Megatone 200 vs. 400

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OME Banjo Pickers

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Anyone who plays an OME banjo ( or anyone who knows what an OME is)

210 Members, Created 3/18/2011 -

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From Tom Paglia on 1/13/2013 5:46:16 PM

What is the difference between the Megatone 200 and Megatone 400 tone rings?

Thanks,

Tom

10 Comments
	Ray58 says: 1/13/2013 6:59:15 PM Good question. I have a 200 in my Odyssey. The only difference visible is the holes in the 200 are normal, but the holes in the 400 have egg shaped recesses. This is how you can tell them apart. So far as tone difference, I'd like to know the answer to your question as well.
	bindle stiff jim says: 1/14/2013 1:34:26 PM i believe the 200 is a 20 hole design and the 400 is a 40 hole design.
	Ray58 says: 1/14/2013 1:45:24 PM From the looks of the spacing, you are right about the 400 having 40 holes. I think the person asking the question was more interested in the difference in the tone. I've not heard the 400, but I'm totally happy with my 200.
	Tom Paglia says: 1/14/2013 7:41:04 PM Thanks for the answers....I was interested in the difference in sound. I have a Primrose with a 400 tone ring. Very clean sounding.
	Ray58 says: 1/14/2013 8:27:32 PM Come on over Tom and we can compare them. I have the 200. Long walk I bet. I'm in NY :o)
	Ray58 says: 1/14/2013 8:33:57 PM Tom when I said to drop by, I had no idea you lived just under 2 hours away...LOL. If you get up toward Cobleskill, NY, contact me and let me know you're coming to town.
	Tom Paglia says: 1/15/2013 9:50:29 AM Ray, I'll keep that in-mind. Right now my two boys are playing hockey and I am coaching...perhaps after the season we can do a comparison.
	BrittDLD1 says: 1/17/2013 7:25:17 AM Sorry, I couldn't get this to format correctly -- so it will show as one big paragraph. ____ I sent an email to Chuck Ogsbury, and his daughter, Tanya – asking them to explain the differences in OME's main THREE cast tonerings. Following is my 'compilation' of their replies – seasoned with a few bits of my own opinions. _____ Both The Megatone 200, and The Megatone 400, use exactly the same alloy. The Megatone 200 has 20 straight-bored, small-diameter holes. ____ The Megatone 400 has 40 countersunk (funnel-shaped) holes. The higher number, of the larger countersunk holes, removes more metal from the tonering. So the weight of the Megatone 400 is about 3 ounces less. ____ Chuck feels the tone of the Megatone 400 is a bit more refined, smoother, and mellower – with perhaps a bit less 'punch' and volume. ____ Tanya feels the 400 tends to be preferred by 'Melodic' players. (I feel The 200 is perhaps a better 'all-around' tonering – for musicians who like to play in multiple styles: Scruggs, Melodic, Folk, and other Jazz or Progressive styles.) ____ For 'hard-core' Scruggs-style Bluegrass, they both feel their newer OME HG50 is the best ring. It's a different alloy, and is a few ounces heavier than the Megatone 200. They feel it's their most powerful tonering – with a bigger, fuller tone, overall. ____ Chuck says: "... In my opinion, all three OME tone rings sound excellent and the differences are subtle, all are inter-changeable on OME pots. Differences in tone are probably are more likely due to differences in: 1) Tailpiece, 2) Bridge, 3) Drumhead, 4) Set up, 5) Tone woods, 6) Strings, 7) Rim & Fit, and 8) The Great Mystery of Flathead Banjo Construction. . . . but the bottom line is, the player is still 90%." ____ Hope that helps. Best-- Ed Britt
	BrittDLD1 says: 1/17/2013 7:27:12 AM Hmmm... It DID break into paragraphs...
	Tom Paglia says: 1/17/2013 9:47:20 AM Thanks Ed, Chuck and Tanya for the detailed explanation! Tom
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