26 vs 25 tone rings

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Gibson Ballbearing Owners Group

Join This Group

All those who own or would like to own one of these wonderful instruments are invited to join.

119 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

Administrators: Couchie (owner)

< Back to Home

From gdoc on 7/19/2011 8:07:00 AM

This question is multiple Tone-rings.

Other than the scalloping on the 25 and the non scalloped on the 26, (plus holes in the hoop on the 25), what is the difference between the two years.

As with the posting by Wes Lassiter of the 26 yesterday, I've seen it stated a few times before that the 26 will accept a drop in tone ring without modification.

What else is different between the 2 years? What is different that the 25 won't accept the same tone ring?

Why would anyone want to change such a beautiful sounding banjo anyway? (I know, personal taste). It's just to me, the BB banjos sound so perfect as they are.

8 Comments
	gailg64 says: 7/19/2011 12:54:20 PM They're great for old-time music but I'm told they lack volume and low end compared with flatheads.
	gdoc says: 7/19/2011 3:09:21 PM I've played one for 15 years, then switched to a Stelling, then to a Deering Deluxe, and now I'm back to the 26 Ball Bearing. Granted it's not as loud as some like the Stelling, but then again why does it have to ? If I'm in a band, and on stage, there is the mic to boast the volumn. In a group situation, I'm louder than the mandolin and fiddle, and can come close in volumn to the guitar. I think too many people get caught up in "you always have to scream to be heard". Dynamics! One of the last things a musican learns.
	jimh269b says: 7/19/2011 3:48:05 PM well my 25 granada head is all orginal,those little holes lets a lot of sound out,mine is as sweet as you ever heard i think,and just great to play,i will never change it,so may it be
	Wes Lassiter says: 7/19/2011 3:49:42 PM I have never experinced a banjo that sounds as good as my 26. Hands down it is amazing. A conversion ring would ruin the sweet tone this banjo has. I would put it up with any flat head including my 1933 style 2. Crazy good banjo
	gdoc says: 7/19/2011 7:16:31 PM Well the other part of the question remains, (thanks for the support guys, I was beginning to think only I thought the BB was loud enough). Scalloped ring / non scallooped ring, obivous differrence, no big deal. Probably, in my mind, cut labor cost by not cutting the scallops. Holes in the hoop, same thing, no biggie, again probably cut labor costs. But what is different that they say a 26 would take a drop in ring where a 25 won't? I have both, and can't see a difference.
	Fathand says: 9/7/2011 3:17:56 PM Yes my 1925 is not quite as loud as a flathead ( my wife says it is too loud anyway) and has a little less bass response but I think it has more bass response than an archtop. If you play in C Tuning I think the Bass comes alive. At one time I flipped the tone ring upside down for a larger area, I think I got a little more bass response that way. Anyone else try it?
	gdoc says: 9/9/2011 4:44:46 PM I flipped mine over a few times, but my ear wasn't good enough to really hear a big difference, and my mind not good enough to remember the little differences. To me, it basiclly sounded the same. However, now with a lot more years of listening under my belt, I may try it again. Back then I really didn't know what I was listening for.
	Kurt Kemp says: 9/17/2011 4:03:47 AM "Crazy good banjo" is good description. I have not played my flathead since putting this 26 together. I love it, can't put it down! Once you get past the "gotta have a flathead" stigma you just can't beat these things.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

	Meet Doc, Sleepy, Happy and Grumpy Linked by paxflyer 6 years ago
	1926 Gibson tb3 w/conversion 5 string neck Linked by petevincze 7 years ago
	(untitled) Linked by bbult 7 years ago: Gibson Script Logo Block on my 1925 Tb3.....very few were made...Oct 1925...
	PRICE REDUCED! Original 5 String 1926 Gibson Mastertone RB-3, Ball-bearing, FON 8447-7 Linked by revellfa 8 years ago: Wow. Only one I've ever seen for sale
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 8 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 8 years ago: I'd like to trade my 1954 Gibson Southern Jumbo for your Ball Bearing Banjo
	Raised head Banjo for sale - REDUCED REDUCED REDUCED - ON EBAY. ** SOLD SOLD SOLD ** Linked by Ralph Stanley legend 8 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by Ralph Stanley legend 8 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 9 years ago: 1923 TB-3 conversion. Balls and tone hoop but no springs on this model I'm told.
MP3: Darlin' Cora Linked by revellfa 9 years ago: Played on a 1923 TB-3 Conversion. No springs on this model, just the tube and balls.