Posted by banjo_robb on Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Well, I cannot believe that a year (plus a month!) has already passed since I got my KK-10! You may recall seeing pix of me and "Lillee" (my KK-10) with Robin Smith posted here a year ago August. Many folks have been asking about Lillee, & how I feel about playing her, so here goes:
From the start, Lillee has been a true joy to play, with full, rich sound and a wonderful warm resonance. The note clarity is exquisite, even high up the neck. In my picking circles, I often have to 'wait my turn' in order to play my own banjo, as Lillee is quite popular with other pickers who want to try her out!
I chose the pearloid fingerboard (M.O.T.S.) after hearing good reviews about it, & I am sure glad I did! The material makes it much easier for me to move along the neck rapidly. It is like sliding along the linoleum kitchen floor, newly waxed, with your socks on your feet! Truly, it seems to be less exhausting to the fingers, to slide on this type of material.
The entire banjo is made of mahogany , which lends a distinctly warm, full sound, compared to the curly maple banjo which I also own. The curly maple sound is more bright. Having the ability to play either banjo is so nice, depending on my mood & the type of song I am playing.
I am also thrilled that Lillee has a RADIUSED neck. This is a feature I'd experienced when a friend let me play his pre-war Gibson top-tension banjo, & I was instantly in love with this type of neck. It makes the reaching/stretching a bit easier for my fingers, and somehow feels more natural for my fingers.
I recently put an American Made Banjo head on Lillee. This is like the icing on the cake! I switched to this head about 3 weeks ago, when Tom MIrisola first introduced them, & I know Robin Smith probably has a few spares in his shop!!
Much has already been said about this head on the Hangout, so I won't repeat it here, but it has basically turned my "Lillee" into a cannon, with tremendous sound resonance, projection, & a smooth, even timbre that I have never heard with any other type of head. Moreover, it seems to offset any overtones or wolf tones & keeps the original KK sound clear & articulate all the way up the neck.
All in all, I am thrilled that I got Lillee, & even more pleased with the way she opens up as time goes by.
3 comments on “My KK-10, one year later”
banjo1930 Says:
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 @11:42:59 PM
Lillee is one of the the top 3 best Kel Kroydons I have played, and I have played alot of them (by now i've played 25 or more). Lillee has that warmth that I don't hear in alot of newer banjos, It also has extraordinary depth and clarity. Robbin, you own an amazing instrument! -Gabe
Ralph Stanley legend Says:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 @6:20:02 AM
Robbin,
Great to hear your'e over the Moon with your KK. Wait til you have had her 50 + years... imagine that !
Best wishes
Dave.
banjo_robb Says:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 @7:42:49 AM
Thanks Gabe & David, for the kind words!
Gabe, it is always an inspiration to hear you play Lillee! You truly motivate me to want to become a better picker!
David, if the good Lord sees fit to keep me here 50+ more years, I promise I'll always pick on Lillee!! I may set a world record then, for the oldest pickin' gal!
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