I have a bad habit of tinkering. My wife is constantly criticizing me for ADJUSTING my banjos. It's not adjusting, it's tinkering. Short story goes like this. I tried to change my Crusader to have a Gibbbbbbb... sound.
Why? I don't know but I took it to a local show we played the other evening and just hated everything about the way it sounded. At the house it wasn't to bad but mic it...look out! Can you say bad.
This weekend I re-adjusted it and played it a while and then just grinned from ear to ear. I'm swearing off "Tinkering" forever. Well until the next time I fall off of the wagon. I am guilty of "Stelling Abuse" lol
28 Comments |
 | Geoff Stelling says:
5/24/2011 11:41:52 AM
Chuck,
You had to learn the hard way, but hopefully you learned that my banjos were purposefully designed to sound different and, in my opinion, better than a Gibson. I tell people if they like everything about a Gibson, then they should buy a Gibson. I had a few Gibsons and I kept trying to make them sound like a Stelling (before there were any) which evolved into the Stelling banjo. I was a tinkerer, too. In my case, it paid off.
Geoff
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 | WVChuck says:
5/24/2011 12:27:25 PM
Yes Father "I have sinned", but keep in mind, one would think since I've owned 7 different Stellings I already know what sound I like.....but it's the tinker in me. Since I started owning Stellings I've owned one other type or brand that wasn't a Stelling. I sold it almost as soon as it arrived at my front door. Go figure..... but since you own the rights to Stellings and I glad that you do. I'll remain a loyal customer and tinker...lol
Thanks for you do...
Chuck
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 | CurtissWhite says:
5/24/2011 9:02:52 PM
Which is why, Geoff never buit a "Mocking Bird Model" One day I'll convince him to build a "North Carolinian". :o)
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granderman says:
5/25/2011 2:08:58 AM
well well Geoff himself giving dirty lickings for tinkering , i like that ! if ya tinker with the Stelling grizzly it will bite your hand off LOL all the best to a great banjo builder thanks Geoff mine are doing great aloha T
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| WVChuck says:
5/25/2011 6:11:19 AM
Well with that said, "OUCH!". I can't chance losing anymore fingers on my left had (two already gone). I'll shy away from the Grizz'
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 | jimmie99 says:
5/25/2011 8:11:08 AM
Since you are a tinkerer, as am I, you may have tried this--to get a different sound, but not a Gibson sound, try a Fyberskyn head. Gives a somewhat less sharp sound, but no loss of volume. I like my Belleflower with either kind of head, but I do like the Fyberskyn. Also, I recently tried a KatzEyz (sp) bridge which I really like.
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| WVChuck says:
5/25/2011 10:07:00 AM
My (used) Fox came with a lightly frosted almost smooth white top. I think it's a deering. My Crusader (used) came with a five star.
But I am swearing off tinkering......I've made the pledge.
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 12:17:59 PM
Hi All,
Chuck, you're forgiven if you don't change to a fiberskyn head; Curtiss, if you look in my last printed catalog (1997), it will show you that I did make a model called "Song of the Mockingbird." It was replaced after 10 were made by a custom Tree of Life model; Terry, it's great to hear from you. I was sorry to hear that you gave up your charter fishing business in Hawaii - no more Granders for you, eh? Got some in the freezer you need to move? Thom, keep making that pretty music on your Stelling. I was in Hiwassee and walked across the New River on a cable foot bridge many years ago. An awesome experience. Happy Memorial Day weekend to all.
Geoff
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 12:24:39 PM
And another thing, Curtiss,
I did make a handful of banjos called the Carolinian which looked like a Virginian with the cardinal facing South. I assume most people consider "Carolina" as N. Carolina just as much as Virginia is also called East Virginia in some songs.
Geoff
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| WVChuck says:
5/25/2011 1:12:37 PM
Geoff, quick question, how many arch top banjos have been produced? My goal is to get around someone that owns one or listen to a sound file of a Stelling Arch Top. I would like to maybe own one some day.
Chuck
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 2:08:20 PM
Chuck, I know Ralph Stanley recorded one album with his Gospel archtop, but I can't remember which one. Patrick Pedeleborde, aka Banjo Patrick, from France, has two of them (archtops). He's a Hangout member. Maybe he would send you an MP3. I have one in my office which I could play over the phone, but, I don't know how good your reception might be for that. As far as how many I've made, it would be just a guess that it has been maybe 200. They are about as rare as prewar flatheads.
Geoff
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 2:08:38 PM
Chuck, I know Ralph Stanley recorded one album with his Gospel archtop, but I can't remember which one. Patrick Pedeleborde, aka Banjo Patrick, from France, has two of them (archtops). He's a Hangout member. Maybe he would send you an MP3. I have one in my office which I could play over the phone, but, I don't know how good your reception might be for that. As far as how many I've made, it would be just a guess that it has been maybe 200. They are about as rare as prewar flatheads.
Geoff
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 | Cotten Patch Rag says:
5/25/2011 2:43:34 PM
Jimmypick here. I am proud to say that I have an archtop Stelling; a Butterfly (maple) model purchased new in about 06'. I immediately sent it to Geoff to be converted. It is truly a wonderful instrument. It is incredibly bright, crisp and clear. Thinking now about having my Crusader converted too, then, maybe my Staghorn!
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 3:02:39 PM
Jim,
I am currently out of archtop tone rings except for some used ones that are gold plated and have engraving. There seems to be a revival about archtops lately....
Geoff
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 | BluegrassWarehouse says:
5/25/2011 3:36:46 PM
Geoff, didn't you make a North Carolinian for Dave at Dogwood Designs? I believe it is cherry instead of maple. He said it, too, looked like a Virginian, only was cherry. He didn't say anything about the cardinal facing the south. I believe he has it for sale if you are interested Curtiss.
Lance
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| BluegrassWarehouse says:
5/25/2011 3:38:22 PM
I think he also said it had North Carolinian in the nameplate instead of Virginian.
Lance
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 3:43:41 PM
Lance,
As far as I can remember, all the Carolinians I built had just CAROLINIAN on the nameplate. There was not enough room for any more.
Geoff
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 3:52:18 PM
All the Carolinians were made of cherry as were the original Bill Emerson Virginians. Since the state bird and flower are the same for both states, I just reversed the cardinal in the peghead to make the difference. Some Virginians were made out of black walnut until we changed to the two smaller cardinals in the peghead and curly maple with abalone trim for the neck and resonator.
Geoff
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/25/2011 3:54:41 PM
By the way, with the Memorial Day weekend approaching, I will probably be offline for the next 5 days. Have a great weekend!
Geoff
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granderman says:
5/26/2011 2:54:21 AM
Geoff i just changed my approach , i now travel to different areas to fish , as well as i have been spending time on the lake house / retirement house so when all these brilliant minds in DC drive my taxes up so high i can just retire and let the younger uber brilliant generation pay for all these great ideas they have come up with. Playing in our band 3 Bucks Shy is keeping the Stelling collection busy even have the ole 78 staghorn out on loan to a friend in a band that is called BlueBilly Grit. Other than life is good an appreciate your artistry on a daily basis . aloha T
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| WVChuck says:
5/26/2011 6:18:42 AM
Jimmy do you have any sound files you can send me off line of your Arch top?
Chuck
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| WVChuck says:
5/26/2011 9:06:49 AM
I wonder what a Crusader would sound like with an arch top ring? Of course Geoff would need to be the tinker for sure. What do you think Geoff, an archtop Hog?
Would anyone like to wade into this one?
Chuck
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| jimmie99 says:
5/26/2011 10:23:57 AM
I know this is subjective, but I'm curious about how cherry wood sounds compared to say walnut and maple. Maybe Geoff could speak to that, or anyone. I didn't know cherry was used by any commercial banjo shop. Is it as stable as the other woods as far as warping, splitting, etc?
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| Geoff Stelling says:
5/26/2011 1:03:28 PM
As I said in an earlier post, I am not here till Tuesday. For 5 days, I am attempting to have a vacation, first one since 1978. As a last pre vacation post, yes, we used Cherry in the first Bill Emerson Virginian, and the Carolinian models. The sound is like something between walnut and maple. The wood is very stable and looks great. Terry, glad to hear you are still fishing. Have fun. I am off to the grill for some serious Memorial Day food. And, welcome to Patrick Pedelaborde from France. Sois le bienvenu chez nous, mon ami!
Best to all!
Geoff
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| CurtissWhite says:
5/26/2011 2:16:23 PM
Geoff, if you ever get around to building a "Floridian" model, the Mockingbird is the Florida State bird. I suggest having the inlay of the south end of the bird flying north. :o)
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 | Norand says:
5/27/2011 10:16:29 AM
Turtle hill banjo have an almost unused white cross archtop up for sale. It looks really neat.
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 | pdbanjo says:
5/30/2011 9:08:48 AM
I have that same habit. I tinker until I mess up a banjo that sounds real good. Then I tinker some more until I get it almost back to where it sounds good again. That's a plus because my wife tells me not the help her fix anything in the kitchen or the basement anymore. She'll hire a pro to do that stuff and that allows me more time for tinkerin' with my banjos.
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| WVChuck says:
5/31/2011 8:45:45 AM
I saw the Turtle Hill banjo. If I do anything it will involve MAYBE, moving my Crusader. Let's face it I'm never satisfied with the exception of my RedFox. Still looking for some traditional BG sound files from a Stelling archie.
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