gospelman97 - Posted - 07/10/2014:  15:53:09

I just saw a new review posted here on the BHO about the very first "Workhorse" Huber banjo? I couldn't find any information anywhere else about it.  I thought I would throw it out here and see what the deal is.  If the price is going to be $2499, I'm guessing that it will be a very popular banjo.

banjohangout.org/reviews/searc...edir=true

Edited by - gospelman97 on 07/11/2014 11:09:50

tjolson81 - Posted - 07/10/2014:  16:00:48

Oooh, that is pretty exciting. Glad to see the $2-3.5k market getting some attention.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 07/10/2014:  17:26:05

Well, I won't dispute the existence of this banjo--but there's no mention of it on the Huber website, nor could I find it anywhere on the web with Google, save the two BHO posts.  Anyone else heard anything?

dizzo - Posted - 07/10/2014:  20:36:07

Great news!
I was wondering what my next want would be

jswkingsfield - Posted - 07/10/2014:  21:57:44

Interesting.  Sounds like a Huber Heritage (a/k/a Huber VIntage) with simple inlays?  If so, won't this further depress the resale value of the non-Truetone (HR-30 w/Engineered Rim) Hubers?

Possibly a hint of this development was raised on 6/18 in p. 2 of this thread:  banjohangout.org/topic/286369/2

Beardog - Posted - 07/11/2014:  09:00:04

Until Joe Spann or Steve Huber verifies the existence of this new banjo, I'll file it under the "sounds fishy" category. One can only hope at this point. However, there really is a jeweler named Scott R. Johnson, who lives in Mountain Home, AR......either he or an imposter joined the BHO yesterday, to post a review (with a score of "10") of a banjo that he had only ordered, but not yet received(!). This should be an interesting thread to follow, at the very least. I lived in Missouri for about 12 years...as they say there, "show me"!

Edited by - Beardog on 07/11/2014 09:01:13

gospelman97 - Posted - 07/11/2014:  09:15:46

quote:

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Originally posted by Beardog

Until Joe Spann or Steve Huber verifies the existence of this new banjo, I'll file it under the "sounds fishy" category. One can only hope at this point. However, there really is a jeweler named Scott R. Johnson, who lives in Mountain Home, AR......either he or an imposter joined the BHO yesterday, to post a review (with a score of "10") of a banjo that he had only ordered, but not yet received(!). This should be an interesting thread to follow, at the very least. I lived in Missouri for about 12 years...as they say there, "show me"!

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I agree with the skepticism.  I did send a private message to Huber Banjos here through the BHO about the review and thread.  Let's see where it goes.  I know that there is a demand for quality banjos in the $2500 range and am hoping that Huber and Sullivan are able to put out something in this range.  Many of us have a hard time justifying a banjo that goes above $3000.

shuber - Posted - 07/11/2014:  09:53:44

Huber Banjos is excited to confirm that the “Workhorse” banjo is now available.  The Workhorse is so new that the first batch is in production, but we haven’t even put a photo on the website! We’ve notified our dealers about the “Workhorse”, but this is our first announcement to our friends on the Banjo Hangout

Over the past 6 months, we have been working through the details of producing a true professional-grade banjo at what we believe is an affordable price.

 The “Workhorse” is that banjo.

We are proud to state; this banjo is built in our shop in Hendersonville, Tennessee by the same folks who produce the Truetone banjo line. The “Workhorse” carries the same Huber transferable Lifetime Warranty on workmanship and materials. The “Workhorse” tone ring is an 844 brass alloy (not the pre-war alloy) but is poured at the same foundry as our HR-30 ring and machined right here in the shop to the same pre-war specifications as all of our tone rings.  We have found it to be a very strong and responsive tone ring.  The rim is built by Brian Sims in Louisiana, in the same facility as all our rims. The banjo has a classic pre-war look (because we love pre-war banjos) with a double-cut peghead and our 1941 “leaves & bows” inlay pattern.

We are able to produce the “Workhorse” banjo at this price point because we are building them in batches. We are using ebony fingerboards, a satin nitro-cellulose lacquer finish and offering only one option (mahogany or curly maple wood).  We have reduced our labor cost in the “Workhorse”, but the quality will remain at the same level Huber banjos are known for.

The Huber Truetone banjo is the finest instrument we build, using premium components and offering a wide range of custom options.

Now, the “Workhorse” will provide an entry-level, professional grade instrument that could become a lifetime banjo for our customer.

We would be happy to answer any additional questions about the new “Workhorse” banjo. Please call the shop (615) 264-4959 or send us an e-mail at customerservice@huberbanjos.com

Steve

gospelman97 - Posted - 07/11/2014:  09:57:05

Wow!  Great news for banjo enthusiasts everywhere!  Thanks for letting us know Steve!

prewartb3 - Posted - 07/11/2014:  10:58:40

GREAT news Steve . Will you be giving a credit for the 844 tone ring then an add price to install a HR30 in the workhorse like other companies do with their affordable style banjos?

Sign me up

MarkFive - Posted - 07/11/2014:  11:27:47

We have Four of the new Workhorse Hubers coming in here at Banjo.com. and are expecting them within the next three weeks. We are proud to be representing The Workhorse and we feel that it will be a great addition the Huber stable of Thoroughbred banjos.

Mark

Earls 5 - Posted - 07/11/2014:  11:39:01

Always a skeptic somewhere Sam! Well there is your confirmation. More competition for us " little guys". Good for my work ethic though!

shuber - Posted - 07/11/2014:  11:55:34

quote:

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Originally posted by prewartb3

Will you be giving a credit for the 844 tone ring then an add price to install a HR30 in the workhorse like other companies do with their affordable style banjos?

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Yes, you can upgrade to the HR-30.

Beardog - Posted - 07/11/2014:  14:39:11

Awesome, Steve!!

You just gotta love free enterprise and the entrepreneurial sprit!!

Will buyers be able to get the "Workhorse" in an arch top if desired? There seems to be a mini-resurgence in the popularity of arch top banjos of late. Or perhaps, I am a victim of my own recency bias!

Beardog - Posted - 07/11/2014:  14:42:29

Obviously, we need some detailed photos of the new banjo on this thread, Steve.....

gospelman97 - Posted - 07/11/2014:  14:44:01

quote:

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Originally posted by Beardog

Obviously, we need some detailed photos of the new banjo on this thread, Steve.....

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...and videos or soundfiles!

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/11/2014:  17:30:39

Wonderful to see some product development at lower price points for USA made quality banjos.

PickinFool - Posted - 07/11/2014:  20:39:47

I am suddenly getting B.A.S.! Curse you Steve Huber!!!!!

Edited by - PickinFool on 07/11/2014 20:40:40

vincekinney - Posted - 07/12/2014:  07:38:27

Good news indeed!

the-fish - Posted - 07/12/2014:  08:47:01

Steve do you have a maple not spoken for?

550Spyder - Posted - 07/12/2014:  09:47:17

The 844 red brass standard is 81% copper, 3% tin, 7% lead and 9% zinc.  The range can be 78-82% copper, 2.3-3.5% tin, 6-8% lead, and 7-10% zinc.

andyo - Posted - 07/12/2014:  10:05:49

It's great to see Huber follow Rob Bishline's lead in bringing a high quality, American made banjo to the market under 3k.

Rob's web site has described the Bishline Cimarron model as a "bluegrass workhorse" since introducing it a few years ago.

Imitation might be the highest form of flattery, but the real winner here is the banjo consumer....

More proof that the free market works!

the-fish - Posted - 07/12/2014:  11:00:41

Imitation? Wouldn't go that far. "Workhorse" is a term that's been used for years. Rb250 is/was a workhorse. Martin d-18 is a workhorse. Hatfield has been under 3k for years with the workhorse buck creek

None the less. Agree the consumer has way more options now

banjoez - Posted - 07/12/2014:  11:53:18

I wouldn't get too excited till we hear what they sound like.

the-fish - Posted - 07/12/2014:  15:11:20

true dat.... Im thinking if it says Huber, it will be good. Dont think Steve would like his name on something that wasnt a good banjo

superdave - Posted - 07/12/2014:  15:21:56

This may force me to sit my open backs to the side for awhile.

Thanks, Dave

banjodr - Posted - 07/12/2014:  15:55:06

They are good for sure. There are lots of new exciting things to look forward to from the shop

Beardog - Posted - 07/13/2014:  10:03:43

Still waiting for those videos, pictures, and sound files!! 

shuber - Posted - 07/14/2014:  06:29:40

Regarding the name “Workhorse,” back in 1999 when I first began building banjos my friend Snuffy Smith suggested that my mahogany model be named the “Workhorse.” I liked the idea and for the first few weeks we used that name around the shop. I later realized that using a city-name-theme would be easier as I would add more models to the line. The mahogany banjo became the “Lancaster”, but I never forgot Snuffy’s idea. After 15 years of banjo production I have the opportunity to use the “Workhorse” name on a great new instrument and honor the memory of my friend.

We will have "Workhorse" photos and sound clips as soon as possible.

Steve

banjodr - Posted - 07/14/2014:  16:06:24

quote:

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Originally posted by Earls 5

Always a skeptic somewhere Sam! Well there is your confirmation. More competition for us " little guys". Good for my work ethic though!

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Don't understand, can u elaborate please?

Earls 5 - Posted - 07/15/2014:  11:20:52

quote:

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Originally posted by banjodr

quote:

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Originally posted by Earls 5

Always a skeptic somewhere Sam! Well there is your confirmation. More competition for us " little guys". Good for my work ethic though!

---

Don't understand, can u elaborate please? 

PM sent !

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banjo5string - Posted - 08/26/2014:  07:08:47

Any Huber 'Workhorse' owners here that care to comment on their new banjo?

southernman - Posted - 08/26/2014:  20:03:56

Yep, I will chime in Danny. I got mine a few weeks ago ..mahogany model...and am very happy with it.....heck, even the wife notices how much better it sounds than the '70's model Alveraz I have played for years. When I drove up to Hendersonville to try it out, Steve spiked it for me, picked a few tunes and said ...this is a lot of banjo for the money...and I could not agree more. It's a joy to play...stays in tune a lot more than I am use to....love the satin finish!! and the TONE IS AWESOME....It was a treat to meet Joe Spann, Steve Huber and the guys and get a chance to roam around the shop and see all the work in progress!! Yeah, I am happy with my purchase.