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ramjo - Posted - 06/27/2011: 16:33:04
My Romero, #11269, arrived today. (Thank you UPS, and I hope I didn't break your website clicking on the tracking number every 5 minutes since last Tuesday.) The 12" rim is claro walnut over a rosewood core and the neck, a solid piece of claro. The inlay is a blackberry blossom, which I thought was kind of a cool motif for an banjo. It's based on a drawing I found from the Faberge workshop, ca early 20th century. (The drawing had the blossom cluster standing in a vase; it was eventually executed as a shelf-sized enameled metal sculpture.) I sent the drawing to Pharis and talked to her about adapting it for the scoop, placing the stem up the elongated left side. That's it for decoration. The rest of the beauty is wood, brass, bronze and goatskin.
I asked Jason to build me a banjo that would have the tonal characteristics of a rosewood dreadnaught guitar. He immediately got it--I had in mind rich, round and complex tone. Both he and Pharis were excellent to work with--wonderfully responsive, and really supportive of my ideas. I posted in another thread that they made me feel like I was their only customer.
The result? The pictures hint at how beautiful a work of art this banjo is. I've only been playing it a short while, but the tone keeps knocking me off my chair. Here's a bit of me playing Garfield's Blackberry Blossom just as a fast sample of the tone. (H4 about a foot away; no signal processing.) My hands are still shaking! some day I'll re-record a cleaner version.
kevinwholmes - Posted - 06/27/2011: 16:53:16
Congratulations, you lucky dog. If you don't mind answering, how long did it take to get it from order placed to item delivered? I've heard it takes years now to get one of Jason's creations.
kenelk - Posted - 06/27/2011: 17:00:05
YO>>> RAMJO! She's exactly what I would expect coming from Jason... and clearly you have excellent taste... very organic and timeless beauty. KEV: i can tell ya the wait is 16-18 months, since I just emailed Jason since I am contemplating jumpin' to the back of the line with a deposit ($300). Anyway, congratulations Sir and enjoy your heirloom to be... as Alison Kraus sings, "You're the Lucky One"!
ramjo - Posted - 06/27/2011: 17:05:51
No problem Kevin. Someone asked this in another thread a few weeks ago. I looked up the email I had sent to Jason asking to be put on the waiting list. It was dated March 12, 2010. At the time, his website said wait times averaged 11 months. However, he moved his home and shop last fall, and notified the list that the move would add another two months. He called me in mid-May this year to say he was starting, and he shipped the banjo June 21...so just over 15 months. The current wait time listed on the website is 16 months.
ramjo - Posted - 06/27/2011: 17:06:48
Thanks Ken! Lucky's the word to be sure.
J-Walk - Posted - 06/27/2011: 17:21:50
Man, it's a good thing banjo porn isn't outlawed. That is one gorgeous instrument. You made good choices every step of the way.
Please describe the underside of the rim. It's not clear from the photos what that alternating color is.
blanham - Posted - 06/27/2011: 17:44:13
That's an intriguing goal you had, to get a "complex tone." I never thought of it that way before, but it makes a lot of sense to strive for a tone you'd never get tired of, and from your sound clip I'd say you got it!
ramjo - Posted - 06/27/2011: 17:52:47
J-Walk, those are J-shoes! Rather than traditional shoes that attach to a bolt drilled through the rim, the J-shoes wrap around the bottom of the rim. The rim's not drilled. It's sort of like having a bracket band without the band. Because the shoes are more massive and heavier, Jason doesn't always put as many on as he would the standard shoes. Mine has 16.
Thank you very much for your compliment. The only advantage I can see of the long wait time is that it gives the wait-ee plenty of time to think and research and change ideas over and over.
Edited by - ramjo on 06/27/2011 18:03:28
aeroweenie - Posted - 06/27/2011: 18:05:30
I love the rich sound of that banjo! Looks great, and I'm sure it plays great too. Congratulations!
ramjo - Posted - 06/27/2011: 18:15:53
quote:
Originally posted by blanham
That's an intriguing goal you had, to get a "complex tone." I never thought of it that way before, but it makes a lot of sense to strive for a tone you'd never get tired of, and from your sound clip I'd say you got it!
Thanks, blan. I spent my younger years with just-ok instruments. When I was in a position to get higher quality axes, I found myself spending much more time practicing. I just enjoyed hearing them so much more. That's self-feeding, of course: more practicing, better playing (hopefully). Nowadays I play alone much more than with others, and all the dimension that the instruments bring to the music is really fulfilling for me. This wonderfully responsive banjo is bound to keep on giving!
J-Walk - Posted - 06/27/2011: 18:26:11
Oh yeah, J-Shoes. I didn't even notice the lack of holes in the rim.
My Romero (no longer mine) had his all wood rim (also with no holes). That really increased the resonance of that banjo (I think). I was a rank beginner, and had no idea what I was ordering at the time, and now I would do it a lot different. Maybe I will -- but I'm getting too impatient in my old age.
johnv - Posted - 06/27/2011: 22:00:54
That is definatly a JIM DANDY banjo, maybe someday I might be as lucky and be able to order the banjo of my dreams Cheers John
Mark Johnson - Posted - 06/28/2011: 07:11:03
congrats on the new baby, ramjo. sure is pretty. that inlay and walnut are really really striking.
looking forward to hearing more,
Mark
pammiec - Posted - 06/28/2011: 07:47:46
Great tone! Beautiful!
Best to you,
pam
SCclawman - Posted - 06/28/2011: 07:56:32
Goodness gracious that is beautiful.
ramjo - Posted - 06/28/2011: 07:56:49
Thanks to all of you for your compliments and comments. It sure feels good.
I'm at work now, but you know what I'd rather be doing! I keep envisioning the whistle blowing and Fred Flintstone sliding down the dinosaur's back. Can't wait to get back to the music room.
--Robert
ScottK - Posted - 06/28/2011: 08:12:24
That's a stunningly beautiful banjo, ramjo! Congrats!
Scott
ELWOOD - Posted - 06/28/2011: 11:26:08
That Walnut sound is stunning, Jason did a good thing here, You are the premiere Walnut Banjo Man. Congrats Robert, most amazing in sound and appearance
RG - Posted - 06/28/2011: 12:15:24
Robert, that is one good looking 'jo...nice!!
banjoholic - Posted - 06/28/2011: 12:49:38
Wow. Stunning work, as always.
Love the inlay on the frailing scoop.
WGE - Posted - 06/28/2011: 13:33:30
This is a lovely banjo, typical of Jason and Pharis' excellent work. I got a wonderful walnut Romero a number of years ago when the wait was ONLY 6 months. Being a retired botanist, the blackberries in my neck of the woods (the blackberry and dewberry subgenus of Rubus) have ternately (3- parted) or palmately (5-parted) compound leaves. It looks like the leaves on your inlay are simple. Oh well, who cares; it looks so cool! How do you like that Romero tone ring? I wonder how different it sounds from his regular wooden tone rims?
ramjo - Posted - 06/28/2011: 14:47:42
Bill--I was wondering whether the banjo-botanists out there might authenticate the inlay. I haven't seen any photos with leaf clusters like those, and the leaves on the blackberries in the woods outside my door are also three-part. But to me, the find of a Faberge drawing to adapt to a banjo easily overrides the necessity of reality. It's the fashion nowadays to declare reality to be whatever you want it to be, no? Let's say these are a species of blackberry that grow in St. Petersburg, around the Faberge workshop. Yeah. That's the ticket. All of this, though, doesn't come close to how unreal it is to be owning and playing this wondrous banjo!
You asked about the tone ring. To my ears, it adds a bell-like ring, enhancing the sustain and adding to the complexity. It's not clanging. It's not jangley like a tubaphone or throaty like a dobson. It's more-or-less like a silverpun.
Dock Jekel - Posted - 06/28/2011: 18:58:50
Very jealous. I've tried a lot of banjos, but never a Romero. They sure have a great reputation. Dock
corgies - Posted - 06/29/2011: 08:19:34
My (nearly new) Romero has a cherry pot and neck with a rosewood tone ring; the richness of tone is incomparable. I'm considering a second banjo from Jason, and after hearing your new 'jo and what you've said about it, I'll seriously consider the Romero tone ring. Thanks for sharing. I wish you many moments of joy playing it!
unclekurty - Posted - 06/29/2011: 11:53:51
Beautiful banjo. I really like the St. Petersburg Fabrege Blackberry blossoms. Ramjo I think you describe the sound of the Romero tonering well. It's just enough but not too much. I have a 12 inch pot walnut banjo with one that I like a lot. And I'm getting a mahogany banjo with an 11 inch pot with a Romero tone ring soon. I like the J shoes too but now I'm thinking of maybe going with the new fan style L shoe. Those J shoes though are really unique. Those look great on your banjo and they are complemented by the tulip nuts. It all works together and the tailpiece is cool too. Congratulations.
LEUllman - Posted - 07/01/2011: 16:46:02
Welcome to the Romero club. One word of warning -- once you get used to your Romero, other banjos don't get taken out of the case much, if at all!
Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 07/01/2011: 17:06:09
Rich, round, complex tones. mmmm mmmm good!
I wonder what that banjo would sound like with Nylgut minstrel strings.
Maybe now you'll lay awake at night wondering too ... sorry about that!
ramjo - Posted - 07/01/2011: 17:17:33
Well, Larry, mine are out on stands. But I kinda notice some dust collecting.
Marc, I had Jason cut the nut and bridge slots wide enough for just that whim. Stay tuned.....
BanjoBach - Posted - 07/01/2011: 18:17:40
Hey, any chance of borrowing that Jim Danny banjo for a year or three?
gdtrfb24 - Posted - 07/02/2011: 04:02:43
Wow, beautiful banjo!! I've lusted over Romero banjos for years.
mojo_monk - Posted - 07/02/2011: 04:09:10
quote:
Originally posted by Marc Nerenberg
Rich, round, complex tones. mmmm mmmm good!
I wonder what that banjo would sound like with Nylgut minstrel strings.
You read my mind, Marc!
-Sean
GerryH - Posted - 07/02/2011: 07:20:30
A beauty to listen to and a beauty to behold. Congrats on the new 'jo!
GerryH
ramjo - Posted - 07/02/2011: 07:49:54
Thanks to all. I love your comments and compliments.......and my banjo!
BanjoBach: if you have a cottage for me to live in from, say Nov. 1 through May 15 each year, maybe we can work out a sharing deal on the banjo!
wgoehrin - Posted - 08/17/2011: 21:30:36
Been checking out this banjo a week now at Jason's website- how wonderful! It was my favorite to look at and dream of...Ramjo- you lucky dog!
ramjo - Posted - 08/18/2011: 06:10:21
Wow, Willi. Thanks! As I mentioned up in the thread, I had a long time to think about what I wanted. I went through several iterations of materials and ornamentation, and I like what I ended up with. Jason and Pharis listened to what I said about what I wanted, but more, I really feel like they read my mind. And the actual banjo? I can't describe what a joy it is. It's out on a stand, and I'm tempted to pick it up each time I walk by. If I can't, I'll brush across the strings just to hear it.
corgies - Posted - 08/18/2011: 08:35:00
quote:
Originally posted by ramjo .... tempted to pick it up each time I walk by. If I can't, I'll brush across the strings just to hear it.
...thought I'm the only one who does that 
Bart McNeil - Posted - 12/04/2011: 12:40:43
A really interesting banjo to study from the construction viewpioint. I might be able to scrape up the money, but I am not sure I would live long enough to have it in my hands. At my age that really is a consideration. A real beauty!
gmeveret - Posted - 12/04/2011: 19:28:32
Wow, just beautiful. I love your idea about the blackberry blossom inlay and nothing else. The artistry is just fantastic. It is a very elegant banjo to look at. Not to mention it sounds great!
ramjo - Posted - 12/05/2011: 06:27:34
Thank you Bart and Michael. I was surprised to see this post reappear after almost 6 months, but then again, it shouldn't be surprising that people are searching BHO for topics having "Romero" in them. Especially after Craig Evans gave us free access to the Romero episode of his Builders series.
I thought I would respond just to say the magic continues. It is just an amazing instrument to look at, to hear, and to play. If you watched Craig's program, I'm sure you were struck by the depth and energy of Jason and Pharis. I really find their personalities in my banjo, but even among Romeros, I think it's distinct and special. I'm really lucky to have it.
Bart, even if, heaven forbid, you only had 19 months left, I'd say get on the mailing list now. That last month will be a good one!
arnie - Posted - 12/05/2011: 18:56:02
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!! Jason is about to make one for me. His banjos are awesome.
XXXris - Posted - 12/06/2011: 20:37:53
Dang!
bricklifter - Posted - 12/11/2011: 20:45:30
stunning without being gaudy
Clawhammer Clint - Posted - 12/16/2011: 19:50:26
A gorgeous instrument. Subtly elegant.
Tinfoot - Posted - 12/17/2011: 05:10:34
That is one droolable scoop you have there. Oh, yes, yes it is. Yes. Yes it is. lol
