Jim can pick up and play any banjo just like he has been picking it for years, he is not only an incredible great picker he has another great quality...... Jim is always smiling and nice to people, a rare quality these days. I could watch Jim talking about banjos all day long. Have any of you guys got Jims book about the Gibson banjos called ‘Mastertone Banjos’... Gibson Flatheads from the 1930-1940’s it’s a really good interesting, informative read. I have two copies. The icing on the cake for me would be for Jim to sign my copy, but sadly I live over the pond in the UK. Keep making these videos of Jim you guys and thanks for sharing.
Jim's just got that ability to pull some serious tone, and he resides among a very small group of pickers that, well........ For the lack of a technical term. Jim's Got It!!! Besides his incredible skill, and knowledge of banjos, he's a helluva nice fella to talk to!! Many thanks for posting this clip, absolutely love his rendition of Bonaparte's retreat!!
Reuben Valles He drops that 4th string down a whole step for drop C tuning for that last bit (Bonaparte's Retreat). I agree with you. I like those low tunings, especially D. Jim Mills is a joy to listen to and watch.
This is not Don Reno's banjo (Nellie). I believe his was a 1935 Gibson RB-3 Mastertone , serial # 518-1. He traded the famous, Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone #9584-3 banjo, with/to Earl Scruggs, that Earl has played for most of 'his' great career, for 'Nellie'.. I believe a Martin guitar was part of the deal, as well. I may be wrong. The one Jim is playing sounds dull. It may need a complete setup with new strings, of course. But, its still, a beautiful Prewar Gibson.
He is good most can't pick like that , good clear sound ,will make you envious ,if ain't careful God gave him a great talent, got a place in God's band, somewhere
***** Funny to assess this from a phone video all who play this banjo including Jim put it in the top 1% and you would have to play it and hear it in person to understand Joe
Dayton Deetz Ellie has enough 4th power to push that phones mic to its limit. I know a killer banjo when i hear one, and Ellie is a killer! Id bet it rattles your belly when you play it
***** That first string just wasn't ringing out like it should. Some work on the string height, nut and other neck adjustments, head tension along with fresh strings are likely needed to bring out the full potential of this rare beauty!
Maybe it's the video??? Or maybe it's just the strings??? I know it's not jim mills!!! But it sounds awful to me... like a old lard can!!! Not all pre war banjos are equal. Just my honest opinion
R.I.P to one of the greatest u will be miss
I still can't believe he is gone
What a great loss to the banjo and bluegrass communities
Jim can pick up and play any banjo just like he has been picking it for years, he is not only an incredible great picker he has another great quality...... Jim is always smiling and nice to people, a rare quality these days.
I could watch Jim talking about banjos all day long.
Have any of you guys got Jims book about the Gibson banjos called ‘Mastertone Banjos’... Gibson Flatheads from the 1930-1940’s it’s a really good interesting, informative read. I have two copies.
The icing on the cake for me would be for Jim to sign my copy, but sadly I live over the pond in the UK.
Keep making these videos of Jim you guys and thanks for sharing.
Jim's just got that ability to pull some serious tone, and he resides among a very small group of pickers that, well........ For the lack of a technical term. Jim's Got It!!! Besides his incredible skill, and knowledge of banjos, he's a helluva nice fella to talk to!!
Many thanks for posting this clip, absolutely love his rendition of Bonaparte's retreat!!
Its always sad when a life comes to an end but when that life represents a skill that few have and will have its even worse.
Man listen to that power!
Jim could make a 2x4 with nails and fishing line sound like heaven.
Just remarkable playing Jim...Jack Baker
the more i listen to it the more i like it
The harder I work the luckier I get
I really enjoyed the way it sounded. I like that D tuning lower end stuff
If thats what it was?
Reuben Valles He drops that 4th string down a whole step for drop C tuning for that last bit (Bonaparte's Retreat). I agree with you. I like those low tunings, especially D. Jim Mills is a joy to listen to and watch.
Wow! That thing's got punch!
His left hand technique has always baffled me
This banjo obviously hasn't been set up in a LONG time. Probably 10 years or more. It looks like the strings haven't even been changed in as long!
What would really really help is to record these in an anechoic sound chamber or very close to that otherwise it sounds like a cacophony.
Head is incredibly loose...imagine what it would do if properly tightened.
This is not Don Reno's banjo (Nellie). I believe his was a 1935 Gibson RB-3 Mastertone , serial # 518-1. He traded the famous, Gibson RB-Granada Mastertone #9584-3 banjo, with/to Earl Scruggs, that Earl has played for most of 'his' great career, for 'Nellie'.. I believe a Martin guitar was part of the deal, as well. I may be wrong. The one Jim is playing sounds dull. It may need a complete setup with new strings, of course. But, its still, a beautiful Prewar Gibson.
Yeah tighten the head up on it and that thing will boom. (More then is already is). He is pulling great tone for how loose the head is.
And Jim never could get it in tune! A good set up will do wonders.
He is good most can't pick like that , good clear sound ,will make you envious ,if ain't careful God gave him a great talent, got a place in God's band, somewhere
What’s the song at 1:17 ?
SOng at 0:42?
"Hot Corn Cold Corn" by the sounds of it. Old song Flatt and Scruggs did.
That one, to my ear, just don't have it.
Son! You must be plumb deaf. 😂
Nasty , and buy nasty I mean your one talented gentleman
How
That's that shit.
what the name of that hot tune at the end
Bonaparte retreat
518-3 doesn't Jerry Cox own that banjo? If ya don't like the sound and want to give it away I'll gladly take it
joey evans not jerry cox
song at 1:15?
Bonaparte’s retreat
I have to agree with some other comments, Jim made this banjo sound good, not the other way around.
hoss banjo right there wow
this banjo sounds a bit rough just needs a good set up you can hear great potential there i think.
Definetly needs setting up. With a good set up it would probably sound good. Head is too loose.
Terry
raddled a lot
To be honest I really think this banjo is dull sounding
Believe me, Jim felt the same way ;)
teakbridge101 How do you know?
*****
Funny to assess this from a phone video all who play this banjo including Jim put it in the top 1% and you would have to play it and hear it in person to understand
Joe
Dayton Deetz Ellie has enough 4th power to push that phones mic to its limit. I know a killer banjo when i hear one, and Ellie is a killer! Id bet it rattles your belly when you play it
***** That first string just wasn't ringing out like it should. Some work on the string height, nut and other neck adjustments, head tension along with fresh strings are likely needed to bring out the full potential of this rare beauty!
Head needs tightening
Motorbike violin
Американская балалайка.
Banjos are easy to tune. They just won't stay that way.
This banjo sounds weak and and very tinney (sp). Don't like the sound of it at all.
Something just doesn't sound right...
sounds terrible the banjo needs set up
Maybe it's the video??? Or maybe it's just the strings??? I know it's not jim mills!!! But it sounds awful to me... like a old lard can!!! Not all pre war banjos are equal. Just my honest opinion