robbyboone - Posted - 03/12/2012:  08:15:21

Thanks you guys........it's a great banjo and I am very fortunate to have it. I can't thank Ron, Warren and Joel enough for all they've done. All went above and beyond the call and it shows in this instrument and for that matter ALL their instruments. For those that watched the clip, you should actually hear it in person as the clip does not do the banjo justice in being able to hear the subtle nuances that it has......the sound of it engulfed the room, all I can say is that it's full and fat with everything that you could ask for and more.......open power on the up side of the neck and clear as a bell with just as much power down the neck, it just has it all. 

Don't think though that really anything was done to this one that wouldn't be done to a production run Skillethead, with the exception of the original tailpiece that came out of Ron's (Thank You) private stash, this banjo is just like one that anyone else can have.......they are just this good! And before the tailpiece becomes an issue, Warren has devised an exact reproduction so that these will be just as "Daddy" Skillethead is.

Now, you all have seen it and heard it........let's get to making Warren's phone ring with orders......you will NOT be disappointed!

Robby

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/12/2012:  08:49:31

You mean now I have to W-O-R-K? What did I get myself in to. So far it just looks like more fun. If you do what you love for a living, then you will never work again.

jhduncan20 - Posted - 03/12/2012:  09:00:23

I just listened to the clip from facebook. Good lord what a banjo and what a good picker!

Goldstarman - Posted - 03/12/2012:  10:42:45

Man, I just listened to the link and thats a monster banjo....and Robbie you pick the crap out of it but I know one thing, if that was me I couldnt pick in front of Ron..lol

Jeff Markham - Posted - 03/12/2012:  11:49:29

Whew, that thing sounds good! Good picking, too! I'd love to hear it in C or D tuning.

wbelm - Posted - 03/12/2012:  13:34:24

Well folks, I had a fun weekend listening, visiting and dining with Ron and Robby and those fabulous Boxcars. if they had any more talent in that band they would be playing jazz or rap or something. If any of you guys, girls, intermediate creatures....especial "crazies" that prefer to talk banjo anatomy (while carry tinkering wrenches and crap in their case pockets) over going to Jo Jo's to eat catfish, see Dr. Ron on the circuit,,,,,,,,Order you a Skillet Licker head Kicker. I order mine the moment I heard a file of Ron's and Robby's.

Warren and Ron did a fabulous job on the banjo. I loved anything. The aesthetics, the tone is simply the best......even the case is special, I think it even smelled old. You would have to shop for a prewar flat head to get any better.

I want Steve Martin to start playing one, somebody should tell him about it. Thank you Warren Yates, Ron Stewart and all involved in these banjos.

wbelm - Posted - 03/12/2012:  14:29:56

Well folks, I had a fun weekend listening, visiting and dining with Ron and Robby and those fabulous Boxcars. if they had any more talent in that band they would be playing jazz or rap or something. If any of you guys, girls, intermediate creatures....especial "crazies" that prefer to talk banjo anatomy (while carry tinkering wrenches and crap in their case pockets) over going to Jo Jo's to eat catfish, see Dr. Ron on the circuit,,,,,,,,Order you a Skillet Licker head Kicker. I order mine the moment I heard a file of Ron's and Robby's.

Warren and Ron did a fabulous job on the banjo. I loved anything. The aesthetics, the tone is simply the best......even the case is special, I think it even smelled old. You would have to shop for a prewar flat head to get any better.

I want Steve Martin to start playing one, somebody should tell him about it. Thank you Warren Yates, Ron Stewart and all involved in these banjos.

Ron Stewart - Posted - 03/12/2012:  15:27:27

Dr. Anderson,

You my friend are a treasure to the world of banjo, and good people! Thank you for the kind words about the banjos, and thanks for being a great friend. We didn't mean to move in yesterday, just a short visit, but I've heard of other folks losing track of time in your presence. I enjoyed picking, talking and tinkering with banjos, and most especially the lesson! Thank you! Harold played air claw hammer all of the way home, and I think he's got it! As for your new old toy, it's the real deal, and it delivered the goods! Thank you for letting me pick on it and tinker with that damn rod! Also, to Bob, you are a true blue friend and genuine good one! I'm so glad to have gotten to hang around you and talk banjos with you and learn a lot of things I didn't know. And thank you for what you are doing for me

As for Robby, well......I hate him, I hate his right hand, I hate that he kicks my butt off on the banjo...and I really hate that his "Son of Skillethead" might just be better than mine! BUT....I love him, I love his pickin', and I just want to have a day of us pickin' and talking banjos, NOT at a show!!! Robby, you are a gold nugget in a world of clay. 

In closing, to Dr. Anderson, hopefully old Skillet Head doesn't cause you any problems, he can be a mean one sometimes! I think I got took on that one! Wink.

wbelm - Posted - 03/12/2012:  16:46:55

Thank you Dr. Ralph Stewart, son of Dr. S. S. Stewart, and great grandson of Marty and Joe Stuart......man you Stewarts are a big deal in bluegrass. Is there an Earl Stewart?

Leaving your original flathead banjo with me reminds me of the time Crowe left Banger with Bobby. I am not sure what we are supposed to do with them, they are ruined, spoiled.
I can tell its not happy.
Is it going to want to go on the road in a big bluegrass bus every weekend? I so scared
I am trying to mate 'em and see what we get. Might be a baby Yates.

Yours mostly, possibly, sincerely truly so,
Dr. William B. "Bull-crap" Anderson, Ron Stewart's friend

drifty - Posted - 03/13/2012:  18:09:35

OK, sports fans. I've edited some video down to about 10 mins. of the birthing of SOS, including a comparo with his daddy. But I'm technologically retarded. Somebody please PM me with advice on how to upload the video to BHO or YouTube. I've downloaded the video from a hi-tech video device, my IPhone, to IMovie on my Macbook Air. But I just can't figure out how to get it onto the intertubes from there. Where are the teenagers when you need them?

pmcguire - Posted - 03/13/2012:  19:16:16

In the video of the presentation of the Ron Stewart Skillet Head to Robby Boone, before the picking starts, there is a brief discussion of a multi-colored thumb pick which Ron Stewart seems to like a lot.  However, with several people talking at once at that point, I couldn't pick up the name of the pick under discussion - can anybody enlighten me?

Thanks.

Peter

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 03/13/2012:  19:41:31

Pro'bly a so-called 'clown barf' thumb pick. Highly desirable pick, that one.

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/14/2012:  07:33:02

drifty

OK here is what I think I can remember. Go to youtube.com and open a new account which means pick a user name and password. Remember it. You can use it for many videos in the future. Once you have your account open, you should see a “Upload Video” thing. Click it and locate the file on your computer. Upload it. While it is loading, you can write in a description to tell the viewers what they are seeing. Also give it a title. You can use tags like Robby Boone, Ron Stewart, Yates Skillet Head Banjo, and such to help people search for it. It might take around 30 minutes to load it but then it will give you a link which you can post on the hangout. Use the best format that you can on your video because youtube can handle it and it looks better. Also make sure your video is what you want as I don’t know how to change it if you don’t like it once it is posted.

Once you post it on the forum, right then edit your post and you will have options to make the link a hyperlink so everyone can just click on it and watch. If you don’t, don’t worry, we can post it for you after. That is what I think I know based on memory.

Thanks, Warren

drifty - Posted - 03/14/2012:  20:50:25

Thanks to Warren and Jeff Markham, I finally managed to get the video posted. Caveat: Those little concrete block rehearsal rooms at the Ozark Folk Center where this took place have all the acoustic qualities of a storm cellar. So the sound on the video really doesn't do justice to these banjos.  But you can still get an idea of the raw power.

At 1:45, that's Bob Rodgers walking in for a closer look. At 2:09 Robby puts on a capo and plays a little in A. At 4:43, that's Bill Anderson kidding Robby about teaching him to play FMB. At 6:02 Ron takes SOS for a spin and at 7:09 he unpacks Daddy Skillet Head and Robby takes the big dog for a spin. The banjos sounded amazingly similar for being 60 years apart in age. That's Bob Rodgers at the end of the clip with his usual dry humor. Enjoy.

youtube.com/watch?v=CM4mHH2vStY

Goldstarman - Posted - 03/14/2012:  21:08:35

Ok, I think I just heard Ron start off on a fiddle tune using some melodics

Ive been listening to some videos posted on the BHO as of late by Robby here and Ron and Ryan Cavannaugh....Ill tell you one thing, it will make you want to get better or throw your banjo out the back door.

oldfivestring - Posted - 03/17/2012:  20:54:35

ROBBY BOONE, you stole my lick!!! About 3:54 on the video, you pulled the 3rd string instead of the traditional pull off pickers would normally do! I showed you that a few years ago when I was playing banjo with NewFound Road. I didn't think you were a lick stealing thief... like Sammy Shelor!!! I'm kidding brother!!!! Congrats on the new 5... it's a HOSS!!!! Warren and Ron are building some very fine 5's and no one deserves a killer 5 like that more than you!!! I'm a big fan of your playing... would love to get some lessons from you sometime! Enjoy the 5 my friend, and post some more clips on youtube... maybe I can steal a lick or two from you!!!      youtube.com/watch?v=CM4mHH2vStY

oldfivestring - Posted - 03/17/2012:  20:59:41

Hey Peter, to answer your question about the thumb picks Ron and Robby were refering to, they are Golden Gate thumb picks! I love them!! Pick one up, you'll be glad you did!

robbyboone - Posted - 03/17/2012:  21:21:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by oldfivestring

ROBBY BOONE, you stole my lick!!! About 3:54 on the video, you pulled the 3rd string instead of the traditional pull off pickers would normally do! I showed you that a few years ago when I was playing banjo with NewFound Road. I didn't think you were a lick stealing thief... like Sammy Shelor!!! I'm kidding brother!!!! Congrats on the new 5... it's a HOSS!!!! Warren and Ron are building some very fine 5's and no one deserves a killer 5 like that more than you!!! I'm a big fan of your playing... would love to get some lessons from you sometime! Enjoy the 5 my friend, and post some more clips on youtube... maybe I can steal a lick or two from you!!!      youtube.com/watch?v=CM4mHH2vStY

---

JR!!!!!!!!!  What in the world are you up to???? SO good to hear from you!!!!! I sure miss seeing your face around the festivals out here, you gotta get back out this way. As far as stealin' licks......everything I know I stole from somebody and don't do a very good job at reproducing what I've stolen!! As far as lessons.....anytime you have 5 minutes to spare I'll show you everything I know......might not even take that long.

You take care of yourself and again, GREAT to hear from you!

Robby

oldfivestring - Posted - 03/18/2012:  09:27:51

Hey Robby, we would love to get out that way and pick! I talked to Chuck Stearman yesterday, sending him some info on our band, Newtown and hopefully he will book us on some shows out your way! I know we're playing Silver Dollar City the 10th and 11th of May... we may need to try and hook up then! Go see us on youtube... Kati Penn and Newtown is what you'll find the bulk of videos under, though we've dropped the Kati Penn and now we're just Newtown. Do you do Skype at all? May have to hook up with you there as well. That 5 you have is an absolute HOSS on video... can't wait to hear it in person. Great to see you have one... I may need to talk to Ron and Warren myself! Take care ole buddy and hope to hear from you soon!!! Just kidding about the stealing stuff. I "borrow" licks from other pickers... I just forget to give the darn things back!!! My cell number is 859-582-6120... give me a shout sometime!

Edited by - oldfivestring on 03/18/2012 09:29:33

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/18/2012:  09:30:37

Hey Robby
Are you getting use the new Skillet Head? Have you played it with your band yet?

I might be a little early to say this, but here I go anyway. The new Boxcars CD is out and I have a copy. I love it! Here is the thing; as I understand it there were four banjos used on it. When Ron was telling me I tried not to gather too much information so I can be wrong here. I wanted to play the game too. The thing is to see if we can tell what banjo was used on what song. As I understand it, his new Skillet Head was use on about half of it, his old Skillet Head on about half, the 1936 Granada flathead on one, and a customer's RS mahogany on one. I have been making a list and before I get through the CD I rip the list up and start over. I can't post any clips but it is likely most of you will end up with the CD anyway. I don't know if their website will have any samples or not. Maybe one day Ron will tell us what he used.

Warren

robbyboone - Posted - 03/18/2012:  11:43:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Warren Yates

Hey Robby

Are you getting use the new Skillet Head? Have you played it with your band yet?



Warren

---

Warren,

Haven't played it with the band yet but we are getting together in a couple weeks.......I should have it figured out by then if I'm ever gonna! It's a great instrument......one of those that when you get it out of the case and even while you're tuning it......it's like Whoa!!!! This thing rocks!!!!

I could not be happier!

Robby

robbyboone - Posted - 03/19/2012:  19:34:36

Edited by - robbyboone on 03/19/2012 19:36:24

Ron Stewart - Posted - 03/19/2012:  20:03:39

Just a bit of info,

1) Robby, you are a class act!

2) Robby, Son of SkiletHead IS on our new CD by the way. I'll email you the track in private so everyone can guess if they want.

3) So if lessons are an option from you, when can I start?

) The thumb picks are OLD thumbpicks we are speaking of, from 60's, multi colored, not same as new Golden Gate, but I like them too and use them some.

Iderhobanjer23 - Posted - 03/19/2012:  20:57:09

I'm in love.

I say that because aesthetically, this is the kind of banjo I have always wanted.  Sound-wise, it's real old.  Best of both worlds.  Great job from everything I've seen.  

Edited by - Iderhobanjer23 on 03/19/2012 21:00:41

wrightedward - Posted - 03/19/2012:  21:00:54

Going to hate to see this one stop ,it has been great and SOOOOO interesting .. Also making friends with Robby has been a joy ,thanks Robby .And thanks for turning me onto Ron ,,quite a guy ,did i mention Ron plays banjo ,WOW ..Robby if i could get to you ,i would love one of those 5 minute lessons ..Looking forward to a CD cut with the new Banjo ,,let me know .

 Eddie 

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 03/20/2012:  07:01:16

I have a feeling this one isn't over, I feel like this was just an intro to the main story. With a few skillet heads out there in very capable hands, I believe some chapters have yet to be written. Might be a bit of a mystery novel leaving us guessing which banjo was used on which track on the new Boxcars Cd. As well, who know's where we'll hear Robby's new Son of? I'm hoping up here in Ontario Canada sometime! GREAT banjo playing Robby, the way it should be done! Lonesome Road is a great sounding band with some pretty killer harmonies. Anyway, thanks for the read Warren, Ron and Robby, look forward to more.

D'Arcy

robbyboone - Posted - 03/20/2012:  20:51:27

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bow-tie75

I have a feeling this one isn't over, I feel like this was just an intro to the main story. With a few skillet heads out there in very capable hands, I believe some chapters have yet to be written. Might be a bit of a mystery novel leaving us guessing which banjo was used on which track on the new Boxcars Cd. As well, who know's where we'll hear Robby's new Son of? I'm hoping up here in Ontario Canada sometime! GREAT banjo playing Robby, the way it should be done! Lonesome Road is a great sounding band with some pretty killer harmonies. Anyway, thanks for the read Warren, Ron and Robby, look forward to more.



D'Arcy

---

Well, I was in no way trying to shut this down, it just seemed as though it might have slowed down and I wanted to acknowledge and say thanks to all those involved before it came to an end, as far as I'm concerned this thread can go on forever! I have enjoyed this whole process more than I can say.

Ronnie did let me know tonight which track that "Son" is on and it will be fun to get peoples guesses on which track it is. I can't hardly wait to get a copy of the brand new Boxcars CD and give a listen for myself.

And thank you D'Arcy for the kind words about Lonesome Road and myself........we sure have a good time playing music together and it's really nice when someone appreciates what you do.

Hopefully there will be much more reading about these Skilletheads to come,

Robby

hidehead - Posted - 03/20/2012:  23:36:46

There's been 19,000 hits on this thread!  Wow!  Don't kill it yet Robby!

Folks...Step right up and get your SKILLETHEAD souvenir T-shirts, key chains, bumper stickers and beer openers! 

sideways - Posted - 03/21/2012:  04:52:24

Yates has now had more advertising than a Super Bowl commercial.

oldfivestring - Posted - 03/21/2012:  06:37:39

I think I'll watch the video ANOTHER 100 TIMES!!!!! We need to keep this going folks!!! Robby is a GREAT, and I mean GREAT picker, and Ron and Warren are putting together GREAT banjos!!! The tone from "Son" is nearly equal to that of "Skillthead"!!! That's hard to do folks, but I think those fellows are on to something. Great job to all and hope to see all you guys soon!

Bow-tie75 - Posted - 03/21/2012:  08:23:04

No worries Robby, it's just the truth. Word on your Skillet head, I love the decay on that banjo. Now...off to order the skillet head cd...I mean Boxcars CD...kidding.

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/21/2012:  08:57:05

I love those key chains and bottle openers and such, but your collection will never be complete without the new Ron Stewart bobble head.

Yes my friend, you too can be the proud owner of your own plastic Ron Stewart bobble head to mount on the dash board of your car. Comes complete with your own little plastic Skillet Head banjo and suction cup to stick to nearly any surface. Listen to your new Boxcars CD and grove with Ron as he plays all of your new favorite songs. Don’t be the last person on your block to own one.

Keith Harper - Posted - 03/21/2012:  09:25:22

I think I want one of those Ron Stewart bobble heads but only if it comes with a Warren Yates bobble head -- and a thumb pick!!

wrightedward - Posted - 03/21/2012:  13:37:40

There is more to come LOL .. No i didnt want to shut it down either ,,been great stuff ..Bring it on ..Me for one ,,i want a bobblehead doll of Ron ..No laughing matter they would sell ,wonder how many orders Warren has recieved since this thing started..Here is hoping he is covered up ..

Edited by - wrightedward on 03/21/2012 13:43:19

robbyboone - Posted - 03/21/2012:  16:38:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by hidehead

There's been 19,000 hits on this thread!  Wow!  Don't kill it yet Robby!

Folks...Step right up and get your SKILLETHEAD souvenir T-shirts, key chains, bumper stickers and beer openers! 

---

Those are AWESOME Larry!!!!  I'll take one of each........and I want to hear more about these Ron Stewart bobble heads. Warren, if you build them...they will sell!

Robby

hidehead - Posted - 03/21/2012:  18:05:26

Warren Yates - Posted - 03/21/2012:  18:13:39

Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you send me a big picture of that? I want to frame it and put it in the shop.

robbyboone - Posted - 03/21/2012:  19:35:09

Larry......that might be the funniest thing I have ever seen!!!!!  I LOVE it!!!!!!   And, I'm gonna need a poster of that too!!!

 Robby

Edited by - robbyboone on 03/21/2012 19:36:18

Ron Stewart - Posted - 03/22/2012:  06:43:18

THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!

bluegrassboy - Posted - 03/22/2012:  08:32:03

hey robby, how do you think those bobble heads would look on the dash of the 39, or the handle bars of the harley?

robbyboone - Posted - 03/22/2012:  12:31:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluegrassboy

hey robby, how do you think those bobble heads would look on the dash of the 39, or the handle bars of the harley?

---

 Larry.......I'll put a request to Warren that when these go into production that there needs to be a way to afix them to a curved surface such as your old Ford or the Harley......I'm just positive that you won't be the only one that will have this need.......these are gonna be bigger than beanie babies!!!!  :)

Robby

Edited by - robbyboone on 03/22/2012 12:35:19

bluegrassboy - Posted - 03/22/2012:  15:06:24

'bigger than beanie babies' i wanna drive the bus!!

banjo5don - Posted - 03/22/2012:  21:07:04

Robby,

Saw your vid.  Killer five, man!  I know you're more than proud! It was great also to hear you pick, if for but just a few minutes.  You got the touch and tone, bud! Also, RS's "Red Rooster" wasn't too shabby either!  I hope to get to hear more of "Son" here on BHO soon. 

To Ron, Man I downloaded "All In" tonite.  Listened thru twice! Matter of fact, I'm on trip #3 as I write this.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  It was somewhat different than #1 but "cool different".  Most groups sophmore projects don't live up to the first, but this one not only is as good (possibly better) it shows what 5 very talented and creative guys can do in studio.  Can't wait for my hard copy to arrive!  Hope to see you again soon.  I think I know which cut SOS is on but I'll withhold my guess until I've listened thru a couple more times!

To Warren, I think your orders for Yates Skilletheads will surely increase.  I've been consulting the War Dept. here at my house about gettin' in line for mine!  Super work and thanks for lettin' us watch it happen from conception to delivery!

Don

hidehead - Posted - 03/23/2012:  09:19:11

Here is the latest version of the RS Bobble Head.  Production has been outsourced to China and the first 30,000 units will be shipping early April. 

larry

robbyboone - Posted - 03/24/2012:  11:11:13

Drew Pierce (Drifty) came by this morning to visit and play banjers, he shot a video or two of "Son", his Yates RS model and the old Granada.......the "S.O.S" vids might show up here at some point. If and when he posts them please forgive my horrible playing, it was fairly early for a banjo player to be up and I had only had one cup of coffee and one dip of snuff, I REALLY wasn't hittin' on all eight yet!

Robby

wrightedward - Posted - 03/24/2012:  17:57:57

Be looking for the post ..One dip and one cup ,,wow ..You would fit in just fine around here, all Jr high(boys) and up dip (rub) .Hey Robby both of my grandma's rubbed ,they could spit across the road LOL .When you stayed all night ,,it made the goodnite kiss a little rough LOL 

 I am looking forward to hearing you cut loose with SOS ...

 Eddie 

BANJOBOB549 - Posted - 03/25/2012:  06:00:15

I have at the present a banjo  that looks identical to these Skilletheads. Says Gibson,, Best I can tell has a number stamped 6767- something,,,Its a 20 hole Flathead,,,needs a head,,,,Anyone know if a 5 star head would sound good,,,,,,,

drifty - Posted - 03/25/2012:  13:14:05

Howdy folks. I had a great time visiting Robby and Kerry yesterday. They are two of the nicest folks you will ever meet. Here's Robby comparing his SOS to my Ron Stewart mahogany, #108. (Somehow I posted the first clip twice, so don't think you're having a flashback.) Two comments. First, I suspect that thing on the end of Robby's right arm isn't a hand. Its a machine. I think he must have had it grafted on at some secret location. Like Area 51? Second, the Skillet Head has a deeper tone than the RS for sure. I played it and the effortless power that thing puts out is just amazing. Even up the neck, the notes are strong and fat. That said, the RS mahogany is definitely no slouch and comparing it to SOS didn't give me buyer's remorse by any means. The clip at the end is Robby's drop-dead gorgeous and exceptionally fine-sounding Granada, #9956-26 (the "Martin Balada" on Greg Earnest's site for further info.) It's not intended to be part of this video for shopping comparison purposes. Like Robby and Kerry''s old hound, it's a different animal altogether. (Among other obvious differences like old vs. new, maple vs. mahogany, it would come in at a very different price point. ;-) 

How much more alike the Skillet Head and the RS mahogany might sound with the same setup and the same steel Elton-type tailpiece is hard to say. But I think they will sound different no matter how they're set up. The Skillet Head's pot is physically deeper for one thing. Which one a person might like better would be a matter of preference and taste. They are both beautifully built, great playing banjos with power and tone to burn. The little iPhone recording doesn't do any of these banjos justice as the power and tones are more complex and dynamic than the iPhone is capable of capturing. But you can maybe get the idea.

youtube.com/watch?v=YdZ7Q6aXJoQ

Sheldon - Posted - 03/25/2012:  13:58:35

I notice that the dog was REALLY impressed . . .

Sheldon