Ron Stewart Picks the 'Last Granada!'

None other then Mr. Ron Stewart picks what he called 'the last Granada' - a full-flathead, prewar - at Gerald Jones' Acoustic Music Camp 2011. Once a tenor, Granada serial number ... was retro-fitted with a 5-string neck. Unlike most conversions, and some other tenor Granadas, this one is bears a rare, original, full weight flathead tone ring.

Earlier before this solo clip was taken, Ron and I picked the banjo together on 'Gonna Settle Down' and 'FMB.' I picked and he fretted, all the while hardly believing the sound of this old axe. I can fully attest to the sheer power and tone of this banjo. The only banjos I have ever heard that come close to the tone of this one are Burlile-powered monsters. It has tone and power to spare, and wonderful projection. Being at the helm for a few tunes myself, I was reminded how excellent these old banjos are! No video camera can capture the cutting power of this machete!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ron stewart
• ron stewart banjo
• prewar banjo
• granada
• granada banjo
• 5-string granada
• gibson granada banjo
• earl scruggs
• gonna settle down
• foggy mountain breakdown
• fmb
• fast picking
• acoustic music camp
• acoustic music camp 2011
• matthew dalzell

[overhomeboy]

what kind of strings are on that Granada it sound killer.

[teakbridge101]

@overhomeboy I don't know for sure, but I imagine a set of GHS Crowe model strings or Ron's own personal set, 10-11-13-20-10. It's not the strings that make that banjo sound great, though...it is the tone-ring, rim, and neck fit that make any banjo truly great.

[teakbridge101]

Congratulations, Mr. Stewart, for winning the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year along with Kirsten!

[TheVintage1935]

Sounds like the Yates banjo's. Or shouild I say Yates have a sound like that banjo! Ron knows tone.

[teakbridge101]

@TheVintage1935 Interesting that you say that, Vintage. My opinion on the matter after picking it was this: the player creates the sound. I had the chance as a lefty to pick this one (Ron fretted, I picked), and I was amazed how different it sounded under my picking. Ron makes even a gold-plated, 20-hole tone ring banjo sound like a nickel plated, no-hole tone ring banjo. My guess is that that is simply the way Ron makes a banjo sound no matter what. He certainly knows tone!

[bluegrassman776]

its not the strings brother,lol , thats a old great sounding banjo

[nasty5oh]

Now that's a good sounding banjo. Having Ron pickin' the strings doesn't hurt either. Great post