Lost 54 - Posted - 11/14/2019:  10:11:28

Its not like sonny to be away from the hangout for so long ,has anyone heard from him recently .hope he is ok

Gary r voigt - Posted - 11/14/2019:  10:26:18

We all need a break now and tben...

stringman711 - Posted - 11/14/2019:  21:35:14

I have been in contact with him. He is okay.

rbfour5 - Posted - 11/16/2019:  19:49:23

Ok...?

OldNavyGuy - Posted - 11/17/2019:  14:12:46

He's got a new Ask Sonny Anything column up on Bluegrass Today.



Ask Sonny Anything

Edited by - OldNavyGuy on 11/17/2019 14:17:44

WesB - Posted - 12/16/2019:  06:39:47

Hope all is truly OK with Sonny. This thread was about to drop off the last page, so I thought it best to ask again......

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/16/2019:  10:40:10

Looks like Sonny had some work done on a knee as he just posted this on Bluegrass Today:
I’m in the process of rehabbing a complete knee replacement surgery and I think I should tell you that it ain’t no friggin’ walk in the park. If you remember IBMA in Raleigh I gave my little speech for the Bill Emerson induction into the Hall Of Fame in a wheel chair. That and my white sox. (FYI, I was offered black replacements but I figured if I was stupid enough to walk off and forget dark sox with a dark suit, I deserved to be laughed at and ridiculed) Larry Stephenson was kind enough to take me there in his bus, and Derek Vaden, John and Josh Gooding, Red Jones, Larry, and Lincoln Hensley were kind enough to wheel me around, and I want to thank them for doing that for me.

Ken

TheChief - Posted - 01/04/2020:  16:31:33

Hey, to all of you who has stuck with me for the past few years I want to apologize for my absence the past couple months. My health has not been the best but I don't intend to use that as an excuse. Matter of fact, I have no intention of fabricated an excuse. I just haven't felt up to it lately. I had complete knee replacement November and that made matters worse. The rehab is not a fun thing and not being able to walk for the past couple months without a stupid walker....well, damned if it doesn't sound like I'm complaining...I guess I am. That's not like me, but being totally immobile and dependent on others is just not my thing. But unfortunately that's where I am at the present. I'll try to do better, promise!  

Hey, get this, Joe Mullins and his Guitar player,Adam McIntosh were doing the Opry last night and so Joe stopped and got a set of Ugly Tuners put of his banjo. How bout that? 

I'm outa here. Thank you all for hanging in there. If it were reversed I'd do the same for you. Ask Stringman, he'll tell you....Do't get no ideas!!!!!

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 01/04/2020:  17:15:00

Sorry that the recovery is a bummer, and you’re not complaining- just being real in my book.
Here’s to a great recovery, and a Happy 2020!
Dean
Champaign, IL

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 01/04/2020:  19:20:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Hey, to all of you who has stuck with me for the past few years I want to apologize for my absence the past couple months. My health has not been the best but I don't intend to use that as an excuse. Matter of fact, I have no intention of fabricated an excuse. I just haven't felt up to it lately. I had complete knee replacement November and that made matters worse. The rehab is not a fun thing and not being able to walk for the past couple months without a stupid walker....well, damned if it doesn't sound like I'm complaining...I guess I am. That's not like me, but being totally immobile and dependent on others is just not my thing. But unfortunately that's where I am at the present. I'll try to do better, promise!  

Hey, get this, Joe Mullins and his Guitar player,Adam McIntosh were doing the Opry last night and so Joe stopped and got a set of Ugly Tuners put of his banjo. How bout that? 

I'm outa here. Thank you all for hanging in there. If it were reversed I'd do the same for you. Ask Stringman, he'll tell you....Do't get no ideas!!!!!

s

---

Sonny,

Everyone  I have talked to says that knee replacement rehab is a bear. Hopefully you will be in better shape by the time the spring flowers are budding and there is more worth getting out for. Good luck with the grind.

Ken

ken

Gary r voigt - Posted - 01/04/2020:  19:38:56

Good luck on your rehab...i have no doubt you will pull through this... you have conquered everything thing else in life..

Gary

WesB - Posted - 01/05/2020:  08:01:30

Glad to have you back, Sonny. We missed your smiling face. Knee replacement isn't fun, but hopefully you've got it licked.

monstertone - Posted - 01/05/2020:  14:17:42

Yeah, a lot of my BG friends in the SoCa had both hip & knee surgery, & they all said knees were the most difficult to recover. Hang in there Sonny, we're all rootin' for ya. You'll get there.

chief3 - Posted - 01/06/2020:  10:09:38

Keep strong Sonny! We're wishing for you all the best and blessings in the new year.

leeave96 - Posted - 01/06/2020:  10:20:05

Sonny - hope you feel better sooner than later. Myself, I’m ready for Spring...

Can you tell me about these ugly tuners, how one might buy a set and pricing? The peg head on my banjo is fiddle shape vs double cut - will the ugly tuners fit this style?

All the best!
Bill

Gary r voigt - Posted - 01/06/2020:  10:30:26

A pic is worth a 1000 words... Just bring to a Luther , in person is a lot better plus you have a visual...

TheChief - Posted - 01/06/2020:  13:53:07

I've been abandoned...I deserve it!

s

TheChief - Posted - 01/06/2020:  14:28:31

I thought I had been abandoned when just out of the black and white several good wishes appear. Thank you. Thank you all. Words can not tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of your good wishes...and the thoughts.

This Knee rehab is not fun. It's not the pain, I'm ok with that...it's necessary and I know that but being confined is just not me. It had to be done, but....

Bill asked about ugly tuners. They will definitely go on a fiddle peg head. Some people run when they hear the price, but if you are a serious banjo player and want the best, these are the right choice. Ask anyone who has them. I guarantee them. If within two weeks you are not satisfied with their performance, and they have not been altered nor abused in any way, and still in new condition, I will refund your money. The price is $285 plus $5 shipping in the USA.  Order the tuner by sending a cashiers check to; Sonny Osborne. PO Box 647. Hendersonville, Tennessee 37077. Include your mailing address Please.

Speaking of ugly tuners, Joe Mullins and Adam McIntosh (of Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers) came by last Friday before playing The Opry and Adam installed a set of UGLIES on Joe's banjo. I haven't heard back from him so I can't give a report....YET! I will though. Joe owns several radio stations in the Xenia Ohio area and Adam plays Guitar and does vocal with Joe's band and also operates The Banjo Store.

s 

S 

Edited by - TheChief on 01/06/2020 14:34:02

bcampbe5 - Posted - 01/08/2020:  10:06:37

Glad to hear you're doing better Sonny. My Mom had both hips and both knees replaced... She said by far knees were the worst bounce back from. It's GREAT to have you back on here and I hope you continue to improve with each passing day.

leeave96 - Posted - 01/11/2020:  07:35:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Bill asked about ugly tuners. They will definitely go on a fiddle peg head. Some people run when they hear the price, but if you are a serious banjo player and want the best, these are the right choice. Ask anyone who has them. I guarantee them. If within two weeks you are not satisfied with their performance, and they have not been altered nor abused in any way, and still in new condition, I will refund your money. The price is $285 plus $5 shipping in the USA.  Order the tuner by sending a cashiers check to; Sonny Osborne. PO Box 647. Hendersonville, Tennessee 37077. Include your mailing address Please.

S 

---

Sonny,

Check is in the mail - take care and thanks!

Bill

leeave96 - Posted - 01/23/2020:  06:08:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by leeave96

quote:

---

Originally posted by TheChief

Bill asked about ugly tuners. They will definitely go on a fiddle peg head. Some people run when they hear the price, but if you are a serious banjo player and want the best, these are the right choice. Ask anyone who has them. I guarantee them. If within two weeks you are not satisfied with their performance, and they have not been altered nor abused in any way, and still in new condition, I will refund your money. The price is $285 plus $5 shipping in the USA.  Order the tuner by sending a cashiers check to; Sonny Osborne. PO Box 647. Hendersonville, Tennessee 37077. Include your mailing address Please.

S 

---

Sonny,

Check is in the mail - take care and thanks!

Bill

---

Sonny - Received my ugly tuners, Flint Hill Special and Earl's Breakdown have returned to my banjo.

Thanks!

Bill

Edited by - leeave96 on 01/23/2020 06:09:09

RatLer - Posted - 01/28/2020:  11:49:12

Hey Sonny, glad your rehab is coming along. I see that Bobby and Larry Sparks are going to be in Dayton, at the Masonic Temple, in April. That will be a great show!!! Would love to see you there as well...take care!!!

double E - Posted - 01/28/2020:  16:55:51

Hey guys and Gals, sorry to bust in, but where do most of you run the head tension (with a drum dial) on your Chief. I just got another Chief today. I'm getting ready to go over/check setup on it. I sold my last one, #122 to guess who? Tyler8, lol. Thanks, EE.

bcampbe5 - Posted - 01/29/2020:  10:01:52

Congrats on getting another Chief! They're tough to beat. As for the head tension on my mahogany Chief(Blaylock ring) it's set at around 93 with a drum dial.. This puts it around a b flat, if tap tuning.

For years I had it around 89/90 and it sounded very good.. A good friend of mind convinced me (yes I was very reluctant) to crank er down to 93 and it turned it from good to great. In the end though, it all depends on what kind of sound you want.

I

double E - Posted - 01/29/2020:  13:06:56

Wow! I don't doubt your word, but I would have never ran it up that high either. I set it this morning at 90 and went over the setup on it. I like to tinker. When I have time I may run it up some and see. Sonny, did you run a really tight head? I know it subjective. Lol

bcampbe5 - Posted - 01/30/2020:  10:32:01

It is subjective, no doubt. I read somewhere that the Blaylock ring sounds better a little on the tighter side... I finally broke down and tried it. For my banjo in particular, it made it more responsive and it still has the bottom end and mid ranges.

It's not "thin" sounding at all.

TheChief - Posted - 02/06/2020:  11:55:21

hey Elkton. On the old Granada I set he head tension to 90-91 so when I started building thee Chief that's where I went and it sounded pretty good. I was never a tinker person. I worked with iot till it sounded and from that point on I didn't want to breathe on it for fear Krako would hear....and joyfully destroy the set up.

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/06/2020:  12:12:15

For your information, rehab ain't no fun. I still can't walk without a walker. But, I'm still doing my exercises daily, bought a very good stationary bicycle and doing that, so February 13 I will be 3 months out of surgery and I really can't see that much improvement, but I will keep it up. Jeff Markham tells me if I don't I will regret it the rest of my life. He put the fear in me....so I will continue, and also get the other knee done.

s

TheChief - Posted - 02/06/2020:  12:19:01

From the looks of the reply I sent for Elkton, I orta check my spelling a little more closely.

Greg. I would love to be there in April but I doubt I'll make this one. Tell them hello for me though and I'll be thinking of them, and you!

AND FOR ALL INTERESTED, I'M STILL DOING THE "ASK SONNY ANYTHING" ON BLUEGRASS TODAY AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. IT APPEARS EVERY FRIDAY. COME JOIN.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 02/06/2020 12:27:13

double E - Posted - 02/06/2020:  19:45:13

Hey Sonny, Its actually Elston, I do live in Elkton Va. I answer to most anything, lol. Thanks for the reply on the head tension. I do have it at about 90 right now and it sounds good. this is my second Chief, both of them have been excellent banjos. I retired, and have thinned down a few instruments. I have a couple of old smelly Gibson's that I play most of the time. So as much as I like the Chief, I will probably sell it some time before long. I have been enjoying playing it though, Its a good banjo. Frank does build some of the best playing banjos I have played. Don't know what it is, but he knows how to build one. Sorry to hear your not getting around to good. I didn't know you had a knee replacement. I know quite a few people that have had it done and almost all of them had great success with it. Just keep working at it. Pray you get straightened out soon Sonny!

TheChief - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:02:55

Word reached me from Daniel Grindstaff that Robin Smith has passed from this life due to complications of a massive heart attack. So Sorry. Rest in peace my brother

s

Mike Rowe - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:15:17

That's too bad. I'm so sorry.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:24:24

Sad news. Here's another thread on this from Jim Britton.

ken

banjohangout.org/topic/361667/1

Brett - Posted - 03/13/2020:  14:55:47

Mr. Sonny we all know you stuck your toe in Vega waters in the 60s..but we don’t know if you ever have any consideration to the “other guys” the Fenders and Odes Back then?

DG-banjo - Posted - 03/16/2020:  05:49:12

Thought the world of Robin- he kept my fret work up for the last several years. Jewel of a gentlemen to be around. Prayers of peace and comfort to his wife, family and friends.

TheChief - Posted - 03/22/2020:  18:19:36

Mike, Ken, Brett, and Dan'l....Thank you. Robin was a good friend who came to lots of our lunches.  One of the best guys you would ever want to know. 

My last two Chief banjos were built by Robin. A standard Maple Gold 5 string Chief and a Maple, one of a kind 6 string Chief, also Gold. Workman ship is exceptional and the finish on both is very good. I made one change and I believe it improved the sound. The 6 string has the original style 4 Flying Eagle inlay. (Unlike normal flying eagle on regular banjos)  

I just liked MR. Bill Nelson, who owned the Vega Company. Really nice man and he adhered to my every wish and change. Martin Guitar made an offer he couldn't refuse...I guess...so he sold Vega to Martin.  Ode, and Fender just didn't feel right to me. Wasn't a big deal. I wasn't looking to make a living selling banjos. Never did.  Bobby was doing a pretty good job of doing that   (;-o

Rest in Peace Robin. You are, and will be missed by a bunch of us, for a long time. Peace to Gloria too. 

s

TheChief - Posted - 03/29/2020:  16:44:11

Joe Diffee diagnosed positive last week , died yesterday.

The Lowes and Walmart here are crawling with people standing 2 feet apart, trying on clothes, etc. Me nor Judy haven't been out of the house in over two weeks.

s

rbfour5 - Posted - 03/29/2020:  17:49:56

Very sad news about Joe, only 61 years old. I’ll soon be 59, everyone stay safe, heed the social distancing, hand washing, etc. This is the real deal. My wife is a nurse, has had to self quarantine at home since Friday... don’t play around thinking this isn’t all that bad- that would be stinking thinking.
Stay well, everyone

chuckv97 - Posted - 03/29/2020:  17:59:22

Sad,, Joe was a good one. Now John Prine is in critical condition.

RB00 - Posted - 03/29/2020:  19:57:31

John Prine? Oh no!!!

DG-banjo - Posted - 03/30/2020:  05:51:55

Very Sad- Folks need to take this serious... Big time-

DG-banjo - Posted - 03/30/2020:  06:00:04

Sonny- did you happen to remember Diffie playing the Bluegrass Circuit when he was young, long before th country days? Played with Billy Joe Foster i believe. Man he was a singer- wonderful memories of hearing him and others at the Opry.. So blessed to have been there. Pray for America..

Dieselten - Posted - 04/02/2020:  04:12:37

Just acquired an Osborne Chief; Blaylock tone ring, Jimmy Cox rim and resonator, Frank neat neck with inlays by Ricky Neat. Spikes at 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 (just how I have my other banjoes set up), and what a glorious instrument. Kudos and respect to Sonny Osborne for this great instrument. All hail to TheChief!

In these very difficult times I wish all to stay safe, heed all the warnings and together we can beat this damn thing. Whoever made time, made plenty of it. Self-isolation and lockdown isn't fun at all, but it is a great way to get to know a new banjo or play the dickens out of an old, familiar one.

TheChief - Posted - 05/15/2020:  16:36:06

Banjo talk...Hey Ned, what serial number did you get? They are good professional GRADE BANJOS. I'm glad you're liking it.

This virus thing is the real deal I believe. I've been in the house for nearly 10 weeks. You just don't know who to believe. Politicians are all absolute born liars from the top to bottom. The news we get is what they want us to hear. So, just stay away from people, get grocery pickup, wear those damned masks, wash your hands every 10 minutes....and if you're apt to...curse every few minutes too. Just whatever makes you feel better and believe nothing you hear and only half what you see.

Joe...is a bad deal. I didn't know him but he lived with Raymond Huffmaster and Billy Joe when he came to town. He WAS a good guy when he came here but if you let it, music business and this town can do wondrous things for a person, but it can ruin one also. All according to which road you choose.

I haven't heard about, nor from Eddie Stubbs in nearly 3 months.

I sometimes wonder if our way of life will ever get back to what it was...just didn't realize how good it was, nor how much we had it made. Best economy and lowest unemployment in over 50 years. How good is that.

Well, I'm still doing ASK SONNY ANYTHING...tune in, write in. but above all keep you and those you care about safe and out of harm's way.

Love you all.

s

Edited by - TheChief on 05/15/2020 16:46:56

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/15/2020:  16:43:15

Be well, Dr. Sonny. Good to hear from you. I read your Ask Sonny column every week,,, I like the stories.

schaumannk - Posted - 05/16/2020:  08:38:08

Since I haven’t been following this threat in quite a while, can someone post a link to the Ask Sonny Anything Column?

What I have been doing is reading the Jim Mills book. It has made me curious about Jim’s prewar seminars. I know this year is an aberration, but is he still doing them on a regular basis? Thanks, Kate

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/16/2020:  09:00:10

Here’s the link to his latest entry
bluegrasstoday.com/ask-sonny-a...electric/

Gary Griffin - Posted - 05/16/2020:  12:34:08

Hi Sonny, It's always so good to read your posts here and on Bluegrass Today. I have Chief MP-13 built in 2007, which is a good un of course. Sounds and looks awesome! Do you know how many of the MP Chiefs were made? Thanks so much!

schaumannk - Posted - 06/03/2020:  17:19:15

Just got done reading the John McEuen biography. In the later part of the book he alludes to bad blood between Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. So much so that they could get Earl to the the Circle album, but Lester Flatt refused , because He would not be in the studio with Earl.
I had heard that Louise was a very hard headed businesswoman. Much more so than Earl. I wondered If that was the source of the problem, or if it was something else? Anyone know?