This is Smokey, our third child, a Ron Stewart model (mahogany), Yates banjo.
You can order it in maple (sounds similar to Earl Scrugg’s prewar Gibson) or mahogany (sounds similar to J.D. Crowe’s prewar Gibson). Ben prefered the mahogany sound, so that’s what he ordered. Ron Stewart models come standard with Keith tuners or you can upgrade to Keith D tuners if you like. Ben had Warren outfit Smokey with his Grandpa’s old Keith/Scruggs tuners.
Smokey’s neck is a speed neck; meaning it’s unfinished, slightly smaller towards the peg head and with a very slight v-shape. Ben says it keeps the neck from getting sticky when your hands are sweaty. If you can’t play fast before, you’ll surely be able to with a speed neck.
The fingerboard is made of rosewood. Many banjos are made out of ebony, but not this one.
The inlay pattern on the fingerboard is similar what you might see on a prewar banjo. I like to pretend I’m in the shrinks office and telling the doc what I see. It’s a game I play. The first one reminds me of a flying squirrel, like Rocky and Bullwinkle. The second one reminds me of the Dali Lama…
Moving on.
The pot (back round thingy) on the mahogany model is a little deeper than on the maple. Warren wants it to sound like it’s three foot across. Believe me, it does.
Warrren distresses the banjos to make them look old. Ben was a little nervous about this at the beginning. He requested only slightly distressed when he ordered. (Slightly distressed reminds me of my toe polish right now.)
Anyway, Warren worked his magic and it looks like a well cared for 70 year-old banjo. “You don’t have to worry about wiping finger prints off of it…” is how Warren puts it.
This is Warren Yates, the builder works out of a small back yard workshop at his home in Hickory, North Carolina. (Ben wants to move in next door. So if you’re selling your house in Hickory shoot us an email.)
After Warren got Smokey built, Ron Stewart played it and put his final tweaks and signature on it. Warren even took a picture of Ron playing Smokey and emailed it to us, terrific customer service. Now Ben wants a pair of those shorts, too.
Along with the picture and multiple emails, Warren sent a wav file with Ron playing smoke and talking adjectives. Ben just about fainted. I’m telling you it’s like some crazy foreplay for banjo nerds.
It took about eight weeks for Warren and Ron to mark it with their scent. Ben was on his ear the whole time. I loved teasing him and asked if he wanted to call Warren and have him talk banjo adjectives to him. Like what size of G strings he uses, how tight he likes his tail piece, at what pitch he tap tunes the head, etc… Note: This wasn’t as funny to Ben as it was to me. He threatened me with tap tuning my head if I didn’t zip it! Hey, a girl has to have a little fun.
Original 5-string prewar Gibson’s run well over $100 grand. Not many folks have that much to spend on a banjo. So if you’re looking for a high-end banjo, with that coveted prewar sound, at a reasonable cost, you may want to look into getting a new Yates banjo for a fraction of the price.
Keep Pickn’!
Sis
P.S. If you stuck with me this long, God bless ya! You must be a banjo nerd, a great friend, or just darn bored. If you want to learn more about these banjos, don’t pass go or collect 200 doggies just click on this link to YATES BANJOS! A great big thanks to Warren Yates, said builder. Ben is so happy with Smokey. It won’t surprise me, if he adopted another in maple to add to his collection.
Tags: banjo, banjo nerds, banjo pickers, prewar banjo, prewar sound, ron stewart, ron stewart model yates, warren yates, yates banjos
Wow, that is so cool.
Bobbi–Thanks. I love what music has done for our family. We have met so many great friends and spent hours sitting visiting and picking and passing traditions down it has really made us rich.
Blessings.
Sis
Sis,
Thanks for sharing about Smokey! I play acoustic guitar and sing in a country band, and I am itching to expand my musical endeavors after attending a Blue Grass open Mic out here in Amboy, Wa. I saw several Ladies that played guitar and banjo, and I thought, dang! I love reading your blog!! Keep it coming!! =)
Niki Lou
Niki Lou–Oh cool, another musician, welcome. I love bluegrass. I didn’t cut my teeth on it like Ben did, so I had to acquire a taste for it. Now it’s so deeply ingrain, it’s like it’s always been there. It seems like a lot of bluegrass singers kinda sing through their nose. But they make up for it in timing and harmonies. I think the further you can expand the different genres you can play, the better musician you’ll be. So cool.
Thanks for stopping. Come back when you can stay longer and we’ll visit.
Sis
Hey!
I didn’t understand any of that banjo jargin, but I can admire a beautifully crafted instrument. It is truely amazing!
I bought a Ron Stewart Mahogany about a month ago and it is everything you say it is. It’s got it all and looks like it’s been around for a long time. Just amazing. My wife and I had planned a trip to Hickory to meet Warren and order one which takes about 8 weeks, and the day before we were to leave, Ron had a new one on his page that he had been playing for a couple of weeks so we got it sight unseen. It looks just like yours and plays like butter, as Ron described it. These banjo’s are truly the real deal.
Really enjoyed your story on the Yates banjo. I am a banjo player from Florida and I have really been thinking hard about getting a Yates for myself. Would really love to have the opportunity to speak with your husband about his Yates. Needless to say spending that much money on anything this day and age is a BIG decision. By the way, is that a Masonic ring on your husbands finger? I am a Mason. Anyway, GREAT web site and concept. If your husband would be willing to speak with me please let me know via e-mail. I have had several conversations with Warren Yates (a really nice guy) but would love to get the perspective of someone who has purchased one of his banjos.
Thanks,
Dan