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Laurence Diehl - Posted - 06/09/2023: 22:41:20
I know that OME makes one model where a woody tone ring comes standard. Do you know of any other makers who produce banjos with a wood tone ring? I know you can always get them modified, but just want to see how many are manufactured that way.
banjoy - Posted - 06/09/2023: 22:50:21
Nechville
Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/10/2023: 00:29:38
Charles Waldman
TheLastWord - Posted - 06/10/2023: 00:35:20
I have two, one by Mark Hickler and the other by Zach Hoyt.
Silver_Falls - Posted - 06/10/2023: 00:57:20
I have a "Hornbeam Special" openback made by Jan Bloom. It is a bit unusual compared to most "woodies" mentioned here in that the tone ring is actually a discrete separate piece -- exquisitely crafted of hornbeam (a.k.a. ironwood) -- precisely machined to slip-fit onto a channel cut into the maple rim. Just like a tone ring made of brass might, only wood.
Also unusual is that the pot is 11.5" -- a true goldilocks banjo!
calicoplayer - Posted - 06/10/2023: 03:27:30
The Deering John Hartford banjo comes standard with a grenadillo tone ring. It's a custom option on many of its other models.
notty pine - Posted - 06/10/2023: 03:48:39
I have a maple tonering made by Cliff Fitch.
Has 3/8" skirt.
Edited by - notty pine on 06/10/2023 03:52:13
Brian Murphy - Posted - 06/10/2023: 05:10:15
Cedar Mountain Banjos. Mostly known for openbacks that are phenomenal. I believe the wood ring is sort of standard for most of their models, it certainly is for the L series. Tim also has made a resonator model in the past (the Bramble) and he'd probably do one on special order.
banjered - Posted - 06/10/2023: 06:08:06
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monstertone - Posted - 06/10/2023: 07:14:24
Interesting discussion. Although aware of the Deering John Hartford tone ring for years, I've never investigated how it, or others, are made. Specifically, which way the grain runs?
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 06/10/2023: 07:58:34
Great info - thanks! I was thinking of the major names, but had not considered the smaller one man operations which of course is where much of the innovation happens. I may redirect my focus there.
Laurence Diehl - Posted - 06/10/2023: 08:07:39
quote:
Originally posted by Brian Murphy
Cedar Mountain Banjos. Mostly known for openbacks that are phenomenal. I believe the wood ring is sort of standard for most of their models, it certainly is for the L series. Tim also has made a resonator model in the past (the Bramble) and he'd probably do one on special order.
Way to sell a banjo - those guys are phenomenal!
raybob - Posted - 06/10/2023: 08:33:11
Mike Ramsey made some wood tone ring banjos. One of his models was called the 'Woody'.
davidppp - Posted - 06/10/2023: 09:22:00
Luscomb -- (1888 patent)
Edited by - davidppp on 06/10/2023 09:24:24
mud400 - Posted - 06/10/2023: 12:04:13
Turtle Hill made a run of woodie resonators.
I liked mine.
Alex Z - Posted - 06/10/2023: 12:46:49
Stelling made a woodie for a while, with Tony Pass rim. In fact, there is one in the classifieds now.
banjohangout.org/classified/96193
I don't know which banjos have a wood rim and no tone ring, or a separate piece of wood sitting on the wood rim.
Old Hickory - Posted - 06/10/2023: 13:16:33
Deering also makes a "White Oak" woody banjo that's essentially an oak version of the Eagle II minus the metal tone ring. Link to follow.
And let's not forget the much-missed Recording King RK-R25 resonator banjo and RK-O25 open back woodies.
davidppp - Posted - 06/10/2023: 13:42:28
The Deering White Oak: youtube.com/watch?v=XMEwAOMtmAA
My wife, bless her, bought me the 12", a surprise birthday present. I REALLY like it. Greg Deering likes them, too. 
h - Posted - 06/10/2023: 20:34:26
quote:
Originally posted by monstertone
Interesting discussion. Although aware of the Deering John Hartford tone ring for years, I've never investigated how it, or others, are made. Specifically, which way the grain runs?
The Grenadillo ring on the Hartford is made of blocks, just like a block rim except only about one inch in height. The top of the blocks is said to have a slight hump or rise, not the incline that a metal ring does. I own a Hartford but have never seen it apart. The maple rim that is below is said to be a slightly softer maple than most banjo rims. This design was chosen after trial and error by John and Greg Deering.
rvrose - Posted - 06/10/2023: 22:37:22
I bought a WindRose open back with a rosewood tone ring awhile back. Great sound. windrosebanjos.com/
Rick
LukeL - Posted - 06/11/2023: 14:24:07
Randy Wood. randywoodmusic.com
chris-duffer - Posted - 06/15/2023: 16:05:55
Bob Flesher made me a beautiful, simple banjo with a rosewood tone ring.
Johnny TooManyBanjos - Posted - 06/16/2023: 05:43:53
I have the Deering Hartford, and it does sound nice. It replaced my Deering Eagle 2 which sounded beautiful but I thought it was too heavy. I play standing up, and I busk sometimes for about an hour and half, and the Eagle 2 was too heavy for that. I also have a Gold Tone White Laydie and a Wildwood Troubadour (tubaphone). They are both light and sound great. I play 3 finger style, but I like open backs for their weight, and they're less bulky to play. All that said, the metal tone ring on the Deering Eagle 2 was the most beautiful sound I heard, so you can't beat that sound. That's why for weight, the smaller tone rings are something to investigate, esp the White Laydie. I think that sounds the best. The Hartford sounds great, but it is a warmer sound, not surprisingly.
Brodoh - Posted - 06/16/2023: 08:17:48
I have a 12" Walnut Pisgah Possum with an integrated Persimmon tone ring. Love the deep. rich, resonant tone.
Copter17 - Posted - 06/16/2023: 17:46:18
Arthur Hatfield up in Kentucky makes a Woody or he will make a custom with a wood rim.
hobogal - Posted - 06/17/2023: 01:25:24
Ken Le Van
Companion banjos
Edited by - hobogal on 06/17/2023 01:26:03
aaronoble - Posted - 06/17/2023: 17:07:52
Bishline (including the Danny Barnes signature model)
aaronoble - Posted - 06/17/2023: 20:01:30
...and don't forget the old Gibson RB-00 (one currently for sale at Gruhn)
1935tb-11 - Posted - 06/18/2023: 06:50:26
john boulding makes a woody tone ring that i have heard in a few different banjos..they will really surprise you how good they sound,,and are reasonably priced too.
Redbone - Posted - 06/30/2023: 08:52:30
I recently had Eric Sullivan add a ring of "factory floor" Maple to his roasted red maple block rim. He turned it with only a very slight angle, maybe 5°, and it is strong. If I wanted to, he could cut it off, recut the rim and add a ring. Just another idea.
5Stringtrout - Posted - 06/30/2023: 10:42:43
I have a Bob Flesher "Sally Ann" with a wood tone ring and a Huss and Dalton "Singletree" too.
jazzman_NP - Posted - 07/03/2023: 10:05:10
Dan Pennington made me one some ten years ago. Not just the tone ring, but integrated in the block rim, and including the tension hoop. Maple with cocobolo. My local furniture restorer and cabinet maker enhanced it with striped ebony veneer in three layers. This hard top layer is also to ensure that the bolts will will not sink in the relatively soft maple.
The assembly is waiting for a neck. But first the kitchen must be ready 
. But I'm sure it will sound absolutely fine.
'I'm Liberated!' 2 hrs
'Mahog bow tie.' 14 hrs
