maplevega - Posted - 07/31/2014:  08:34:29

I was wondering how those who have experience with the Atlas feel about them.....Deluxe and Standard. Has the wooden flange held up, how about the block rim. Overall opinions.

Hoss - Posted - 07/31/2014:  11:23:59

I've had the Standard for about 4 years and have played it exclusively ever since. I play pretty much daily, go to lots of jams, play at seniors homes and church, do the odd fundraiser gig so it has seen a lot of use. Even after all that the rim and wooden flange look pretty much the same as they did the day I bought it. This is in my opinion a very fine banjo  with a beautiful woody tone that attracts compliments everywhere I take it. The neck is extremely comfortable to play and of course very easy to adjust. 

My only complaints about this banjo is Nechville uses a 5th string spike which I replaced with a pip. I also swapped out the Nechville compensated bridge for a straight Bart Veerman bridge and the tone is IMHO dramatically improved over what was already pretty good.

maplevega - Posted - 07/31/2014:  11:32:06

quote:Thanks Hoss.....great info....I listened to Cathy Fink and Zepp play the Atlas on youtube and it has a beautiful sound....although I'm somewhat hesitant to make decisions based on their sound samples....as they can make an old shop broom sound amazing! I really like the idea of less weight, adjustable neck and the apparent care that is put into these banjos relative to acoustics and playability. Thanks again, Rick

---

Originally posted by Hoss

I've had the Standard for about 4 years and have played it exclusively ever since. I play pretty much daily, go to lots of jams, play at seniors homes and church, do the odd fundraiser gig so it has seen a lot of use. Even after all that the rim and wooden flange look pretty much the same as they did the day I bought it. This is in my opinion a very fine banjo  with a beautiful woody tone that attracts compliments everywhere I take it. The neck is extremely comfortable to play and of course very easy to adjust. 

My only complaints about this banjo is Nechville uses a 5th string spike which I replaced with a pip. I also swapped out the Nechville compensated bridge for a straight Bart Veerman bridge and the tone is IMHO dramatically improved over what was already pretty good.

---

Edited by - maplevega on 07/31/2014 11:32:49

Hoss - Posted - 07/31/2014:  13:23:49

I know what you mean about Zepp and Cathy Fink. If you want to know how one sounds in the hands of someone considerably less experienced and talented  free to listen to a few tunes that I've posted.  

maplevega - Posted - 07/31/2014:  13:51:26

quote:You play great and your Atlas has a deep rich tone....do I detect a little cluck in there from time to time? I really like your playing and sound. Thanks, Rick

---

Originally posted by Hoss

I know what you mean about Zepp and Cathy Fink. If you want to know how one sounds in the hands of someone considerably less experienced and talented  free to listen to a few tunes that I've posted.  

---

kevin c - Posted - 08/01/2014:  07:56:00

I bought a used Atlas DLX with a 12" rim in like new condition about 6 months ago. Everything has held up fine. The DLX has a radiused fretboard. I didn't fully understand what that meant before I got it. The radius is relatively small, in that if you look at the neck from the side, you can see a very slight curve if you look closely. Anyway, the radiused fretboard is a joy to play in my opinion (my fretting hand does not get tired). I like everything about this banjo. It is very lightweight and the weight distribution is well balanced (it's not neck heavy). It has plenty of volume and sounds great IMHO. After I had it for a while, I called the nice folks at Nechville and asked if they could make me a special bridge, like the one that came with it, but with the 5th string raised 1/8 inch higher. They happily did so and I like that modification for clawhammer playing. I should add that if you are looking for a scoop feature, a fully scooped neck would work better than the thumb scoop (unless you have very high action, it's a challenge to downpick the first four strings across from where the thumb scoop is). But if you prefer a regular neck without a scoop, this banjo will work fine. Best of luck! Kevin

maplevega - Posted - 08/01/2014:  08:41:52

Hey Kevin.....thanks for the info! Rick

maplevega - Posted - 08/02/2014:  13:09:23

Thanks for the input guys..the banjo is very intriguing but at $2100 -$2400 I start thinking about all the other amazing open back banjos in that price range and below....it's a tough one.

psikes - Posted - 08/02/2014:  15:08:03

I do not have an Atlas but I do have a Moonshine. These are fantastic banjos! The easiest to work on, replace heads, adjust the neck and play. Play one if you get the chance, I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Phil

Hoss - Posted - 08/02/2014:  16:38:12

I assume the pricing you are talking about is for the DLX version. The standard is quite a bit less than that. Oh and I forgot to mention... the customer service at Nechville is outstanding.

Edited by - Hoss on 08/02/2014 16:40:20

the-fish - Posted - 08/02/2014:  17:23:35

Shop around, I almost bought a new deluxe a few years ago for 1550 shipped

maplevega - Posted - 08/03/2014:  05:26:58

quote:The Moonshine is a neat looking banjo Phil

---

Originally posted by psikes

I do not have an Atlas but I do have a Moonshine. These are fantastic banjos! The easiest to work on, replace heads, adjust the neck and play. Play one if you get the chance, I am sure you will not be disappointed.



Phil

---

maplevega - Posted - 08/03/2014:  05:40:01

quote:Hoss...you're right..I kind of like the idea of the radiused fingerboard....never played one on banjo.....but have on mandolin and I really liked it.

---

Originally posted by Hoss

I assume the pricing you are talking about is for the DLX version. The standard is quite a bit less than that. Oh and I forgot to mention... the customer service at Nechville is outstanding.

---

psikes - Posted - 08/03/2014:  15:43:03

Thanks for the compliment on the Moonshine Monatanrick. I like it more every time I play it. I am on the verge of ordering the pop-on resonator for it. The Moonshine has a flat fretboard while my Saturn has the radius. My only regret with the Moonshine is not having a radius fretboard. I really enjoy it on the Saturn. All that being said, I think it is the width and build quality of the neck that I like the most, not whether it is flat or radiused. 

Helix - Posted - 08/05/2014:  20:09:58

I liked the fit and the finish, hand rubbed I believe.

I like the American version of the neck swinging on a pivot outside the body of the banjo.

It was weighty, we used a mike.

I like wooden flanges and tube & plate type banjos rims.

John Gribble - Posted - 08/06/2014:  06:49:59

If you're interested more in the rim (and I suspect, the sound) you might look into Sagmoen banjos. Wayne Sagmoen makes the rims for the Atlas and his banjo prices are a lot more down-to-earth. 

sagmoenbanjos.com/

edpottenger - Posted - 11/12/2014:  09:40:12

I recently added an Atlas Deluxe. I love the fact that it's so light weight. I had a a Moonshine ( and its a fantastic instrument) but I decided I wanted something with a " woodier " tone. The Atlas is great. I use it in smaller jams where the focus is on quieter playing and singing. Three friends of mine and myself play  in a Hospice Care center in the evening a couple times a month and it works perfectly in that setting. It's a great compliment to my Geo- Eclipse Custom.

Edited by - edpottenger on 11/12/2014 09:41:31