Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 16, 2015 13:04:26 GMT
On Saturday, I managed to do a deal whereby I acquired a rather fine Chuck Lee custom banjo with tubaphone tone ring. It came out of the blue - a good friend of mine had this banjo for years which he played in a band, but he sent me a text a week ago saying he might want to sell it as the band was moving in a different direction. I was interested, but couldn't afford a big outlay since I just got CBM from Dave (see the thread in the 'Build' section), so I suggested a part-exchange. At the weekend, I swapped my Bart Reiter Special (plus some cash) and walked away with a new (to me) banjo. While the Bart Reiter was a fabulous instrument, in excellent condition (there's a thread about it in this section I think), the Chuck Lee is a bit better, and crucially has a different sound with the tone ring - louder, more sustain, more piercing. On a banjo, maybe that's not generallya good thing, but for an open back with a vellum head, it's great. It also has a Tony Pass 'Lost Timbre' block rim, made from ancient submerged wood (mucho mojo   ). It's an older banjo, and while it has very minor signs of use, it's in very good nick generally. Solid as a rock, plays beautifully and sounds amazing. After selling my Luke Mercier banjo to a fella in Canada yesterday, I'm now lucky enough to have three very good quality, very different sounding banjos (De Faoite, Cedar Mountain and Chuck Lee). The pics are a bit rubbish, but if I get the chance I'll upload some more later.  
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Mar 16, 2015 14:09:57 GMT
There's no denying it's a banjo ... cool headstock inlay, too (for me) Of course, a picture paints a thousand words, but a soundclip equates to a thesis so...  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 16, 2015 14:45:35 GMT
Understood, sir!  |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 16, 2015 14:53:21 GMT
....piercing.....?  But congrats anyway Martin - the technicalities are lost on me, but I'd love to hear it too! Keith |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 16, 2015 15:04:15 GMT
....piercing.....? Very!  |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 16, 2015 15:14:28 GMT
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brianr2
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My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
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Post by brianr2 on Mar 16, 2015 17:28:41 GMT
What, pray, is the collective noun for banjos?
A pluck, dungaree, inbred....?
Brian
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 16, 2015 18:08:02 GMT
... a deliverance?
K
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 16, 2015 20:02:32 GMT
A 'Symphonic Revolution' of Banjos  |
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Mar 16, 2015 21:47:07 GMT
I like the "air-gapped" nutslots and pretty (3-piece?) dowel stick. Hope you're not planning to change the head very often with that 28-bracket rim!
Look forward to more photos!
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 16, 2015 22:18:31 GMT
Cheers, Joe. Yep a scalloped nut! Fancy! The dowel stick is the same as the neck, and I think is described as nine piece (I think it's only five  )!!! The previous owner just put a brand new vellum on it before I got it, so it'll be there a good long time, thankfully! |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 16, 2015 22:41:06 GMT
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Mar 16, 2015 22:58:20 GMT
...plus some sounds from Dave's banjo which is long overdue a recording. I have been waiting very politely and patiently , but now that you mention it...
Perhaps I could put in a request for Star Of The County Down?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 17, 2015 0:09:35 GMT
You can indeed, although I can't promise it'll be recognisable I'll do another thread with pics and sounds from VictorM, but for now, here's a short clip of all three banjos playing the same small piece back to back as a comparison. |
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Mar 17, 2015 8:38:58 GMT
Fascinating and very enjoyable. I can see why you wanted the Chuck Lee!
Brian
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).
)!!!
Jo whoever he is.
