Warren Yates - Posted - 04/14/2012:  19:57:30

Here is a thought; what if there was a banjo built in the regular Yates/Stewart design but sounded like a Skillethead?

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/14/2012 19:58:27

Premsore - Posted - 04/14/2012:  20:11:14

Mr. Yates (said with the utmost respect and admiration due to you), that's what impresses me so much about who you are and your understanding of the term, "continuous improvement". This is why I sleep with my Yates walnut #2 and plan to keep it til the day I meet my maker. Awesome banjo.......I can't imagine ANYTHING else sounding and handling as good, yet you keep working at it.

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/14/2012:  20:30:29

Thank you Premsore. It is all fun and part of a deep sickness.



Here is another one coming. This tail piece derives from the 1950s model that came on Ron's Bowtie. It is part of the Shillethead sound.  It is designed to open the banjo up and is fully adjustible to dial in its best sound with freedom of bridge movement.  It has no un wanted overtones that we have found so far. We designed it a little different for strength, adjustability and to make it easier to install strings than the old ones.  Mark that one down as one more part made in the USA.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/14/2012 20:36:13

gospelman97 - Posted - 04/14/2012:  22:01:26

Mr. Yates, do you know if my guess was right about the song "Old Lonesome Won't Leave Me Alone?"  I guessed that the banjo sounded like the RS Mahogany.  I thought that I would be able to pick out the Granada but I couldn't tell much difference in the tone of all of the other songs.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of your new banjos and accessories as you unveil them.  Thank you and I wish you continued success!

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/15/2012:  05:24:01

I will see if I can find out.

hidehead - Posted - 04/15/2012:  05:33:46

Warren,

Are the 2 thumbscrews for left/right tiller or are they both for up/down angle?  Are they nickel plated steel like the old Elton tailpieces?

larry

rferg - Posted - 04/15/2012:  08:17:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

Here is a thought; what if there was a banjo built in the regular Yates/Stewart design but sounded like a Skillethead?

 

 

---

 You are a genius!  That same thought had crossed my mind.

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/15/2012:  08:24:06

The tail piece its self is steel but the thumb screws are nickel plated brass. They are to set the height of the tail piece from the head. No left of right adjustment. The tail piece that we studied had one screw but in order to change how the strings attached we had to use two. It turned out to be best that way.



On the Boxcars CD the Granada was used on "The Old Hollow Tree".

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/15/2012 08:25:33

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/15/2012:  09:00:42

The 75s and the Skillethead were very close anyway. I built one to be the 75 and it worked but if the direction was headed toward the Skillethead then why not go all the way. Let me explain;

I often talk about the difference between early to mid 30s which is basically the same. Then there is the late 30s as in the 75s. Then the graph of dynamics continues the pattern another step with the Shillethead.



To explain even more, all good prewar original flatheads are fantastic. The worst I have ever played was wonderful. There are many many dynamics to talk about that they offer so much but I will shorten it a bit.

They have the highest frequencies like a dog whistle and the lowest of lows all at the same time, yet the mid range is almost void. They are so clean in that area that you hear the notes as clear as can be. You can softly hit the strings and it will sound cheep because of the dog whistles yet when you play harder the bottom comes out like the Earth cracking open under you. In the area where the notes are clean is flooded with tone and can be accessed much like mashing the accelerator on a racecar.



I also often talk about the imaginary hole inside of the banjo which is the area that sounds bigger than physical measurements have the right to be. The early to mid 30s, the hole was big. In the late 30s the hole was bigger. The Skillethead went that increment bigger one more time. Not to say that one is better by the same scale at all but there are different strokes for different folks. It seems that most like the bigger hole so why not go for that.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/15/2012 09:05:04

hardcase - Posted - 04/15/2012:  10:46:29

Oh Warren..... A mad scientist indeed!  I dont know how a banjo could be any better than my two R/S's, but now I have to admit that I am coveting the Skillet Head.

Hi, I'm Dave and I have a problem........ (laughing)

Dave in Kansas

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/16/2012:  20:45:38

This is a bridge design for people that like a high action. It also comes in good if your banjo is in a flood. Not all experiments make it to production.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 04/16/2012 20:46:27

rferg - Posted - 04/18/2012:  09:21:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

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

---

 Robby,  Just got my copy of the new Boxcars' "All In".  The whole CD is just awesome!  Ron's pickin is "da bomb".  I'm a bigger fan every time I listen to him.  Your banjo sounds great...you made a good choice.  I'll have to say I also like the banjo on "Old Hollow Tree" and "Ol' Lonesome Won't Leave Me Alone", wonder which banjo is on those two.  Maybe Ron will let us know.   

Edited by - rferg on 04/18/2012 09:28:48

robbyboone - Posted - 04/18/2012:  12:55:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by rferg

 

---

 Robby,  Just got my copy of the new Boxcars' "All In".  The whole CD is just awesome!  Ron's pickin is "da bomb".  I'm a bigger fan every time I listen to him.  Your banjo sounds great...you made a good choice.  I'll have to say I also like the banjo on "Old Hollow Tree" and "Ol' Lonesome Won't Leave Me Alone", wonder which banjo is on those two.  Maybe Ron will let us know.   

---

 Bobby.......I'm proud of the banjo for sure, but I ordered it and paid for half of it before I ever played it......so "it" kinda chose me. As to Ronnie's pickin'.......I'm really glad that people are seeing and hearing what I have been literally preaching for several years. Ron Stewart is THE man for this day and time........there is in my opinion and lots of others now that there is none finer than Ronnie. He will leave a mark that won't soon be rubbed out.

I heard somewhere, maybe here, that 558-3 Granada was used on Old Hollow Tree......

Thanks for the kind words about "Son",

Robby

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 04/18/2012:  13:35:49

I'm curious too about 'Ol' lonesome. That banjo (maybe the player has something to do with it as well?) used on that track, sounds plain mean! That banjo has ATTITUDE man....and that first string! Just a fantastic sounding instrument, and really suited the song.

Great album, great music, thanks Boxcars.

D'Arcy

stelling58 - Posted - 04/19/2012:  08:29:40

Warren, will the tailpieces ever be available for individual sale? I am very curious at this point on the design. Matt

Edited by - stelling58 on 04/19/2012 08:30:19

bluegrassbrant - Posted - 04/19/2012:  13:20:27

Keep us informed on the picks! I am definitely interested!  

Warren Yates - Posted - 04/22/2012:  08:21:46

The plan that the tail pieces are avalible. I should have some ready in a month or so. The next run of picks will be avalible before the tail pieces. I will build a pick web page soon.
Thanks, Warren

dobroman - Posted - 04/22/2012:  15:04:08

These picks are every bit as good as old Nationals. I know I may get bashed a little, but I think they sound better. Of coarse this is with my right hand only.....lol.

banjo5don - Posted - 04/23/2012:  19:01:29

Guys, not trying to change the subject as I'm curious daily as to the ongoing journey of SOS. But a quick question which I also posted on Ron Stewart's music file page. He did a song in which the file is named "You Tell Me". For the life of me if I've heard that song before I can't place it. Would somebody please tell me the name of that tune and on whose project RS did it? I placed question here because most who read/respond to this thread are somewhat familiar to Ron's stuff. Now back to Skillethead/SOS/Warren's new picks, etc.

Come on Robby, Warren or even RS. Give it up!

robbyboone - Posted - 04/23/2012:  20:02:54

Sorry Don.......I don't have a clue as to the song or who's project it is. My only hint or clue is that it sounds like Wasson playing guitar, so if I'm hearing what I think I am I would assume that it's something from the new Wasson and McCall project or at least something that they have "canned" for a future project.

This ALL a guess on my part.......Ronnie will have to give the real details.

Robby

Goldstarman - Posted - 04/24/2012:  10:45:22

Im wondering who is singing Many a mile on his sound clip and where I can get it.

banjo5don - Posted - 04/24/2012:  13:18:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

Sorry Don.......I don't have a clue as to the song or who's project it is. My only hint or clue is that it sounds like Wasson playing guitar, so if I'm hearing what I think I am I would assume that it's something from the new Wasson and McCall project or at least something that they have "canned" for a future project.

This ALL a guess on my part.......Ronnie will have to give the real details.

Robby

---

 Good guess Robby!  Maybe Ronnie will tell all when he signs on next.

thefonzsgirl - Posted - 04/25/2012:  06:32:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjo5don

Guys, not trying to change the subject as I'm curious daily as to the ongoing journey of SOS. But a quick question which I also posted on Ron Stewart's music file page. He did a song in which the file is named "You Tell Me". For the life of me if I've heard that song before I can't place it. Would somebody please tell me the name of that tune and on whose project RS did it? I placed question here because most who read/respond to this thread are somewhat familiar to Ron's stuff. Now back to Skillethead/SOS/Warren's new picks, etc.



Come on Robby, Warren or even RS. Give it up!

---

Well let's see if I can answer part of the questions. .......The file "You tell me' is a song from a not yet released project by Dwight McCall and Ricky Wasson, unfortunately I'm not sure on the name, I'll try to find out for you! Secondly "Many a Mile" is on a unreleased solo project for Justin Jenkins of the band Grasstowne. Note: On Justin's project he will be playing the banjo, Ron just substituted his playing for the file sample of a banjo. Hope this helps! 

Sherri Stewart

thefonzsgirl - Posted - 04/25/2012:  06:36:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by Goldstarman

Im wondering who is singing Many a mile on his sound clip and where I can get it.

---

It's Ricky Wasson's "scratch" vocal on a project yet to be released by Justin Jenkins of the band Grasstowne. Not sure of the time frame of the release, but it should be within the  next  year or so.

Sherri Stewart

banjo5don - Posted - 04/25/2012:  11:15:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by thefonzsgirl

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjo5don

Guys, not trying to change the subject as I'm curious daily as to the ongoing journey of SOS. But a quick question which I also posted on Ron Stewart's music file page. He did a song in which the file is named "You Tell Me". For the life of me if I've heard that song before I can't place it. Would somebody please tell me the name of that tune and on whose project RS did it? I placed question here because most who read/respond to this thread are somewhat familiar to Ron's stuff. Now back to Skillethead/SOS/Warren's new picks, etc.



Come on Robby, Warren or even RS. Give it up!

---

Well let's see if I can answer part of the questions. .......The file "You tell me' is a song from a not yet released project by Dwight McCall and Ricky Wasson, unfortunately I'm not sure on the name, I'll try to find out for you! Secondly "Many a Mile" is on a unreleased solo project for Justin Jenkins of the band Grasstowne. Note: On Justin's project he will be playing the banjo, Ron just substituted his playing for the file sample of a banjo. Hope this helps! 

Sherri Stewart

---

 Thanks Sherri!  Can't wait to hear the finished product!  Tell the Fonz hello for me.

Don Robinson

Goldstarman - Posted - 04/25/2012:  16:02:19

I thought that was him...but scatch vocal......wow, what a scratch vocal...Most guys cant sing that good when its a cut they are using, I gotta say he is my favorite singer along with Keith Garrett.

Rons a lucky guy to get to work with those guys,.....and I there lucky to be working with him...a win win

Goldstarman - Posted - 04/25/2012:  18:51:36

I meant to say and they are lucky to be working with him

Goldstarman - Posted - 04/25/2012:  21:41:15

I have a question for Ron or his wife or anyone that knows the amswer...lol

What type of Mic Preamp does he use for banjo? I know what mics he uses but the sound he gets is so clean.

onebandmanjo - Posted - 04/29/2012:  01:20:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by myfavefive

Here's a look at the finished pot on Ron's new Yates Skillethead he's traveling with now.  It's got that cool, old steel tailpiece & a Remo head that's been around for many years and it IS the bomb.

---

 yup...  that fits.... 

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 05/04/2012:  10:26:05

Robby, how's SOS settlin' in?

And if Ron is still on here...I was listening to that new album of yours again, and can't get over the sound of the banjo (both player and instrument) on O'l Lonesome. I believe that might be my most favorite banjo I've EVER heard on a recording. Very curious as to what banjo that was?

lazyarcher - Posted - 05/04/2012:  10:47:31

I've been blasting this CD in my shop for a week....the drywall cracked.

I don't know what is the SOS, or SH, or any other banjo Ron might have used...but DANG...they all sound great!!!!

robbyboone - Posted - 05/04/2012:  12:37:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bow-tie75

Robby, how's SOS settlin' in?



And if Ron is still on here...I was listening to that new album of yours again, and can't get over the sound of the banjo (both player and instrument) on O'l Lonesome. I believe that might be my most favorite banjo I've EVER heard on a recording. Very curious as to what banjo that was?

---

SOS is one honkin' piece of machinery!!! I'm absolutely thrilled with it. The tone and playability is amazing but what I am most surprised at is the response of it......I own two pre wars and a couple two or three late model hot rodded Gibsons and none of them have that immediate "bang" that Son does. My PW style 3 and my PW Granada have a sweetness and a tone that is as good as any.......in fact, not bragging because it's mine but the PW Granada for me is the best banjo all around that I have ever played, but neither of those before mentioned banjos has the quickness.....the response of Son. He was worth many times what they cost! I have played some very fine new banjos, but Son takes the cake.......he IS the undisputed heavy weight champ in my book!

Robby

robbyboone - Posted - 05/04/2012:  12:38:17

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

I've been blasting this CD in my shop for a week....the drywall cracked.

I don't know what is the SOS, or SH, or any other banjo Ron might have used...but DANG...they all sound great!!!!

 

---

SOS is on the "I'm Over You" cut......

Robby

lazyarcher - Posted - 05/05/2012:  06:51:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

I've been blasting this CD in my shop for a week....the drywall cracked.

I don't know what is the SOS, or SH, or any other banjo Ron might have used...but DANG...they all sound great!!!!

 

---

SOS is on the "I'm Over You" cut......

Robby

---

Thanks Robbie. I played that cut 342 times last night, and its becoming one of my favs.

The tone of the banjos is just outstanding. Big and bold and fat.

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 05/07/2012:  08:28:17

I'm with ya Dave,

SOS and Ron sound awesome on that track. Robby, the note quickness was the very first think I noticed about the Yates RS line. My banjo is the same, super quick and very directional. Look forward to hearing more of SOS

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 05/10/2012:  14:55:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

I've been blasting this CD in my shop for a week....the drywall cracked.

I don't know what is the SOS, or SH, or any other banjo Ron might have used...but DANG...they all sound great!!!!

 

---

No kidding. I have all but destroyed the structural integrity of my home 

Premsore - Posted - 05/26/2012:  20:31:46

Question to Warren, Ron, Robbie, or anyone who has both the RS model and the Skillethead.........how does the neck on the Skillethead compare to the RS model? I have RS walnut #2 and the neck (not to mention the setup) is by far the best feeling and natural fit I've ever, I mean EVER experienced. I've never had the opportunity to play any prewars, but in the past have owned a couple of Huber's, a Stelling, a G Rich era RB3, a RB12, and a Blackjack. None of these have I ever felt I had the total package. My RS is a lifetime keeper, my other banjos I play occasionally, but feel no attachment to......it's Warren and Ron's fault, lol.
The reason I'm asking is that I am considering ordering the Skillethead and am curious about the neck dimensions, feel, etc. compared to my RS. My RS seems to have just barely a v-shape to the neck, which I like a lot, it actually feels tremendously better than the neck on my Blackjack.
Any insight on this?

Warren Yates - Posted - 05/27/2012:  10:15:27

Hi Premsore
Question - How does the neck on the Skillethead compare to the RS model?
Answer - All of the widths are the same but the Skillethead is a little deeper from fingerboard to the back by about .090”. It does not have a V shape, rather it is more round. Not only is it a remake of Ron’s old one but there is a tone thing there too.
Our RS-75 will be somewhere between the Skillethead and the standard RS.

Note: All of the RS models currently have Ron Stewart in the name block but that will be changing in the next batch. We are changing them to RS-33 for the time period they were patterned after. They are all still Ron Stewart models.
We changed that because it was becoming confusing to the customers. Customers often call asking for the Ron Stewart sound. There is not one Ron Stewart sound because he plays them all. We felt it would be better to label them by what they sound like so people would start to better understand what prewar is and how they are different. For those that have Ron Stewart in the name block, you now have a collector’s item.

Warren

drifty - Posted - 05/27/2012:  13:20:58

Warren's post verifies my impression when I played Robby's SOS next to my RS mahogany awhile back. The neck on SOS felt a little deeper with a more rounded profile. Definitely more reminiscent of some early bowtie neck profiles. But it was very comfortable and didn't have a clubby or clunky feel at all. I suspected the size and profile were part of the Skillet Head thang and Warren has confirmed that. 

robbyboone - Posted - 07/02/2012:  08:40:19

Update on "Son".......

I know this may seem strange to some considering the fact that I have had Son since March, but, I finally got a chance to play it on stage this weekend and all I can say is OMG!!!!!!! Son rocks!!!! I have mentioned the response that it has before in another post, but this thing is a stage monster.....so even across the board not being weaker or stronger from one capo position to the other, up the neck or down. I just can't get over how good this instrument is and the fact that it's less than six months old, of course it was great right out of the box so I don't really know what I'm surprised about.......Warren, Ronnie and Joel have the complete package here and it's SO right. If anyone really wants a new instrument that sounds like it's been played for years, look no farther than Yates. There is absolute magic in these banjos and the only limitations that I have found in them is the person holding them........they will do whatever the person playing them is capable of.......and more. 

Robby

hardcase - Posted - 07/02/2012:  12:23:02

Thank you for the update Robbie,

I am so looking forward to getting mine. What a great sounding banjo!

hardcase - Posted - 07/02/2012:  16:46:35

Robby....  sorry...

drifty - Posted - 07/02/2012:  18:57:47

Hey Robby, will you be playing Son at Starvy Creek? I'll be there Thursday and am really looking forward to hearing that bad boy in its natural habitat. 

robbyboone - Posted - 07/03/2012:  07:09:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by hardcase

Robby....  sorry...

---

No problem.........people often misspell my name and sure have been called a LOT worse!!! :)

Robby

robbyboone - Posted - 07/03/2012:  07:17:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by drifty

Hey Robby, will you be playing Son at Starvy Creek? I'll be there Thursday and am really looking forward to hearing that bad boy in its natural habitat. 

---

Yes I will Drew......and here's proof (hopefully) of my testimony. I will be taking two banjos with me to Starvy that I will be using on stage......"Son" and my PW Granada. You yourself know for a fact that I have other banjos that are more than worthy of stage use, but these are the two that I choose. I have mentioned the Granada briefly in other posts so it should be apparent how I feel about it, but as I have said more than once.....Son rocks!!!!!!

Robby

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 07/03/2012:  07:37:46

Robby, I sense some enthusiam?

Someone should post some footage of you on stage with it. All with your permission etc. of course.

D.C

robbyboone - Posted - 07/03/2012:  08:14:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bow-tie75

Robby, I sense some enthusiam?



Someone should post some footage of you on stage with it. All with your permission etc. of course.



D.C

---

Yes, I am excited about this instrument, and I'm excited for all those who either now have one or have one in the works........simply amazing is all I can say. As far as footage goes........anyone that might be there and have the equipment has my complete permission to record and/or post anything of Son that they want. Anyone and everyone is welcome to anything that I can give them musically, BUT, as a Joe job having, non pro, once in a while weekend picker that only plays 6-10 times a year, I cannot say that my playing will be worthy of either the banjo or posting though! :)

Robby

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 07/03/2012:  08:28:55

And as with all good pickers I know, mighty humble.

DC

sasquatchtb2 - Posted - 07/03/2012:  13:08:55

Hey Robby! Long time no see. I have been browsing this thread and I'm curious. If you could only afford to own one banjo would you chose SON over a prewar? I'm speaking in terms of the tone, playability, response, etc. of the instrument itself and not necessarily so much about all the nostalgia and such that goes along with owning a prewar.  I'm asking this for my own benefit. I have heard several RS Yates banjos but haven't actually got to play one myself. I talked briefly with Ronnie about them a couple years back. Those banjos are cannons. They blow my style 2 plumb out of the water!!  I'm not trying to get you to "blaspheme" or anything like that. I have just been thinking alot about the tone I'm trying to achieve and how to get it. There is no doubt in my mind that the Yates RS has what I'm looking for.