Bribak - Posted - 01/26/2012:  06:02:23

Wow. That sound clip does sound great. I even like it better than the one that was done on the 30 hour old Yates Skillet Head. Congratulations Robby (and Warren & Ron). It's got a different kind of tone than the Ron Stewart model clips (I love my mahogany RS). I'd love to hear them played side by side and see if that still seemed the case. Ron - how would you describe the differences in the tone between the Yates Skillet Head and the RS mahogany model?

Also Ron - any chance of you ever recording a set of solo banjo mp3s and offering them for purchase? Very informal "doodlin around" type stuff. Just sit down for a half hour and play whatever comes to mind to let us hear that wonderful tone you get. A lot of us really eat that kind of stuff up.

drifty - Posted - 01/26/2012:  14:07:17

Warren and Ron, I'm curious about this tailpiece. What, exactly, is the main tonal difference between it and the Presto? And on that point, Warren, will you be offering them for sale once you get the "bugs" worked out?

FWIW, this morning I did find one of my old ones like it that came off a '57 TB-100, but it's brass, not steel. It also has two adjustment screws. I put it on a banjo and the first and main thing I noticed was a major increase in sustain. In fact, too much sustain, really. But this one is tired, to be sure.

Warren Yates - Posted - 01/27/2012:  08:42:42

It just opens the banjo up more. It all depends on what the cost will be. If I can make a little on them then they might be for sale but Ron and I haven't talked about it yet. If it is a break even thing then surely not. We will just have to see. Normally if I go the extra effort to make things like that, I have in them more than what I can buy them for. To mark them up means I am priced out of the market.

Jeff Markham - Posted - 01/27/2012:  09:51:06

I'd like to hear Robby's SoS after it's gotten a few more hours on it, then compare it to the earlier Yates Skillethead cut. However, it sounds awfully good for one so new.

drifty - Posted - 01/27/2012:  10:21:35

Thanks, Warren.  What? You don't like spending a lot of time and money for no profit?  That's my banjo business model!

Seriously, if you guys find it's an improvement over the Presto, I would think there would be a viable market for it.

Darrick - Posted - 01/28/2012:  06:46:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by prewartone

I got to enjoy the experience of playing the original skillet head here in Salyersville Kentucky. It was after the Boxcars set. The banjo is a HOSS thats for sure.

​I have always wanted to visit Salyersville Kentucky...seeing the Boxcars there would be a great reason.

​Darrick Salyers

wrightedward - Posted - 01/28/2012:  20:55:15

Boxcars were at Milton Opryhouse tonight and Ron played his new Skillethead ,,great banjo ..That banjo had tone out of this world ,,yes i know it is mostly Ron and i agree .. Great show and thanks to Ron for his time talking to me... .Again ,one fine banjo .Congratulations to Warren and Ron for a job well done .

 Eddie Wright 

kaybone - Posted - 01/29/2012:  07:33:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by wrightedward

Boxcars were at Milton Opryhouse tonight and Ron played his new Skillethead ,,great banjo ..That banjo had tone out of this world ,,yes i know it is mostly Ron and i agree .. Great show and thanks to Ron for his time talking to me... .Again ,one fine banjo .Congratulations to Warren and Ron for a job well done .

 Eddie Wright 

---

Ditto to all of the above, 'cept in Ohio on Friday at PennyRoyal Opera house.  Who knew we were going to hear such a fine banjo and playing on a banjo freshly picked from the Yates Banjo Tree! (that's where they really come from right?) Thanks to Ron and the guys for taking the time to talk to me as well and sign my CD.

wrightedward - Posted - 01/29/2012:  09:20:37

 Mark ,,heard them  several  times ,,always upbeat and having a good time .. No doubt Ron is a big part in how that banjo sounds ,,but who would think a "NEW" green banjo would have that kind of tone ..Warren and Ron are on to something here ..Cant wait to hear Robby play his .. As for the box Cars ,,all down to earth folks ,great musicians ...Everyone has a great time because they are having a great time .

Warren Yates - Posted - 01/31/2012:  15:02:53

Joel and I will be going to SPBGMA Friday afternoon and stay that night. I will have my Skillet Head with me if anyone wants to see what it is about. I will have my phone with me and I can get emails if you need to find us. We will be staying at:

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Nashville Airport East, TN
3423 Percy Priest Drive
Nashville, TN 37214


Warren

Ron Stewart - Posted - 01/31/2012:  15:35:39

Anybody that can should pick Warren's Skillet Head, I promise you will be shocked and glad you did!

hsjim - Posted - 01/31/2012:  15:45:05

I apoligise Ron, but, That right there is just plain funny! I don't care who ya are!

I have really enjoyed this thread and would like to try out a Skillet Head as well.

Edited by - hsjim on 01/31/2012 15:57:27

wrightedward - Posted - 01/31/2012:  15:56:43

Ron ,i wanted to plck your's last Sat night,LOL.. Robby said i could ...What???

Eddie  

drifty - Posted - 01/31/2012:  16:12:48

Great, Warren.  I'll be there as well and will look you guys up.  Looking forward to playing that banjo. 

derekanjo - Posted - 01/31/2012:  20:55:00

Warren, if I happen to see you I will want to pick it!

Beardog - Posted - 02/01/2012:  12:59:42

Hey Warren, don't leave SPBGMA without me getting to see that Skillet Head banjo! I'll be keeping an eye out for you and Joel.

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 02/01/2012:  13:53:45

I understand that Ron Stewart has a banjo setup DVD. I looked on Acutab and saw his instructional video...are the setup issues address in this or is there another video? I need to tinker with some of my banjos.

Thanks for any help (direct email = gary.meadors@cornerstone.edu)

Warren Yates - Posted - 02/01/2012:  18:02:59

I am not aware of a set up video.

eMike - Posted - 02/01/2012:  19:25:02

Steve Huber has a banjo set-up video.

No intention to hijack this thread.  Just tryin to provide a bit of info to a Brutha.

Edited by - eMike on 02/01/2012 19:33:03

Gary T Meadors - Posted - 02/02/2012:  07:50:24

Warren, I have not had the opportunity to see/play your banjos. From this thread, I sure have the desire to do so. Is there a vendor that carries your line (e.g. Elderly, Banjo.com) and have items in stock? It sounds like they go out of your shop directly without the need for the middle man. I am in Fort Myers, FL, if you know of any owners in this area.

Warren Yates - Posted - 02/02/2012:  14:22:43

morganmusic.com/      and     experiencedmusicalinstruments.com/        but they are not likely to have anything is stock. They move faster than I can supply. The Skillet Head they will likely not get to carry for a very long time if ever. We don't know yet. The best thing is to watch The Boxcars and see when they will be near you and see if Ron has time to let you play his. It could happen. That way you can hear it on stage, in Ron's hands and and in your hands. I will be at SPBGMA tomorrow (Friday) with mine.

Warren

Edited by - Warren Yates on 02/02/2012 14:25:53

Ron Stewart - Posted - 02/03/2012:  07:31:25

Gary,

I also once in a while have one for sale on my website, ronniestewart.com. I have an archtop that I played for about 2 months that wll be up there in the next couple of days, it is killer, and you can find it on youtube, The Boxcars at the Loveless Cafe, and there are others that Warren might be able to send you to. I also have an RS Maple that has a story behind that you could get at a discounted price. Send me a private message if you want, and I'll fill you in.

Ron

Darrick - Posted - 02/03/2012:  08:52:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by eMike

Steve Huber has a banjo set-up video.

 

No intention to hijack this thread.  Just tryin to provide a bit of info to a Brutha.

---

Isn't this going to rub someone the wrong way and start a banjo smack down?  Just kidding....I am going to own one of each hopefully!

Ron Stewart - Posted - 02/03/2012:  10:26:57

No rubbing the wrong way, Steve has a set-up video he did some years ago. I am planning on doing my own at some point hopefully, not that world needs another banjo video!

robbyboone - Posted - 02/03/2012:  11:30:55

Trust me on this Ronnie......the banjo world needs and would greatly benefit from a set up video by you. You are the tone master for this day and time. Mark me down for one as soon as they're done.

Robby

gospelman97 - Posted - 02/03/2012:  12:09:13

I agree.  How about the title "Mastering Tone with Ron Stewart?"

kaybone - Posted - 02/03/2012:  15:53:39

Sort iof back to the original topic. . .  Why is it called "The Skillethead"?

eMike - Posted - 02/03/2012:  18:27:29

Ron,  If you produce a set-up video, please let me know about it also.

Thanks,

Mike

robbyboone - Posted - 02/03/2012:  18:55:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaybone

Sort iof back to the original topic. . .  Why is it called "The Skillethead"?

 

kaybone......the paragraph below was pulled from page nine of this thread, maybe this will clear up the name Skillethead

Robby

 

 

 

Darrick - Posted - 02/04/2012:  08:27:35

Want to sell it?  

robbyboone - Posted - 02/04/2012:  09:31:11

Darrick....

I know you're kidding, but no......the banjo is priceless to me and will be one of those things that my kids will fight over when I'm gone.

Robby

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/04/2012:  10:29:23

Robby,

we are all very happy for you. From your story, when you get your banjo, the circle will be made complete. Thank you and Warren for letting us share in the building and spirit of this banjo.

Ken

robbyboone - Posted - 02/04/2012:  10:37:05

Thank you Ken....

Today is such a sad bittersweet day for me. While I'm very anxious to get this banjo "home" and enjoy it, it's all overshadowed today by the passing of the man who taught me to play a banjo many years ago.......I lost my friend Snuffy Smith......I can't think about much else today.

Robby

robbyboone - Posted - 02/05/2012:  11:54:39

Ok guys, anxious to hear from those who attended the SPBGMA event this weekend and had a chance to play Warren's Skillethead. 

jfb - Posted - 02/05/2012:  19:20:31

Robby,

I picked on it ( if you can call it that ) at Banjothon a couple of weeks ago.  When in my lap I could hear some tonal difference vers DA-5055,

Out in front, it was hard to tell much difference, although there is some..DA is the RB-75 in the utube clips.  I see no reason that you will not be anything other than pleased

if it sounds as good as that one..just my opinion, not worth very much.  

drifty - Posted - 02/05/2012:  20:05:50

Robby, if Snuffy taught you to play banjo, he left his music in good hands.

As for SPBGMA, I missed connections with Warren.  He was there when I was and we communicated by text, but that place was a madhouse.  I doubt I could have given the banjo a fair hearing anyway.  There were probably 20 bluegrass bands jamming in the hotel lobby -- all at the same time.  Much as I hated to miss Warren and the chance to play that banjo, after I finished my business there me and Em had to head for the exit.   

robbyboone - Posted - 02/06/2012:  17:03:21

Drew and jfb.......thanks for the posts!

 jfb, if it sounded good to you, I'm sure that it will sound good to me......any comparison to DA-5055 has got to be something!

Drew, Snuffy did teach me. I started taking lessons at 10 years old from him and the rest is as they say "history".......I don't mean to get off topic, but I'm sure going to miss him.

LouZee Picker - Posted - 02/06/2012:  17:30:31

I also ran into Warren at SPBGMA and had the pleasure to pick the the one he brought with him. All I can say is Awesome! If I was in the market for a new banjo that one would be my next purchase, hands down.

Brian

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 02/07/2012:  07:54:37

The place was indeed a madhouse, and I also missed Warren and Son 'o SkilletNoggin... my biggest regret of the entire event...  ah well, I hope the Boxcars will come down South sometime... South of California, that is...

Barnet in SoCal

___________________________

--Might fine, mighty fine….

pipefitter61 - Posted - 02/08/2012:  19:32:40

Robby,

I spent about 2-1/2 hours with Warrens banjo on friday. Up in a quiet room, so I could actually hear what was going on. You are one lucky dude. If your's is anything like the one I played, it had it ALL!  Nothing missing at all in this one! Then the whole band came in, and we kicked in the teeth so we could hear it in the mix. Like I said.... Lucky man!!!

robbyboone - Posted - 02/09/2012:  08:15:56

Thanks guys for the reports.....it's only making the anticipation grow!!!!!!!! Another month or so I should be playing mine!

Robby

rferg - Posted - 02/09/2012:  09:53:17

Robby, I thought it was finished, setup, and on its way. Ronnie must be taking it out on the road for a while? I get excited every time I think about it being in your hands...anticipation.

robbyboone - Posted - 02/09/2012:  10:57:47

It is finished and has been for a couple of weeks......Mr Stewart has it and is in the process of wearing it out! I'll get it from him in a few weeks.

Robby

kaybone - Posted - 02/09/2012:  16:51:49

Soo, Robbyboone would that have been your skillet head I heard Ron play a few weeks back in Ohio?  Wow! That's all I gotta say.

Wow for Ron's playing and wow for the great sound of that banjo! If I get Warren to build me one, I'll ask him to scribble my name on the head stock

like he did on yours. There's something almost spiritual about that - not sure what, but I even got choked up when I saw your name on it in the picture, and heck, I don't even know you. Loved all the build pictures that were posted!

Edited by - kaybone on 02/09/2012 16:53:56

drifty - Posted - 02/10/2012:  06:39:47

Pipefitter61 wrote: 

One thing I've learned about Yates/Ron Stewart banjos is that they are amazingly consistent. Any differences in sound I've noticed from one to another are no more than you would expect from setup variables. I would expect the same will be true of the Skillet Head models as well.

Ed, I'm sorry I missed seeing you at SPBGMA and getting to year you pick that SOS of Warren's. For those who don't know him, Ed is a great player.

robbyboone - Posted - 02/10/2012:  14:22:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaybone

Soo, Robbyboone would that have been your skillet head I heard Ron play a few weeks back in Ohio?  Wow! That's all I gotta say.

Wow for Ron's playing and wow for the great sound of that banjo! If I get Warren to build me one, I'll ask him to scribble my name on the head stock

like he did on yours. There's something almost spiritual about that - not sure what, but I even got choked up when I saw your name on it in the picture, and heck, I don't even know you. Loved all the build pictures that were posted!

---

Kaybone,

Ron has only had mine for 2-3 weeks so if the show that you saw was earlier than that, it was either his Yates Skillethead or the REAL Skillethead......both are incredible instruments and either are capable of parting your hair!

It pleases me very much that seeing my name written on the pieces touched you.......it touched me too, I thought that I might be the only one so sentimental about such things. Warren sent me the piece off the peghead that had my name on it for a "keepsake".......said the he "thought I might want that"..........I guess he's sentimental too! This has been such a wonderful experience so far!!!!

Robby

banjo5don - Posted - 02/17/2012:  13:14:02

Robby,

I know you're too humble to gloat, but, you ARE gonna post pics/vids of your baby whenever RS wears it completely out, AREN'T you?

robbyboone - Posted - 02/17/2012:  16:09:14

Hey Don!

I was hoping that Ronnie would put a couple more up with him playing it as it settled in, but I know that he has been extremely busy finishing up a recording and hasn't had much opportunity.......shoot, I haven't even spoken to him since the banjo arrived at his house, just an email or two. If I'm lucky by the time it gets to me, it'll need a fret dressing! I don't have any recording equipment to do anything on and wouldn't know how to post it here if I did!! But, I have been thinking of going to a friends recording studio to some stuff with this Yates and another old junker that I just bought......maybe my friend is smart enough to get something on here for me.......we'll see!

Good to hear from you Don,

Robby

jmillsapps - Posted - 02/17/2012:  19:20:13

Robby, finally met Ron and his son last weekend at a Boxcars show in Celina, TN. What a super nice guy and great picker! He was playing the Yates Skillethead and it sounded great. I think you will be pleased! Jim