Darrick - Posted - 12/25/2011:  18:02:12

You aren't  suggesting that Ron would shirk his responsibility are you?  Warren,  once you cash my check, I expect Ron to arrive soon after as you and I agreed.  I know he and his wife will love their new home here in Oregon.   Thanks again for making such great banjos and providing a teacher of "adequate" ability to help me reach my goals.  Yates banjos are truly taking the banjo to a new level...congratulations and thank you.   Merry Christmas,

Darrick

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 12/25/2011:  18:27:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

I do plan to be at SPBGMA for around 4 hours anyway. ...  Yes I will have one with me. You are all welcome to come by and break it in some more for me. Let's wake this monster up for real. Everyone bring your picks. You will want to see if this is real or just a bunch of smoke. Do be warned ahead of time. Banjo addition is not something easily cured.

---

So warned sir, so warned. Banjo addition is the result of banjo addiction, no doubt.

But SPBGMA goes for four days!  Which 4 hours will you be there on what day, so that I can be there with my picks to wake up the monster for real?  Saturday?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Barnet in SoCal

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/25/2011:  19:48:18

I wish I knew what I was going to do tomorrow. Likely Saturday mid day. We wil see.

OSCAR82AA - Posted - 12/26/2011:  05:05:10

The new Yates SkilletHead is beautiful Warren and Ron.

     I always loved the bowtie pegheads. Man I have to talk to the secretary of finance here. My wife.

Darrick - Posted - 12/26/2011:  17:32:15

We banjo players should be able to get some TARP monies for new banjos to stimulate the economy.   

Tim13 - Posted - 12/27/2011:  05:30:45

I listened to the first two sound files, and was quite impressed.  Then I listened to the updated 24 hour later sound file, and I'm not so impressed.  What I mean is the newest file sounds like any modern high end banjo.  It could be a Yates, Huber, Neat, or Sullivan.  Good company to be sure, but my point is in the newest clip, that "almost PW dry rattle" is gone.  It's still a fine sounding banjo, but I'd have to hear one in person before I would buy it on sound alone.

The looks of this banjo are outstanding!  I love the fly swatter peg, and the updated bow tie inlay is killer.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of any higher end banjo make that offers this peg/inlay style as a standard offering.

I'm sure based on it's quality and looks, this will be a good seller.

Tim

HarleyQ - Posted - 12/27/2011:  20:02:51

I like the first recording of the new Yates best.

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/27/2011:  20:13:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

There was a thread somewhere about the Bow-tie that Ron found that he named Skillet Head.  It had some very special properties built with an odd arrangement or prewar parts.  As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that".  The fact is that it became one bad a** flathead.  We set out to copy it and that we did.  Ron got the new Yates Skillet Head copy in the mail today and did some recording with it only 30 hours old.  See what you think.

 

The real Skillet Head    yatesbanjos.com/SH_Skillet_Head_Sample.mp3

The Yates Skillet head copy  http://yatesbanjos.com/SH_New_...Sample.mp3

Warren

---

 Warren, I am curious about something, does the original Skillet banjo have a 20-hole or no-hole ring?

robbyboone - Posted - 12/28/2011:  07:51:44

furry......

Warren must be hung up in the lab so I'll take liberty to tell you that Skillethead has a 20 hole ring.

Robby

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/28/2011:  10:08:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

furry......

Warren must be hung up in the lab so I'll take liberty to tell you that Skillethead has a 20 hole ring.

Robby

---

 Thanks, Robby. I figured, since Warren is a busy man ;). I asked only because I know Warren is really the only major champion of the no-hole rings. Does his replica use a 20-hole ring, as well?

robbyboone - Posted - 12/28/2011:  10:27:21

furry......

I wouldn't say that Warren is one of the only fans of the no hole ring......just ask Ronnie or JD sometime what they think of them. :) 

To answer your question.....yes, these Skillethead "children" will be 20 holers as well. But as I mentioned before, Warren and Ron MIGHT consider options on these such as rings, distressed or not and possibly even the wood, but as I also mentioned before, changing ring type or wood type will take the owner/buyer away from what the intent of this banjo is.......and that is to have a banjo just like Ronnie's original PW powered Bowtie Skillethead. To me, the entire purpose of building a Ron Stewart model or this new Sklillethead is to have what the namesake wants on his personal instrument or to have exactly what the banjo being copied has. Varying from the way the instrument was originally intended means you end up with a custom variation of a "whatever"......does that make sense?

I want mine to be absolutely as close in every way to the original Skillethead as possible.......but that's just me. 

Ron and Warren both read these posts and when time permits they WILL respond and give definitive answers to questions.

Robby

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/28/2011:  12:21:08

Yes they will have 20 holes just like the real Skillet Head. I am a fan of no hole rings but would be happy eiher way. A good banjo is a good banjo 20 hole or not. If someone wanted a Shillet Head with no holes I don't see a problem with making it happen. I too want the copy to be as clost as possible. At this point, we plan to enclude with this model an USA made Redline case as they were in the 1920s. Made with hide glue and all. TKL is working with me from their custom shop in VA. An old looking banjo looks best in an old looking case and USA made is a big deal with me. One piece at a time I am workig my way to just that. Just an effort makes a big difference!

Warren

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/28/2011:  17:18:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

furry......

I wouldn't say that Warren is one of the only fans of the no hole ring......just ask Ronnie or JD sometime what they think of them. :) 

To answer your question.....yes, these Skillethead "children" will be 20 holers as well. But as I mentioned before, Warren and Ron MIGHT consider options on these such as rings, distressed or not and possibly even the wood, but as I also mentioned before, changing ring type or wood type will take the owner/buyer away from what the intent of this banjo is.......and that is to have a banjo just like Ronnie's original PW powered Bowtie Skillethead. To me, the entire purpose of building a Ron Stewart model or this new Sklillethead is to have what the namesake wants on his personal instrument or to have exactly what the banjo being copied has. Varying from the way the instrument was originally intended means you end up with a custom variation of a "whatever"......does that make sense?

I want mine to be absolutely as close in every way to the original Skillethead as possible.......but that's just me. 

Ron and Warren both read these posts and when time permits they WILL respond and give definitive answers to questions.

Robby

---

 Haha, what I meant about the no-hole rings bit is the fact that Warren is the only person I know who is deliberately making banjos with them.

lazyarcher - Posted - 12/28/2011:  17:23:12

I probably missed some of the skillethead discussion, but was it ever authenticated to be a prewar flathead ring and metal, or suspected?

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 12/28/2011:  19:12:28

Warren lead off this topic by writing:

"There was a thread somewhere about the Bow-tie that Ron found that he named Skillet Head.  It had some very special properties built with an odd arrangement or prewar parts.  As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that"."

This is what interests me about the new Yates SkilletHead.

That is, aside from cosmetic differences, what makes this banjo different from the corresponding RS model of the same kind of wood? It has the same tone ring and rim, I presume... or does it? Then there's all the metal... can't be too different from the RS model... or can it?

"Special properties"? "Odd arrangement"? And...... Forrest Gump?

What they got cookin' over there at the Yates La-bo-ra-tory?

Barnet in SoCal

Edited by - Barnet in SoCal on 12/28/2011 19:13:37

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/28/2011:  20:11:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by Barnet in SoCal



Warren lead off this topic by writing: "There was a thread somewhere about the Bow-tie that Ron found that he named Skillet Head.  It had some very special properties built with an odd arrangement or prewar parts.  As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I got to say about that"." This is what interests me about the new Yates SkilletHead. That is, aside from cosmetic differences, what makes this banjo different from the corresponding RS model of the same kind of wood? It has the same tone ring and rim, I presume... or does it? Then there's all the metal... can't be too different from the RS model... or can it? "Special properties"? "Odd arrangement"? And...... Forrest Gump? What they got cookin' over there at the Yates La-bo-ra-tory? Barnet in SoCal

---

 Good points. This brings up something that I have felt for a while: ultimately, a part from a tone-ring change, wood options, etc...what else is truly different between the "Masterclones" today?

The thing I am convinced about is the nature of the parts themselves. That is where is all is. I mean, how many banjos do we already have with the same wood combinations, Gill or Cox resonators, rims, rings, etc? Quite a few! I am more impressed by banjos containing parts made by the individual builders themselves. I think it proves how much they've invested.

I am hoping with some of the new banjos that came out this year, and what I know is being unveiled next year, we will start to see something different. It is certainly a good thing to start making one's own rims, rings, etc. I think it sets a banjo in a different realm from the ones made from "manufacturer's" parts.

Just my two cents

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/28/2011:  20:34:31

BINGO Pickin furry paws. You can't find treasures if you can't changing things to see what they do. It is very expensive to test things. I have spent more money on just tone ring testing alone than I paid for my house. A person would have to be nuts to spend that much time and money. I haven't shown any evidence of being nuts...RIGHT! Money isn't everything. If I had it I would just buy banjos so why not stay broke and build them.



As far as what makes Ron's a flathead, look at the pictures on his home page. banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...umid=5959 It just looks like a banjo as even the prewars and new ones do. You can look at tool marks and know dimensions and such but it is what they do that proves it. Prewar flatheads were not freak instruments that had something marvelous happen to them over time. They were built under people that knew what they were doing. It was from a time of craftsmen teaching others to continue the tradition. Old buildings like where the declarations of independents was signed still has a lot of the original wood in the windows. Some buildings like that haven't been painted in 50 years and are in great shape. I bought my house new and on year two, I could not get enough caulk and paint in them to keep the rot away.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 12/28/2011 20:37:29

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/28/2011:  20:34:31

.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 12/28/2011 20:40:26

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/28/2011:  20:38:48

It posted twice for some reason

Ron Stewart - Posted - 12/29/2011:  06:41:42

I could talk for hours as to what makes our banjos different, but then again, I would give things away that I shouldn't. We make resonators IN HOUSE, from OUR wood, rims IN HOUSE from OUR wood, Necks etc. Tone rings in house from the alloy that we have found to be the alloy, and so on. As for what makes the SkilletHead model what it is, well, wood selection for rim and neck, neck dimension, and tone ring dimensions, weight. etc. It is not the same as an RS mahogany or Maple, that's why there is a SkilletHead model. As for authenticity of the real SkiletHead, ring alloy is right, weight is right, cut is right, and TONE is definately right. I have had a man than I trust more than any on Earth says it's real as rain(and I don't trust anyone but myself usually on these matters, and when I don't know, this man is the ONLY man I go to, too many conflicts of interest in the Flathead market) The real SkilletHead has been played by many Flathead owners, and I have yet to have one with a doubt.

lazyarcher - Posted - 12/29/2011:  07:08:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ron Stewart

I could talk for hours as to what makes our banjos different, but then again, I would give things away that I shouldn't. We make resonators IN HOUSE, from OUR wood, rims IN HOUSE from OUR wood, Necks etc. Tone rings in house from the alloy that we have found to be the alloy, and so on. As for what makes the SkilletHead model what it is, well, wood selection for rim and neck, neck dimension, and tone ring dimensions, weight. etc. It is not the same as an RS mahogany or Maple, that's why there is a SkilletHead model. As for authenticity of the real SkiletHead, ring alloy is right, weight is right, cut is right, and TONE is definately right. I have had a man than I trust more than any on Earth says it's real as rain(and I don't trust anyone but myself usually on these matters, and when I don't know, this man is the ONLY man I go to, too many conflicts of interest in the Flathead market) The real SkilletHead has been played by many Flathead owners, and I have yet to have one with a doubt.

---

Ron--the banjo is way way cool..and the tone is to die for. I've heard of early bowties that have prewar metal, but I've never seen a flathead like yours...you are certainly fortunate. I do know of a TB 100 that is I think a '49..reso replaced but the rest is origional..so likely prewar?

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/29/2011:  08:26:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ron Stewart

I could talk for hours as to what makes our banjos different, but then again, I would give things away that I shouldn't. We make resonators IN HOUSE, from OUR wood, rims IN HOUSE from OUR wood, Necks etc. Tone rings in house from the alloy that we have found to be the alloy, and so on. As for what makes the SkilletHead model what it is, well, wood selection for rim and neck, neck dimension, and tone ring dimensions, weight. etc. It is not the same as an RS mahogany or Maple, that's why there is a SkilletHead model. As for authenticity of the real SkiletHead, ring alloy is right, weight is right, cut is right, and TONE is definately right. I have had a man than I trust more than any on Earth says it's real as rain(and I don't trust anyone but myself usually on these matters, and when I don't know, this man is the ONLY man I go to, too many conflicts of interest in the Flathead market) The real SkilletHead has been played by many Flathead owners, and I have yet to have one with a doubt.

---

 Exactly my point. Beyond the "good" or "bad," I just wish more makers were doing the various parts on their own like this. Is it hard? Yes. Is it very labor intensive? Y-E-S! But it accomplishes two, very important things that "manufactured" prewar parts don't:

1. It makes ever builder who does this kind of personal crafting of each part unique. No one is the same!

2. Details are covered which are (in some cases) completely ignored by mass manufacturing.

I personally don't doubt for a minute that the Skillet Head banjo is prewar. While I haven't played hundreds of old banjos to really know, I have picked a few, and heard a great many more in person over the years to know that that banjo has something most non-prewar type instruments don't!

Jeff Markham - Posted - 12/29/2011:  09:32:59

I've never been a fan of the Bowties, but this one has changed my mind. Good thing I already have a mahogany Yates, or I'd be tempted to go visit Warren again.

Note to self: Do not visit Warren's shop. Leave checkbook at home. Do not look at pictures or listen to sound files anymore.

Ron Stewart - Posted - 12/29/2011:  11:07:13

Jeff, do all three things! Ha!

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/29/2011:  11:24:39

I have never been a fan of the bow-tie look either. In fact, I have said more than one time they are the ugliest thing I have ever seen, BUT, something tripped my thoughts when I play the real Skillet Head. Once the sound was there it was like I was reprogrammed and now I think it is the best thing I have ever seen. Go figure. ?????? I also use to try to get rid of that old smell. I have now been researching for the last three years as how to reproduce it. Now when I smell that old smell it trips my feeling and the memory of that old banjo.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 12/29/2011:  16:43:53

if i were to buy a new banjo today , with all the great banjo builders out there,, it would be a yates.
after a few visits to area 51 and talking with warren. he has a passion like i have never seen in another
builder. its like when something goes off in his head he gets possessed with it until its perfect. thats the kind
of guy you want building you next investment. and to go along with all of that he is one of the nicest guys you
will ever meet. i have one question warren,,, what about the bass plans we talked about last time?.,,,,,,,,,,


terry m

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/29/2011:  20:41:19

Thank you Terry. Everything is still in the same place as when you saw them. The print is somewhere under the dust on the shelf and the wood still sits under my table saw. About once a week I look at it and want to start something with it but my bank account says, not right now. One day!

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/29/2011:  21:52:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jeff Markham

I've never been a fan of the Bowties, but this one has changed my mind. Good thing I already have a mahogany Yates, or I'd be tempted to go visit Warren again.



Note to self: Do not visit Warren's shop. Leave checkbook at home. Do not look at pictures or listen to sound files anymore.

---

 Chain it to the wall like folks did with their books in olden days ;)

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 12/30/2011:  08:34:50

Warren and Ron, that's a cool 5, sound and looks. I don't think there is a better marriage, Yates/Bowtie (I own one of each).

I' ve got a question though, where did the idea of the fly-swatter peghead, slotted bowties of the TT 7 and the almost Super 400 inlay on the peg head idea come from? Years ago, believe it or not, I heard about a banjo with pretty much this configuration. I never saw it but it's freaky that the Yates Skillet Head looks like this.

Warren Yates - Posted - 12/30/2011:  20:47:21

We wanted our own design but it still needed to show influence of the old Bow-tie. With the peg head we put our standard double point and tried to change the rest of the shape some to make it ours. The inlays had to also give that classic look yet be ours. Ron described his idea on much of it and I started drawing. I took what he said and made it a little different so that it would fit each fret block. He wanted the name to be a little larger and I drew up some center piece ideas until he picked one. Believe it or not we tried to make it not like any other, but like song writing, you can’t help but to sound like another song in many cases. It is all the same ideas just rearranged to try not to copy.

lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 12/31/2011:  06:32:40

The Yates Banjo sounds just as good as the Huber Trutone Banjo.Less expensive Without the hype and marketing.The Yates is easier to play ,due to the way Warren sets up the neck.

prewartb3 - Posted - 12/31/2011:  14:18:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll

The Yates Banjo sounds just as good as the Huber Trutone Banjo.Less expensive Without the hype and marketing.The Yates is easier to play ,due to the way Warren sets up the neck.

---

Well said lethegoodtimesroll.

Excellent looking design Ron & Warren. The Skillet Head should be a keeper in the Yates line of banjos.

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 12/31/2011:  22:03:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll

The Yates Banjo sounds just as good as the Huber Trutone Banjo.Less expensive Without the hype and marketing.The Yates is easier to play ,due to the way Warren sets up the neck.

---

 Haha, I think the hype is about the same, sorry, but I disagree  Most banjos have got some kind of hype out there, whether intentional, or not

Warren Yates - Posted - 01/01/2012:  13:57:41

We do have what we claim.

jmillsapps - Posted - 01/01/2012:  15:14:47

Very fine sounding banjos in my opinion!

verbel - Posted - 01/01/2012:  15:20:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll

The Yates Banjo sounds just as good as the Huber Trutone Banjo.Less expensive Without the hype and marketing.The Yates is easier to play ,due to the way Warren sets up the neck.

---

jessie - Posted - 01/01/2012:  19:03:19

my maple yates r s is exactly as warren claims ,old used finish ,with that definate pre war gibson sound ,mine has that dry ,crackling  great sustain sound ,and a very deep 4 th string i have never had in any of my other banjos.if i could have only one banjo ,my yates would be the one 

Pickin furry paws - Posted - 01/01/2012:  20:19:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

We do have what we claim.

---

 And don't ever stop pursuing better!

1935tb-11 - Posted - 01/02/2012:  05:06:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

Thank you Terry. Everything is still in the same place as when you saw them. The print is somewhere under the dust on the shelf and the wood still sits under my table saw. About once a week I look at it and want to start something with it but my bank account says, not right now. One day!

---

 i understand warren,, you gotta take care of orders quick as you can,, a dollar is a dollar.  i look forward to pickin one of the fly swatter banjos.. pretty cool..  but ya had a great idea on the bass plans too.

terry m 

Goldstarman - Posted - 01/02/2012:  05:22:26

ill second the playability on the Yates, Warren set em up right

figmo59 - Posted - 01/03/2012:  06:05:22

I bought ah WL5...ah few years back...


I have ah bunch of high end banjos here...

People,...with an ear....tend to like tha Yates sound tha best..

Some day i'm gonnah get me ah flat board Yates...

banjo5don - Posted - 01/04/2012:  12:47:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

If private tutoring from Ronnie comes with the price......it's worth every penny.

---

 Where do I send the check?

Warren Yates - Posted - 01/04/2012:  13:22:44

Make all checks payable to Warren Yates but do me a favor and don't say anything to Ron until after the check clears ;)

banjo5don - Posted - 01/04/2012:  13:35:46

Warren, could you please post pics of Robby's new axe once complete? I mean I'm fighting the urge really bad! But you know what they say about them wild hairs! I may have to speak to the "War Department" about appropriations!

Also, how long before you will be posting and advertising the Yates Skillethead on your site?
Don

prewartb3 - Posted - 01/05/2012:  05:09:46

I see a Skillet Head in my future.  Warren & Ron are the best set up & builders on the planet.  Most builders need another person to set up the banjo for them. A hidden cost with most top end banjos.

Warren Yates - Posted - 01/06/2012:  05:47:46

banjo5don



I need to get one made before I can get some good pictures. Mine has an old head on it so I can't use it. Robbie's will be perfect to use. What if I post some pictures as I go of process work?



prewarth3, thank you. Ron drives many times over six hours to come here and set up all of his banjos and most of the time requires hotel stay. Though I have learn basically to do the same, the deal is if you buy one of his line then you get Ron in person to set it up. Ron can hear things that I don't and likely never will and that is a huge huge part of why we are where we are today.

Edited by - Warren Yates on 01/06/2012 05:50:02

robbyboone - Posted - 01/06/2012:  08:13:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

I need to get one made before I can get some good pictures. Mine has an old head on it so I can't use it. Robbie's will be perfect to use. What if I post some pictures as I go of process work?

 

          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warren......post pics or even videos of the build on my banjo if you want. I would be very proud for my Yates Skillethead that I have already named "Son Of Skillethead" to be documented here and be a part of introducing the new line to the banjo community........what an honor for it as the instrument and for me as the owner! You have free rein and my blessing to do with my banjo whatever will help you and Ronnie.

Robby

banjo5don - Posted - 01/06/2012:  08:17:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbyboone

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

I need to get one made before I can get some good pictures. Mine has an old head on it so I can't use it. Robbie's will be perfect to use. What if I post some pictures as I go of process work?

 

          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warren......post pics or even videos of the build on my banjo if you want. I would be very proud for my Yates Skillethead that I have already named "Son Of Skillethead" to be documented here and be a part of introducing the new line to the banjo community........what an honor for it as the instrument and for me as the owner! You have free rein and my blessing to do with my banjo whatever will help you and Ronnie.

Robby

---

 Great!  Can't wait to see it from start to finish! And Congrats to Robby!

drifty - Posted - 01/06/2012:  08:26:47

Robby, Warren and Ron:  all I can say is Wow! and congratulations!  I expect this new model is going to be an instant classic. As you guys know, but others do not, I'm now  playing a Yates RS mahogany, #108.  I have not put that banjo down since I got it in September except to play my other banjo now, a '30 OPF PB-3 (Frank Neat neck, '50s Bow Tie ring).  While I find each of them compelling in their own ways, my girlfriend, Emily (pictured in my avatar), likes the sound of the Yates best.  She has picked it out in several double-blind sound tests from any number of different banjos, including my old '36 Style 1 (G. Price straight grain maple neck, Burlile ring), which she said would always be her favorite.  No more.  In fact, I sold that banjo after playing the Yates for less than three months.  

Robby, I can't wait to hear and play that bad boy.  I have a feeling it will blow the doors of that minty RB-800 (which is a great sounding banjo in its own right) that you can now keep for posterity.

Ron, since you've got so much spare time on your hands, how about a sound comparison between the Yates Skillet Head and the Yates RS mahogany?