Tyler8 - Posted - 02/01/2010:  12:18:51

quote:

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Originally posted by ProudChiefOwner
I was thinking of coming over to the banjo camp this year.
Can anyone point me to a website where I could get some more info ?

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apherigo - Posted - 02/01/2010:  12:54:50

[quote]Originally posted by TheChief

There are 10 ingredients in making a banjo sound good, or bad. (I bet you can't name them)[/quote]

I'll take a stab at it too:

1. Practice
2. Practice
3. Practice
4. Practice
5. Practice
6. Practice
7. Practice
8. Practice
9. Practice
10.Own an Osborne Chief

Aaron

Edited by - apherigo on 02/01/2010 12:56:12

TheChief - Posted - 02/01/2010:  17:14:03

You're close John and Aaron..but no Presidential cigar!

s

John J - Posted - 02/02/2010:  05:48:48

Sonny,
Why did you remove the link to the Chief site off of here? Did I miss something?

John

momo - Posted - 02/02/2010:  20:21:02

Sonny, would you please elaborate about when you bought the RB-3. Where, when and the price you paid for it..was the Banjo an original 5 string? was that banjo featured in Jim Mills Book?

Edited by - momo on 02/02/2010 20:22:01

TheChief - Posted - 02/03/2010:  16:34:46

I had/have two RB3's. One was an original 5 string 1929 Raised head.I bought it in 1953...from Shorty Fincher of Hallum PA. I paid $125.00 for it. Larry Mathis had it and played it for a number of years. Sold to David West in Knoxville, TN. who in turn sold it to Jim Garaughty of Lepers Fork, Tn..Then back to me and presently owned by Byron Robins of Knoxville.That's the banjo that recorded Sunny Mtn. Chimes in 1953.

The flat head RB3 was bought originally by Hershel Measle in Dayton, Ohio at Popps music Store. He traded it to Russell Moore at the Dayton Institute of Music in Dayton. I bought it from that store in 1956 for $250.00. Made payments on it..$13 per month. I made lots of records with that banjo from 1956 to 1978 including Rocky Top in 1967.. It is an original 5 string and a very good banjo. Aaron McDaris is playing it now with Rhonda Vincent and has recorded with it. I never cared much for it as I thought it was too hard to get what I wanted out of it.

It is not in Jim Mills' book. He had a picture but somehow chose to not use it. I don't know why he ignored that banjo.

I hope this clears everything up for you.

s

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/03/2010:  17:05:02

-Neck to rim fit; Tightness so that the neck and the rim are one unit and vibrations travel throughout the whole instrument.
-Tone ring to rim fit; just the right fit to get maximum vibration; tightness or how loose the ring fits.
-Bridge; quality wood, ebony & old maple, not too high, not too low; (5/8")
-Tailpiece height adjusted to get maximum vibration or string tranmission.
-head tension has to match the banjo as all of them are like people; all different
-tension hoop should be level all the way across so that tension is is balanced and even in every direction radiating from the center point of the head.
-Rim should be as round and possible and not elliptical so that the ring is not bound at any point. Maximum vibration.
-Action should be at the right height, not too high (to harsh and too much volume) or not too low (buzzing and lack of volume).
-Bridge position on the head should be set so that the banjo notes in tune everywhere on the neck
-Co-ordinator rods should be tight enough to keep the tension throughout the banjo pot but not tight enough to choke any vibrations out.

In my opinion a banjo should be set up so that every part is connected correctly and balance in every aspect with the instrument is achieved. The sum of the parts makes the whole.

B.

Goldstarman - Posted - 02/03/2010:  17:50:02

Sonny I think you could get out of any banjo what you wanted to get out of it, you always sounded like yourself which to me is somehting great. I really dont think many people can get the tone out of a banjo that you could. It seems we are always more tough on ourselves than others are on us or the sound coming out of the banjo. I wish that banjo had been included in the Mills book. BTw, thanks for being such a gentleman and helping me out the other day, much appreciated.

Goldstarman - Posted - 02/03/2010:  18:43:08

For you Osborne fans out there

youtube.com/watch?v=Hl7OdpnZiCw

I dont know what its called but its beautiful playing by Sonny

Paul Sato - Posted - 02/03/2010:  19:10:17

quote:

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Originally posted by Goldstarman

For you Osborne fans out there

youtube.com/watch?v=Hl7OdpnZiCw

I dont know what its called but its beautiful playing by Sonny

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grich - Posted - 02/03/2010:  19:30:36

I can't believe it .... The Gitjo ..... boy does that bring back some memories

momo - Posted - 02/03/2010:  19:38:54

Thanks Sonny, for the info on the Flathead RB-3...I was curious and thought that an original 5 string that was used on so many shows and recordings would have been a good choice for the Mills book.

TheChief - Posted - 02/04/2010:  07:33:48

The Guitjo was originally a Greg Rich or Larry McNealy idea. Greg built it for Larry when he was on the Glen Campbell TV show. No one knew what to call it, so I named it "Guitjo" and at some point had Greg put a pearl block saying..."GUITJOTONE"..
Larry moved back to Nashville after his run on that show and he gave the Guitjo to George Gruhn to sell. George showed it to me and I bought it.
It's a great instrument, not very loud, but that's why we have sound systems.
I believe this version of Ashokan Farewell is live from Mineral, VA.
Gene Wooten (Dobro) was in his prime and in my opinion there was none better.

I was asked about the signature line. It is my understanding that Eric Schlang removed them because they were too long. I don't understand that because the reason for the Hangout is to promote the banjo, promote oneself, sell products and stay in touch with everyone. I really don't see what's so offensive..maybe it's the "In God We Trust" line???

s

Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

banjoman69 - Posted - 02/04/2010:  08:34:10

Well, that line sure doesn't offend me. That's a line that you can hang your hat on forever imo. See you in the fall at NashCamp if not sooner..

Darrell

Goldstarman - Posted - 02/04/2010:  12:12:13

doesnt offend me, I hope it wouldnt ooffend anyone but who knows nowadays

John J - Posted - 02/04/2010:  14:47:10

Good to see that info back Sonny.

John #66

apherigo - Posted - 02/05/2010:  14:16:28

Bill Emerson playing an Osborne Chief at the North Carolina Banjo Clinic.

Aaron <~~ the one that is NOT playing Sonny's Old RB3.

VIDEO: Bill Emerson - Welcome to New York - October 2009
(click to view)

 

TheChief - Posted - 02/05/2010:  17:20:35

Bill is one fine banjo player. Thank you for sharing this with us.

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Banjo Stan - Posted - 02/06/2010:  12:12:18

I dug my driveway out about 3 hours ago. You can't even tell now....snow's still coming down hard in MD. Good news is I got a few hours of practice on "Tammy Swinette' today...sounding sweet as ever.

Bill327 - Posted - 02/06/2010:  16:00:40

I feel your pain Stan, just up the road from you in Laurel, De. we are buried in snow, no shoveling the drive out either as it is a 3/4 mile dirt road, Will have to be a homebody for a few days.

Goldstarman - Posted - 02/06/2010:  16:45:43

bill327, i know your pain also, we have a 3/4 mile dirt road and it had about 3 inches of solid ice before teh snow.....dang...

Banjo Stan - Posted - 02/07/2010:  06:20:03

Hey Billy,
I've had my pot of coffee, played my Mahog Chief and just starting to think about digging out again. Church was canceled this morning. Guess I'll dig the cars out then use my truck to push the snow down so I can get out.

Happy Super Sunday!
Go Saints!

John J - Posted - 02/07/2010:  17:35:15

quote:

---

Originally posted by Silber

Hi Chiefsters!!
I have an..the Osborne Chief #58 and I'm thinking about offering it in trade for an equal quality F style mando. The banjo is in very good condition and has Keith tuners, the chief/Elliot capo, the Calton case, a Huber ring and it's just a great banjo which is currently collecting dust due to the fact that I no longer pick banjo. I'm playing mostly mandolin and guitar now. I thought this may be a good place for this post. I am interested in your ideas or mandolin offers! Pictures are available upon request.
Thanks, Mike Silbernagel 303-501-2703

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kathy315 - Posted - 02/15/2010:  17:58:22

Bumped this sucker up from page 3...
Nashcamp registration is in the mail.

DG-banjo - Posted - 02/16/2010:  11:10:58

Here is a clip I found on youtube of Chief #89, Blaylock ring, from when i worked with Jesse McReynolds.. Been a good banjo for me.

youtube.com/watch?v=i_pV5cSAafw

Hope everyone is doing well!

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/16/2010:  11:56:45

Nice picking Daniel.Love them ugly tuners too!
Steve

DG-banjo - Posted - 02/16/2010:  12:18:16

i have to say that the Ugly tuners are the very best i have ever used.. I play for Marty Raybon now and his shows move real fast and i just dont have time in between songs to set tuners.... thats the great thing about the ugly tuners is they stay set and are there to be used when you need them....

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/16/2010:  12:31:05

Funny they didnt make the picture from the Ryman ; ) Course neither did your face. Their attitude on that still amazes me.

TheChief - Posted - 02/16/2010:  12:38:46

They musta been too ugly!!!!!

s

DG-banjo - Posted - 02/16/2010:  12:41:01

I hope when you say they you mean the tuners ha ha ha ha ha but for some reason i tend to think diffrent

DG-banjo - Posted - 02/16/2010:  12:48:38

Yeah Steve i have yet to hear another word from that guy... not a one.. but at least your office has benefited from his "art work"!

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/16/2010:  13:11:40

Man I'd give you this one but its all framed and was a gift.Looks nice .

TheChief - Posted - 02/23/2010:  07:10:13

Steve and Daniel..I don't know what you're talking about..but would like to..

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/23/2010:  08:51:51

I just talked with Bill Keith and he informs me that he is having a major problem with Gold plating for his D tuners. I don't know what the situation might be with platers all of a sudden, but Frank tells me he is having some problems with gold platers.
We might need to think about using Nickel exclusively...I hope not, but we'll see.

Also, has anybody picked up on the discussion which seems to be raging about whether Bill is the originator of the melodic style banjo playing. I (jokingly) told Bill that he was responsible for setting banjo playing back 25 years..that was in 1962. When I first saw Bill, he was leaning against a wall playing this weird sounding stuff and I asked my good friend Bob French; "who is this guy?" Bob told me Bill Keith..and I had never heard of Bobby Thompson at that time...who some believe created that style. Not to disregard what Bobby did later but Bill was playing it in 1962.

Anyone know what the translation for NOSSERATU would be? Curious.

Although I'm not an authority on the subject, I believe I'm correct. I think there were a couple early players of that style, but Bill is the first I heard and in my opinion the best. What he plays makes sense to me...although he can get over my head in a hurry he still plays with taste...and he's a pretty good guy, and good friend.

s

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/23/2010:  11:00:07

I always heard that Bill went to Western NC to learn from a guy named Carrol Best who played a "melodic" style. I don't know how true that is but as with any other word of mouth story;a guy kills a deer and calls a buddy to tell him about it. By the time the hunter gets out of the woods and to the local store to show it off, a 5 point buck that weighed 125 lbs has turned into a 15 point that weighed 195.

B.

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/23/2010:  11:42:54

Sonny,
As a gift a friend gave me a print of a banjo player at the Ryman .There was no name attached and the head of the player was cut off.Most of the identifying features on the banjo are kind of blurred.The banjo looked familiar but I couldn't really tell what kind.I wanted to know who was in the picture.
So I photographed it and asked on Facebook.Long story short, Daniel eventually recognized it as him, playing one of your early Chiefs.He contacted me.
I told him where the print came from. The "artist" selling it basically told him to shove it when Daniel asked about a free copy or a discount , since it was a picture of him .
Daniel wont be doing business with that guy.
By the way, the ring on Daniel's finger was the clinching bit of evidence.
Steve

Woolpersteve - Posted - 02/23/2010:  12:32:16

PS. I sent you an email with picture of the print in qiestion

TheChief - Posted - 02/23/2010:  13:25:48

Thanks Steve. I would have known who it was I think..by his right hand. Rather distinctive.
I had lunch today with Daniel. He paid, so it was a great lunch.
Cracker Barrel.
Brandon..you may be right. I heard something to that effect at some point. Be good to research that a little more, huh?

Anyhow, we can't get gold Keith D tuners right now..for awhile anyhow.

s

Banjo Stan - Posted - 02/23/2010:  15:15:42

No offense to Bill Keith; he makes a great tuner, but the Ugly Tuners are the way to go!
Actually, Bill's regular tuners with the Ugly's is the best! Of course, they need to be on a Chief banjo. Just my opinion...

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/23/2010:  15:23:51

Sonny, I've heard the story about Carroll Best too. Marc Pruett told me about this 17 or 18 years ago and that not only Bill Keith, but Bobby Thompson visited with
Carroll too. By the way, I've heard a couple of recordings where you ventured into some of that electric guitar sounding stuff too. But don't worry, I won't tell anybody. By the way, you're right about Bill Keith, he is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
Hope you're doing well.
Eric Ellis

Edited by - Ebanjo on 02/23/2010 15:25:50

TheChief - Posted - 02/24/2010:  07:19:48

I would, or would not have played some of the Keith stuff if I had been equipped to do so, but my left hand wasn't trained for it, and I loved the straight banjo playing so much better. I felt that we should leave fiddle tunes to a fiddle player.
Electric Guitar, Steel, horns, drums, piano..in learning from all the great players of these instruments and incorporating that portion of it that was suitable to my needs..or to my purpose...all this I learned during my playing days was quite enough to keep me busy.
However, on a song or two, I did venture into a simple Keith lick on a dare from Grady Martin, that I was chicken ---- to try it. I think the song was "Cut The Cornbread Mama" and it was somewhere near the end...may have been the end.

Anyhow..when Bill Keith recorded Sailor's Hornpipe, and a few more with Monroe in the early 60's..as in Earl's case when he did the same with Monroe in the 40's..neither of them may have been first at the style..but it was the first time we had heard it, so that made it, and continues to be first in our minds. And, what difference does it make? It was done, and in both cases, done right by class gentlemen and still holds up today...in that we're all still learning from it 40, 50, 60+, years later. We all learned from that particular sound.

As Fred Bartenstein once said.."nuff said."

s
Sonny Osborne Banjo Company
chiefbanjo@comcast.net
615-824-0096
web site: sonnyosborne.com
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Edited by - TheChief on 02/24/2010 07:27:46

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/24/2010:  08:49:29

Sonny, I think that Grady Martin lick you're thinking about (again I could be wrong) was at the end of your break for "Kaw Liga."

B

bhrb75 - Posted - 02/24/2010:  08:49:30

Sonny, I think that Grady Martin lick you're thinking about (again I could be wrong) was at the end of your break for "Kaw Liga."

B

DG-banjo - Posted - 02/24/2010:  16:41:37

Cracker Barrel was a good visit, thanks for coming out chief...If I hadnt got your lunch i would at least brought you a diet coke (McDonalds version only) lol

TheChief - Posted - 02/24/2010:  21:14:45

Good to see you Dan'l.
Thanks for lunch.

s

banjodave93 - Posted - 02/24/2010:  21:43:10

ive got the Osborne Brothers collection and sonny does a Melodic run at the end of Cut the Cornbread.

BigAppleBanjo - Posted - 02/25/2010:  06:25:59

Hey Sonny, did anybody answer your question about Nosseratu? I looked it up on-line and it looks like its the name of a band, although I don't know what kind of music they play. I also found this on Wikipedia: translation for "Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens" (translated as Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror; also known as Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror or simply Nosferatu) is a German Expressionist vampire horror film, directed by F. W. Murnau, starring Max Schreck as the vampire Count Orlok. The film, shot in 1921 and released in 1922, was in essence an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, with names and other details changed because the studio could not obtain the rights to the novel (for instance, "vampire" became "Nosferatu" and "Count Dracula" became "Count Orlok". Hope it helps.
Andrea

FatManMary - Posted - 02/25/2010:  08:16:01

Does anyone know if Sonny every released a banjo and fiddle album? I've heard someone reference it once but I've yet to find out if one even exists.

Ebanjo - Posted - 02/25/2010:  15:07:14

I don't think they ever released one, but I can remember them doing a few tunes with just the fiddle and banjo in the late '70's. One in particular was at Lester Flatt's
festival at Pinnacle, N.C. around 1977. I remember Sonny played Dale Sledd's Granada because he had a calf skin head on the -3 at the time and it had rained about all day. It sure did sound good when the weather would dry out for a little while. By the way Sonny, thanks for the info about you playing melodic licks on a song or two. I personally think that type of playing is best suited to playing fiddle tunes and should be used very sparingly otherwise. You're still one of my favorites and I've tried to steal as many licks from you as I could.
Eric Ellis