The Classic DLX Heli-Mount Banjo

Nechville News
For Banjo Players Everywhere!
9700 Humboldt Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55431
Spring 2010
Product Spotlight:
The Classic DLX Heli-Mount Banjo
Heli-Mount banjo make it highly
sought after by players in all genres,
all over the world.
Every aspect of a Nechville banjo
has been designed for acoustical superiority, convenience, comfort and
aesthetics. You'll benefit from the
finely crafted details and artistic approach that goes into all Nechville
instruments, and you'll have plenty of
reasons for pride when owning a
Classic.
When you pick up a Nechville Classic, you will be immediately struck by
a sensation of high quality. You'll
wonder why your left hand slides so
smoothly and effortlessly over the
Ebony and Fancy Maple neck on the
Classic. You'll notice that the wide
polished frets are smooth and comfortable to the touch. You'll discover
that the silky smooth and durable
Nechville finish makes your left hand
slide faster. You'll especially be
pleased next time you bring your
banjo in from the cold, because the
finish on the Classic WILL NOT
CRACK like traditional Lacquer finishes.
Over the years, the Classic DLX has
been a fixture of the Nechville line.
Its Classic looks, combined with the
premium features of a 21st century
In This Issue
Product Spotlight:
The Classic DLX Helimount Banjo
1
Calendar of Events
1
Warming Up Your Banjo
2
New Banjo Checklist
3
The Banjo Revolution… Worldwide
4
Helimount Banjo Reference Chart
5
Classifieds
7
Price List
8
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 27
5:30 PM
Workshop– Old Town
School of Folk Music
Chicago IL
April 29-May2 Merlefest
Wilkesboro, NC
May 3
Workshop– Zepps Music
Wendell, NC
May 5
Workshop– Banjo.com
Marietta GA
May 6
Workshop– Music Outlet
Sevierville, TN
May 7-9
Smoky Mt Banjo Academy
Pigeon Forge TN
May 14-16
Banjo Camp North
Lexington MA
The carefully crafted 7 to 12" comJune 18-20
Wenatchee River Bluepound radius of the fretboard surface
grass Festival
helps with noting the accuracy and
Cashmere WA
clarity of tone. This neck's shape
gives you the slimmest feel with maximum structural integrity for strength of chords and left hand positions, but
you'll get clean distinctive and full
tone. Not only is it easier to form
(Continued on page 6)
Spring 2010
Nechville News
Warming Up Your Banjo
By Tom Nechville
this warm quality in your banjo is to try
to free up some of its lower frequencies
while limiting its overpowering high
overtones. The most pleasant tones to
the human ear tend to be in the medium to lower frequency range.
Most banjos are capable of producing
these frequencies, but they are often
choked off by a set-up that is too tight
and which restricts the banjo's bass
potential. When bass is present, it
rounds out the sound and helps buffer
Does your banjo have that "clang" or
the high frequency noise. Nechville has
harsh edge? Or is it overly bright so
patented a two piece frame for holding
that other musicians cringe at your atthe tone ring/rim assembly perfectly
tempts to blend in musically? In my
concentric while applying perfectly even
many years of doing professional banjo tension to the banjo head. Since this
set up, I have found this tone problem
elegant design replaces upwards of
to be the most common.
seventy pieces of metal hardware, and
mounts the tone components independTypical banjo sound contains a high
ent of direct metal contact, a fuller,
overtone content. To explain further,
deeper and more even tone results.
the thin responsive head on the banjo
Through the process of development of
allows the strings' sub-vibrations, or
the Helimount, I've discovered many
overtones to become audible. The high
ways to make even traditional banjos
harmonic content in the banjo's sound,
with their multiple hooks, nuts, rods and
in fact defines the unique quality of its
hoops sound better.
tone. But even if your banjo is loud, it
doesn't necessarily mean that it is
Heads
sounding its best. In fact, the sound
So how do we encourage the bass and
that loud banjos produce usually concontrol the noise? The common first
tains a large measure of what our ears
remedy is to loosen the head. If this is
perceive as "noise." The largely metallic
not enough, or the instrument looses
banjo tends to serve up more than its
too much volume or brilliance, another
share of high frequency resonance and
solution for players of overly bright banif we are not careful, distorted harmonjos has been to install a "Fiberskyn"
ics that are non-musical in nature.
head. This is a simulated natural skinNaturally, we all have slightly different
looking head that is a little thicker. It
ideas of good sound, but among serican be an effective way to muffle the
ous musicians, most favor a certain
highs, as it is particularly common as a
warmth of tone. The secret to finding
replacement head on a Stelling banjo.
(Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt
from Tom Nechville’s book, The Dynamics of Banjo Sound. The complete book is available at
www.nechville.com.)
The danger is that it may cause the
instrument to sound lifeless and dull.
You then have to tighten the head so
much to bring back some life that again
you are faced with limited bass response. In most traditional banjos, you
are best off using a regular frosted
head.
"Five-Star" heads, when tight tend to
reflect more chilling highs than frosted
Remo heads. Nechville's Heli-Mount
banjo accepts all kinds of heads, but
due to its design, it would be difficult to
induce unwanted high frequency noise.
Even clear heads which tend to be excessively edgy in a traditional banjo
work well Hellically mounted.
A newer option in heads is known as
the Renaissance head. This head is
similar to a clear head, but seems to be
much better at allowing a fuller bass
response. (see more details on heads
in succeeding chapters)
In tightening the banjo head, there is a
small window of tension in which every
banjo sounds its best. It's not the same
on all banjos, so it's worth experimenting to find the ideal tension. I also believe the more even the head tension,
the more even the sound and balance
of the instrument.
Bridges
The banjo bridge is a source of much
myth and misunderstanding. There are
many features to the bridge that can
distract from or add to optimal sound.
It's important to pay attention to the following bridge features to help limit unwanted noise, yet allow ample volume:
2
Spring 2010
Nechville News
Weight
This is the most crucial factor in
bridges. Most bridges are too light, and
while they translate the string vibration
into a bright sound, they also allow audible responsiveness to perhaps even
unwanted overtones. In most cases, a
bridge should weigh no less than two
grams, and for warm sound, between
2.5 and 3 grams.
String Slots
If the string slots are not cut to fit the
string snugly, or if the front edge of the
slot is too deep, noise can occur. A
bridge with a wide ebony top for extra
weight and longer contact area between the string and the bridge is the
most effective. Be sure the leading
edge of the string slot makes sharp,
intimate contact with the string for clean
tone.
bridge high enough so no strings rattle
or buzz anywhere on the neck.
New Banjo
Checklist
Tailpiece
Another area that should be considered
when attempting to warm up a banjo's
sound is its tailpiece. This part exerts
the downward pressure of the strings
on the bridge and head. Just as it is
important to determine a banjo's
"natural" bridge height, it is also necessary to seek a tailpiece position that is
rigid, yet which allows the natural vibration of the bridge and head.
There are so many offsetting factors
that it is difficult to give definite instructions on this. Presto tailpieces usually
sound best when rigidly fixed next to
the tension hoop, but pointing up toward the top of the bridge. Of course
the higher the bridge, the higher the
tailpiece should point. Kershner tailpieces are a bit more solid so they alHeight
low for a little more leeway in how they
With a hook and nut style banjo, it is
are set up. For example, they can be
important to use only the bridge height off the top of the tension hoop a little
which is optimal for the instrument. This and be parallel to the head or even
can vary slightly with each banjo. Difpointing up a little.
ferent heights will produce different
Beware of too much choking down at
tone results, but changing the bridge
the tailpiece. If you need to crank
height obviously effects the string acdown on the tailpiece to get any life out
tion and resulting playability. It's recof the instrument, you probably have
ommended to avoid over tightening of
other weak links in the banjo system
the banjo's coordinator rods, in order to
that should be addressed first.
force a banjo to accept a different
height bridge. This can cause unSummary
wanted stresses, bad sound and potenWhenever working on your banjo
tial damage to the banjo pot. This can
remember that small changes add up
also contribute to harshness and unto a combined result that is often quite
wanted bass constriction. To find the
noticeable. When facing a choice for
proper height, remove the strings,
which adjustments to make to warm
loosen the coordinator nuts by the tailyour sound, opt for making several
piece side of the rim, check the evensmall adjustments rather than one large
ness of head tension, tighten the neck
one. Banjos usually respond better to
to the rim first, and then hand-tighten
many minute adjustments rather than
the nuts on the tailpiece side of the rim.
one drastic one.
Then re-string the banjo and find a
Make sure you get the best return on your
investment when choosing a new banjo by
looking for these features:


Smooth dressed frets
Ergonomically contoured playing
surface




No excessive weight
Neck angle adjustability
Evenly tensioned head
Low enough string height with
high enough bridge


Beveled non-metal armrest
Bridge properly compensated for
intonation and optimal action on
each string


Easy head changing
Wide and generous neck-to-body
interface





Dual point anchoring for tail piece
Easy string changes
Straight-line tailpiece design
Two way adjustable truss rod
Flexibility of options
= Nechville
Banjo
No Other Banjo Adds Up
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Spring 2010
Nechville News
The BANJO REVOLUTION…
Worldwide and World-Class!
Nechville Musical Products is truly a
world-class company. What other
banjo business not only sells and delivers cutting-edge, state-of-the-art instruments worldwide, but also operates on
a day-to-day basis worldwide? Nechville's manufacturing facilities and custom shop are located in Minnesota, its
sales and marketing headquarters are
in the state of Washington, and communication support emanates from the
Czech Republic. When you factor in
Nechville's global network of authorized dealers who are located throughout the United States, Canada,
Europe, Asia, and Australia...and Tom
Nechville's personal ambassadorship
to festivals, workshops, and banjo
academies worldwide...well, it's hard to
deny that the BANJO REVOLUTION
is indeed sweeping the planet!
players out there who are still in love
with their pre-war Mastertone pots - or
other pots that they've played over the
In addition to superior tone, no other
banjo in the world can compare with a years...and why not? These instruNechville in terms of playability, main- ments embody both heritage and tradition, yet many players of these banjos
tenance, and types and number of
creative options available to its owner. are less than satisfied with their instruments' necks. Once he or she has
For example, what acoustic banjo
picked up a Heli-Mount banjo and explayer hasn't at one time or another
wanted to "go electric"? Well, a Nech- perienced the flawless look and feel of
its Nechville neck, it's difficult to return
ville player can effortlessly switch his
to the traditional neck one has played
Heli-Mount from an acoustic banjo to
for so long. This problem is now easily
an electric banjo in a matter of just a
solved by Nechville Musical Products.
couple of minutes. The Heli-Mount
technology that replaces over seventy The new patent-pending neck mounting system called the Nechville Flux
loose hooks, nuts, and other metal
parts of the traditional banjo has been Capacitor enables the strong, stable
attachment of a Nechville neck to the
designed for quick head tensioning.
body of a Mastertone or any other type
However, a less well-known secret is
that with the purchase of an ingenious of banjo. The installation of a Nechville
neck to a traditional pot poses absoaccessory called the Nechville Turbo
lutely NO risk or damage to the original
Module, a Heli-Mount player can
instrument, because it attaches exterAt Nechville Musical Products, we
quickly and easily substitute a fully
nally to the pot's coordinator rods. The
think of all Nechville players as world- electric body (technically identical to
class musicians as well. We take pride the technology of the famous Nechville attachment can be easily reversed, the
in knowing that every satisfied member Meteor electric banjo) for the acoustic original neck re-attached, and one's
of the BANJO REVOLUTION - from
banjo's head, tone ring, and rim. How's instrument restored to its fully original
condition with no harm done whatsoyoung to old, from well-known to upthat for versatility?
ever.
and-coming - is making a statement
that's ringing loud and clear throughout Another feature that has made the
the music community: "We LOVE the
Nechville Heli-Mount a player's dream Once we start thinking about Nechbanjo...We LIVE the banjo...and
ville's innovations to the banjo - our
is its ease of neck adjustment (for
(cowbells notwithstanding)...We want
quick, simple adjustments to string ac- favorite instrument - we have a hard
MORE BANJO!"
time holding back! So suffice it to say
tion), and - even more exciting - the
that the purchase of a Nechville will
opportunity to acquire and use other
transport you to many new dimensions
Now in demanding more banjo, we
Nechville necks. Long known for their
of banjo sound, quality, function, and
want to hear more HELI-MOUNT
aesthetic beauty, exotic woods, creabanjo! This is, of course, because
tive inlay designs, and luxuriously com- creativity.
there is no other banjo on the market
fortable radiused fingerboards, Nechthat consistently produces the clarity
ville necks are an experience in them- That pretty much sums up our view of
and perfection of tone that the Nechselves. One's fingers literally fly up and the worldwide, world-class BANJO
REVOLUTION...and we want YOU!
ville banjo is known for. This superior- down a Nechville neck, and this ease
ity in tone is the motivation for not only of replacing one neck for another is
Nechville players, but it is crucial for
unparalleled in the banjo market.
the purpose of capturing the appreciation of non-banjo players as well.
This subject of necks brings up NechBeautiful tone quality inspires not only ville's newest secret weapon: the Flexthe banjo player him or herself, but it
Tone banjo! So what's a Flex-Tone,
inspires his or her enthusiastic band
you might ask? Well, there are many
members and audiences to also jump
on board the BANJO REVOLUTION!
4
Nechville News
Spring 2010
5
Spring 2010
Nechville News
Classic DLX Heli-Mount Banjo
( Continued from page 1)
bodied musical notes
without buzzing or other
sonic interference common in traditional banjos.
The Classic's
slightly wider
profile gives
you plenty of
room for
chokes and
slides while
the fat frets
form a secure
foundation for
the string's
anchor point
on the fretboard, translating into
incredible musical power from every
note. The Classis’s fat frets last twice
as long before needing a fret job.
In Nechville's quest for uncommonly
great sound and function, we have incorporated the time tested combination
of a bell bronze pre-war style tone ring
and 3 ply hard rock maple steam bent
rim. In order to coax every bit of tone
from Nechville's own proprietary ring.
Nechville machines the rim to acoustically superior dimensions and caps it
with a stainless steel mounting ring.
Unique "Cyclotronic tone spheres," roll
on top of this ring under the tone ring
to allow easy tightening of the HeliMount head. Plus it mounts the tone
ring in a non-dampened way, allowing
for unrestricted resonance and beauty
of tone.
You can be confident that Nechville
has paid attention to even the smallest
details. Every part of the Nechville has
been designed for acoustical superior-
ity, convenience, comfort and versatility. For example, you'll benefit from the
adjustable radiused neck attachment.
It is as solid as a rock and keeps the
banjo in tune, yet when you want to
change action height or remove the
neck for travel, it happens in a snap.
Nechville's Enterprise bridge is compensated with an efficient geometry
that is more sophisticated than we
have time to explain. Nechville tailpieces save you time in string changes
while mounting strings in a straight line
which is scientifically proven to be
more sound efficient.
Nechville's exotic wood Comfort armrest is both comfortable and functional.
Its beveled top keeps your wrist at the
exact right height. It simply makes
playing more enjoyable. Feel secure
that the sturdy case that comes with
the Classic will protect your investment
for years to come.
From a distance, you see a reminder
of the traditional banjo. When you get
behind a Classic Deluxe, you'll leave
the others behind.

AAA Premium tiger stripe maple
neck and resonator

Fast, Durable Non-Cracking Amber Brown Sunburst Finish

Black Eclipse Heli-Mount Technology

Slightly wider, comfortable neck
profile


Large visible side dot markers


Artistic Diamond wing Pearl inlay.


20 hole Bell Bronze Tone ring


3 Ply Maple Rim

Compensated Custom Enterprise
Bridge

Select Ebony Fingerboard with
Compound 7-12" Radius Shape


Extra Wide Long Lasting Frets



Premium Hard Shell Case
Premium Black Binding with Black/
White Stripe
Premium Ivory knob Vintage Style
Tuning pegs
Nechville's exclusive Cyclotronic
Rolling Rim pot system.
Nechville In-Line 3 Way Adjustable
Tailpiece
White Remo Frosted Medium
Crown Head
Adjustment tools
Manual
6
Spring 2010
Nechville News
Nechville
News
is a quarterly newsletter
published by
Nechville
Musical
Products
9700 Humboldt Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55431
Sales : 253-293-5082
Shop: 952-888-9710
Fax: 952-884-4500
www.nechville.com
www.banjorev.com
Tom Nechville, Editor
(tom@nechville.com)
Al Price, Associate Editor
(alprice@nechville.com)
©2010 NMP Inc
Nechville Comfort
Beveled Armrest
www.nechville.com
Banjo
Revolution
T-Shirt
$15
www.nechville.com/nmc/
Classifieds
For info or to place an ad, contact
Nechville Sales Office 253-670-3208, or e– mail alprice@nechville.com
Great
Bridges
ATTENTION
OWNERS of old
Banjos
The World Famous Enterprise
Bridge is the best bridge in the
Universe!
Looking for the ultimate
neck for your prewar masterpiece that will attach
without modification?
The Bridge is made from select
maple and ebony, and dimensioned for optimum stability, and
easy playability. The string scale
is perfectly compensated for
medium to light gauge 5 string
banjo strings with correct mass
for the best tonality. It is precision
weighed and marked, and comes
with instructions and a full guarantee. Retail $30
Amazing Armrests
We now have in stock our beautiful and exotic wood Comfort
Bevel Armrests- A new dimension in comfort! Add hours to
your practice time with
no irritation or blocked blood circulation from cold, hard traditional nickel armrests. Available
in a variety of woods and laminations. Priced from $69-$89
Be a part of an exciting
new project! The Flux Capacitor is Guaranteed to
make your banjo better.
Contact Tom Nechville for
details, (952)888-9710,
tom@nechville.com
“The Dynamics of Banjo
Sound” by Tom Nechville,
has common sense ideas and
solutions to banjo problems.
Learn how banjos work and to
adjust them for best sound.
Appropriate for conventional
and Helimount banjos.
$15 plus postage.
Nechville
Musical Products
952-888-9710
www.nechville.com
7
Spring 2010
Nechville News
Sales: 253-293-5082
Shop: 952-888-9710
Fax: 952-884-4500
sales@nechville.com
PRICE LIST : April 2010 Subject to change
Acoustic Banjos
Geometric
Classic
Phantom
Electric Banjos
LC
2250
STD
2795
LC
2350
STD
2995
Meteor
LC
2870
STD
3500
Universal
4500
Cosmos
4500
Electric banjo insert
for Helimount
650
DLX
3750
Walnut
4700
Walnut Galaxy
5100
Accessories
Midnight
3700
Hard Shell Case
We have several
189
Midnight Galaxy
4100
Piezo Pickup
Includes jack
For all acoustic
banjos
99
Turbo Module
4950
Vintage
Dynamics of
Banjo Sound
Book
15
30
Nextar
4500
Nuvo
6000
Enterprise Bridge Specify Height and
Weight
STD
1795
Comfort Beveled
Armrest
DLX
2095
Thick padded Gig
Bag
118.
Saturn
2880
Banjo Revolution
T-Shirt
20
Zeus
2980
Orion
4600
Athena
3990
Atlas
Granadillo or similar and Cocobolo
69-89
Visit Us Online:
www.nechville.com
www.banjorev.com
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