Ramsey Fairbanks Electric, moon and stars motif

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

Photo Details

laertes22

You must sign into your myHangout account in order to contact laertes22.

< Previous Photo Next Photo >

Posted 5/28/2013 5:16:36 AM

This is Mike Ramsey's take on a Fairbanks Electric tone ring. It has a 12 inch pot. I'm not normally one for a lot of fancy decorations and inlays, but this one has a really cool Moon and Stars motif.

View All Photos In This Album

3 comments on “Ramsey Fairbanks Electric, moon and stars motif”

ceemonster Says:
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 @8:08:28 PM

Hi, how do you find your 12" electric compares/contrasts with the 11"? If you find you like one better, which and why? I have an 11" maple Ramsey Electric and would like one in mahogany or walnut, but trying to decide whether to get 11" or 12." I lhave and love my Ramsey 12" brass-hoop banjos, wondering whether WL would be to blurry or bright in 12?

Thanks, and both of your Ramseys are incredible looking.

laertes22 Says:
Thursday, July 17, 2014 @5:28:00 AM

Thanks! I actually used to have a Ramsey 11" electric as well, but got rid of it, as I had way too many musical instruments taking up space.
I personally prefer the 12" for a woody, because I love wood tone rings. The 12" really does bring out those deep, rich, plunky bass notes. However, with a metal (electric, brass, dobson,whatever) tone ring, the high notes are not as bright. I think I understand what you mean by "blurry" (i.e. lots of overtones?). The 12" definitely is more "blurry" on strums or playing multiple notes at ones than the 11". I personally like the sound, but when I first started playing I did not. You can remedy this to a large degree by using OME strings, which have the little dampeners on the end, or by doing the old "stuff a dish towel or rag inside the pot" trick. Like I said, I love my 12" banjos, especially the woodies. I love it on my electric as well, but then again I am not going after the bright, crisp sound.
However, if you are going for a metal tone ring and you want bright, crisp high notes, the 11" pot might be more to your liking (downside is that you lose that warm, plunky bass on the lower notes).
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

-Genford

ceemonster Says:
Thursday, July 24, 2014 @4:33:00 PM

Hi, just caught up with your reply, and thank you for all the detail. I'd been thinking I'd like a Ramsey Electric in walnut or mahogany, and Elderly had an 11" in walnut the last few weeks. Then I hesitated because I got to wondering if perhaps it would be cool order a 12" in walnut or mahogany from Mike. Yes, by "blurry" I was wondering if full-metal tone rings lose individual note definition in 12." I do love my 12" brass hoop and wood-rim banjos. The walnut 11" at Elderly quickly sold, and no problem. More time to dither over it....Like you, I have too many instruments....:)

You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.

View All Photos In This Album

Copyright Notice:
The Banjo Hangout myHangout photo albums were created to allow members to post photos which 1) they own the copyrights to, or 2) which are non-copyrighted. Please respect others by not posting their copyrighted images. Photos posted in violation of this notice may be removed by the webmaster without prior notice, and may result in a locking of your myHangout account. Read complete copyright policy.