capping original BB rim

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Gibson Ballbearing Owners Group

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119 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

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From picknman on 11/3/2013 6:27:02 AM

I recently played an original BB banjo with ball bearings removed and rim capped. To my ear this was an excellent sounding banjo. I don't believe the holes in the rim had been plugged.Original ring was still in place. Was wondering if anyone else has done or seen this type configuration so to speak.

Doug J.

6 Comments
	Fathand says: 11/3/2013 6:38:36 AM BB Rims are not usually capped, at least not by factory, I am not sure what you are meaning by capped. 1926 style 2 block rims are veneered but these are just a tube not the ball bearing style ring. These might sound similar to a BB Ring without balls or springs. There are pictures of BB ring in this group or there is a pic on mu profile of my 1925. I would not suggest plugging holes in the rim in case someone wants to put the balls and springs back in. If someone was inclined to plug them, I would not glue the plugs in so they could be removed.
picknman says: 11/3/2013 6:45:29 AM Fathand, the owner said it had been capped with a wood ply. If I see him again I will try to get a better explanation. He basicly said the balls had been removed and a thin strip of wood had been added. Doug J.
	Fathand says: 11/3/2013 6:49:17 AM It was probably capped to bring the tone ring back up to it's original height after the balls were removed. Hopefully it was not glued on too vigourously.
picknman says: 11/3/2013 9:03:17 AM Fathand, I believe you are right. I know it was done by a very good NC luthier who is no longer with us and the banjo has a very rich history. Thanks for your reply.
	gdoc says: 11/3/2013 10:42:05 AM I just posted another thread, but to make sure you catch it, here it is. Go to the search in the upper right corner of your page and type in "Butcher a banjo". It will take you to a link kind of dealing with this question.
picknman says: 11/3/2013 4:22:00 PM gdock, thanks very much for the thread. Quite interesting. Fathand I checked the pictures of the 1925 pot on your home page and it appears to be identical to my 1925. I do not plan to alter the pot in any way that would be be irreversable. I wll most likely just go with a 5 string neck and hang on to the 4 string neck. I was also able to obtain a good condition hard shell case, not original to this banjo but definitely from the same time period. I am really enjoying the BB owners group.
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