Harry sparks archtop to flathead conversion no hole ring - Discussion Forums

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ARCHIVED TOPIC: Harry sparks archtop to flathead conversion no hole ring

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/397091

Goldstarman - Posted - 04/30/2024: 11:25:40

I was just wondering if anybody out there had any information on these? I found an article that's a couple years old here on the banjo hangout that Paul Ebbe had inquired about these rings and I was just wondering if there was any more information anyone out there might have?
I recently acquired a banjo with one of these tone rings in it.

DHutchens - Posted - 04/30/2024: 12:32:12

youtube.com/watch?v=hrlEjn9epUU

Oldtwanger - Posted - 04/30/2024: 12:32:25

quote:
Originally posted by Goldstarman

I was just wondering if anybody out there had any information on these? I found an article that's a couple years old here on the banjo hangout that Paul Ebbe had inquired about these rings and I was just wondering if there was any more information anyone out there might have?

I recently acquired a banjo with one of these tone rings in it.

@Goldstarman

Sparks low profile flat tonering foundry

Central Brass Foundry

1020 Woodrow St,

Cincinnati Ohio

_______________________________________________________________________

Central Brass (Richard Hibner) cast the Sparks low-profile replacement tonerings.

Harry Sparks insisted on no magnesium in the alloy, he had to pay for every casting, defective or not, because of this spec.

Ring was not copied from an actual original but the profile (from no-hole 9467-5) was re-drawn to keep everything the same as a full height ring just altering the angle to raise step by ¼ inch.

It turned out to be virtually identical to the 1929 era Gibson originals minus the 20 holes.

At least 2 runs of 500 were cast.

Hundreds were marketed and installed by FOTMC and Stewart – MacDonald. Stew Mac could not stamp them with the 5-star logo as the skirt would crack due to the brittle nature of the alloy.