Grum - Posted - 04/20/2011:  06:03:00

Does anyone know about the possibility of putting a metal tone ring in a Tranjo rather than the PVC one that comes standard? I'm sure Sam has experimented with this.

jsowers - Posted - 04/20/2011:  18:10:26

I wondered that also so I asked him via email when I had some other questions.  Here is his reply (hope he doesn't mind me posing it):

"I've stopped doing metal rings, and I've never tried a wood ring but I've been meaning to. The PVC rings sound just fine and the metal ones seem a little harsh to my ears, plus they are a pain to make correctly."

By the way Sam is very approachable, outstanding customer service. He was answering my questions about a used Gold Tone Tranjo that I purchased from the BHO classifieds. Although it was a Gold Tone you could tell that he still considered it his baby.

Grum - Posted - 04/20/2011:  18:38:42

I have no complaints about the tone of the PVC tone ring - it sounds fine. (which, given all the discussion about pre-war tone ring metallurgy, is surprising).

I bought my Tranjo 6.0 with a Samson bridge and didn't realise how nice it sounded until I put in a cheapie (just tinkering) and it sounded thin and tinnny. Probably best to experiment with string gauges and bridges rather than tone rings - stick with the 'plastic fantastic'.

PS I would have asked Sam directly but was too lazy to look up my address book!

5strings3picks1banjo - Posted - 04/21/2011:  15:45:36

Do you feel up to tinkering? Maybe you can try some homemade rings and tell us what happened. Maybe find a cooking pot the right size and slice a section off. You might find a ceramic pot at an op shop. Flat bar brass is simple to roll. What effect are you thinking off? Brighter, louder, plunkier, mellow, sustain, etc. No good for your application but I have used fencing wire. I wonder how a bamboo steaming basket would hold up under the pressure. Heres another stupid idea, make a clay hoop and get it fired. I am full of silly strange ideas. hehe

Grum - Posted - 04/21/2011:  19:35:37

I am a teacher of Design in an Australian High School and a new ceramic tone ring is a very interesting project idea for a senior student to investigate.