Fultoncreek - Posted - 12/10/2025:  21:22:47

Friends, I'm hoping for some input.



It's getting to the point where the weight of my bluegrass banjo is taking away the pleasure of playing it, even sitting down. I usually end up just picking on my frailer, but it's not the sound I'm looking for.



I'm thinking of buying a resonator banjo without a tone ring to see if shedding that 3.5 pounds might make a positive difference. Lots of makers seem to be introducing these.

Here's the ask: three questions for anybody who's switched from a regular tone ring resonator banjo to a woody:



1. What did you buy?

2. Did it make the difference you were hoping for physically?

3. Were you satisfied, more or less, with the sound?



I know that in an ideal world I would just go play a few, but that isn't in the cards.



Many thanks to anybody who's willing to share. I really appreciate it.

Edited by - Fultoncreek on 12/10/2025 21:27:02

Bill Rogers - Posted - 12/10/2025:  21:48:21

I have not so much as played one, and they are pricey, but you might see what you can find out about Kunkel banjos.

kunkelguitars.com/banjos/

SamCy - Posted - 12/10/2025:  22:17:42

Here is a comparison of Gibson banjos with a machined rim but no metal tone ring, a rolled rod tone ring in two styles, and standard cast tone ring.

You might find a rolled rod tone ring banjo that suits your ear, but is a lot lighter than the cast version.

youtu.be/u7AVrUuu3Xw?si=U1bnokr9jiHwnFN9

lazlototh - Posted - 12/11/2025:  02:47:54

FWIW, I have converted several banjos, changing out a 3 pound + ring with a Corian ring. They sit on top of the rim. There is no skirt as with a metal ring. You can judge the sound yourself, if anyone is interested. I will provide them for $25 plus shipping. The actual ring is 1/4" wide and 1/2" tall 11" OD. It weighs about 6 ounces.

For those of you who are not familiar with Corian, my read on it is that it is very dense and rigid which allows less dampening of the sound. It does not resonate like metal and is certainly brighter with more sustain than wood.

FYI, I am moving (in winter in Maine--what is wrong with me??) and my delivery time might be impacted a bit over the next month. Usually I can turn this around in a week. I do not need your rim but can fit it if you send it.
Message me offline if you are interested.

Tom in Maine.

PS. Oh, that's right, it is not winter yet. Just frigid and snowing. That's all.

Foote - Posted - 12/11/2025:  05:16:35

I have a 30's Kel Kroyden 11 that has not been cut and has original hardware. I also have a John Hartford model Deering with the wood ring. Both are noticeably lighter which helps my 78 years old shoulders and back. I much prefer the KK for tone, but at jams the Deering is louder. The biggest help for me is this "crutch" I bought from Companion Banjos. The banjo rests on this while I'm seated, so no weight issues for my heavier banjos. Unfortunately, they never seem to stock these. My standing and playing days are over, but at least my playing days aren't. Enjoy every tune.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 12/11/2025:  05:26:12

Try a Nechville with a wooden tone ring, much lighter. Full disclosure I have one for sale in the Marketplace.

miiloo - Posted - 12/11/2025:  06:38:47

RB100 is what I use for longer jams.

LouieChee - Posted - 12/11/2025:  07:14:39

I've been playng an old Paramound plectrum converted to 5 string "folk style" with a 5th tuner drilled into the neck. It's really lightweight (like 8-9lbs) and has good volume. Not 12lb mastertone volume, but good. It doesn't sound like a Gibson but it has a beautiful sound

Fultoncreek - Posted - 12/11/2025:  07:51:25

I really appreciate these responses--lots of interesting possibilities already. Thanks much.

martyjoe - Posted - 12/11/2025:  08:54:20

Another vote for Corian here!!! It is a pretty amazing product. I use the exact same material made by a different company (Hyundai) called Hannex. The only thing is that I’m in the Republic of Ireland so go to lazlototh

aaronoble - Posted - 12/11/2025:  10:06:33

I have a Deering Hartford (woodie), a Nechville w/ wooden ring, and a Gibson prewar rb-00 (woodie). They all are lighter and more pleasant for me to play, and they all have good, unique tones that I love. I often think about reducing my collection, but I wouldn't want to lose any of these.

The lightest is the Gibson, the best intonation is the Nechville, but my favorite is the Hartford.*

*I use Julia Belle strings on the Hartford and tune to E

Edited by - aaronoble on 12/11/2025 10:22:31

tmelvin - Posted - 12/11/2025:  10:16:18

I recently purchase a used Turtle Hill Woody on Ebay. Built by Clancy Mullins. Much lighter than my Stelling. It doesn't have the punch of the Stelling, but I've been happy with the tone and playability. Also easier on the back.

pasdimo - Posted - 12/11/2025:  10:22:00

I am a tenor player and I recently bought a Weymann 135, no tone ring, just a machined rim. I am very surprised how good and loud it sounds, and of course it’s very light, very confortable. I couldn’t imagine a real banjo without tone ring, now I realize it’s not so crucial.

pinenut - Posted - 12/11/2025:  11:27:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fultoncreek

Friends, I'm hoping for some input.



It's getting to the point where the weight of my bluegrass banjo is taking away the pleasure of playing it, even sitting down. I usually end up just picking on my frailer, but it's not the sound I'm looking for.

---

This is going to be a common theme for any banjo that doesn't have a 3# bronze flat-head. 

The two best tone-cousins are: Tubaphone style or rolled rod tone rings with resonators. 

The dense very-hardwood or Corian tone-ring-emulators may also meet your needs.

KCJones - Posted - 12/11/2025:  12:46:11

I've got a Recording King RK-R25 that holds it's own against tone ring banjos. It's got no tone ring, the rim is machined to the profile of a flathead. 2 piece flange. It's a real nice one and light.



There's also the Yates LM-1. They've got a tone hoop, not a flathead ring. They sound amazing but that might just be Donny Little. Yates LM-1 to Yates Lyle Creek Comparison - YouTube

Edited by - KCJones on 12/11/2025 12:48:23

Culloden - Posted - 12/11/2025:  12:55:20

Check out Hunter Lemon. He's a member here and makes some of his banjos without tone rings.
You might also be on the lookout for a Vega Ranger which has no ring, or a Vega Wonder which has a simple hoop with a spun sleeve over it. I own both and they are very light and easy on the back.

Dean T - Posted - 12/11/2025:  16:34:03

1. What did you buy?
Deering Goodtime Special (surprisingly good), Deering Bluegrass Wonder (awful), and had a Tony Pass block rim made for a Deering Calico (big disappointment)

2. Did it make the difference you were hoping for physically? Yes, weight wise

3. Were you satisfied, more or less, with the sound? Nope, Nadda, Not even close. They had promise at home, but got their asses kicked at band practice and jams. I gave up and let them go.

Fast foreword a bunch of years, and I was adjusting head tension on my Deering Sierra, and was playing it without the resonator, VERY surprised at how it sounded. Even more surprised when I discovered that Deering offers an open back Sierra. I found one on the classifieds here and bought it. Without the flange and resonator it’s 3 pounds lighter, but still has a full blown bell bronze bluegrass tone ring. Also without a resonator, it sits closer to my body, and that takes a lot of pressure off my back. This works for me, and unlike the banjos I mentioned above, the open back Sierra is loud, has the tone I want, and works in the band and jams. I’ve replied to several threads like this about it, and once again, I’ll say that I CANT BELIEVE a full blown bluegrass tone ring in an open back banjo, isn’t way more popular. I wish I would have realized this 20 years ago. An option I would definitely encourage you to explore.

RB3 - Posted - 12/12/2025:  07:39:54

Randy Wood sells a "Featherlite" banjo. Below is a link to his website

Randy Wood Music

rvrose - Posted - 12/12/2025:  23:17:33

I needed something lighter when my back was bothering me.
I bought a John Hartford which has a hard wood ring made of grenadilla. It is plenty bright and loud for bluegrass and I like the sound.

Rick

Fultoncreek - Posted - 12/13/2025:  06:28:30

Thanks to everyone responded. Lots of possibilities here.

mikehalloran - Posted - 12/15/2025:  18:35:25

quote:

---

---

You might also be on the lookout for a Vega Ranger which has no ring, or a Vega Wonder which has a simple hoop with a spun sleeve over it. I own both and they are very light and easy on the back.

I have a Vega Folk Ranger that I could easily convert to a resonator banjo. Very lightweight.

Fultoncreek - Posted - 12/16/2025:  15:18:52

Thanks much to everybody who offered their ideas on what they’ve done for lighter banjos. You really got me thinking. So I thought I should follow up with what I’ve done, at least for now.

I put together some parts and pieces that I’ve had around the garage. I used a walnut neck that I bought as a “Stage 4” back when Sullivan was still in Kentucky, and that I fretted with big wide Les Paul frets. For a pot I used a thin rim (half inch) that I purchased in the white (and painted) from the late Bob Flesher, maybe thirty years ago (not one of his special ebony topped rims, which he wasn’t selling). I believe Bob said he’d topped it with spruce. I put it on the neck using just one coordinator rod, simply putting a nut on the upper lag bolt. I had some of those little cheap mult-piece flanges that I bought from someone here on the list a while back, so I put those on it. That took a little filing, because the shoe bolts weren’t quite regular in their spacing. And for a resonator, I had a Gill walnut resonator that I bought years ago for a banjo that has since that time become parts. I used an .656 Sullivan bridge and a Kerschner style tailpiece. The used Renascence head is at 90 on the drum dial.

It weighs 8.4 pounds by the bathroom scale and sounds–at least to my ear–pretty good. It has excellent volume, though it lacks a little of what I would call a certain kind of richness; I just now improved that a bit by increasing the tailpiece angle. I’m fairly pleased, and it will work until something better stumbles down the pike. Thanks again, everyone, for your help. Lots of things were mentioned that I’ll hope to try someday.

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 12/21/2025:  05:25:03

I once gathered parts for a banjo and had it set up by Leo Posch in McClouth Kansas. The heart was a birch block Tony Pass run with woody tone ring. It was every bit as loud as a brass ring banjo and weighed under 10 lbs.
I once hand it to Sammy Shelor in double C tuning,I knew he like that tuning. He played a couple tunes,handed it back and said “that’s a good banjer”.

cottontop - Posted - 12/21/2025:  06:22:27

I have a Gibson RB-100 with the original tone hoop. I have a custom made banjo made by Chris Sorenson with a maple wood tone ring. I also had Chris make a wood tone ring for one of my Fender banjos. All are light weight, cause no strain on my back or shoulders, and sound plenty bluegrassy for me. They all hold up well in jams.
Joe

Fultoncreek - Posted - 12/22/2025:  16:31:48

Joe, I'd be interested in whether your tone hoop 100 gives you something the wooden rings don't.
?

mrbook - Posted - 12/24/2025:  14:41:07

I wanted a lighter banjo after my 4X bypass eight years ago. I had just purchased a Recording King RK-R25 when a couple dealers (Musicians Friend in my case) put them on sale, and the beveled top edge gave a lighter banjo with really great sound. I seemed to get it right when setting the banjo up, and other players not only like the sound but are surprised there is no tone ring. At one festival another player suggested an even trade for their Stelling - I wouldn't have taken advantage of the person, but I also wanted to keep the RK.

My search for others led me to purchase a Flatiron Montana Rose, which has a tone hoop and sounds just a little too bright for my taste, but I will continue to work with the setup. I also purchased a Bishline Patriot, and this tone hoop banjo has become my main player for the last four years (with the RK as a backup). It sounds just right to my ears. I would like to acquire and try some others, but I am not expecting to find anything substantially better than what I currently play.

desert rose - Posted - 12/26/2025:  22:10:52

The gold standard of no ring bluegrass instruments was the Tony Pass woody, it gives you vintage bluegrass tone, unfortunately Tony passed away but if you find a used on buy it its a life time keeper

1935tb-11 - Posted - 12/27/2025:  03:34:20

for me the hoop tone ring is the best of both worlds. light weight and still get that kick similar to a cast ring. i have played some 11s with a hoop that were great,,, sammy shelors is a good example.

mikehalloran - Posted - 12/29/2025:  10:26:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by cottontop

I have a Gibson RB-100 with the original tone hoop. I have a custom made banjo made by Chris Sorenson with a maple wood tone ring. I also had Chris make a wood tone ring for one of my Fender banjos. All are light weight, cause no strain on my back or shoulders, and sound plenty bluegrassy for me. They all hold up well in jams.

Joe

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The smaller hoop that makes it an archtop or the larger, flattop version?

cottontop - Posted - 12/29/2025:  11:01:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fultoncreek

Joe, I'd be interested in whether your tone hoop 100 gives you something the wooden rings don't.

?

---

I don't think so. They both have a bluegrassy sound. Each one seems to have a sound of its' own though both sound great.

Joe

cottontop - Posted - 12/29/2025:  11:02:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by mikehalloran

quote:

---

Originally posted by cottontop

I have a Gibson RB-100 with the original tone hoop. I have a custom made banjo made by Chris Sorenson with a maple wood tone ring. I also had Chris make a wood tone ring for one of my Fender banjos. All are light weight, cause no strain on my back or shoulders, and sound plenty bluegrassy for me. They all hold up well in jams.

Joe

---

The smaller hoop that makes it an archtop or the larger, flattop version?

---

Flattop.

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/29/2025:  11:57:51

My first banjo was a Gibson RB 100 in the early 60s. I thought it was just GRAND! Then I encountered a Mastertone. Which I traded the RB 100 for. Mastertone is MUCH louder and much more bell-like. By comparison the RB 100 now sounded/felt "thuddy" to me.  I believe the 9/16" typical Gibson rim is too much wood to get a clean tone from the tone hoop.  Maybe one of the later 1960s "thin rim" (7/16" ) might sound better?



The next one was when I was in my 60s. I picked up a very clean -by-Martin resonator Wonder model. It has a tone hoop (full diameter) with a thin brass skirt that I believe is "spun over" to hang over the tone hoop and fit somewhat tight to the outside of the rim. It was not as loud as my Mastertones, or Vega Scruggs and Osborne models. However it was not "thuddy" -- to me it sounded better than an RB 100. Nice and light. I took it to Banjo Camp North one year to use in my classes as and instructor. Mostly it was lighter to carry from class to class. I got a couple of smiles from other bluegrass instructors passing by toting their heavier Mastertones and Stellings.



My final experiment was a Recording King Model 50, an early RK model that was replaced by models with less expensive construction in the neck. Thin rim with a beveled wood bead for the head to bear on. I found it a bit "thuddy" so I bought an old Gibson 11" tone hoop and had a friend with a lathe remove just enough of the top of the beveled wood rim for the Gibson tone hoop to fit exactly on there. Man! That made a great sounding lightweight banjo! I eventually traded or sold it off to further my portfolio of Gibsons.



If I had to get another lightweight resonator banjo, I'd get another Vega Wonder I think.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 12/29/2025 11:59:31

BlueMountain - Posted - 12/31/2025:  06:53:32

My favorite 5-string was made by Chuck Waldman in Sonora, California. It is open back. It has a tone ring made of Douglas Fir. It has a two ply cherry rim. It has 12 shoes. And, it weighs only FOUR POUNDS! It may not be the great tone you are used to, but it does have a great tone. There are a lot of great banjo tones. The light weight is a real delight, and I love shifting the tone and volume by simply slanting the neck away from my body.

calicoplayer - Posted - 12/31/2025:  07:00:56

Consider one of Deering's upper line banjos with a Hartford grenadillo tone ring. And don't be afraid to lose the flange and resonator. An openback with a wooden tone ring is much lighter and more agile than anything with a flange and tone ring. I've sometimes gotten funny looks when I show up at a bluegrass jam with my wooden rim openback Calico, but in fact it's capable of huge volume. Once I astonished a veteran picker playing a massive Stelling, when he called my banjo a "full blast firecracker". Skip the metal tone ring and the flange and the resonator, and I'm sure you and your back and shoulder will be much happier pickers.

Another advantage of wooden tone rings is that they play in over the years. They get louder and have a "fatter" tone. Over the 35 years I've been playing my Calico I've seen the tone and volume get better and better. (And a personal opinion: wooden tone rings seem to pair particularly well with Renaissance heads.)

Johnny TooManyBanjos - Posted - 12/31/2025:  07:00:59

Has anyone tried the White Lotus line from Deering- made from oak w no tone ring? The oak would make it very bright I would think, but I've never played one. I have a Hartford and love it. In reference to a statement above, I also have a Deering Eagle 2 that I converted to an open back. I like that as well.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/31/2025:  07:58:21

Dale Parry, a top level pro who plays with David Parmley and had played a long time with Doyle Lawson played a Hatfield banjo with not metal tone ring or wire ring and it sounded great and weighed less. Sadly Arthur Hatfield is no longer with us, but trying to find his plan might be of help to you.
Ken

Garry Greenland - Posted - 12/31/2025:  11:00:08

I just acquired an early post war Gibson rb100 with the flathead configuration tone tube and the lightweight tuners. It took me a while to learn the set up as I had always played a regular flathead Gibson full weight tone ring. I was hwasntly surprised by the clean sound and volume. I've also tried a few wooden tone rings to replace a regular tone ring but the clean sound was missing in comparison. I'm gonna try a block shell with a tube tone ring like my rb100

paadams - Posted - 12/31/2025:  12:24:19

I played a Paramount style C original 5 str. for years. The tone was not as rich or sustaining as a flat head tone ring but it could cut through any jam. It really cracked. Much lighter than my Baldwin Ode.

A word of caution. I did have a Paramount A for a while and played a Paramount B for a day. Neither of
those two had the volume of my style C. Go figure? They had the same arch top original tone chamber.
A tubaphone with a resonator isn't too bad either.

Redbone - Posted - 12/31/2025:  12:47:47

I only read parts of the thread but Chuck Ogsbury of Ome, Ode, etc has his new line out under thr STARR name. Surely they will be great banjos and I believe all of his are woodys. Priced a good bit under the Omes as well.
Call him. Nice guy!

copterdude - Posted - 12/31/2025:  18:07:27

Jim Mills referred to the early era (20's) Gibson TB's converted as his old man Banjo. All the sound and very light. youtube.com/watch?v=0SdffY_Ogp4
I had him do 3 for me.
youtube.com/watch?v=3p96xyQRz-o&t=256s

Sopris - Posted - 12/31/2025:  18:39:09

I have a Nechville Moonshine and it is right around 9 pounds with a resonator and a wooden tone ring.

If you get one of the models that has a pop off resonator, the weight comes down to 6 pounds and change. It’s a super lightweight option for practice or if you’re jamming in small groups.

Fultoncreek - Posted - 01/01/2026:  08:40:14

This thread has been really helpful. I've learned of some things I didn't know existed.

I'm curious as to whether anyone has played the new Joe Mullins Gold Tone banjo with the rolled brass ring, and if so, what your impressions were regarding the sound and the build quality. Thank you.

Edited by - Fultoncreek on 01/01/2026 08:47:47

tstew - Posted - 01/01/2026:  10:07:00

Rob Bishline just finished a Midnight Moon woody for me. It weighs about 6-7 pounds. My Bishline Rosemary weighs about 12 pounds. As with all of Rob’s banjos, the fit, finish, and playability is impeccable. Its sound is a little brighter than the Rosemary but I’m sure it will mellow out with a little time. I couldn’t be happier with it. If there is any way you can get your hands on a Bishline, I highly suggest you give one a try.

Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 01/02/2026:  05:39:32

The Hybrid tone ring from Nechville is about as close to a real deal full weight tone ring as I have heard, especially when playing up the neck. I have two Nechville banjos, one has the Hybrid ring and is considerably lighter than the other full weight tone ring banjo. Play one and feel and hear the difference.
I also have a Turtle Hill Woody with a PASS maple ring. This is also a great sounding banjo. It has a great low end, especially when played down the neck. It is not as strong up the neck as my Nechville Hybrid but it still sounds very balanced all through the length of the neck. It is a bit quieter than the Nechville Hybrid depending on plying style.
I have found medium-light string sets with Drum Dial head settings of about 91 bring out the best in each of the banjos I described above.

nechville.com/products/nechvil...tone-ring