahogany Rocky Top chief banjos on PEGHEAD NATION. Check it out. Pretty good if I must say so.

Bill's playing is a little suspect though!!!!!!

Just kidding William.

s

TheChief - Posted - 09/09/2015:  12:28:06

That picture was shot at the grand opening of Earl Snead's Bluegrass Inn in Nashville. Long since gone.

s

darylearl - Posted - 09/09/2015:  14:20:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

 

Latest Bluegrass Unlimited has a great picture on the cover of Kenny with the "Roll Muddy River" Vega banjo. That was my favorite Vega.

Kenny will be playing it at banjo camp. Saturday 4:30 to 5:30. Y'all come now, heah?

Nice.

s

---

Kenny played the Vega for 2 of the three Larry Stephenson sets I saw at Thomas Point Beach festival last weekend.  Man, did that ever sound good!  He played a Burlile banjo on the other set  and that also sounded great.  Kenny's playing was a highlight for me at a festival that featured a lot of outstanding banjo pickers.

bevans - Posted - 09/09/2015:  14:47:07

Thanks Chief!

Follow this link to the Osborne Chief demo on the Peghead Nation site. While you're there, check out the Beginning Banjo and Bluegrass Banjo online lesson tracks. You'll receive a free month membership if you used the code "PNCard1" at checkout. Each video lesson is ten to twenty minutes long with downloadable tab on a wide variety of topics oriented for all levels of players. However, for those of you who have been around the block a couple of times, there's quite a of advanced material available now on the Bluegrass Banjo course (link here).

Thanks for checking out the Chief profile/review everybody! The maple Chief that's reviewed is a 2006 model, with engraving by Greg Rich (which isn't available these days). Keep in mind that the current maple Chiefs have a different inlay pattern that's unique to these banjos and they also have the new style Blaylock tone ring, the same as is in the Rocky Top banjo that's part of this demo. Visit sonnyosborne.com for all you need to know!

All the best,

Bill

Edited by - bevans on 09/09/2015 14:51:17

TheChief - Posted - 09/10/2015:  08:21:26

Kenny Ingram, is truly one of the top two or three traditional banjo players on the planet. Especially if (and when) he plays the "ROLL MUDDY RIVER" Vega!

~

s

gibson49classic - Posted - 09/10/2015:  08:57:28

Sonny you should make a "Roll Muddy River Chief" banjo that looks like the Vega!! I know I would want one!

Timeless1952 - Posted - 09/10/2015:  09:08:55

LOL!!!!    I must be on my game then at least 75% of the time.  

 

darylearl Thank You for your Kind words. I'm at a point in my life where I truly enjoy trying to play the Banjo & entertaining people the best I know how. Also I don't really care ANYTHING about winning any Banjo award. I have gotten my awards for Super Pickers like Sonny, J.D. & Bill Emerson so never feel sorry for me because I haven't won an IBMA Banjo Player Of The Year award. I'm fine with that.  If I can do anything to impress 3 or 4 of the best Banjo Player's that have EVER put on a set of picks, That's my reward!!!  Sonny, Bill Emerson & Earl never won either SO I feel like I'm in good company.

K