chucktom - Posted - 12/01/2025:  07:44:04

Hey guys. I'm a beginner with a songster looking to upgrade. My friend has an RK36 and man I love the sound of it but 13.5 pounds wears out my old shoulder. I could spend up to 2.5K. Recommends for a 9-10 pound 5-string? OB250LW seems to be a possibility. But I can go a little heavier and more $ than that.

chucktom - Posted - 12/01/2025:  07:45:39

American-made would be my preference.

lightgauge - Posted - 12/01/2025:  08:25:34

I don't know if the sound would suit you, but a banjo with a tone hoop will hit your weight goal. Something like an RB 100 or RB 1 Gibson or a custom build from a current builder without the 3 lb tonering. I feel like you lose a little clarity up the neck, but some disagree. I'm sure your neck will feel better!

Culloden - Posted - 12/01/2025:  09:48:09

Check out the classified ads here. There are several banjos that fall within your price range that have hoops in them instead of cast tone rings.
Gibson RB100s are in your criteria.
Vega banjos from the sixties were much lighter than a lot of other makes.
Warren Yates makes a banjo with a brass hoop called The Mule.
Hunter Lemon is a member here who makes bluegrass style banjos with a beveled edge at the top of the rim instead of a tone ring.
Those are a few places to start looking.

chucktom - Posted - 12/01/2025:  10:32:55

As I said. Beginner here. Seems like the big sound difference is probably cast ring in the R36 versus the hollow ring in the R20?

Edited by - chucktom on 12/01/2025 10:34:59

paulhealey - Posted - 12/01/2025:  11:28:06

I'm in a similar boat in terms of lightweight banjos - I had a pretty nasty fall as a kid that damaged my back for life. An eight or nine pound banjo is fine, but for some reason, when I get to 12 lbs, it hurts.

My first light banjo was a Recording King RK-25. When I switched the bridge it really came alive and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I currently have a Deering White Lotus. I think it sounds better than the RK, but only slightly. (I ended up getting a really nice deal on the Deering from someone who was liquidating an estate.)

If I didn't get a great offer on that Deering, I would have been perfectly happy with the RK.

Other banjos I looked into were the Gibson RB-150, a Gibson Style 1 or 2 conversion, Companion banjos and Bishline.

I'm pretty happy where I'm at, but if the right deal comes for another one of these, I probably will give it a shot and flip my less favorite of the two.

I hope this helps.

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/01/2025:  11:37:42

There was a period of years recently where American Made Banjo (AMB) made LOVELY reissues of the Kel Kroydon banjos, sometimes known as style 10 and 11 Gibson Recording Kings back in the 1930s. American made and beautiful. They came with either a 3 lb cast tone ring or the original style 9-10 lb. simple brass tone hoop (which was also less expensive.

AMB is no longer making banjos I hear. But if you find one, it will be cheaper than a pre-war, and an excellent quality banjo. Just make sure you don't get the one with the 3 lb cast tone ring.

Most of the woodwork was done by the late Robin Smith, in the USA.

I understand Greg Rich in his new position of product development with Gold Tone is soon to release a low priced reissue of the Gibson RB 100 (tone hoop rather than tone ring).

Vegas from the 1960s with lighter total weight of around 10 lbs WITH a tone ring would be the Pro, VIP, Scruggs models. The much lighter model would be the Vega Wonder (it came with and without a resonator), and it had a minimal "tone ring" which was really a tone hoop plus a thin skirt. If you're into older banjos, there's a 1940s/50s Vega Wonder resonator model at one of the leading vintage instrument dealers. Bobby Hicks is in an ancient video or two playing this same model as a member of the Blue Grass Boys - it sounded good.

In other words, you have plenty of choices well within your budget.

pinenut - Posted - 12/01/2025:  11:44:04

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Vegas from the 1960s with lighter total weight of around 10 lbs WITH a tone ring would be the Pro, VIP, Scruggs models. The much lighter model would be the Vega Wonder (it came with and without a resonator), and it had a minimal "tone ring" which was really a tone hoop plus a thin skirt. If you're into older banjos, there's a 1940s/50s Vega Wonder resonator model at one of the leading vintage instrument dealers. Bobby Hicks is in an ancient video or two playing this same model as a member of the Blue Grass Boys - it sounded good.



In other words, you have plenty of choices well within your budget.

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Yup.  Get a tubaphone or a rolled rod banjo; less than ten pounds with a resonator for that bluegrass style and sorta-similar flathead tone.  Dun.

Or,,, for a very light option find an older, good quality, cast aluminum resonator banjo with structural features to the rim and a good neck like the Gariepy or Saga, etc.

Or,, Get an Ode/Ome/Baldwin with the Silver Spun (SilverBell) tone ring with resonator.  These have an excellent voice and tone that is quite different from a flathead.

Edited by - pinenut on 12/01/2025 11:59:24

pinenut - Posted - 12/01/2025:  12:48:00

Hi Chuck,

Addendum:  The RK Songster is a rolled rod banjo.  So, set-up dependent, getting another one of these won't change anything. recordingking.com/rkr20

For full classic bluegrass tone get the +12lb banjo with a 3lb bronze tone ring.  Otherwise,,, see above.

Edited by - pinenut on 12/01/2025 12:48:37

TScottHilton - Posted - 12/01/2025:  13:34:28

I suggest a Deering Eagle ii. They weigh 10 pounds, but also include a solid brass tone ring. The ring is a non conventional design, and that in conjunction with some other design features save some weight compared to a mastertone style banjo with a heavy ring. I really like the tone of mine, and it's not a back breaker like some other banjos I've had.

You could get a used one in the price range you mentioned.

It's actually kind of a bummer: I seem to remember only paying $2,500.00 when I bought mine brand new and that was only 4 years ago. Now they're right at $3k new. Madness.

chucktom - Posted - 12/01/2025:  14:42:58

This is all helpful. Yeah, I guess I'm after that cast ring sound but without the weight and perhaps that doesn't exist.  The Deering website doesn't say whether the Eagel II ring is cast or rolled. But I might be missing something. 

quote:

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Originally posted by TScottHilton

I suggest a Deering Eagle ii. They weigh 10 pounds, but also include a solid brass tone ring. The ring is a non conventional design, and that in conjunction with some other design features save some weight compared to a mastertone style banjo with a heavy ring. I really like the tone of mine, and it's not a back breaker like some other banjos I've had.



You could get a used one in the price range you mentioned.



It's actually kind of a bummer: I seem to remember only paying $2,500.00 when I bought mine brand new and that was only 4 years ago. Now they're right at $3k new. Madness.

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pinenut - Posted - 12/01/2025:  15:04:50

quote:

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Originally posted by chucktom

This is all helpful. Yeah, I guess I'm after that cast ring sound but without the weight and perhaps that doesn't exist.  The Deering website doesn't say whether the Eagel II ring is cast or rolled. But I might be missing something. 

quote:

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Originally posted by TScottHilton

I suggest a Deering Eagle ii. They weigh 10 pounds, but also include a solid brass tone ring. The ring is a non conventional design, and that in conjunction with some other design features save some weight compared to a mastertone style banjo with a heavy ring. I really like the tone of mine, and it's not a back breaker like some other banjos I've had.

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There is a rare bird out there that may meet your specifications. 

A small quantity of recent US made and older Japanese aluminum flat-head style tone rings have been produced.  These are made of good clean machined aluminum and not pot metal, die cast or bottle-cap shaped.  The older MIJ that I have touched had good tone and volume. 

Good luck; these are hen's teeth.

Edited by - pinenut on 12/01/2025 15:09:52

TScottHilton - Posted - 12/01/2025:  15:12:52

quote:

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Originally posted by chucktom

This is all helpful. Yeah, I guess I'm after that cast ring sound but without the weight and perhaps that doesn't exist.  The Deering website doesn't say whether the Eagel II ring is cast or rolled. But I might be missing something. 

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The tone ring is cast, although I don't know exactly what Deering's process looks like. The main difference between it and their standard 06 ring is its shape and weight. The interior of the ring has a funny shape. It also doesn't have holes like the 06 ring. It's solid.

chucktom - Posted - 12/01/2025:  15:13:33

So far, the lightest cast ring I have found so far is the Deering Sierra coming in at close to 11 pounds.

Dean T - Posted - 12/01/2025:  15:21:21

Don’t overlook an openback, with a full blown bluegrass tone ring. I bought an open back Deering Sierra from the classifieds, for $1400. Less than 10 pounds, blasting tone ring tone, and without a resonator, it hangs closer to my body, which makes a huge difference on the force on my back and shoulders. It works great for jams and my band. For reference, Deering also makes a super decked out ornamented version called the Clawgrass, which Steve Martin uses professionally- same 06 20 hole tone ring. Every time I talk about this banjo, I say the same thing: I can't believe they aren't more popular. The sweetest sounding loudest openback banjo I've ever owned or played, without killing my back. It's also my lifer.

Edited by - Dean T on 12/01/2025 15:32:03

pinenut - Posted - 12/02/2025:  13:18:48

quote:

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Originally posted by chucktom

So far, the lightest cast ring I have found so far is the Deering Sierra coming in at close to 11 pounds.

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Hi Chuck,

I believe the lightest, commonly available, cast bronze/brass ring is the pyramid type.  These are very interesting and may be a good tone to weight compromise.

sullivanbanjo.com/products/ton...el-plated

Edited by - pinenut on 12/02/2025 13:21:47

pinenut - Posted - 12/02/2025:  13:28:44

quote:

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Originally posted by Dean T

Don’t overlook an openback, with a full blown bluegrass tone ring. I bought an open back Deering Sierra from the classifieds, for $1400. Less than 10 pounds, blasting tone ring tone, and without a resonator, it hangs closer to my body, which makes a huge difference on the force on my back and shoulders. It works great for jams and my band. For reference, Deering also makes a super decked out ornamented version called the Clawgrass, which Steve Martin uses professionally- same 06 20 hole tone ring. Every time I talk about this banjo, I say the same thing: I can't believe they aren't more popular. The sweetest sounding loudest openback banjo I've ever owned or played, without killing my back. It's also my lifer.

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Dean is right.  Open-back bronze/brass flat-heads are banjo magic.  Shoes or tube style; both are great.

Edited by - pinenut on 12/02/2025 13:30:17

mrbook - Posted - 12/04/2025:  17:46:13

When making my search for a lighter tone hoop banjo I settled on the Bishline Patriot several years ago. It is a very nice quality banjo. Before that I played the Recording King RK 25R with a beveled top edge that I think is almost as good, and most people are surprised it doesn't have a tone ring. There are others out there, too.

chucktom - Posted - 12/10/2025:  06:41:22

Update. I found a Deering Sierra locally. It weighs just under 12. Almost 2 pounds less than the RK. Lovely sound. I think this will work for me. I think the two pounds lighter makes all the difference.

chucktom - Posted - 12/10/2025:  09:04:39

Mine (a 2001 model) is actually closer to 11 pounds. The specs for a new Sierra say over it's over 12 pounds. Mine is almost 3 pounds lighter which makes a big difference.

TScottHilton - Posted - 12/10/2025:  09:22:53

quote:

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Originally posted by chucktom

Mine (a 2001 model) is actually closer to 11 pounds. The specs for a new Sierra say over it's over 12 pounds. Mine is almost 3 pounds lighter which makes a big difference.

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Congrats on the new banjo!

Dean T - Posted - 12/10/2025:  11:34:47

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are going to love that banjo, and it will do whatever you want it to, for the rest of your life. I LOVE mine. In the past I’ve owned a Calico, and a ESS Mastertone, and much prefer the tone possibilities, ruggedness, simplicity, and matte finish of the Sierra.