Hi Banjo Outlaw, wonderful video. You nailed it. Ever single thing you said about the Stanley sound and Ralph's setup is 💯 % correct. I'm from South East, Ky right near the Virginia state line, and we were all raised up on the Stanley Brothers music. The Stanleys were so much a part of our family that we considered them family. My Mother taught me to play clawhammer when I was 8 years old and I've picked ever since. I love banjos and banjer pickin'. Thank you for "sharing". I love video and so enjoyed watching and listening and I'm subscribing to your channel. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years, from the other "outlaw". - 🪕🔥 💨 "Rock rolls, but Bluegrass Rules" - Ralph Stanley
About time there is a Stanley set up video, to me Ralph is so underrated when it comes to banjo picking, everybody is Scruggs this and Sammy that but to me they all sound the same, just like country music today all sounds the same but Ralph style Pickin is where it’s at. I always try and play like Ralph everyone of my banjos is an archtop. Do you have an email my friend? How can I get in touch with you? We could talk Stanley style!!!
Hey nice tips man, thanks for it! It's material like this what keeps the Stanley tradition alive. My contribution: I once heard in a Huber commercial how wood type plays a part in tone too, mahogany offering a brighter tone than maple.
Thank you! And yes… the maple will mostly have a brighter tone than mahogany though! Walnut will be somewhere in between sort of…! Tone is a funny thing to describe sometimes!👍
Great video! Most people don’t talk about how Ralph’s style and tone evolved over the years. You did a good job explaining that. I personally like the late 50s- mid 60s tone, a little bit thicker and deeper than the later years of bright and tight! The old Starday recording of Little Maggie- Ralph on a flat head- but his tone comes out. It’s got some pop but little deeper tone. Keep up the great work!
Great stuff! I'm glad the Stanley style is living on in your playing. I've always wanted to learn and be proficient in that style. I hope we can all learn from your videos!
I tried a 5 star on my archtop and it had a sizzling sound that I don't care for. A friend of mine has one on his Stelling and it sounds great. I'll be changing my head out this weekend!
Really enjoyed your breakdown of the great Ralph Stanley set-up and sound. I live in Floyd County, KY and it's good to hear the accent I've grown up with. Don't know where you're from but I'd guess the southern part of WVA. Hey, anyhow--top notch presentation.
I've got a '79 Ode C-style banjo, made in Arkansas. It has a nice tone just as it came but I've got a clear Remo head right now that gets me into what I call the Ralph zone. His stuff's all I play but I'll never be able to duplicate that tone. OK, I'll leave ye be. Love your pickin' and your description and explanation.
Hey there! I might have more of these sort of discussion/breakdown videos later on… I’ll try to remember to address that tune and its evolution through Ralph when I do get to making more videos in this style!👍
Nicely done, lots of good information for the Stanley Style players. I know a few of Ralph’s forward patterns, most are 4/4. You have any patterns to share for 3/4? Maybe something like Ralph did in White Dove?
My buddy has a custom made Frank neat archtop banjo and it sounds exactly like Ralph's in the later years bright and tight! It's like a Gatling gun going off haha
Excellent video! Where did you find the conversion ring? I've seen some that convert arch top to flat head, but never flat to arch. I'd love to experiment with that!
A quick way you can hear it for yourself is to listen to his very early Columbia/Rich R Tone recordings with his brother and then listen to something from him in the 1980’s…👍
What is your opinion on the master tone no hole arch top ring, vs 20 hole? I was lucky enough to find a 1927 tb5 conversion with a no hole. I’ve heard they sound more like a flat,head, but I’m not convinced that is,true Also, did you talk about tube and plate flanges vs one piece flanges, and their influence on the sound?
I’m assuming you mean the no hole arch top ring vs. the 40 hole arch top? I like both. Ralph played both too… I’ve seen some of the Stanleytones that were no hole rings. I have heard good tone from both arch top ring variations in different banjos… as far as characterizing their sound? I’d say that a 40 hole may or may not have a little more dry sound. Tone is so hard to describe because it is subjective to each individual who hears it… as I may describe what I hear differently than you would. As far as rim and flange… here is where more of a difference comes in in my opinion. I prefer a tube and plate flange. To me those banjos have more sustain… and a somewhat sweeter tone. My ears like the sound of a tube and plate banjo the best… but that’s not to say that I’ve not heard some really sweet sounding banjos with a one piece flange as well.👍
And as far as a no hole sounding more like a flat head? I’ve heard a lot of people (flat head guys) say that. I’ve heard both variations of tone ring be able to sound more “fat” and “flat heady” sounding… depending on each individual banjo and set up. 👍
@@brandonhenson656 yeah man! I still remember the first time I ever heard the old record that one’s on… King 615! Nothin’ but raw Stanley style Mountain Bluegrass on that one! There’s a lot of good banjo tunes Ralph did… but I think my general all around favorite is Coosy. It probably ain’t the most ornate tune he ever did… but there’s something there I’ve always got “that feeling” from in that little tune!👍
coxbanjos.com It looks like they don’t advertise their metal parts anymore though. I’d still contact and ask. Otherwise you’ll have to look for a used one.👍
@@thebanjooutlaw please do, and I just watched your California video, I’ve heard that tune for years but didn’t know where to start. Now I do, don’t know where your home place is but I wish you lived close I’d be stealing all the banjo licks I could from you
