Bribak - Posted - 04/30/2013:  07:00:10

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone has tried a Yates Skillethead tailpiece on a standard Yates RS banjo?  I would love to try one (buy one).  I have emailed Warren but right now he is backed up with work and doesn't have any that he's willing to sell.  If anyone out there has tried one I would love to hear your impression of tonal difference between it and the standard Yates Presto. If anyone has one for sale, let me know.   My Yates RS is a mahogny no-hole.   Thanks.

banjotom5 - Posted - 05/01/2013:  05:02:44

There's some tailpieces on ebay that look like or are very close to the tailpieces used on the skillet head.

banjo5string - Posted - 05/01/2013:  13:06:54

Here ya go: banjohangout.org/classified/36093

lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 05/01/2013:  15:27:34

On a Standard Yates Ron Stewart.. I would stick with a Presto, it doesnt get any better. That model is supposed to have that Presto,it allows the sweet tone to come thru with the proper overtones.

Bribak - Posted - 05/14/2013:  08:58:26

OK guys.  I was able to obtain an actual 1950s Gibson tailpiece to try on my Yates RS mahogany. From all appearances, I think this is the same tailpiece on which Warren modeled the Skillet Head tailpiece.  There are a few subtle differences if you look closely at some Skillet Head photos. I’m including some photos of my banjo with the actual Gibson tailpiece.

 I’m really pleased with the tonal difference I’m getting with this tailpiece.  It has increased the sustain substantially and “opened” the tone up to where it is a little more “airy” sounding.  That could be a good or bad thing depending on individual taste.  It has lost some of its dry “edge” but picked up more of the “boingggg” that I have admired in actual prewar sound clips.  I’ve never actually played a prewar so I can only compare my Yates to prewar sound clips I’ve heard.  I would say it has moved me a little from the Crowe sound more towards the Earl (Carnegie Hall) sound.  If you listen to this YouTube video of Donnie Little playing the Yates BT-1949 –

youtube.com/watch?v=rtyAxyQazYQ

you will get an idea of what my banjo is sounding like.  If you watch the other video where Warren and Donnie talk about BRIDGE PLACEMENT and tweaking the sound with coordinator rod adjustments, there is a point where they do harmonics on the second string and increase the sustain.  My banjo now has crazy sustain on these harmonics!  I like the change but opinions will surely vary.

I am including a sound clip of my banjo with the new tailpiece.  It is a rather slow piece to demonstrate the tone better. Unfortunately I didn’t do a “before” with the Yates Presto installed so you won’t get the benefit of a direct before/after comparison.  I was too anxious to give this tailpiece a try.

 Forgive my playing – my Yates did not come with the Ron Stewart right hand that I had requested.

banjohangout.org%2Fmyha...ID%3D30678">banjohangout.org%2Fmyha...ID%3D30678" target="_blank">hangoutstorage.com/jukebox.asp...D%3D30678

My setup is:  Yates RS mahogany no-hole, 1950s Gibson (6 string) tailpiece set parallel to head, GHS Crowe Stage Set strings, head at 90 (Drum Dial), Yates stock RS bridge, Roys Own fingerpicks, Fred Kelly Light Slick Thumb Pick ( I have not found my dream thumbpick yet – but this is my favorite so far).

If Warren ever starts offering the Skillet Head tailpieces for sale, I think some of you would be surprised at how that one thing can significantly change the tone of this already wonderful banjo.  I would love to hear Warren chime in about whether this actual Gibson tailpiece and the Skillet Head tailpiece would offer an identical tonal change (weight differences, etc).

Bribak - Posted - 05/14/2013:  09:06:04

I don't see how to add the photos to the post.  You can see them on my home page for now.

Bribak - Posted - 05/14/2013:  09:23:03

         OK.  Here's the photos.  By the way, many thanks to BHO member Joe Coccaro for selling me the Gibson tailpiece.  It arrived in like- new condition in just a few days.  You would never guess this thing is 60 years old.  At least for now it is a keeper on my Yates.

Edited by - Bribak on 05/14/2013 09:25:02

bAJNo - Posted - 05/14/2013:  14:10:51

The Yates sounds great. 

One thing I have noticed with my Yates RS is that the tailpiece height is crucial to getting THAT sound. In one of the Yates Owners Group posts Ron mentions that he positions his tailpiece so that it sits 1/8" above the tension hoop. I've found that this really opens the sound up, increases sustain and adds a depth and growl. This tailpiece height is possibly even more crucial to the sound than head tension. My banjo is an absolute tone monster and the 4th string knocks my socks off.  

Warren Yates - Posted - 05/14/2013:  14:52:34

I can't find a picture of the tail piece that we patterned ours after but it had six string holes and one thumb screws. The first few Skillet Heads made had the real old ones on it as ours was not ready yet. They had the sound we were looking for and were only so many left that we could find. They were a bear to get strings on without breaking them so I redesigned it. It was changed to five holes and I had to put two thumb screws in because I used up the room where the other was. Alloy is cridical as I learned in testing. If made wrong it can be a disaster as my first prototype was. It sounded every way but good. What makes them have an advantage is the alloy influence and that the distance from the bridge to the tail piece is greater allowing the bridge to move more freely and open up the banjo. Every banjo might not benifit from it but it was a winner on the Skillet head. They would be for sale if I had time to make them. Unless I can clone myself I guess we are out. Hey, now there is a video!
Warren Yates

kaybone - Posted - 05/14/2013:  19:47:14

To add to your comment Bribak I would agree. My Skillet Head has "Crazy" sustain and harmonics also. I know a banjo is only really supposed to be capable of half-notes, but when I pluck most strings I can easily get a whole notes, four beats out most times. I would say that's the biggest surprise to me and how much I like it. I have one of Warren's new tailpieces on my SH. It sounds great and is easy to re-string. And, although my Gold Tone is no Yates, the Presto Tailpiece, and the lighter strings I put on (same weights as on my SH) really opened that banjo open a LOT. So there is certainly something to be said for those very open, and light tailpieces. That's what got me away from putting a Fults tailpiece on my GT. The design certainly looks good, but I was afraid of all that bulk. Anyway just my two cents.

He Warren, if you are still on the line here.. what Skillet Head are you up to now? I lost track after #12 on my unofficial owners list.

Bribak - Posted - 05/14/2013:  20:16:45

Thanks to all for the info. Very interesting comments. It's nice to get some history from Warren as well.
Here's one more shot of mine with the tailpiece string cover up.

Photo 4

Bribak - Posted - 05/15/2013:  08:21:12

Another sound clip put up:

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