Tomcat - Posted - 08/17/2011:  16:30:15

 I'm working on a banjo for a friend. Built by Jim Baiter of Maggie Valley in 1978. The rim and tonering (archtop) is a onepiece molded unit. Is anyone familiar with these? I don't have any pics to post yet.

Edited by - jazzylynne on 08/17/2011 17:09:53

Banjo Tater - Posted - 08/17/2011:  16:54:10

i had one also (saga archtop.) it had a decent tone. mine needed alot work to it though. i like the brighter sound it gave.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 08/17/2011:  17:08:31

Iida also made archtop cast aluminum rim banjos. I have a tenor, circa 1978.

Looking forward to seeing those pics, Tomcat.

BTW, there is a BHO group for aluminum rim banjo "Outcasts"

Society Hill - Posted - 08/17/2011:  17:16:35

I had an archtop Iida for several years that was made like that. Bought it in 1980. Very bright sound, not as much sustain on the notes. Best I remember the head was a slick white material that never rubbed off. These models came out while they had the regular tone rings etc.

theonly1hardway - Posted - 08/17/2011:  18:28:16

I got a Saga arch top and a stew mac arch top ('78 or '79 model) I like them both.
harrisonbanjos.com

John Gribble - Posted - 08/17/2011:  19:24:10

My Gariepy from the mid 1960s has an archtop aluminum rim. I like it well enough to have kept it almost 50 years! 

banjobart - Posted - 08/17/2011:  19:54:03

The original was the Ode from Boulder. The others are copies of an Ogsbury invention. 1978 would likely be an Ode, butcha never know.

I saw a half a  barn full of those old aluminum rims in Ohio once years ago.

Edited by - banjobart on 08/17/2011 19:59:35

MrNatch3L - Posted - 08/18/2011:  02:21:05

Stewart MacDonald sold a rim like that with kits during the 70s, maybe up into the 80s. I have one that i've set up with a Ren head, presto tailpiece, and KatEyz bridge which sounds great when tuned down to E, E-flat, and isn't too shabby up in G, though it's not a bluegrass kind of tone. A lot of stuff on my music page is recorded with it.

mike gregory - Posted - 08/18/2011:  06:21:41

I have two, like them both.

John Gribble - Posted - 08/18/2011:  07:19:05

quote:

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Originally posted by Tomcat

 I'm working on a banjo for a friend. Built by Jim Baiter of Maggie Valley in 1978. The rim and tonering (archtop) is a onepiece molded unit. Is anyone familiar with these? I don't have any pics to post yet.

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My mouth (or typing fingers) kicked in before I fully digested your original post. Given the year, I would bet the rim was from Stew Mac. That was the era in which they sold kits using that rim. I put together a couple of them and they made excellent instruments. 

theonly1hardway - Posted - 08/18/2011:  12:05:42

quote:

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Originally posted by John Gribble

quote:

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Originally posted by Tomcat



My mouth (or typing fingers) kicked in before I fully digested your original post. Given the year, I would bet the rim was from Stew Mac. That was the era in which they sold kits using that rim. I put together a couple of them and they made excellent instruments. 

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 That's what mine is, a kit ...I bought it a couple years back on ebay....it had never be assembled, also put on the ren head ,presto tail piece made my own bridge, and added geared tuners the kit come with friction tuners

harrisonbanjos.com

Tomcat - Posted - 08/18/2011:  14:54:43

Thanks guys!