Bluegrass - Posted - 03/25/2012:  16:07:48

I had the pleasure of pickin a bit on the Skillet Head, and MAN IT'S AWESOME!!! That's all I got to say about it....just awesome...maybe the best banjo I've ever played.

hidehead - Posted - 03/25/2012:  18:32:44

Good job on the back side of the camera Drew, and good job on the front side Robby.  Both of those Yates banjos sound  good to me.  But I would have to pick the SOS as having the tone that I like the best. And that old one with the yellow hardware, I don't like it at all!  I'd get rid of that thing.

larry

wrightedward - Posted - 03/25/2012:  19:33:40

Great sounding banjos ,,i would be proud to own either one ,,but i prefer a darker sound ,,so SOS get my nod ..Fine picken also Robby ..The RS might have it on volume ??

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/25/2012:  20:00:16

Banjos I have, I want that dog!

Ron Stewart - Posted - 03/26/2012:  06:07:52

To Bob, I have several 5 Star smooth white heads I can send you, they will make that old Flathead sound big and deep like it should! Hell, I've got a clear Remo I can send that was on it when I bought it, if you want to put it back on! That should get it going! If you can't get it sounding right, just work on the coordinator rod, that should do it.

As for Robby, I can't hear those videos yet, but I promise they will make me mad.......and grin at the same time! Good news is, I don't hate pickers that are better than me! Thank you both for posting those videos!!! 

robbyboone - Posted - 03/26/2012:  08:13:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ron Stewart

To Bob, I have several 5 Star smooth white heads I can send you, they will make that old Flathead sound big and deep like it should! Hell, I've got a clear Remo I can send that was on it when I bought it, if you want to put it back on! That should get it going! If you can't get it sounding right, just work on the coordinator rod, that should do it.

As for Robby, I can't hear those videos yet, but I promise they will make me mad.......and grin at the same time! Good news is, I don't hate pickers that are better than me! Thank you both for posting those videos!!! 

---

 Bob and Ronnie........I have one of those Fiberskin heads with the sound hole in it, I think that's what it needs to let the sound "out". Bob, you had one of those one time didn't you??? hehehe!!!!

Robby

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 03/26/2012:  08:36:11

Ron, could you say a bit more about your head preference (5 Start smooth over Remo? Med crown? thickness? smooth vs. gritty) and what you do with the coordinator rods.

tks,
gary

PS Thanks for taking the time to do such posts!!

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/26/2012:  09:08:23

I can answer the coordinator rods part of your question. Back when the two coordinator rods were first used, it was a design to adjust the action by putting pressure between them to bow the pot. This would force the neck to the right action. In later years, we learned that this can kill sound and bind up the banjo. Today we fit a neck to the correct action with all coordinator rod nuts loose then snug them up.

First of all, the rods connecting the neck should be tight, but not enough to damage the wood in the rim. Be reasonable!

The pot should be free to breath and not bound up. It is like going to a fight with a straight jacket on. If the neck is cut correctly, set the nut on the outside just enough to hold the tail piece bracket in place. Then hand tighten the two nuts on the inside so they will not work loose. To now play with them is to take the nut on the rod closest to the head and tighten it just a tiny bit to see if it opens up more. If not, hand tight is your formula.

hidehead - Posted - 03/26/2012:  09:14:24

I've got an old Rogers hide head signed by Mickey Finn I'd donate.  You won't even need any coordinator rods with that one.  Just a couple wing nuts to hold the neck on for a while.

larry

bluegrassboy - Posted - 03/26/2012:  10:00:41

great pickin and banjos robby, sos sounds great, but......im kinda leanin towards the granada. btw, i have 2 cats i'd trade you for the dog, but if i did that, i'd have to move in with you, 'momma' would throw me out! :)

robbyboone - Posted - 03/26/2012:  10:34:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluegrassboy

great pickin and banjos robby, sos sounds great, but......im kinda leanin towards the granada. btw, i have 2 cats i'd trade you for the dog, but if i did that, i'd have to move in with you, 'momma' would throw me out! :)

---

 No go on that cat trade Larry.......I got four of them besides our Bloodhound! Besides, I would proabably get rid of those banjos before I would get rid of my dog! I'm tryin' to live up to all the Arkansas stereotypes that I can, I play banjer, I dip snuff, up until recently there were two 55' Chevy's up on blocks, I "tawlk" funny and I have a hound dog......in the house!!! Since several people have mentioned her, I'll introduce her to everyone.......her name is Lillie LuAnn Bumpass Boone, anyway that's her name on the deed that we had to fill out for her.....we just call her Lillie. She was never going to be a "house" dog, but when she was a little pup we took her to the vet for her shots, check up's and the like and the vet told us that she was allergic to corn, fleas and grass! A dog that is allergic to GRASS!!!! Anyway, she CAN'T stay outside, she would be miserable with the rash that her affliction causes and she would die.....so that said, we keep her inside and buy a medicine for her called Comfortis ($16.00 each pill) that keeps the rash away and let's her have a somewhat normal life. She can and does go outside to do her "business" and we take her out some just to let her get fresh air and some sunshine, other than that she's an 80 plus pound lap dog!!!!! She is one of the family, we all LOVE her like she was human! Thank you all who have mentioned or asked about her........she's a very special girl!

Back to banjos..............

Robby

BANJOBOB549 - Posted - 03/26/2012:  14:07:11

quote: Took your advise, 5 star clear top,, Vise grips and a breakover RODS are TIGHT,,Good Vibrations to Neck.  Dead as Hell from that point,,,,

---

Originally posted by Ron Stewart

To Bob, I have several 5 Star smooth white heads I can send you, they will make that old Flathead sound big and deep like it should! Hell, I've got a clear Remo I can send that was on it when I bought it, if you want to put it back on! That should get it going! If you can't get it sounding right, just work on the coordinator rod, that should do it.

As for Robby, I can't hear those videos yet, but I promise they will make me mad.......and grin at the same time! Good news is, I don't hate pickers that are better than me! Thank you both for posting those videos!!! 

---

Ebanjo - Posted - 03/27/2012:  15:18:58

Robby, I like your dog Lillie too (not to mention the banjos). We also have a hound that lives with us as a house dog. He's a black and tan named Charlie. I tell folks he was named after Charlie
Moore. LOL
Eric Ellis

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 03/29/2012:  11:53:45

Thanks, Warren, that explanation helps a lot. I have always had someone else do my setups, but now I am geographically isolated from my banjo doctor, so I better learn!

gary

RAdams - Posted - 03/30/2012:  07:24:02

Loved the Mountain View video... 2 guys with some great chops!!
Robbie - I was out at Starvey Creek and Morgans had a mahogany & a maple Yates Although I'm a mahogany guy I absolutely Loved the Maple.
That Skillet Head has a sound all to itself. I want to hear it up close and personal :-)

robbyboone - Posted - 03/31/2012:  21:12:33

Today was the first time that I got to play "Son" in a band situation.......man-o-man did it perform! We played one song and I knew that the banjo had "settled" a little and so did the band, but, a quick tightening of the head produced results in a BIG way.....all the tone and power ANYONE could want out of a banjo. I played it back to back with my old Granada and S.O.S. held it's own. It's a different tone than any other banjo that I have ever owned and I LIKE it.....a LOT!!!!!

I'm very anxious to get it on stage and see what happens there, but I have no worries and no doubt that it will be a mic eater. Well, that is if the sound guy stays off the "suck" knob. I've seen/heard the very best of banjos and banjo players screwed into oblivion by an idiot with a sound board and a knob twisting fetish......oh well, that a topic for another thread.

Just wanted to let everyone know that "Son" is incredible......I couldn't be more proud!

Robby

Ps...I haven't heard or read anyone's guess yet about which cut Ronnie used S.O.S. on.......go buy a copy of The Boxcars CD and let's get this guessfest going!

RAdams - Posted - 04/01/2012:  07:21:16

Got the cd and I'm still working on it which is being used where. It's tough!

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 04/01/2012:  13:28:20

Robby, you get serious respect from me for how you pick. Both you AND Ron are heros to me now. Your tone and timing are something we all can learn from.

robbyboone - Posted - 04/01/2012:  15:04:40

Thank you Matthew.........to have my name mentioned with Ron's in any way is an honor to me......I appreciate it.

Robby

Ron Stewart - Posted - 04/02/2012:  10:03:41

No, I'm honored to have my name with Robby's!

D.W.C. - Posted - 04/02/2012:  10:16:14

The Boxcars " All In" CD. Guessfest Time. SOS is Track 2.

robbyboone - Posted - 04/02/2012:  11:47:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by D.W.C.

The Boxcars " All In" CD. Guessfest Time. SOS is Track 2.

---

 As I don't have a copy yet......what is the name of the song on track 2? I know the song title.......but I ain't heard it yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for playing the game with us,

Robby

D.W.C. - Posted - 04/02/2012:  11:50:14

Alone And Wondering Why

banjo5don - Posted - 04/02/2012:  15:31:58

My guess is also track #2. Sounds a bunch like the blurb RS posted while comparing SOS to other banjos.

robbyboone - Posted - 04/02/2012:  16:29:16

Should this thing (guessfest) be set on a time limit? Let's say......a week or so of guessing before the answer is revealed? I guess that Ronnie should have some say in this as he got this started or at least I THINK he did, anyway that's what is in my feeble old mind! I will tell you that the banjos that I know that were used on this recording are some tough customers, big dawgs so to speak and I'm very proud that Ronnie thought "Son" was worthy of being used for one. I'm suddenly feeling like Daffy Duck in the old cartoon where he finds the pearl........mine, mine, mine!!!!!!!  Those of you old enough to remember Looney Toons will know exactly what I mean by that!

Have fun with this, I know I'm going to!

Robby

Bluegrass - Posted - 04/03/2012:  11:56:01

I've still got to get my copy of the album, it'll be fun try pickin out the skillethead....cant wait

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 04/03/2012:  13:28:27

Hmmm.... I'm gonna go with track 5, "I've Lost You". Capo is way up there, but I think I hear the Son 'o Skillethead sound there.....

Barnet in SoCal

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 04/03/2012:  13:38:05

Listening again I now recall that track 2, "Alone and Wondering Why" is the one that had the sample of the original SkilletHead those many months ago... so I'm guessing the ole daddy SK is on track 2.

Barnet in SoCal

kaybone - Posted - 04/03/2012:  15:55:51

This would be the sound guy that Robbie speaks of:

robbyboone - Posted - 04/03/2012:  21:03:51

Kaybone.......that is absolutely hilarious!!!! Only problem is that "art imitates life" and this is SO how it is. I quit playing music a couple of years ago, quit both the bands that I had played with for years, didn't play a lick for months and this is definately one of the reasons (of several) that I did. There is nothing to me that is so infuriating as to step up to take a break and half way thru your break to start to hear your banjo come thru the mains.......and let's not even get into monitors. Or to go hear Crowe or Sonny or Ronnie and be SO excited to do so only to have said idiot on the board and you can't hear them.......it happened just last month when I went to see Ronnie.

Ok......off my soap box, thank you for posting this incredibly funny cartoon!

Robby

Edited by - robbyboone on 04/03/2012 21:05:29

kaybone - Posted - 04/04/2012:  11:42:55

Not to get off on a big tangent or anything because this is the SOS thread, but the problem you speak of Robbie got me thinking as an amateur player and bluegrass fan. It's like old school verses new school. So for you guys that play professionally, I guess you have a choice of playing bluegrass music with the full sound set-up (aka-rock & roll, Pa's monitors, etc) verses the old school like the single giant RCA ribbon Microphone placed on the center of the Opry stage, with all the players working that wonderful weave, moving between each other to work the microphone. Best example I can think of off the top of my head that I saw recently is, The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show .  I was amazed by that and how well it sounded with one microphone. The "dancing" they did to do it was  a nice side show in addition to the wonderful music. So I wonder how y'all make that choice?

Back to Hilarity and SOS now. I am planning on ordering an SOS soon myself. Well, actually a SOSL (Lefty version) which I hope Mr. Yates  makes Mr. Stewart play when it is finished, which will make a wonderful video as he tests it. But, I'll bet Mr. Stewart can nail it lefty quite nicely, it should be fun.

Edited by - kaybone on 04/04/2012 11:45:45

BANJOBOB549 - Posted - 04/05/2012:  13:12:47

quote: I STILL HAVE THE HEAD AS A REMINDER OF THE STUNT CROWE PULLED ON ME IN NASHVILLE YEARS AGO. MY FIRST IMPRESSION WHEN I SAW THE BANJO WAS SOME ONE SHOT AT SOMEONE WITH A SHOTGUN SLUG. THATS THE ONE SIGNED ( HELL I WAS THERE  WYATT EARP CROWE) I KEEP IT AS A REMINDER,,YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFULL AROUND THAT MAN,,HE COULD MESS UP A ANVIL,,,,,,,,,IT WOULD HAVE BROUGHT A DECENT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON EBAY,,HAD HE LEFT HIS NAME OFF THE HEAD,,,THEY ARE RARE HEADS,,,NOW ITS JUST ANOTHER BANJO HEAD,,,,

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ron Stewart

To Bob, I have several 5 Star smooth white heads I can send you, they will make that old Flathead sound big and deep like it should! Hell, I've got a clear Remo I can send that was on it when I bought it, if you want to put it back on! That should get it going! If you can't get it sounding right, just work on the coordinator rod, that should do it.

As for Robby, I can't hear those videos yet, but I promise they will make me mad.......and grin at the same time! Good news is, I don't hate pickers that are better than me! Thank you both for posting those videos!!! 

---

 Bob and Ronnie........I have one of those Fiberskin heads with the sound hole in it, I think that's what it needs to let the sound "out". Bob, you had one of those one time didn't you??? hehehe!!!!

Robby

---

robbyboone - Posted - 04/05/2012:  17:08:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by BANJOBOB549

quote: I STILL HAVE THE HEAD AS A REMINDER OF THE STUNT CROWE PULLED ON ME IN NASHVILLE YEARS AGO. MY FIRST IMPRESSION WHEN I SAW THE BANJO WAS SOME ONE SHOT AT SOMEONE WITH A SHOTGUN SLUG. THATS THE ONE SIGNED ( HELL I WAS THERE  WYATT EARP CROWE) I KEEP IT AS A REMINDER,,YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFULL AROUND THAT MAN,,HE COULD MESS UP A ANVIL,,,,,,,,,IT WOULD HAVE BROUGHT A DECENT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON EBAY,,HAD HE LEFT HIS NAME OFF THE HEAD,,,THEY ARE RARE HEADS,,,NOW ITS JUST ANOTHER BANJO HEAD,,,,

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ron Stewart

To Bob, I have several 5 Star smooth white heads I can send you, they will make that old Flathead sound big and deep like it should! Hell, I've got a clear Remo I can send that was on it when I bought it, if you want to put it back on! That should get it going! If you can't get it sounding right, just work on the coordinator rod, that should do it.

As for Robby, I can't hear those videos yet, but I promise they will make me mad.......and grin at the same time! Good news is, I don't hate pickers that are better than me! Thank you both for posting those videos!!! 

---

 Bob and Ronnie........I have one of those Fiberskin heads with the sound hole in it, I think that's what it needs to let the sound "out". Bob, you had one of those one time didn't you??? hehehe!!!!

Robby

---

 

---

Bob......to the right person......a person that knows both you and Crowe personally........that piece of crap head would be priceless! Should you decide to get rid of it, let me or that Stewart fella know, I bet that at least one of us would be interested. 

Robby

hidehead - Posted - 04/05/2012:  18:42:11

I've got a funny banjo head story that involves J.D.  Several years ago at Starvy Creek me and several other banjo pickers were gathered under the big oak tree behind the stage as usual.  Joe D was there and Bill Kelly and sideways and probably snuffdipper and maybe Robby.  We were discussing the secret prewar formula as usual when a guy walks up to me and hands me a banjo.  It was one of those Ventura banjos from the '70s with machine stamped engraving and cheesy gold plate.  He wanted to know what it was worth and said someone told him it was a Granada.  He also wanted to know if we thought it would bring $150 on eBay.  J.D. had just walked up the back steps and was standing on the deck behind the stage.  I told the guy with the banjo to hand it to J.D. and ask him to autograph it.   I told him that would probably double the value!  The old head on the banjo was pulled loose from the bead from about the neck clear around to the armrest and loose as a goose.   When J.D. started signing it, it nearly sunk clear in.  As he was handing it back to the fella he says in a concerned tone   "Son...you better back her off...she's about to blow!"

To make a long story short, I ended up with that banjo in a trade about a year later.  I put a new head on it and moved it on, but the old head is hanging on the wall in my shop...and I smile every time I see it.

larry

robbyboone - Posted - 04/08/2012:  10:02:24

Got to hear pieces of "All In" last night.......heard the cut that S.O.S. is on........I will NEVER be able to get that kinda tone out of it! There are some incredible sounding banjos on the project......and I say very proudly that "Son" is one of them!!!!!

As to the guessfest.......some folks have made their vote both on here and in personal emails to me. Haven't got a correct vote yet, so I will let this go a couple more days as it seems interest is not high, but it's only fair to answer those who did take a guess and if there's no objection I will reveal the song soon.

Robby

jhduncan20 - Posted - 04/10/2012:  20:19:52

I had the extreme pleasure today of playing Warren's Skillethead and Ron Stewart's Skillethead at Warren's shop. I just wanted to say wow! These were the first Yates banjos I have ever played and I was blown away. It was my first time meeting Ron Stewart and I don't know how I was able to pick in front of him. These guys know banjos inside and out and were very generous with their time and sharing information. Both Warren and Ron are SUPER class acts. 

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 04/11/2012:  06:36:45

Hey Robby, I'll give it a go. When I first played the album, I had the idea of guessing what banjo on what track in my mind. The very first time I heard "Born and Raised In Covington" I had a feeling it was S.O.S.

I may be second guessing that...but it was my first thought and I'm sticking with it.

D'Arcy

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/11/2012:  19:17:08

I wonder what a Skillethead would sound like with these on it.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/11/2012 19:18:18

jfb - Posted - 04/11/2012:  19:30:52

Are those the real nickel metal ones Warren?  They look good...

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/11/2012:  19:43:47

Nickel silver exactly what the old Nationals were made of.

dobroman - Posted - 04/11/2012:  19:52:34

Warren, will these be available to the public? If so how do I buy them? Those look to be very close to the oval 8's, and mine are all but wore out.

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/11/2012:  20:48:42

I will have to see what I have. I have more material on order anyway so they are coming. Not in high quanity because I still have to build the banjos first. They are the same all the way up to the same bends and shapes as they were back then. I will build a page on them when I can get more to work with.

gospelman97 - Posted - 04/12/2012:  07:42:49

Well, I've listened to the new Boxcars CD many times now and I can't figure out which song Ron is playing Son of Skillethead on.  I do think that the song "Ol' Lonesome Won't Leave Me Alone" has a different tone, but it sounds like it might be the Ron Stewart Mahogony banjo.  It sounds very similar to all of the sound samples that I've collected over the past few months from BHO members and also very similar to Mr. Crowe's banjo on the Bluegrass Album Band CD that I downloaded at the same time.

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 04/12/2012:  08:16:26

Two things...

--Just goes to show us all again that the player is always more important than the instrument in creating tone.
--Man I would love to get some of those picks and try them out! Warren, please keep us informed... they look great! I'll buy 'em the day they're available.

Barnet in SoCal
___________________________
--Earl… the one… the only….

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 04/12/2012:  08:27:47

Bryan... good call on the RS Yates banjo on "Ol' Lonesome..." I agree with ya.

Barnet in SoCal
___________________________
--Earl… the one… the only….

robbyboone - Posted - 04/14/2012:  14:30:32

To all that ventured a guess on which song S.O.S. is on, Thank You! Unless I missed an email or a post on here, there was not a correct guess. The song that "Son" is on is........."I'm Over You".

Thanks again for having a little fun with me,

Robby

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/14/2012:  19:22:04

Yes, the other day I heard it on the radio and I texted Ron it was on satellite and he texed back and said, you know that is Robby's banjo. That is the only one I know. I still can't tell.

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/14/2012:  19:30:50

I don't know if anyone has guess which one is the Granada. I don't know.



Here is some more pick pics.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/14/2012 19:34:37

Premsore - Posted - 04/14/2012:  19:48:36

The shape of the picks look a lot like Sam Shelor picks, which I've been partial to for about 10 years now. How different are these?