Hi all, I've been considering the possibility of getting an 11" Five Star rolled brass ring from StewMac and then having a rim over 11", but not quite 12" and lathing for the ring to sit on the inner wall of the pot, as opposed to the outside. My thinking was that this would be akin to some other archtop style rings that are out there.
I was curious as to if anyone was aware of this being tried and, if so, the general impressions? Outside of that, I'm curious as to your all thoughts on the idea.
It might be hard to find a head to fit.
I did something similar. On my Kalamazoo, which has no tonering, but a thick rim with a wood bed, I put the tonehoop of a mandolin banjo, which has a smaller diameter than 11‘‘. This gives an archtop look and a massive improvement in sound. See photo attached.
My '63 Gibson RB-170 was designed that way--11" rim 10.?" 1/4" brass hoop. If I sold everything else, it's the one I'd keep.
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Originally posted by The Old TimerIt migdht be hard to find a head to fit.
That's certainly something to be considered, but I would just be making a flesh hoop and mounting a skinhead.
Agreed, I put an old Rodgers Three Star calfskin head on my RB-170 a few years ago, sounds great with the psuedo- archtop brass hoop.
banjohangout.org/my/Nic+Pennsylvania
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Originally posted by pfalzgrassI did something similar. On my Kalamazoo, which has no tonering, but a thick rim with a wood bed, I put the tonehoop of a mandolin banjo, which has a smaller diameter than 11‘‘. This gives an archtop look and a massive improvement in sound. See photo attached.
I'd love a sound clip.
The beautiful Lange Challenger from Brooklyn NY has an adjustable aperture resonator and twin flatbar archtop.
I roll my own brass, you don't need to oversize anything. I bought all the "new"scrap flatbar here PHX, very cost effective.
1/8" x 1/2". I've rolled steel and brass using only nails and a sheet of plywood. Go to a scrap yard in Penn.
I once used the term "faux archtop" here on the BHO. I was corrected, it IS an archtop, just another type. I like tone rings that interact with the rim. I've built a few archtop woodies, Cherry.
Ralph Stanley, Doug Dillard and McEuen by default all enjoyed the smaller resonating chamber and tonnage of heavy archtops.
As we advance into this century, I'm sure other innovations will emerge.
Edited by - Helix on 11/27/2020 06:38:04
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Originally posted by revellfaquote:
Originally posted by pfalzgrassI did something similar. On my Kalamazoo, which has no tonering, but a thick rim with a wood bed, I put the tonehoop of a mandolin banjo, which has a smaller diameter than 11‘‘. This gives an archtop look and a massive improvement in sound. See photo attached.
I'd love a sound clip.
I made a quick video, you may notice that meanwhile I changed the head to a frosted remo and added some dots on the fretboard - the photo above is 1 year old.
Sounds great. I love Kalamazoos. Good picking also!
