Subject: help again


HEY MICKEY,
YOU HELPED THE OTHER DAY WITH PRICES ON STELLING BANJOS, MANY THANKS. NOW I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION. IS THERE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND OF A STELLING RED FOX VS. THE VIRGINIAN? I NOTICED A BIG DIFFERENCE IN PRICE. JUST WONDERED ABOUT SOUND.THEY ALL HAVE THE TONY PASS OLD WOOD RIM, RIGHT, AND SAME TONE RING?
THANKS AGAIN,
TOM

Greetings Tom,

In ref to your question:

I've personally found the Stellings to come closer in sound to each other, from model to model, than most any other make...the tonal color on a Stelling doesn't seem to vary from model to model as drastically as you'd expect. Most definitely, there is a difference depending on the woods utilized...in the case of the Virginian vs. the Red Fox, you're going to find that there wouldn't be any real difference in tonal range (due to both being maple banjos)...the appointment differences, offered by these two models, wouldn't qualify one as sounding different from the other...hence, pick the one you that appeals to you aesthetically...hope this helps, Mickey

Subject: stelling banjo



Greetings again...sorry, I just got back in town today...

Hello Mickey. Thank for the quick and informative responses to my
previous e-mails. You have been very helpful in my quest for a new
banjo. In my last e-mail, I told you that I dicided to purchase a
stelling, but was not sure of the model. After much research, I am
still not able to decide. I have looked at the Golden Cross due to
its maple wood, but I have also seen the Master's Cross. I know
that the Master's Cross is made of walnut. What are the differences
in the two?

The Walnut seems to be more versatile in tonal range...it meets halfway between the tonal range qualities of the Maple and the Mahogany...this seems to be true of many other brands too...only, the Stelling seems to have less of an audible difference between woods as compared to other makes...The Stelling has a very unique voice that crosses over to all of their models...of which all use the patented wedge-fitted tone ring...

I play in a bluegrass style gospel group. We play
mostly spiritual songs with the occasional traditional bluegrass. I
know that maple is pretty much the norm for bluegrass banjos, but
how would the walnut do?

I believe walnut would do you superbly...since it works well within bluegrass and other contexts...I believe, in your case, I personally would choose the walnut.

I've seen in your FAQ's that the powerful stelling sound kind of overrides the tone differences of the different woods.

Yes, this is what I was explaining above...I guess my Stelling takes precede me...

Would the walnut wood still have that "crack" that bluegrass requires?

I believe it will...again, especially with the Stelling...every Stelling I've played, except for the John Hartford model they made in the '80s, has a rifle crack sound...that would cut through most any bluegrass setting...

I really like the looks of the Master's Cross
and appreciate the reasons that Geoff Stelling introduced this
model. I'm in the same boat. God allowed me to learn the banjo
quickly and I want to show people how much I am thankful to Him
(God). I want them to see and hear what God has done for
me.
I also understand that stelling puts RR spikes on all their models. Is it possible to have a Shubb 5th string capo installed instead of the RR spikes?

Yes, Stelling believes that the RR spikes are less intrusive...I personally prefer the Shubb 5th String capo for its ease of use, wider key choices, and its looks...we can install one for you...and request that your Master Cross arrives without the spikes. Shubb with installation only runs 55.00...

Hope something here helps...Mickey

Thak you for your time. By the way, since you have
taken the time to help me, when I do buy my next banjo, it will be
from Folk of the Wood. Thanks, Scott Parker, West
Monroe.

Subject: Videos


Nice job on the banjo videos - what a cool idea and so basic ! You can hear the subtle differences in them. - I stumbled upon your website and they enabled me to finally make up my mind to buy a Stelling (found a Red Fox in Ohio)

Mickey's a great banjo player - very inspiring.

Thanks, Kurt Wolf

Greetings Kurt,

Thanks so much for the positive words...it inspires us to work harder on our support system...

Stelling is phenomenal! What impeccable craftsmanship!!!?

Mickey

Subject: Re: STAGHORN VS VIRGINIAN


HOWDY MICKEY, WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE OF THE SOUND OF THE STAGHORN AND THE VIRGINIAN? IS ONE BETTER THEN THE OTHER FOR BLUEGRASS SOUND? THANKS FOR HELP MICKEY. JACK

Hello Jack,

Glad to assist if I can:

These are both superb banjos in every respect. And, yes, it would be best to base your decision on the ultimate application of the banjo...

For straight-ahead bluegrass, the Virginian would be the best choice of the two...the main reason is that the maple woods on the Virginian is the common choice for bluegrass settings. Maple has a more brittle piercing sound than mahogany or walnut. Mahogany, walnut and maple are the most common wood choices for banjos. The precedence for maple, as being the ultimate bluegrass banjo wood of choice, was set by Earl Scruggs himself with his Gibson Granada. As is true of Bill Monroe setting the precedence for bluegrass mandolin with the Gibson F-5. Today, as is true with both mandolin and banjo, other makers have contributed immensely to the bluegrass realm by making instruments that fall into this classification. Most bluegrassers are looking for the style that best befits a bluegrass setting based upon the classic all-time bluegrass bands...mainly, Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys and Flatt & Scruggs...

Therefore, if your main goal is the pursuit of bluegrass, look for a maple wood banjo...such as the Virginian.

I, personally, would choose the Staghorn. I happen to love all styles of acoustic music including bluegrass...the Staghorn performs well within most any genre as a walnut banjo...it has some added warmth not normally found in a maple banjo. Additionally, keep in mind, Alan Munde himself, a legendary bluegrass banjo player, has always played a Stelling Staghorn. Yes, he created his own style, within the melodic medium, however, he was also well known as a bluegrass stylist...and, could certainly fit his Staghorn effectively into any style he wished to pursue. If you get a chance, and you do not already own any of these, pick up a Country Gazette CD. You'll soon be a believer in the Stelling sound!

Hope this helps, Mickey

Dear Mickey, Also, how is Stelling's compensated nut different from a regular nut? Thanks Doug

Greetings Doug:

The Stelling nut is compensated so that the strings will play in tune all the way up the neck. A standard nut, in combination with a standard bridge, keeps the strings equidistant from the low end to high. The problem with this, dates back to Bach's Tempered Tuning. Today's tuning system is based on "Equal Temperament"...established especially for pianos and organs. The division of the octave (a note that repeats itself at the 13th tone) in twelve tones (twelve equal parts as half step intervals)...this was a method, and is a method, of tuning that allows playing in variety of keys and yet compromised so that each key is in relative tune to itself. For instance, if you were to tune an instrument, such as a guitar or a banjo, using an electronic tuner, you'll find that a couple of keys will sound out of tune. In tempered tuning, you would play each chord and tune a couple of strings so that the chords will ring true; many times you'll find that other chords will now sound slightly more harmonious. I used to tune my Martin guitar for each key I played in...if playing in G, I would tune the G chord so that it sounded perfect. Unfortunately, when I would go to the E chord, it would sound dissonant. Hence, I had to tune to each key we played in. If I would have compensated the saddle, by making sure each note played true when equally divided at the 12th fret octave, I would have been able to tune to either the G or E chord and still would have been in tune in other keys. Additionally, the notes are more accurate up the neck. Tempered tuning is relative to compensating a bridge or nut...By compensating the bridge or nut, you can compromise the even distance of each string so that playing in other keys, besides open G tuning on a banjo, will not sound so dissonant. It's an interesting experiment...and most seem not to pay heed. In fact, many banjoists use a straight bridge and standard nut and compensate their tuning to fit the key...some just tune to an electronic tuner, or by ear in the open position, and are not concerned about the dissonance.

Now that we've established why the Stelling nut is compensated, we can differentiate from a regular nut.

The Stelling nut has notches filed so that the strings do not reside at an even distance as they come off the nut. The standard nut has even distance notches for every string. If you were to draw a straight line where the nut meets the fingerboard, on a compensated nut, you'll find that the B string sits further back from this line...while the D string sits closer...the Stelling compensated nut in essence offers each string its very own unique position. Upon tuning your strings to an electronic tuner, you'll now find that odd keys, outside of G, and playing up the neck, will sound harmonious. Some have argued that once a capo is installed, the nut is no longer relevant to the tuning. I beg to differ...for, the capo would serve the same purpose as if you barred a chord with your index finger. You'll find less likelihood of having to fine tune after the capo is installed due to the compensated nut offering the original tempered tuning. On most banjos without a compensated nut nor bridge, you'll find yourself having to fine tune once a capo has been installed.

Hope this helps...Mickey

Subject: Tony Pass Rim


What is your opinion on how the Tony Pass Rim effects the "Stelling" sound.
Do any of the Stellings you play on the video clips have the Tony Pass rim?
Also, what is your opinion on a radiused fingerbord for a high end banjo?

Love your website. Thanks.

Mike Thomas


Greetings Mike,

I haven't had the opportunity to play one to date. Thus, I called our uplink at Stelling.

Sherri with Stelling says that it makes it clearer, louder and brighter...enhances the overall tone of the Stelling...

She made mention of one banjoist who currently owns 3 different Stellings; he found that a Stelling with the Old Wood Rim reverberates...with resonance...he could truly differentiate the difference and decided to convert all 3 of his current Stellings with a retro-fitted Old Wood Rim...this wood is estimated to be 500 years old.

There is a limited supply which is guaranteed to Stelling for another 4 weeks...(as of November 2002...they may run out)

There's also an optional radius fingerboard available at a reasonable upcharge...if you're mandolinist or guitarist the radius fingerboard can be contributory to your playing technique...if you're a diehard banjoist, it's generally recommended to stay with a flat fingerboard.

Hope this helps, Mickey

hi
could you tell me if the Stelling banjos all have the same internal construct, tone ring etc. Are the differences in the models, wood selections and cosmetics, or is there other variations I'm not aware of
Thanks
P Lauber

Greetings...

Yes, all of the Stellings are constructed the same...with a wedge fitted tone ring of which Stelling holds the patent...the tonal differences between models would be solely attributed to the choice between walnut woods or maple...for warmth, try walnut...for punch and power, try maple...these differences are still relatively subtle and requires a discerning ear to determine any difference in tone between Stelling models...I personally love the tone of every Stelling I've played to date!

Other potential variations would be to use their new custom "old wood rim"...

Hope this helps, Mickey

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:
hi
would you happen to know the width at the nut of the necks the stelling master flower also the weight.

Some specifications of Stelling banjos are as follows: Weight: 12 pounds; Width of nut: 1 1/4"; Thickness at first fret: 3/4"; Fingerboard: Ebony; Peghead overlay: Ebony. All models come with a Stelling case and a limited lifetime warranty.

Hope this helps...

Mickey

Hello Mr. Cochran,

I enjoy your web site.

Greetings, Thanks for the kind words...

I have been web surfing to see what information I
can attain concerning the purchase of a different banjo. I currently am the
proud owner of a Deering Sierra banjo which I am learning to play. I live
in Tucson, AZ. There are not many places here to try banjos out and to hear
what different ones sound like. I have three Alan Munde Instructional
videos. In each of those videos he plays different Stelling banjos.

I love Alan Munde and have studied his playing for years. (We currently carry all of his instructional videos!) One of my all-time favorite banjo recordings is "Banjo Sandwich" by Alan Munde. I believe all the models I have seen him use are Staghorns.

This is correct...Stelling even had a Staghorn signature model in honor of Alan Munde...we just sent out the very last one made a couple of months back.

Some people say
it is the artist that makes a banjo sound the way that it does and I am
sure that is true to a point.

Sure, the artist would be contributory to the banjo's sound for a few critical reasons:
1. The artist's choice of picks...
2. How the artist attacks the banjo...
3. The hand positions also have an affect on the tonal quality...

Still, the banjo set-up itself is also important to the overall tonal quality...
1. The type of strings used...
2. How tight the head is adjusted...
3. At what tension the tailpiece is adjusted...
4. What type of bridge is utilized...
5. What type of banjo head is installed...

And, of course the brand of banjo would still be one of the biggest influences on tonal quality:
1. Tone Ring
2. Type of Rim Construction
3. Type of Woods Used
4. Patents owned by the banjo brand...such as Stelling's wedge fitted tone ring.

The upshot is that there are myriad facets that will influence the final tonal quality of a banjo...

However, when he picks an open string, while
tuning up for example, one can hear the sound his banjos deliver. Anyway,
though I do like my Sierra and play it all the time, I find I am constantly
trying to find information to try to make it sound more to my taste.
Basically just set up type information is all I can find. I have not found
anything to make me think that I can get a sound close to the Stelling
sound out of my Sierra. I am beginning to believe that the wood in the neck
makes considerable difference. The pot on my Sierra is maple but the neck
is mahogany. I believe therein may be my problem. It seems the maple neck
may be what I am lacking. The tone ring may be different too but the bell
bronze tone ring in the Sierra seems to have a nice ring to it. I just want
more of a metallic, bright sound. Mine is too much of a mellow, round
sound. Banjo sound is hard to describe isn't it?

Yes, this is characteristic of the Sierra...it's essentially a mahogany banjo. This gives the Sierra its warmth and mellower tonal color. It's a versatile banjo and offers pro features usually found on more expensive banjos such as the sandcast tone ring.

However, if you're looking for a crisp, slicing sound, you'll want a maple wood banjo such as the Maple Blossom...or the Calico.

The Stelling is also a crisp loud banjo that should serve your needs well. A metallic bright sound would be easily achieved by the Stelling...


My interest is in the Stelling Red Fox model. I do not think I could afford
a Staghorn and I do not know that I would be willing to pay the difference
even if I could afford it. Are there differences in the sound quality
between the two?

Yes...the Staghorn is a walnut banjo and the Red Fox maple...the sound is still very similar on all Stellings due to their patented wedge fitted tone ring. Keep in mind, Stellings come and go pretty quick....we probably wouldn't have delivery on a Red Fox for another couple of months. We just sold our last Red Fax on Saturday of last week. Mickey

Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Scotty Johnson

GOOD DAY MICKEY. WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHEN YOUR NEXT UP DATE WILL BE.ALSO I AM THINKING ABOUT BUYING A STELLING RED FOX FROM YOU,IS THIS A GOOD CHOICE OR WOULD YOU SUGGEST SOMETHING ELSE. IM GOING TO USE YOUR LAYAWAY.IS THE PRICE OF THE STELLING GOING UP SOON ? SHOULD I BUY NOW OR WAIT UNTIL I HAVE A BIGGER DOWN PAYMENT? ALSO IS THE NEW RED FOX AS GOOD OR BETTER THEN THE OLDER MODELS. THANKS MICKEY, JP

Greetings Pauline,

Are you requesting an update of our entire site or an update of our used/new instrument section? We have dates listed on our homepage and instrument listing pages that document when the pages were last updated. Hopefully, this would be of some use to you.

The Stelling Red Fox is a phenomenal banjo. It has lots of power and punch and will cut through a cacophony of fiddles and mandolins. I would be more than happy to assist you in narrowing your banjo choices. Please e-mail me the styles of music you hope to achieve. This would be the most important criteria in choosing a banjo.

You're more than welcome to use our layaway. Be aware, Stelling is going up approximately 10% next year (2003). This means you'll want your order to be completed this year. Unfortunately, once a banjo ships in from Stelling in 2003, we're obligated ourselves for the price hike. We should have at least one more Stelling Red Fox in by the end of the year. We can put your name on it by your request...and, you can apply your layaway payments towards this instrument.

The newer Stellings, over the last 10-15 years, are made slightly different...Geoff Stelling told me that he's introduced a different construction, since Stelling was first introduced, which adds to the bottom end of the new Stellings. The older Stellings did have crystal clear highs with more emphasis on the treble than bass...and the new ones have both the clear highs and yet retain a nice bottom end.

Hope the above helps in some way...Mickey

Stelling Instruments Ship with the Following Specs on Strings, Banjo Heads and Bridges:

Strings Currently Used on All Stellings Shipped:
Medium Heavies GHS Stelling Packaging
11/16" Bridge
Ludwig 11" med crown head