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pinenut - Posted - 06/16/2026: 12:11:54
quote:
Originally posted by mwh4456Can anyone explain the difference between these two tone rings? Thanks
This is what is currently referred to as a 'Dobson' tone ring; it is often mounted straight on the wood rim (adding a rolled ring increases volume and changes tone, good). They tend to have a gentle voice and attenuate the higher frequencies.
Edited by - pinenut on 06/16/2026 12:22:26
pinenut - Posted - 06/16/2026: 12:15:59
quote:
Originally posted by mwh4456Can anyone explain the difference between these two tone rings? Thanks
This is what is currently referred to as a 'Silver Bell' tone ring and should be mounted on a rolled rod. They tend to have a good voice and attenuate the lower frequencies.
Edited by - pinenut on 06/16/2026 12:21:37
pinenut - Posted - 06/16/2026: 12:21:02
quote:
Originally posted by mwh4456Can anyone explain the difference between these two tone rings? Thanks
Silver bell and Dobson tone rings are both excellent and have related but distinct tonal properties that are pleasing in the living room. If you are trying to choose one, don't; you need both. 
Edited by - pinenut on 06/16/2026 12:21:21
pinenut - Posted - 06/16/2026: 12:37:50
quote:
Originally posted by mwh4456Thanks. Another question. I have a homemade banjo that has a Dobson style ring which is concave coming off the outer edge. I recently purchased a Dobson style ring from balsam banjo works that was convex.which is truer to the original Henry Dobson silver bell?
This is what is currently referred to as a 'Bacon' tone ring; the other side of the coin is a Dobson.
Edited by - pinenut on 06/16/2026 12:42:38
clarinetagogo - Posted - 06/16/2026: 15:05:00
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
Silver bell and Dobson tone rings are both excellent and have related but distinct tonal properties that are pleasing in the living room. If you are trying to choose one, don't; you need both.
If you've owned/currently own both, would you describe the Silver Bell's weight as roughly the same as the Dobson, or noticeably heavier? My keeper banjo's an 11" Dobson and I've been curious about the occasional banjos with the Rickard version of the Silver Bell which pop up in the classifieds, but unsure if the additional mounting ring or how it's constructed would cause a large weight difference.
pinenut - Posted - 06/17/2026: 12:19:38
quote:
Originally posted by clarinetagogoquote:
Originally posted by pinenutSilver bell and Dobson tone rings are both excellent and have related but distinct tonal properties that are pleasing in the living room. If you are trying to choose one, don't; you need both.If you've owned/currently own both, Yes.
would you describe the Silver Bell's weight as roughly the same as the Dobson, or noticeably heavier? The weight difference between the rings is, effectively, the weight of the rolled rod; so, three quarters of a pound or so, meh, helps with balancing out a neck heavy open-back. Whyte Laydies and Tubbies are more noticeable, still not much; three pound flatheads are noticeable.
My keeper banjo's an 11" Dobson. Yup, the 2-ply Dobson has a rare, easy on the ears sweetness (assuming the drum-shell and spun-overs are similar). The volume is weak with typical string sets (I suspect a double spun rim or a rolled rod fixes this), using a wound third string worked wonders -> Best single thing I've done for this banjo is 11-13-18w-23w-10 (bronze and plain steel).
and I've been curious about the occasional banjos with the Rickard or Ome version of the Silver Bell which pop up in the classifieds, but unsure if the additional mounting ring or how it's constructed would cause a large weight difference. Most of the open-backs in the light tone ring class are within a few pounds of each other; the setup and sizing are more noticeable (for me) than weight.
P.S. I fully understand the 11" preference. Still, that Mulheron you have in the classified is a sweet banjo; the snake head type peg-head is my favorite shape. banjohangout.org/classified/115174
clarinetagogo - Posted - 06/17/2026: 16:22:25
quote:
Originally posted by pinenutquote:
Originally posted by clarinetagogoquote:
Originally posted by pinenutSilver bell and Dobson tone rings are both excellent and have related but distinct tonal properties that are pleasing in the living room. If you are trying to choose one, don't; you need both.If you've owned/currently own both, Yes.
would you describe the Silver Bell's weight as roughly the same as the Dobson, or noticeably heavier? The weight difference between the rings is, effectively, the weight of the rolled rod; so, three quarters of a pound or so, meh, helps with balancing out a neck heavy open-back. Whyte Laydies and Tubbies are more noticeable, still not much; three pound flatheads are noticeable.
My keeper banjo's an 11" Dobson. Yup, the 2-ply Dobson has a rare, easy on the ears sweetness (assuming the drum-shell and spun-overs are similar). The volume is weak with typical string sets (I suspect a double spun rim or a rolled rod fixes this), using a wound third string worked wonders -> Best single thing I've done for this banjo is 11-13-18w-23w-10 (bronze and plain steel).
and I've been curious about the occasional banjos with the Rickard or Ome version of the Silver Bell which pop up in the classifieds, but unsure if the additional mounting ring or how it's constructed would cause a large weight difference. Most of the open-backs in the light tone ring class are within a few pounds of each other; the setup and sizing are more noticeable (for me) than weight.
P.S. I fully understand the 11" preference. Still, that Mulheron you have in the classified is a sweet banjo; the snake head type peg-head is my favorite shape. banjohangout.org/classified/115174
Thanks for the extra info; I actually do find Whyte Laydies a bit heavier than what I prefer (even more so for a banjo with the bracket band and not just the tone ring), so it's nice to hear the Silver Bells do clock in on the lighter side in your experience. They sound fantastically clear and "sparkly" when I've listened to clips. Perhaps one day my wallet will get tempted into getting the Dobson a louder and brighter friend...
As for the Mulheron -- yes, it's a wonderful instrument + work of art, clearly built by a thoughtful and experienced player. I'd be keeping it if I hadn't finally accepted my preference for banjos where the pot isn't almost the size of my entire torso when I sit!
gratefulbiker - Posted - 06/21/2026: 19:58:28
quote:
Originally posted by clarinetagogoquote:
Originally posted by pinenutSilver bell and Dobson tone rings are both excellent and have related but distinct tonal properties that are pleasing in the living room. If you are trying to choose one, don't; you need both.If you've owned/currently own both, would you describe the Silver Bell's weight as roughly the same as the Dobson, or noticeably heavier? My keeper banjo's an 11" Dobson and I've been curious about the occasional banjos with the Rickard version of the Silver Bell which pop up in the classifieds, but unsure if the additional mounting ring or how it's constructed would cause a large weight difference.
I have some experience with the Rickard versions. The SB is noticeably heavier than the Dobson when comparing them side by side but not enough make a difference once you're sat down playing. The Rickard SB ring is pretty much identical to the pics posted above including the bevel at the top edge of the rim. Fairly sure the SB ring is a thicker gauge brass compared to the Dobson as well. That and the brass rod give the SB more volume and a bit more edge/ punch to the tone.
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