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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/78858
uncledelphi - Posted - 03/30/2007: 07:14:07
I thought some of ya'll might be interested in the result of an experiment I did last night.
I was fooling around with an archtop Masterclone. It's set up for bluegrass all the way (Cox rim, Sullivan archtop ring, Gibson resonator, RK flange, Remo top-frosted head cranked down tight, Hatfield bridge, Presto tailpiece, curly maple neck). But I figured why not frail on it a little. It actually sounded really good when frailed over the head. Then I thought, heck, why not play over the neck and cluck it a little. That's when I received a pleasant surprise.
This banjo sounds really good when played over the neck. It clucked almost effortlessly. In fact, it outperforms any of my other banjos (Vegas, mostly) when played over the neck. Clucky cluck cluck.
I don't normally play over the neck, as it's not part of my regional style. And I rarely try to cluck (remember kids, CLUCK KILLS). But it's nice to have these techniques in reserve, and to have a banjo that supports them so well.
Austin "Breakbuster" Rogers
GIBSON MAFIA
Vega Partisan
Emiel - Posted - 03/30/2007: 07:23:47
As you probably know, there are some newer (1960s) recordings of Clarence (Tom) Ashley frailing on a bowtie RB-250 (archtop tonering, frosted head, period Presto-variant tailpiece, Grover non-tip bridge). Sounds really nice.
Emiel
http://www.nowhereradio.com/emiel
http://www.bluerounders.com
stanger - Posted - 03/30/2007: 07:32:19
Right on, Austin!
Loosen the banjo up, and it will do even better. I love archtops.
regards,
Stanger
banjothumper5 - Posted - 03/30/2007: 07:32:24
Kirk McGee also played a Gibson bowtie arch-top from sometime in the 50`s on. He also had one earlier that may have been an Gibson RB-3 & also had an RB-11 with the brass hoop type arch-top. He is my favorite player and I really like the sound he got from an arch-top.
Allen
Emiel - Posted - 03/30/2007: 07:52:26
There is more archtop & oldtime, if we don't confine ourselves to clawhammer: Dock Boggs, Charlie Poole. And of course Ralph Stanley also does clawhammer on an archtop resonator banjo. I like Kirk McGee too.
Emiel
http://www.nowhereradio.com/emiel
http://www.bluerounders.com
uncledelphi - Posted - 03/30/2007: 08:02:50
Excellent! I'm glad to hear that archtops have gotten some love from the olde tyme community. I'm not really up on the various personalities since my frailing style is rather insular. The issue with frailing a honkin' resonator banjo is restraint. I can't dig in on it the way I would with an openback.
Many of the younger olde tymers seem almost afraid of Mastertones and Masterclones. But they can work, and work well, with proper setup and proper technique.
Austin "Breakbuster" Rogers
GIBSON MAFIA
Vega Partisan