Windsor Grand Solo

[Jody Stecher]

I'm about to post two videos taken by forum member Leslie Evers demonstrating my Windsor Grand Solo Banjo. The banjo playing features several Brain Dead moments on my part but most of the playing is ok and the banjo looks and sounds nice. A few things might be worth pointing out. The arches under the feet of the banjo bridge aren't clearly seen in the video so I'm including some photos in this post. Also of interest is the absence of a tailpiece. In its stead, five posts are built into the tension hoop (the "bezel"). Also here is an advert for the banjo. 

[Mike Moss]

I'm looking forward to hearing it in action! So the setup is natural vellum + nylons?

[Jody Stecher]

Natural vellum, Aquila Nylgut strings, and the original bridge and pegs.

Mike Moss said:

I'm looking forward to hearing it in action! So the setup is natural vellum + nylons?

[Jody Stecher]

Oh, wait a minute. Sorry, the strings at the time the photos were taken *were* nylon. But the strings in the video, which is now uploading and taking some time, are nylguts.

Mike Moss said:

I'm looking forward to hearing it in action! So the setup is natural vellum + nylons?

[Mike Moss]

Thanks. Speaking of Nylguts, I heard Aquila has released a new kind of nylgut strings. Has anyone had a chance to try them out?

[Trapdoor2]

Yes. See my initial review: http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/258992

Like anything else, they have "good" and "not so good" attributes. They're bright red (like red liquorice whips) and they have a coarse surface finish...much like vellum. They're a tad bit thinner than the equivalent nylguts from the "classic" set.

As you'll read, the 4th is disconcertingly rubbery and at this point (+48hrs) still a chase to get it to tune properly. It acts oddly, wanting to creep sharp regardless of what I do. I may do the old graphite-in-the-nut-slot trick tonight to see if it may be binding a bit there.

Hopefully, I'll have a sound file up for review soon.

[Mike Moss]

Bright, sharp attack and fast decay sounds good. I might order a set to try them out, though I would probably use a 4th from a regular set.

[Steve Harrison]

I've not seen this style of bridge before, it certainly adds to the overall tone...When the appalling unseasonal weather in the UK warms up, I may venture into my  workshop see if I can make one. It would be interesting to see how it would sound on my Weaver....Steve.

[Jody Stecher]

I've had several copies made, from various kinds of wood. They are all on banjos I no longer own. But they all sounded great.

Steve Harrison said:

I've not seen this style of bridge before, it certainly adds to the overall tone...When the appalling unseasonal weather in the UK warms up, I may venture into my  workshop see if I can make one. It would be interesting to see how it would sound on my Weaver....Steve.

[Leslie Evers]

Nice display of details that we didn't get clearly in the video. I'd love to see more closeup photographs of people's various banjos.