TimFoster - Posted - 12/27/2022:  15:48:29

Now I imagine I’ll mostly be preaching to the choir here. But as a banjo convert the past few years, I’ve been steadily selling off guitars and selectively trying to get a feel
for different 5 strings — to better understand the tonal differences, the feel of different setups, etc…

And I’ve always been curious about Nechville. I had a built-in bias from various sound clip I’ve heard that it would be on the quieter side with a warmer (perhaps “plunkier”) tone… perhaps not best for bluegrass. But I wanted to try one, thinking worst case it’ll add something different to the pallet…

Well today my Phantom arrived, and it quickly shattered a few of my preconceptions… It’s got plenty of twang and volume out of the box without touching a thing… the radiused neck and tunneled 5th string didn’t really take any getting used to — even though I’ve never played a banjo with either of those features. And the up-the-neck tones really are bell-like and clear in a way I’ve never experienced.

Now I’m not saying it’s better than my other mastertone style banjos — I LOVE my Sullivan’s and Stelling. But I’d have no problem subbing the Nechville in lieu of any of them. I’m curious to see what other tones I can get out of it, but I was so surprised I ran into the basement to make a crappy video clip… the audio on my older iPhone is a bit distorted and isn’t doing a great job of reproducing what I hear in the room, but hopefully it gets the idea across. At some point I’ll fire it up in my home studio and get some good clips…

youtu.be/0kn_xRpejGw

banjoy - Posted - 12/27/2022:  17:02:44

You really took a leap of faith there, glad it worked out!

I love my Nechville too!

nechville - Posted - 12/27/2022:  20:48:44

Let me take this chance to remind all future and present Nechville players that you have a great resource here for learning to control the sound of your Nechville.

nechville.com/banjosetuptips.php

A super opportunity exists currently to obtain new Nechvilles from me personally at excellent prices. Please see the link below for details on several models ready for shipping. Please message me for special new years discount code. Or just call me at 612-275-6602. Happy New Year!
shop.nechville.com/

NewBlackDak - Posted - 12/27/2022:  21:09:50

Got mine not too long ago. Best thing since sliced bread!

Bill H - Posted - 12/29/2022:  03:37:45

I bought a Phantom because I was intrigued by the innovative construction, contemporary style and impressed by all of the sound demos I listened to. I loved it so much that I ordered a Moonshine with a hybrid tone ring for clawhammer, though it is just fine for three finger playing as well.

splunge - Posted - 12/29/2022:  11:21:10

Forgive me for asking, but if you had low expectations, why did you buy it? If I'm shelling out a significant amount of money, I wouldn't want to be surprised that I like it.