#1
|
||||
|
||||
Another Zach Hoyt banjo coming my way!
In my previous thread, I had Zach build me a custom walnut banjo with a Whyte Laydie tone ring. I have absolutely fallen in love with that banjo, and decided that I wanted the same banjo, but with a long neck for tuning down to E and F. So, I discussed it with Zach, and he made a 29" scale version of my other banjo. So, now I'll have a standard scale and a 29" long neck scale with similar specs.
The banjo was shipped today, and he sent some pictures... Absolutely georgeous walnut on this one!
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
That's one mighty fine looking banjo. Ordering two Hoyt's so quickly vouches for their quality and value and will help spread the word on this maker. Enjoy!
__________________
Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
That is beautiful!
The headstock is amazing. I love walnut in open backs, it seems to have such a sweet yet clear tone. Is that a bone bridge? |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
The bridge is wood, but the nut and pip are bone.
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Congrats, looks beautiful. I've seen his banjos on BH. His prices seem very fair. The build quality looks pretty nice too. Have you ever checked out John Balch heads. I have his hide heads on two of my banjos, big fan.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
I went to his website, the lighting makes the bridges look almost white, but I see them more clearly now. Zach has some nice looking instruments.
thanks d |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
I'll try to get some other pictures up at some point, but I can say it's a really nice sounding banjo. I keep this one tuned to "F" and will tune occasionally to "E". It sounds excellent and is just a joy to play!
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
His banjos look wonderful. How would you describe the sound of Zach's banjos? The YouTube posts are hard to get an idea of the sound quality.
__________________
Willson 3400S Eb Wessex BBb Helicon Larrivee Forum IV - #19 |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
It's hard to describe the tone in generalities. I had these two banjos setup specifically for three finger picking but I didn't want the pop of a standard flat top bluegrass banjo. So, I went with a Whyte Laydie and a 12 inch pot. The tone is definitely more old time sounding and less driving bluegrass style. I have owned a number of nice banjos and I'm loving these two banjos. I keep the standard tuned to G and the long scale tuned to F.
I agree, his videos make it really hard to get a feel for the actual tone of the banjos.
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks, BoneDigger. I have been intrigued by Zach's banjos. They certainly look beautiful. It looks like you and I might take the same approach to banjo sound. I like the old-time sound but (as a guitar player that is just venturing in to banjo) claw hammer just baffles me. So I am leaning toward the 3-finger method but still want that darker, pluckier sound. I see that Elderly has a used Hoyt for sale at the moment so I will drive up there tomorrow and check it out. Thanks again.
__________________
Willson 3400S Eb Wessex BBb Helicon Larrivee Forum IV - #19 |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
It was quite nice. It is hard for me to give it a fair assessment as I do not know how to play banjo. Coming from guitar, the whole thing feels awkward and I sound like crap. With that said, it seems to be a well made banjo. It sounded fine and seemed comfortable. The neck was a bit thicker than some of the other banjos. As I am used to a guitar neck that is not an issue. They all seem small to me. For build quality it certainly seems like a fair price for a nice banjo. Someday, I will become a little proficient on banjo and be able to have a better feel for what I am trying.
__________________
Willson 3400S Eb Wessex BBb Helicon Larrivee Forum IV - #19 |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |