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erikforgod - Posted - 11/20/2012: 05:29:41
Well folks, I finally I am ready to open the thread for my fretless banjo that Patrick Heavner and Topher Stephens of "Pisgah Banjo Company" are building for me. My banjo will be a prototype Dobson heel neck...the first that they have built, and you will see some pictures attached of the necks. He said he was going to start the "testing" phase for these necks last weekend to make sure that all was going to be well. These necks are per Patricks own personal design, his own variation of a Dobson style heel. My banjo will be a 12" cherry rim with walnut rim cap, walnut neck ( dobson style heel ) persimmon fingerboard and peghead veneer, traditional style peghead with a quilted 5-point star. I am curious to hear what you guys think...so here is the start of my thread. As more pics become available from the guys of my banjo being built, I will post them here!
Edited by - erikforgod on 11/20/2012 05:32:48
tpg11 - Posted - 11/20/2012: 06:46:53
Eric,
Thanks for posting the build pictures. I bought the Pisgah Dobson model with the 12" walnut rim/cherry rim cap, dobson tone ring, and walnut neck/traditional headstock a couple of weeks ago.
I'm very happy with the look, sound, and feel of mine. Excellent workmanship and Patrick and Tropher were great to deal wth.
Tom
blockader - Posted - 11/20/2012: 07:39:52
those guys are friends of a friend, erik, he says they do some good work. i'll follow your thread closely. are you getting a dobson ring?
-justin
Montanarick - Posted - 11/20/2012: 08:15:15
Eric....very cool....should shape up to be a beautiful banjo. I really like the fact that it will be personalized to your liking. Great that you are giving the "new guys" a chance to express their talents. Rick
kenelk - Posted - 11/20/2012: 08:47:28
Woot! Way t'go Eric... i likewise think it's great to support these young luthiers using local woods... and you'll have a very special banjer!
Like the Dobson heels... more elegant... and the cherry/walnut and persimmon combination should look and sound great. Are you getting a tonering or will it be a "woodie"?
Mark Johnson - Posted - 11/20/2012: 09:16:26
congrats. that looks like some lovely walnut. I'm eager to see the development...
erikforgod - Posted - 11/20/2012: 09:31:20
Guys - Thanks for following this thread! I am going to try to keep it open and blog about the project so that Patrick and Topher can and the banjos they build can get some more exposure. My banjo will not have a Dobson tone-ring but the heel is a must. It will have a simple rolled brass tone ring ( which I liked the sound of the best from their videos ) It will have a 12" cherry rim with a walnut rim-cap. I went with the cherry rim because my research has told me it will provide a bit plunky tubbier sound, which is what I want for this fretless banjo. The fact that the guys use local NC mountain hardwoods is really appealing. My Pisgah will have the same peghead shape as the one in tpg11s avitar above. They call that the "traditional peghead shape" It certainly is great like you guys said Rick and Ken to be able to support fine craftsmen. I have never had a custom anything instrument so I am really excited!
Patrick just replied to me this morning and here is his response:
Eric
One of these will be yours. I will pick the prettiest one for you. The test worked out great and I think it is ready for production. Yes they both have a cherry center stripe. I might be able to have several Dobson heels on the market come the new year. More pics will come maybe this weekend.
Edited by - erikforgod on 11/20/2012 09:35:21
erikforgod - Posted - 11/20/2012: 10:47:02
quote:
Originally posted by tpg11
Eric,
Thanks for posting the build pictures. I bought the Pisgah Dobson model with the 12" walnut rim/cherry rim cap, dobson tone ring, and walnut neck/traditional headstock a couple of weeks ago.
I'm very happy with the look, sound, and feel of mine. Excellent workmanship and Patrick and Tropher were great to deal wth.
Tom
Tom your Dobson model I assume must have been the one I saw displayed in the you-tube video VERY nice banjo!
tpg11 - Posted - 11/20/2012: 11:28:09
Eric,
Yes. Patrick wrote it was the one in the video showing the three models they offer. The video where Topher is playing "Booth Shot Lincoln".
Tom
erikforgod - Posted - 11/20/2012: 12:32:38
quote:
Originally posted by tpg11
Eric,
Yes. Patrick wrote it was the one in the video showing the three models they offer. The video where Topher is playing "Booth Shot Lincoln".
Tom
Yeah thats the one....really nice banjo you have got there....the tone didnt have as "tubby" a sound as the other ones did, which is what I am after in my banjo. I REALLY love that peghead shape...thats what I will have on my banjo as well. Its an added feature since the square paddles are standard but I think its worth the extra $50...which is very reasonable. Donald Zepp and "Elderly" are carrying this banjo line now. I really think we are definately going to be seeing and hearing more from Patrick and Topher in the future as "up-and-up" banjo builders.
Montanarick - Posted - 11/20/2012: 14:27:21
Eric, I think you need to stop this thread.....I just got my Bart Reiter and I don't need any new temptations at the moment. I'm on thin ice with the wife as it is. Been playing about a year and a half.....and not very well, thank you very much.....yet I've already bought, sold and made 6 or 7 banjers....BAS is a very real affliction!!! Rick
erikforgod - Posted - 11/21/2012: 05:09:59
Rick it certainly is an expensive habit isnt it? Not that I want to contribute or be an accomplice to your temptations but ZEPP and Elderly are offering these banjos at VERY reasonable prices!! hahaa!!!
No but I am sure you are VERY pleased with your Reiter...how is the VEGA holding up or did you hock it for the Reiter? Reiters are kinda heavy banjos no?
I know the Cherry rim on my banjo will add to the weight some but I dont think it will be too notacable.
elderly.com/new_instruments/na...SGAH4.htm
elderly.com/new_instruments/na...SGAH3.htm
zeppmusic.com/Pisgah/pisgah.htm
Edited by - erikforgod on 11/21/2012 05:14:18
Montanarick - Posted - 11/21/2012: 10:14:45
quote:Eric, still have the Vega....it's a keeper....Round Peak is a little heavier but not as heavy as the Goldtone 350. Vega is super light.
Originally posted by erikforgod
Rick it certainly is an expensive habit isnt it? Not that I want to contribute or be an accomplice to your temptations but ZEPP and Elderly are offering these banjos at VERY reasonable prices!! hahaa!!!
No but I am sure you are VERY pleased with your Reiter...how is the VEGA holding up or did you hock it for the Reiter? Reiters are kinda heavy banjos no?
I know the Cherry rim on my banjo will add to the weight some but I dont think it will be too notacable.
elderly.com/new_instruments/na...SGAH4.htm
elderly.com/new_instruments/na...SGAH3.htm
zeppmusic.com/Pisgah/pisgah.htm
SCclawman - Posted - 11/21/2012: 11:00:37
Looks pretty cool Erik. Looking forward to seeing some videos in the future of you playing it.
erikforgod - Posted - 11/22/2012: 06:46:09
Thanks SCclawman - After the banjo is completed and paid off, the next step is getting it to Argentina LOL!!
rubicon - Posted - 11/30/2012: 19:53:40
Good to see these guys getting some exposure they seem to build a really nice banjo
erikforgod - Posted - 12/01/2012: 04:54:35
quote:
Originally posted by rubicon
Good to see these guys getting some exposure they seem to build a really nice banjo
Rubicon after all of my research of many different luthiers, I felt these guys offered me personally something unique with the look and material of the banjos....especially the idea that they used locally harvested wood. Not to mention that it is an "up-start" luthier partnership...I think they have a good business model and have a bright future. Patrick was really patient with me through the process, we were in contact for a few months before we actually started and never once did I feel pushed or coerced into choosing them. I also like the look and style...the 5 pointed quilted star....their banjos spoke to me, the persimmon fingerboards and veneers....when Patrick told me he was up for putting together a Dobson style heel for my banjo...a prototype, I was sold!
I really know I have made the best choice and am really looking forward to when I will have the banjo and post a complete review and video here on my thread. Patrick said I would see some more pictures of the banjo process soon, so as they become available I will post them here so stay tuned for more!
erikforgod - Posted - 12/02/2012: 17:40:55
Thanks all of you for following this thread regarding the building process of my Pisgah Banjo Company fretless. Here in these pictures we see the neck really beginning to take shape as Patrick and Topher just forwarded these pics to me this evening. This dobson style heel is a prototype and my banjo will be the first Pisgah with a dobson style heel. In one of the pics you can see the quilted star inlay...just absolutely superb! The Persimmon fingerboard and veneer have already been glued up and its nice and thick....if you look at the back of the peghead at the orientation of the grain the way it runs....just absolutely beautiful!
This peghead shape also is what they call their "traditional peghead shape" and I chose that style peghead shape over the square paddle shape for its elegance.
To say the least I am way beyond pleased....I have never EVER had a custom made instrument so I am super stoked....what do you guys think? I would love to hear your comments!
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/02/2012 17:57:52
Montanarick - Posted - 12/02/2012: 18:54:02
I think it looks beautiful Eric.....it is going to be an amazing banjo....by seeing these pictures you will understand and appreciate how it developed. I think the peghead is awesome.....Rick
aeroweenie - Posted - 12/02/2012: 19:24:02
Erik - I think you'll enjoy learning fretless. The Pisgah banjos look to be high quality and they sound great. I really like the choice of woods. They only problem you'll have, until you get up the fretless learning curve, is not being able to blame the banjo!
erikforgod - Posted - 12/03/2012: 02:35:32
Rick - Thanks for the comments, I am just totally floored with the way the neck on this banjo turned out! Patrick said that by years end they are going to have a few production models up with the Dobson heels available for clients...this was his version of the "Dobson" style..his own take on it. I also wasnt sure if it would have the cherry pin stripe going down the middle but I guess that is standard on all of their necks. The grain on the walnut on the back of the peghead is just awesome.
Aeroweenie - You know its funny, back when I played the mandolin, I tried playing the fiddle and had a hard time with it but the only thing I was able to do was pick it like a mandolin. Even though it was fretless I was able to find all of the notes and play the fiddle as if it was a mandolin. In theory I feel like it should be the same with the fretless banjo, albeit I know the necks are completely different, but I think once I get the bridge placed right where I want it and find the right spots for the notation and just play it and become aquainted with it,I wont have any problems. R.D. Lunceford says to him the fretless banjo is like the ultimate "solo instrument" and Buell Kazee talked about filing those fretes down to get all of those "quarter tones" as he called it...lots more available notes and sounds on a fretless right? I know Rick posted a thread about how does one define their playing style? For me I am just gonna try to learn the techniques as best I can and just go with my own flow, and not try to sound like Fred Cockerham, or Clarence Ashley or this one or that one. NOW once the banjo is paid off and complete, the next step is getting it the 5,000 or so miles down to the central atlantic coast of Argentina where I live....and THEN getting a new mic so I can start recording myself again. I just worked up my own version of "Give the Fiddler a Dram" in Sawmill tuning yesterday.
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/03/2012 02:38:35
aeroweenie - Posted - 12/03/2012: 20:09:34
Erik - I'm sure you'll get the hang of it quickly, I was just teasing a bit - sorry if that was not clear. When do you expect to have the banjo in your possession?
erikforgod - Posted - 12/04/2012: 02:45:22
quote:
Originally posted by aeroweenie
Erik - I'm sure you'll get the hang of it quickly, I was just teasing a bit - sorry if that was not clear. When do you expect to have the banjo in your possession?
Aeroweenie - No not a problem at all, not even a smidgen of offense taken or anything so no worries 
even so, I really wont know until I get the banjo in my hands, Going to do some experimenting with it to find the right position for the bridge and my right-hand placement.
I am hoping to have delivery by the end of December, beginning of January where it will be shipped to my moms house. My mom is coming to Argentina for the first time in January to see my son, her grandson for the first time. I havent pitched to her the idea about bringing it to me, but a banjo is pretty light, she can carry-it on and if she takes LANChile airlines, they let you take two carry-ons per person. we will see LOL. If not it will be stored in mommas closet at her house until next summer when I travel to the US.
By the way, what do you think of the progress on the neck? Looks beautiful no?
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/04/2012 02:46:11
tpg11 - Posted - 12/04/2012: 06:36:30
Eric,
The neck looks great and I really like that dobson style heel. Did Patrick mention any other dimension differences between his dobson neck and the standard neck they make?
Also nice to see photos of the shop where mine was made. Looking forward to the next set of photos.
Tom
erikforgod - Posted - 12/04/2012: 08:13:57
quote:
Originally posted by tpg11
Eric,
The neck looks great and I really like that dobson style heel. Did Patrick mention any other dimension differences between his dobson neck and the standard neck they make?
Also nice to see photos of the shop where mine was made. Looking forward to the next set of photos.
Tom
Tom thats a good question, you know initially when I was looking at the photos, the side profiles of the neck, I thought to my eyes that the neck looked a bit shorter then the usual necks that they build. This could be an illusion created by the look of the Dobson heel....I dont think that there are any differences but let me email him and ask him and I will post his response.
P.S. I just emailed Patrick and I will post his response as soon as I have it!
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/04/2012 08:20:09
erikforgod - Posted - 12/04/2012: 10:52:25
quote:
Originally posted by tpg11
Eric,
The neck looks great and I really like that dobson style heel. Did Patrick mention any other dimension differences between his dobson neck and the standard neck they make?
Also nice to see photos of the shop where mine was made. Looking forward to the next set of photos.
Tom
Tom here was Patricks response....short but sweet:
Eric no difference in neck dimensions. Just the shape of the heel.
wm.annis - Posted - 12/04/2012: 19:11:39
I also have a banjo being built by the guys now (fretted 11in walnut with Dobson tonering, standard options for everything except the s-curve scoop; minor adjustment to their normal action to accommodate my illicit melodic ways). I was ridiculously giddy to get the first photos over the weekend.
erikforgod - Posted - 12/05/2012: 02:19:31
quote:
Originally posted by wm.annis
I also have a banjo being built by the guys now (fretted 11in walnut with Dobson tonering, standard options for everything except the s-curve scoop; minor adjustment to their normal action to accommodate my illicit melodic ways). I was ridiculously giddy to get the first photos over the weekend.
Thats great! I think I remember reading one of your posts on their facebook page....talk about being giddy, I was like a "kid in a candy store" when I received the first pictures from Patrick. Having a banjo built is like the gift that keeps on giving you get to document the whole process of the build and then receive a lifetime dream instrument. I think the work of "Pisgah Banjo Co" will be collectors item banjos one day.
I liked the "S-Scoop" feature but I decided against it at the last minute. I think the simple scoop gives me what I need. Its not as long a scoop but the brackets are placed far enough from the edge of the neck that I dont think I will "whack" them with my clawhammer pick when I play over the neck-pot joint.
Please by all means feel free to post the pictures of your Pisgah banjo build here on my thread and blog the entire process if you feel so inclined I would like to see some of the pics of your Pisgah build as well! Is yours going to have the paddle-shaped peghead design or the "traditional?
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/05/2012 02:20:51
wm.annis - Posted - 12/05/2012: 05:46:47
quote:
Originally posted by erikforgod
I liked the "S-Scoop" feature but I decided against it at the last minute. I think the simple scoop gives me what I need. Its not as long a scoop but the brackets are placed far enough from the edge of the neck that I dont think I will "whack" them with my clawhammer pick when I play over the neck-pot joint.
Please by all means feel free to post the pictures of your Pisgah banjo build here on my thread and blog the entire process if you feel so inclined I would like to see some of the pics of your Pisgah build as well! Is yours going to have the paddle-shaped peghead design or the "traditional?
I went with the paddle head. Even though I went with the swirly frailing scoop, I preferred the simpler peghead. I don't even spend too much time over the neck that way, but neither do I ever play that far up the neck.
erikforgod - Posted - 12/05/2012: 08:42:47
William is your banjo already completed and delivered or is it currently underway like mine is?
wm.annis - Posted - 12/05/2012: 09:19:36
quote:
Originally posted by erikforgod
William is your banjo already completed and delivered or is it currently underway like mine is?
Like yours, mine is being built now.
erikforgod - Posted - 12/06/2012: 02:19:10
quote:
Originally posted by wm.annis
quote:
Originally posted by erikforgod
William is your banjo already completed and delivered or is it currently underway like mine is?
Like yours, mine is being built now.
Lets blog both of our banjos on this thread....put up some photos and comments when you get them from Patrick ok?
wm.annis - Posted - 12/06/2012: 05:21:50
quote:
Originally posted by erikforgod
Lets blog both of our banjos on this thread....put up some photos and comments when you get them from Patrick ok?
Sure. Though it would capture my mood, I will refrain from uploading audio files of the sound I make when I get an update (think four-year-old on Christmas). :)
erikforgod - Posted - 12/07/2012: 15:19:28
William no problem, post some sound files too if you want...sounds like a cool idea!
erikforgod - Posted - 12/16/2012: 10:37:56
Well I just received another update from Patrick....looks like the banjo is assembled...just finish work and hardware assembly left!
Montanarick - Posted - 12/16/2012: 10:59:02
It's really looking good Eric.....it's fun to see it develop....Rick
erikforgod - Posted - 12/16/2012: 12:12:09
quote:
Originally posted by Montanarick
It's really looking good Eric.....it's fun to see it develop....Rick
Thanks Rick.....the Dobson style heel really is looking spiffy.....looks like I am in the final stretch with my new banjo!
erikforgod - Posted - 12/18/2012: 03:16:37
Patrick just emailed me and told me he has already put 3 coats of finish on my banjo and may assemble it this weekend. He is waiting, however, on a delivery of tuners and doesnt expect to receive them until after New years.
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/18/2012 03:17:36
wm.annis - Posted - 12/18/2012: 07:09:55
quote:
Originally posted by erikforgod
He is waiting, however, on a delivery of tuners and doesnt expect to receive them until after New years.
Honestly, that's almost a relief to hear. I cannot imagine what a nightmare it would be to try to get anything like a reliable ship time before Christmas is past.
I also got an update from them over the weekend (their normal heel; the photo's in my photos area; I haven't figured out how to make polite image links yet).
erikforgod - Posted - 12/18/2012: 07:40:50
quote:
Originally posted by wm.annis
quote:
Originally posted by erikforgod
He is waiting, however, on a delivery of tuners and doesnt expect to receive them until after New years.
Honestly, that's almost a relief to hear. I cannot imagine what a nightmare it would be to try to get anything like a reliable ship time before Christmas is past.
I also got an update from them over the weekend (their normal heel; the photo's in my photos area; I haven't figured out how to make polite image links yet).
Go ahead and link it....I saw the photo by the way your banjo looks great! I almost went for the 11" rim also but decided the 12" was better suited to the sound I wanted.
erikforgod - Posted - 12/31/2012: 03:02:30
Well I guess this is the end of the pictures....my fretless is complete! I just woke up and saw that Patrick had sent me the final photos so here they are!! I hope you guys like it, so let me know what you think!
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/31/2012 03:10:37
Adam Kiesling - Posted - 12/31/2012: 06:03:47
Boy, that's a nice-looking banjo! Congrats!
I bet you can't wait to get your hands on it.
wm.annis - Posted - 12/31/2012: 06:07:00
quote:
Originally posted by Adam Kiesling
I bet you can't wait to get your hands on it.
Of course I foolishly arranged for travel after New Year's, so I have to have them delay shipping for another week or so, which is only a little agonizing.
chickenpickin - Posted - 12/31/2012: 06:07:49
Great looking banjo, Eric!!....I know you're excited about it and can't wait to play it.
Tim
Montanarick - Posted - 12/31/2012: 08:10:47
Looks amazing Eric...can't wait to hear you play it....when will you get it? Rick
erikforgod - Posted - 12/31/2012: 09:37:36
Rick - The latest is my mom is flying down to Argentina in early February for a visit and she will bring the banjo then hopefully. Truthfully I cant wait to get my hands on it....especially now that I know it is finished....and I have to get Tim to make two new bridges for me. I am thinking of two 5/8s size bridges, one in red maple, the other in the black locust....one spaced for nylon strings and the other for regular steel strings. You know the Cherry rim has such alight finish touch on it....it almost looks like maple no? They told me that the cherry will darken a bit with age...hopefully they will make a you tube video of my banjo so I can post it.
Edited by - erikforgod on 12/31/2012 09:39:12
Montanarick - Posted - 12/31/2012: 10:02:48
quote:Feb. isn't so bad.....and it definitely looks like it's worth waiting for....Rick
Originally posted by erikforgod
Rick - The latest is my mom is flying down to Argentina in early February for a visit and she will bring the banjo then hopefully. Truthfully I cant wait to get my hands on it....especially now that I know it is finished....and I have to get Tim to make two new bridges for me. I am thinking of two 5/8s size bridges, one in red maple, the other in the black locust....one spaced for nylon strings and the other for regular steel strings. You know the Cherry rim has such alight finish touch on it....it almost looks like maple no? They told me that the cherry will darken a bit with age...hopefully they will make a you tube video of my banjo so I can post it.
aeroweenie - Posted - 12/31/2012: 11:05:02
Gorgeous! Simple and elegant. Erik, what type of finish was used?
erikforgod - Posted - 12/31/2012: 11:09:48
quote:
Originally posted by aeroweenie
Gorgeous! Simple and elegant. Erik, what type of finish was used?
Thats a good question....I will have to ask Patrick how they apply the finish and what is used. By the way here is a few more pics..
Montanarick - Posted - 12/31/2012: 11:19:08
The workmanship is beautiful.....there may be one these in my future too!
Get the guys to put something up on youtube.....can't wait until Feb to hear it........
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