andyleer - Posted - 12/26/2021:  23:05:01

I’ve spent a handsome sum on 5-string resonator banjos and was looking for something very inexpensive that I could play with/modify without too much concern for the outcome.



The banjo is a Recording King RKOH-06 aka dirty 30's tone ring banjo. The cost was $219 through guitar center. The tone ring is a piece of rolled brass I think so nothing major like the Madison series.

Came with an arm rest that I swapped out and I do enjoy the look of the no knot tail piece. 

 

So far the upgrades have been as such.



Replace standard Tuners with $50 set of more standard planetary tuners



put on set of Nylgut strings $15



replace arm rest with custom Walnut Cnc arm rest. ( free)





Future Upgrades



Renaissance Head $20



Aquila Nylgut Reds $15



Custom Maple bridge (free)



so far plays pretty well may need to adjust action, but currently under $300 for a half decent open back. Sure I could learn on my resonators but what fun would that be?

Edited by - andyleer on 12/27/2021 06:21:03

 

andyleer - Posted - 12/27/2021:  06:17:19

More photos. Also I had to mess a little with the main nut and the 5th string nut because of the larger diameter of the nylon strings

 

roadkingjimmy - Posted - 12/27/2021:  06:40:36

That’s a great banjo to learn on and with a renaissance head it will sound even better!

Helix - Posted - 12/30/2021:  20:23:11

the tone ring isn't roundstock.



It's flatbar with a 90 degree edge pointing down into the rim with a contact surface on the back and the bottom of the flat bar so it points down into the rim like a little log stamp hammer.

It's the only tone ring that acts this way. Your banjo sounds better next week.

the planetaries look great with that headstock, the Renn head is perfect. 

Greg Rich designs pretty good banjos.

Edited by - Helix on 12/30/2021 20:25:56

Log stamp hammer

Emiel - Posted - 12/31/2021:  00:39:02

quote:

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Originally posted by roadkingjimmy

That’s a great banjo to learn on and with a renaissance head it will sound even better!

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That's a matter of taste…

Helix - Posted - 12/31/2021:  03:09:21

Tone Ring: N/A Is what the open back madison states regarding a tone ring.

andyleer - Posted - 01/04/2022:  17:21:25

I made up a 2 foot bridge on the CNC. It’s working pretty well right now, and I put on the new renaissance head. At first it was way too tinny, then I realized I had the bridge way too far back. Sounds better now, probably could loosen the head a bit I think it’s up around an A So I have to adjust that.

 

andyleer - Posted - 01/04/2022:  17:45:13

Is it bad that I’m more concerned with how the banjo looks and how it plays? That being said I’m still enjoying learning on it

Yeah but how does it sound… stay tuned … haha pun

 

chip arnold - Posted - 01/05/2022:  05:48:51

Re your comment above .. if the bridge isn't in exactly the right place, the instrument won't intonate properly. Distance from nut to 12th fret X2 then fine tune from there.