Your Thoughts On Open-Back Banjo Choices Welcomed!

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by Maryc-k

Last thing I saw on Facebook was that Lukas was on tour with the E and E band (Darol Anger, Joe K. Walsh, etc.)

Thanks, Mary! Basically, in the future, I'll just order a completed in-stock banjo from Elderly Instruments which carries many boutique brands. As I mentioned, I'm not really sure what my so-called ready-to-be-mailed banjo will actually be like as communication with Eden has been spotty.

Thanks, also, for the band information. It looks like Lukas and the band are on tour to promote their just-released album: Listen To E-And'A Here

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson
Pisgah 12" Walnut Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie

On Order:
Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

[Maryc-k]

Elderly is a dealer for Nashville Banjos, along with TME. I hope things work out with Ozark.

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Thanks, Mary! Basically, in the future, I'll just order a completed in-stock banjo from Elderly Instruments which carries many boutique brands. As I mentioned, I'm not really sure what my so-called ready-to-be-mailed banjo will actually be like as communication with Eden has been spotty.

Thanks, also, for the band information. It looks like Lukas and the band are on tour to promote their just-released album: Listen To E-And'A Here

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson
Pisgah 12" Walnut Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie

On Order:
Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

[SpruceTop]

Well, here I am, Ozark Banjo Delivery Week +2 Weeks, And No Ozark Banjo, Or Communication From The Company ...

Yeah, I know, I should stop whining and somehow get to the bottom of this. I wonder if Ozark Banjo Company has a phone number? I suppose I could try one of the search services.

My Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut Tubaphone took only 5 weeks to get and I got to talk to Patrick Heavner a couple of times on the phone during my build.

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie

On Order:
Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

[Stringmaster]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Well, here I am, Ozark Banjo Delivery Week +2 Weeks, And No Ozark Banjo, Or Communication From The Company ...

Yeah, I know, I should stop whining and somehow get to the bottom of this. I wonder if Ozark Banjo Company has a phone number? I suppose I could try one of the search services.

My Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut Tubaphone took only 5 weeks to get and I got to talk to Patrick Heavner a couple of times on the phone during my build.

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie

On Order:
Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

Frustrating! Hopefully it is all work out soon!

[SpruceTop]

This email came in about an hour ago--I'm Happy!

Hi Ken,
Here’s the tracking info on your banjo - 9505 5117 XXXX XXXX XXXX XX
Can’t wait for you to see it! It’s a beauty!
Thanks,
Eden

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie

On Order:
Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

[Dave Hicks]

[SpruceTop]

Thanks, Dave! According to USPS, my banjo is scheduled for delivery this Saturday, September 17th. A review and photos will be coming.

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent Whyte Laydie

On Order:
Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

[SpruceTop]

Today, 4 1/3 years after ordering it, I finally received my Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry. I'm quite happy with it out of the box but I need to buy a lower bridge and a Superior Hardshell Bump Case (I guess Ozark doesn't sell cases with their banjos?). Thanks for looking in. More to come with photos and a review in a new thread.

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 - Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut - Ring
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge - Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut - Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent - Whyte Laydie
Just Received: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry - Hoop

[SpruceTop]

FYI: From my previous post I mentioned, I guess Ozark doesn't sell cases with their banjos?

When I initiated my Ozark Custom banjo in May 2018, the base price for their banjo build was $1700 with no mention of an included hardshell banjo case or gig bag. Now, a recent check of the Ozark website, reveals the base price is now $2200 including a hardshell case but doesn't mention what brand. I just purchased a Superior Deluxe "Bump-Style" 12" Openback Banjo Case from Elderly Instruments for $187. Thus the current base price for the actual Ozark banjo is now about $2000 or a $300 increase in 4 years. Ozark Banjo Company Custom Option Webpage. More to come soon in a new thread featuring my new Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry.

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 - Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut - Ring
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge - Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut - Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent - Whyte Laydie
Just Received: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry - Hoop

[SpruceTop]

Sorry for the delay in posting photos but I'm waiting for a nice, sunny day to take the Ozark outside.

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 - Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut - Ring
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge - Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut - Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent - Whyte Laydie
Just Received: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry - Hoop

[nostatic]

Interesting thread and great collections, be they small or large. Getting back into banjo after a couple of long layoffs, and have picked up dobro. The current rack:



The upgrade from a Goodtime I've had for quite some time:



But this is getting the most gigs these days - Rob Allen Mouse 30" scale fretless

[SpruceTop]

Thanks, NoStatic! I've been interested in Nechville banjos since getting back into banjoing 5 1/2 years ago. Interesting designs and I'll bet your Nechville plays and sounds like a dream! You have an interesting website and many varied interests!

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 - Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut - Ring
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge - Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut - Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent - Whyte Laydie
Just Received: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry - Hoop

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Thanks, NoStatic! I've been interested in Nechville banjos since getting back into banjoing 5 1/2 years ago. Interesting designs and I'll bet your Nechville plays and sounds like a dream! You have an interesting website and many varied interests!

It keeps me busy...currently woodshedding dobro and assembling a proper pedal board for it.

I like the Nechville. Some years back I briefly had a Phantom and I have to say moving the 5th string tuner to the peghead (as opposed to at the 5th fret of the neck) is something I didn't like back then but think I would now. Depends on your technique - mine is so rusty now I'm almost starting over. Which is a mix of fun and frustrating.

The Saturn is more towards the traditional/minimal side of things (and also not as expensive). I dig the look.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by nostatic

It keeps me busy...currently woodshedding dobro and assembling a proper pedal board for it.

I like the Nechville. Some years back I briefly had a Phantom and I have to say moving the 5th string tuner to the peghead (as opposed to at the 5th fret of the neck) is something I didn't like back then but think I would now. Depends on your technique - mine is so rusty now I'm almost starting over. Which is a mix of fun and frustrating.

The Saturn is more towards the traditional/minimal side of things (and also not as expensive). I dig the look.

Thanks, Nostatic. The Nechville Saturn is the one I'd probably go for but how about the Atlas?

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 - Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut - Ring
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge - Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut - Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent - Whyte Laydie
Just Received: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry - Hoop

[SpruceTop]

My review of my new Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry banjo along with photos is now available in a new thread at: NBD: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry

Current Banjos:
Vega No. 2 - Tubaphone
OME North Star Walnut - Ring
Rickard 12" Maple Ridge - Dobson
Pisgah Custom 12" Walnut - Tubaphone
Bart Reiter Regent - Whyte Laydie
Just Received: Ozark Custom 12-inch Figured Cherry - Hoop