Thimbles - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T07:31:49Zhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/thimbles-1?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A16128&feed=yes&xn_auth=noTim -- he doesn't say much ab…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-19:2477478:Comment:161972010-07-19T01:28:46.000ZJim Daltonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JimDalton
Tim -- he doesn't say much about it at all.<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img width="433" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129089990?profile=RESIZE_480x480" alt=""/></p>
Tim -- he doesn't say much about it at all.<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img width="433" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3129089990?profile=RESIZE_480x480" alt=""/></p> I see it mentioned, but never…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161912010-07-18T22:45:33.000ZTim Twisshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
I see it mentioned, but never seems to be included as part of any valid instruction. I don't have that Converse thing anymore. I gave it to a guy with hopes of him making a banjo some time ago. What does it say?
I see it mentioned, but never seems to be included as part of any valid instruction. I don't have that Converse thing anymore. I gave it to a guy with hopes of him making a banjo some time ago. What does it say? We've had some of this discus…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161832010-07-18T19:53:46.000ZJohn Mascialehttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JohnMasciale
We've had some of this discussion before. I added a couple of photos of the thimble I modified from Converse's design to this forum. I'm gonna try out one of Joel's, just because his tooling is a lot better than mine. I see a lot of the same design concerns I had about Converse's design reflected in what he did. It looks good, but proof is always in the pudding.<br />
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I use a thimble for some of the same reasons that Carl mentioned, volume, and clean notes, especially higher up on the neck.
We've had some of this discussion before. I added a couple of photos of the thimble I modified from Converse's design to this forum. I'm gonna try out one of Joel's, just because his tooling is a lot better than mine. I see a lot of the same design concerns I had about Converse's design reflected in what he did. It looks good, but proof is always in the pudding.<br />
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I use a thimble for some of the same reasons that Carl mentioned, volume, and clean notes, especially higher up on the neck. Yep, Carl -- the earliest I f…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161812010-07-18T16:54:31.000ZJim Daltonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/JimDalton
Yep, Carl -- the earliest I found in the tutors is Briggs:<br />
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"...he played so strong that he had to get a piece of steel made for the end of his finger, as a sort of shield, to prevent his tearing off his nail."<br />
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There is also a pattern for making a thimble in the Converse Method (1865) on the same page as the "guide for making banjos."
Yep, Carl -- the earliest I found in the tutors is Briggs:<br />
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"...he played so strong that he had to get a piece of steel made for the end of his finger, as a sort of shield, to prevent his tearing off his nail."<br />
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There is also a pattern for making a thimble in the Converse Method (1865) on the same page as the "guide for making banjos." The first documented mention…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161782010-07-18T15:27:58.000ZCarl Andertonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/CarlAnderton
The first documented mention of a thimble--that would be an interesting research topic. Of course, the preface to the Briggs Banjo Instructor mention that Briggs wore a "shield" over his finger to keep from tearing his fingernail off (because he struck his strings so hard). I have never heard of anyone tearing their nail off while playing, so I suspect the writer of that article was not entirely correct in his assertion. I could be wrong--maybe torn fingernails are a problem for nail pickers.…
The first documented mention of a thimble--that would be an interesting research topic. Of course, the preface to the Briggs Banjo Instructor mention that Briggs wore a "shield" over his finger to keep from tearing his fingernail off (because he struck his strings so hard). I have never heard of anyone tearing their nail off while playing, so I suspect the writer of that article was not entirely correct in his assertion. I could be wrong--maybe torn fingernails are a problem for nail pickers. It certainly would be something to avoid!<br />
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So that starts us at 1855 for thimble references. The only thing I can add right now are Frank Converse's references to the players he observed who came to his hometown of Elmira, NY between 1852, when he took up the banjo, and 1854, when he left home to take his first professional engagement with the McFarland Theatrical Company in Detroit, succeeding Hiram S. Rumsey, who had resigned.<br />
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The first professional banjo player Converse got a chance to study was John "Picayune" Butler. "I had many opportunities for hearing him--not only in his solos, but often listening unobserved below his hotel window. As he played with the thimble, his execution--unlike anything I had ever heard, powerful and brilliant--strongly impressed me..."<br />
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Next, Hi Rumsey came through Elmira with McFarlands Troupe--"His knowledge of the "Guitar" style was slight and limited to a few simple pieces and accompaniments. His stage work was with the thimble."<br />
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Converse later runs through a list of early players that he was aquainted with..."Frank Stanton, Bill Ray, Earl Pierce, Tom Vaughn, Andy Leavitt, Jim Clarke, Luke West, Matt Peel, Sam Sharpley, Ben Cotton, Bill Newcomb, Billy Arlington, Billy Sweatman, Billy Whitlock, Tom Chatfield, Pupsey Keenan, Jim Johnson, Bill Lehr, Charley Morell, Bill Donaldson, Jake Wallace, George Coes...all prominent old-time players, and with barely few exceptions, thimble players."<br />
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<cite>Tim Twiss said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/thimbles-1?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A16176&xg_source=activity#2477478Comment16173"><div>Those look really nice Joel. I don't use one, however. I think we did this a while ago, but I wouldn't mind another poll...how many use them? Also, when did they start using them? Why do you guys use them....volume, nail preservation, or what? Personally, I got into this to not half to carry a pick around...simplifying.</div>
</blockquote> Anybody know the first writte…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161762010-07-18T12:10:38.000ZTim Twisshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
Anybody know the first written reference to them? I can't spot it in the main tutors.
Anybody know the first written reference to them? I can't spot it in the main tutors. Thanks, someone is using them…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161752010-07-18T03:20:58.000ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
Thanks, someone is using them. I posted an add on the BHO 30 min. ago and already sold eight.
Thanks, someone is using them. I posted an add on the BHO 30 min. ago and already sold eight. Those look really nice Joel.…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161732010-07-18T03:18:07.000ZTim Twisshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
Those look really nice Joel. I don't use one, however. I think we did this a while ago, but I wouldn't mind another poll...how many use them? Also, when did they start using them? Why do you guys use them....volume, nail preservation, or what? Personally, I got into this to not half to carry a pick around...simplifying.
Those look really nice Joel. I don't use one, however. I think we did this a while ago, but I wouldn't mind another poll...how many use them? Also, when did they start using them? Why do you guys use them....volume, nail preservation, or what? Personally, I got into this to not half to carry a pick around...simplifying. Paypal and full description o…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-18:2477478:Comment:161712010-07-18T01:43:07.000ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
Paypal and full description on my site.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thejoelhooks.com/Site/Buy_Thimbles.html" target="_blank">http://www.thejoelhooks.com/Site/Buy_Thimbles.html</a>
Paypal and full description on my site.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thejoelhooks.com/Site/Buy_Thimbles.html" target="_blank">http://www.thejoelhooks.com/Site/Buy_Thimbles.html</a> I love it! I was thinking "Th…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2010-07-17:2477478:Comment:161702010-07-17T00:17:08.000ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
I love it! I was thinking "The Thimble King" but I like yours. I need to swing my indian clubs more.<br />
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Sorry, this was one of those weeks at my day job.<br />
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OK gents (ladies, these things can be bent and overlapped but they could be a bit heavy, they are roughly the same size as a standard bluegrass pick, but they are larger in that they cover the entire fingernail) Here are my prices.<br />
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Before I give them let me explain. I have a machine that stamps them out but they are still flat. From that point…
I love it! I was thinking "The Thimble King" but I like yours. I need to swing my indian clubs more.<br />
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Sorry, this was one of those weeks at my day job.<br />
<br />
OK gents (ladies, these things can be bent and overlapped but they could be a bit heavy, they are roughly the same size as a standard bluegrass pick, but they are larger in that they cover the entire fingernail) Here are my prices.<br />
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Before I give them let me explain. I have a machine that stamps them out but they are still flat. From that point I shape them by hand. As can be seen in the pics,I spoon the end per the originals on a rounded "finger shaped" anvil that my father devised. This "work hardens" the end and also allows it to roll harmlessly over the strings. Stewart gave the instructions to whack this with a tack hammer and flatten it, I presume to sell more strings. If wanted I can furnish flat bladed, but that will not be standard.<br />
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As they are hand finished there maybe a scratch here and there. There also may be a bit of flashing left on the inside. I left all the flashing on the ones I have been using and have had no issues but... You may want to polish the tip a little more for gut strings.<br />
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It goes without saying that you will need to bend the band to fit your finger.<br />
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One for $13<br />
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Two for $20 -you would not want to be at a gig without a spare would ya?<br />
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One dozen for $100 -Club pack.<br />
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$2 flat shipping to US. As of now I've got no clue about international shipping, but give me a little time to work it out.<br />
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Mail payment to<br />
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Joel Hooks<br />
P.O. Box 118250<br />
Carrollton, TX 75011<br />
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PM me if you have questions and I'll send you my phone number.<br />
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I should have a page added to my website in a couple of days with paypal buttons.<br />
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Thanks<br />
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I am really proud of the way they have turned out and hope you folks like them.