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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/111576
vincentbanjogh - Posted - 03/21/2008: 07:02:07
Does anyone know when Gibson started using the so called mystery rings?
Would they use these in the Granada models?
www.keithkline.com
El Dobro - Posted - 03/21/2008: 09:58:18
They seemed to have started popping up roughly around 2004 and so far, only on models that didn't have engraved rings, and that includes the Granada.
Don
http://www.myspace.com/eldobro
http://www.myspace.com/pasttimesband
http://www.pasttimesbluegrassband.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/pasttimesbluegrass
vincentbanjogh - Posted - 03/21/2008: 18:40:23
Thanks Don. I bought a NOS Granada 2005 model that I compared with a nice Blackjack. They were very similar in tone, the Granada was a tad brighter. Both outstanding though. I'm curious about the type of tone ring, but it sounds so good I don't want to take it apart to find out what it is. I haven't even touched the setup since I got it and that's saying something for me!
Keith
www.keithkline.com
El Dobro - Posted - 03/21/2008: 19:22:44
Check the surface of the inside part of the ring, where the holes are and see if it has the Gibson USA stamp. If it's there, usually by the tailpiece end, then it should be a Kulesh. If the ring isn't stamped, then it's a good bet it's a Mystery ring.
Don
http://www.myspace.com/eldobro
http://www.myspace.com/pasttimesband
http://www.pasttimesbluegrassband.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/pasttimesbluegrass
wfawley - Posted - 03/21/2008: 19:55:31
Hey Don........Check this close up of my so called mystery ring. I had it gold plated. The 2 things that I find odd, are the placement of the holes so low on the slope (like a Prucha ring)...and the almost bead blasted appearance.....which makes it look like a ceramic casting. Only the outside edge of this ring is polished.
Is this not a mystery ring?
Wyatt
If your friends criticize the car you drive, or the banjo you play. Get new ones.
vincentbanjogh - Posted - 03/21/2008: 21:20:30
There are no markings on mine and the holes run down the middle. I had a '97 Granada with a Kulesh and it sounded nothing like this. Might not necessarily the be the ring, maybe just the right combination of parts, but this banjo puts a smile on my face every time I pick it up.
www.keithkline.com
Edited by - vincentbanjogh on 03/21/2008 21:29:24
Forrest - Posted - 03/21/2008: 21:55:54
It does not look like the 3 Mystery rings I owned, Wyatt. They were smooth, just like the Kulesh rings. The fit and finish where the holes were was not as cleanly done (burrs), but otherwise the polish work was good. 2 of mine were gold plated (ESGD and Granada) and the other nickel plated (ESS). Also, none of mine had the Gibson mark anywhere.
"Run, Forrest, Run!"
El Dobro - Posted - 03/21/2008: 22:11:18
quote:
Originally posted by wfawley
Hey Don........Check this close up of my so called mystery ring. I had it gold plated. The 2 things that I find odd, are the placement of the holes so low on the slope (like a Prucha ring)...and the almost bead blasted appearance.....which makes it look like a ceramic casting. Only the outside edge of this ring is polished.
Is this not a mystery ring?
Wyatt
If your friends criticize the car you drive, or the banjo you play. Get new ones.
wfawley - Posted - 03/21/2008: 22:18:05
The underside is unmarked, but also has this bead blasted appearance. I don't think the ring's more than a couple years old, but no real way to verify that.
Wyatt
If your friends criticize the car you drive, or the banjo you play. Get new ones.
El Dobro - Posted - 03/21/2008: 22:54:39
I've never had my hands on a Prucha ring, but hey, he makes the flanges for Gibson, so maybe this was a ring he made for Gibson as a possible supplier. Also, I believe someone on the Hangout once mentioned that they had a fairly new Gibson and it had the Mystery ring with markings.
Don
http://www.myspace.com/eldobro
http://www.myspace.com/pasttimesband
http://www.pasttimesbluegrassband.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/pasttimesbluegrass
prewartb3 - Posted - 03/23/2008: 07:01:35
I had a mystery ring in my 04 granada. The ring was smooth. I sold the ring (you wonder why?).
Wyatt, gibson experimented at times. maybe that's what you have like a rare coin.
PrewarTB3
Edited by - prewartb3 on 03/23/2008 07:02:50
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