Noam Pikelny on Vintage Gibson Banjos and Tricone 4 String Guitar | Reverb Interview

Noam Pikelny, distinguished banjo and guitar player of the Punch Brothers, sat down with Reverb to discuss his vintage Gibson banjo and a strange 4-string Tricone guitar he uses occasionally.
Read more about Noam Pikelny at bit.ly/2q7slpp.

[@Latebloomershow]

I was given a handmade 5-string banjo for my 23rd birthday, and that was a while ago. It's now been sitting in the case for 40 years. Now, that I have moved back to Tennessee, I would like to learn to play it. Do you think it needs an overhaul, and can one learn to play after 60? 😄

[@johnkeathley4289]

As a builder I have to disagree with you on the age thing...an instrument is either good when it's new or it's not...age may improve one ever so slightly but it's minimal....

[@edeledeledel5490]

May not be true of banjos, but definitely true of guitars, mandolins, violins, etc. My guitar sounds completely different now it is four years old and has 3,000 playing hours on it.

[@luminawarren8132]

I agree w you it is mostly the musical quality of the wood that will determine its resonance and until the actual grains of a wood are cataloged into nuclear science its usually hit and miss since one block of wood is different than the block it was cut from. A skilled wood worker i mean a SKILLED one can usually get pretty close to good resonance wood.

[@blackbirdpie217]

I'm convinced the age does change the wood. Not enough thought is given to the importance of the wood rim and in my opinion the neck too. Since the neck isn't as old that's not a factor but the quality of the wood ultimately is. This is really why a maple banjo sounds different from a mahogany, and the walnut as well. In fact the real Mastertone banjos all have poplar resonators with a veneer of the desired wood, so there's literally no difference with the resonators, and the rims are all rock maple. However, not everyone outside of the Vintage Gibson world has made them this way so if the resonator has been replaced it's anyone's guess. But time definitely changes wood. I think it's the lignon and other resins that harden.

[@jakesmet9426]

Love how he shouted out GEORGE GRUHN!!!

[@darrylweller6143]

Is that a stager mic?

[@srv1959]

🔥

[@stephenhenion8304]

My Buddy Bob once told me, You pay for a banjo by the pound!! Ty Noam

[@josephanderson7237]

I don’t subscribe to the prewar hype. I owe an arch top 29 and many others like OMEs imperials ode Stellings and many more about 25 altogether. The best sounding I have is the imperial top tension and traditional. Banjos are not like all wooden instruments like violins. Which I could believe the age of woods and where they came from are important. Really enjoy Noam’s playing.

[@acledfloyd]

This guy plays great but his speaking voice surprised me. A very manly voice, and I think he could use it for voice over.

[@edeledeledel5490]

He singing is good as well... and you can hear his resonator guitar on this kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpC4oGermtOhlZY&ab_channel=NoamPikelny

[@thewatcher5271]

It's Nice To Hear A Well Educated Musician Discussing The Banjo That Doesn't Sound Like Gomer Pyle. No Disrespect To Jim Nabors, I Know He Did It On Purpose.

[@iroquoisplissken3583]

Bet that Gibson is worth a pretty penny

[@adamaj74]

Aw man, you fade out over the top of him playing good shit...boooo.

[@catkeys6911]

He was playing the banjo solo part of Once I Had An Old Banjo kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHrUmWugZdh4gKM

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

As a four string player, it saddens me that so many of them have been converted to five strings. At least they’re being played.

[@TonyfromBham]

It saddens me as well.

[@TonyfromBham]

As a 4-string banjo player, I’m consistently amazed how comfortable so many 5-string players are with the idea of butchering our “holy grail” 4-string banjos to create fine 5-string banjos. (Yes, I realize this banjo was butchered before Noam got it, but it was butchered nonetheless.) Our history has been, to a large extent, erased, and the majority of the 5-string community seems ok with that fact.

[@superhurricane9914]

As long as the original neck is retained, I certainly wouldn't consider the banjo "butchered." These conversions are just bolt-on parts, and can easily be reversed.

[@noconaallen8024]

Y'all had your time in the pre-war era...it's our time now! 😜

[@josephanderson7237]

If it’s a neck replacement then the original tenor neck for example could just be rebolted on. No permanent harm no harm at all

[@stanwest3529]

thanks for nothing why didn't you play the tricone ...very disappointed

[@capnNord]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpfXh4KjZs5maac