Loud_Inn - Posted - 11/05/2023:  02:36:13

Hi All,

My dream banjo is a Tubaphone and while I love and respect the originals there are things about historic banjos that bother me - primarily tuners and a fear of the neck warping. This wouldn't be too big of a concern if I had an endless supply of banjo bucks but I don't.

I know of the following current makers and models.

Pisgah Tubaphone
Deering Vega #2
Gold Tone OT-800

What other models are out there and who else is making a modern tubaphone? Historical accuracy in the design is not as important (to me) as authentic tone is. It seems even 10 years ago there were more options in the market. Is the Tubaphone falling out of favor in current trends?

Gar - Posted - 11/05/2023:  04:12:02

I have a tubaphone made by Rickard. It's one of their custom options. Beautiful craftsmanship and wonderful sound.

banjered - Posted - 11/05/2023:  05:34:42

I see Tubaphones and Whyte Laydies being offered without the metal bracket band and wonder if those models still have the mojo sound of these models? Not being able to hear a LIVE side by side comparison I wonder what some other set of ears might have to say? And how much does that bracket band add to the weight? Is the bracket band worth it in terms of tone? banjered

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 11/05/2023:  06:17:06

OME is out of commission for the time being but they're likely to offer Tubaphones again when they return.



Ken Levan at one point sold a "Tub-A-Tone" style ring, not sure if that's still an option from his website however. Nechville offered Tubaphone rings as an option at one point and still likely does for custom orders.

I got the OT-800 Long Neck over a decade ago and haven't looked back. Its tone brings a smile to my face every time I pick it up. IMO it can't be beat for value if you're only worried about tone, volume and playability. As for presentation and finish I'd say 8/10... The hardware & build quality has held up and the banjo looks and feels wonderful, but there are little imperfections you notice as an owner with prolonged attention. Nothing too offensive: mostly the finish on the wooden rim can feel a little rough to the touch, and the "engraving" on the inlays for mine seemed a little sloppy. From what I've seen since the inlays might have changed in the past decade though.

All and all I think it's an extremely underrated banjo for the sound -- I'd never have been able to afford a long neck+bracket band+Tubaphone banjo in high school if not for Gold Tone, but it's still a mass-produced banjo. Springing for something more expensive might not give you better tone, but it will probably get you a banjo that aims to be perfect even in the little details.

Edited by - ObsidianSpike on 11/05/2023 06:20:40

Tim Jumper - Posted - 11/05/2023:  07:39:20

Banjered,

I have a 1924 Vega style M tenor with the five-string maple neck from my 1970s Wildwood.
It's mighty heavy, and there's no question that the bracket band adds significantly to the weight, but how much it affects the sound -- I dunno.
Banjo makers would seem to be more qualified to make that assessment, but I don't expect there will be unanimity.

BTuno - Posted - 11/05/2023:  07:50:21

IMHO the best combo is an original Vega Tubaphone pot assembly with a good quality repro neck. The pot is the "business end" of the instrument that will give you the sound you want. You could buy a tenor and have a good 5-string neck (think mahogany) put on for about the same price as a new build.

KCJones - Posted - 11/05/2023:  09:39:17

You can get a tubaphone tone ring from lots of makers, but a real tubaphone requires a bracket band and I'm not sure of any current makers of bracket band banjos using any tone ring.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/05/2023:  11:19:47

The old Vega necks are baseball-bat sturdy. I have a 1924 Tubby that has had steel strings for years and is just fine. John Cohen has three for sale on BHO. I can vouch from experience that he’s an honest and reliable guy to do business with.

Nic Pennsylvania - Posted - 11/05/2023:  12:31:41

Zachary Hoyt made a banjo for me using a Rickard bracket band and ring.

rcc56 - Posted - 11/05/2023:  13:16:44

I had a Deering made Tubaphone on the bench last year. While it was a well made banjo, the tone was quite different from that of a pre-war Vega.

If you're looking for the original Vega sound, you're most likely to get it with an old Vega. If you don't use heavy gauge strings and/or leave it in a hot car, an original neck will probably hold up fine.

Or if you're still worried about an original 5 string neck holding up, get a converted tenor with a truss rod neck. If the neck is well made, the banjo will still be likely to have most of the old Vega sound.

And yes, it seems that Tubbys are less popular than Whyte Laydies these days. I think some of that may be that the W.L. name is more attractive. Both models are fine instruments.

Emiel - Posted - 11/05/2023:  14:40:00

quote:

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Originally posted by rcc56

I had a Deering made Tubaphone on the bench last year. While it was a well made banjo, the tone was quite different from that of a pre-war Vega.

 

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Well, i can add a different experience here. When I bought my Deering Vega Tubaphone from Andybanjo in England years ago, Andy played me this banjo and immediately after that his own pre-war Vega Tubaphone (an original tenor banjo with a new 5-string neck he built himself) to show me how very similar these two banjos sounded. And indeed, the difference between them was very small. 

Edited by - Emiel on 11/05/2023 14:40:38

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/05/2023:  15:34:42

The scalloped Electric tone ring (with many versions by a number of makers) has a distinct tonal sound not found with Tubaphone. It’s present on the bracket-band Whyte Ladies and the earlier-design Electrics with the bracket bolts through the shell, as well as numerous banjos to this day. My general impression over the years is that WLs are louder than Electrics and bracket- band Tubaphones louder than either. Of course that would vary with any given banjo. The full-spun Electrics made by Goose Acres are really loud—and hard to find. My main player for more than 50 years is a ‘20s Clifford Essex Concert Grand—a heavy-duty Whyte Laydie copy that features Essex’s own design ideas.

Loud_Inn - Posted - 11/06/2023:  03:34:50

Thanks everyone. From the comments it does appear that there are a limited number of standard makes with Tubaphone tone rings these days. Custom is certainly an option. I do like the idea of an original pot with replacement neck and tuners. I have a 20's Regent pot with modern neck and tuners that I love.



The Essex looks pretty nice. I was only able to find one video of someone playing - Joel Hooks actually. Are there any recordings to recommend?

Edited by - Loud_Inn on 11/06/2023 03:36:49

Joel Hooks - Posted - 11/06/2023:  06:17:28

quote:

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Originally posted by Loud_Inn

Thanks everyone. From the comments it does appear that there are a limited number of standard makes with Tubaphone tone rings these days. Custom is certainly an option. I do like the idea of an original pot with replacement neck and tuners. I have a 20's Regent pot with modern neck and tuners that I love.



The Essex looks pretty nice. I was only able to find one video of someone playing - Joel Hooks actually. Are there any recordings to recommend?

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I should post more videos, I have a lot more music to share. 

I do like my CE CG alot but it is not my daily player.  I tend to lean towards "nickle rim" banjos.

I've played all three of John's at the ABF fall rally, all very good.  Clarke Buehling used one of them in his concert he gave.  I would absolutely hate to see them wired up with shims jammed in the heel as they are pretty much perfect classic era banjos and should be retained as such.

Loud_Inn - Posted - 11/06/2023:  06:57:15

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

I would absolutely hate to see them wired up with shims jammed in the heel as they are pretty much perfect classic era banjos and should be retained as such.

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I tend to agree with this sentiment. Banjos should be left in their original condition when possible. While I would certainly like an original pot assembly with a modern neck, I'd have a hard time buying a tenor or plectrum to have the neck swapped. Although I could retain the original neck and dowel. My regent had a spliced neck so I had it and the tuners swapped out for modern ones.

deanocraft - Posted - 11/17/2023:  10:06:35

I’ve currently got a 12” walnut banjo with a tuba phone ring that is available for $3,000. Here is a link: deanocraft.com/banjo-sn0087.html