BoneHeadBanjo - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:26:25

Ok, still learning as I go and have another question considering tone rings. In another post, an individual mentioned the Gold Tone MC-150 banjo. It comes with a flat steel tone ring as opposed to the rolled brass tone ring I have on my GT CC-BG banjo. My question is, is there any concern of rust developing over time on a steel tone ring or, is this a stainless steel? Type of steel is not mentioned so, got me wondering.

BobbyE - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:30:15

Are you confusing a 'tone hoop,' with a 'tone ring?' If a tone ring, I don't think I have ever heard of a tone ring being of just one material, especially stainless steel. They are usually a combination of stuff and brass/bronze, etc being some of the components of it. I would assume that a hoop would be similar. I have owned several banjos in my life, okay a lot of banjos in my life, and never had a tone ring to rust. Also, I googled this banjo and regarding the tone ring it is a ring and not a hoop but also adds that it is a 'steel alloy,' whatever that might  be.  Perhaps little more than hard. 

Bobby

Edited by - BobbyE on 12/21/2023 08:38:39

Old Hickory - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:36:51

If it's steel, it's probably plated. Probably chrome. That's just a guess.

KCJones - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:37:15

EDIT: I asked Gold Tone in their live chat. They confirmed that the MC-150 tone ring is chrome plated.

The Gold Tone website says the MC-150 features a "Steel Alloy" tone ring. It doesn't say specifically, but I would guess that it has some sort of treatment to prevent corrosion/rust/etc, either a stainless alloy or plating.



I know you didn't ask, but I'm going to say that the MC-150 isn't really much of an upgrade over the CC-BG you already have, and it's entirely possible that the CC-BG sounds better with a brass bar hoop than the MC-150 sounds with a steel flathead ring. In my experience, steel tone rings sound universally bad. I'd take a brass hoop over a steel ring any day of the week. 

Edited by - KCJones on 12/21/2023 08:40:54

BoneHeadBanjo - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:47:35

Thank you all, greatly appreciate the replies and help! Answered my question and furthered my knowledge for future upgrade.

KCJones - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:48:53

If you've got the cash for a new MC-150 just go buy a used RK-R35.

BoneHeadBanjo - Posted - 12/21/2023:  08:54:42

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

If you've got the cash for a new MC-150 just go buy a used RK-R35.

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I'm not quite ready to upgrade but, that one is definitely on my want list! I know a gentleman locally that has a GT OB-150 in very good condition for sale @ $700 but, as I stated, not yet ready to upgrade. I'm in the learning process and enjoying absorbing new information along with my playing practices. I only have my second lesson today. LOL!

heavy5 - Posted - 12/21/2023:  09:18:28

Plated steel in a humid environment will rust over time . Quality of plating & adjacent components can determine the rust factor . Don't buy a vehicle having spent its life near salt water ! 

Edited by - heavy5 on 12/21/2023 09:20:52

GrahamHawker - Posted - 12/21/2023:  09:38:37

Other use steel tone rings - especially Deering in the Goodtime Special. These don't seem to have quite the twang of a brass flathead banjo (based entirely on videos) but it's not too bad and better than rolled brass rings I've heard. And perhaps as good as "pot metal" rings.

RB3 - Posted - 12/21/2023:  09:46:32

For the purpose of reference, I would point out that most tone rings are made of bronze, rather than brass. Bronze is an alloy, primarily of copper and tin, whereas, brass is an alloy, primarily of copper and zinc.

banjonz - Posted - 12/21/2023:  12:36:30

quote:

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Originally posted by BobbyE

Are you confusing a 'tone hoop,' with a 'tone ring?' If a tone ring, I don't think I have ever heard of a tone ring being of just one material, especially stainless steel. They are usually a combination of stuff and brass/bronze, etc being some of the components of it. I would assume that a hoop would be similar. I have owned several banjos in my life, okay a lot of banjos in my life, and never had a tone ring to rust. Also, I googled this banjo and regarding the tone ring it is a ring and not a hoop but also adds that it is a 'steel alloy,' whatever that might  be.  Perhaps little more than hard. 

Bobby

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I have just finished working on a Chinese made Ibanez B200 banjos and its mastertone style tone ring is made of steel. I have checked this with a magnet.

BobbyE - Posted - 12/21/2023:  13:11:26

>>I have just finished working on a Chinese made Ibanez B200 banjos and its mastertone style tone ring is made of steel. I have checked this with a magnet.<<

Fine by me. Does it have to be 100% steel to attract the pull of a magnet, or will a certain percentage steel along with something else also attract it to any degree? Also, is it stainless steel, which I alluded to in my reply since the original poster asked about stainless steel. And I am not surprised that a Chinese made Ibanez has a tone ring with a lot of steel, or all steel, for all I know. All of the better rings I have ever read about seem to have a combination of some other alloys and few mention steel at all.

Bobby

Culloden - Posted - 12/21/2023:  13:23:33

When you are ready to upgrade you want to move up. Going from a medium grade Gold Tone to another medium grade Gold Tone doesn't sound like an upgrade. The used OB 150 is an upgrade. A used Recording King is an upgrade. A Gold Star is an upgrade.
When dealing with an online description you may have a site that lists a banjo as having a tone ring when it actually has a hoop. If the banjo has a real tone ring it is unlikely that it will be made out of steel.

monstertone - Posted - 12/21/2023:  17:52:38

My advice is, rather than waste time drooling over the plethora of banjos out there, keep on pick'n what ya got for now.

You can read about banjos 'till the cows come home, to no avail. However, when it's in your face, that's where the pavement hits the road! And if you hold your mouth right, its owner may even let you play it. While you're learning, set a goal to get out & play with other banjo pickers sometime down the road, soon after getting two or three tunes under your belt.

My second banjo was an antique SS Stewart. Although a step up from the pawn shop special, despite my best efforts, it was never going to sound like a Bluegrass banjo. It was not designed to. Not only was I banjo illiterate, I was also banjo music illiterate. To make matters worse, during two years of lessons, the only other banjo player I knew was my banjo teacher.

To find others sharing similar interests, you're gonna need a road map. As a starting point, the internet will suffice, although special interest magazines such as Banjo Hangout, Bluegrass Unlimited & music festivals are far more intuitive. Keep in mind, birds of a feather stick together.   Get out, meet people, play as many banjos as possible. Everything becomes much more cohesive when it's up close & personal.