I just purchased an aluminum pot banjo, has a separate flange and a built in tone ring, somewhat of a master tone style ring. The banjo sound pretty good as is, but after working on another banjo or two I am wondering - would it open up the sound even more if I were to cut the tone ring section of the rim off the rim at an angle, and then simply sit the tone ring back down in the cut rim, as a wedge fit tone ring? Hope this makes sense. I am thinking that may allow for better vibrations than it just being a part of the banjo rim, just as a tone ring that fits too tight on a wooden banjo rim kills the sound.
Edited by - Jacob Ralph on 05/26/2022 09:01:20
Here is an example …
Tone chamber is scalloped and set onto a brass hoop.
The result was a sort of “whyte-lady-arch-top”.
quote:
Originally posted by mrphysics55Here is an example …
Tone chamber is scalloped and set onto a brass hoop.
The result was a sort of “whyte-lady-arch-top”.
That's very clever! I have a pot like that, which is an old Stewart MacDonald one, and I never though of doing that
quote:
Originally posted by Ken LeVanquote:
Originally posted by mrphysics55Here is an example …
Tone chamber is scalloped and set onto a brass hoop.
The result was a sort of “whyte-lady-arch-top”.That's very clever! I have a pot like that, which is an old Stewart MacDonald one, and I never though of doing that
This is a StewMac Eagle
Unfortunately, it's no longer in my possession. 
... 
I donated it to a program that puts instruments in the hands of financially deprived children.
That pot looks strangley like a 70's Stewmac eagle kit one.
quote:
Originally posted by mrphysics55Unfortunately, it's no longer in my possession.
I donated it to a program that puts instruments in the hands of financially deprived children.
That's a wonderful thing to do. I have a banjo friend in Brevard NC, who does that by collecting beat-up instruments and repairing them to playing condition, giving them in a program, as donations to people who want to learn and can't afford an instrument —same thing as you are doing. Before moving to Brevard, he did the same thing in Jamestown NY.
Did you scallop that tone ring and put the hoop on it, or is that the way it came from Stewmac? Mine is not like that, but I think that's very cool—I might do it if I get the time haha.
Edited by - Ken LeVan on 05/26/2022 13:52:11
quote:
Originally posted by banjonzThat pot looks strangley like a 70's Stewmac eagle kit one.
That's exactly what it is.
quote:
Originally posted by Ken LeVanquote:
Originally posted by mrphysics55Unfortunately, it's no longer in my possession.
I donated it to a program that puts instruments in the hands of financially deprived children.
That's a wonderful thing to do. I have a banjo friend in Brevard NC, who does that by collecting beat-up instruments and repairing them to playing condition, giving them in a program, as donations to people who want to learn and can't afford an instrument —same thing as you are doing. Before moving to Brevard, he did the same thing in Jamestown NY.
Did you scallop that tone ring and put the hoop on it, or is that the way it came from Stewmac? Mine is not like that, but I think that's very cool—I might do it if I get the time haha.
No sir. The rim modification's were not from StewMac. They were previously performed by someone unknown to me.
The result was a very bright and LOUD banjo!
I WAS involved in the shameless scoop ... all the way to the 12th fret!
I don't assign names to banjos but this was the exception.
We called it "Super Scoop".
I attached the "Bill Board" and carried it at festivals, expecting the Old-Time crowd to take notice ... "crickets". 
To my surprise the Blue-Grassers were very interested and seem to delight in playing it.
Edited by - mrphysics55 on 05/26/2022 14:12:45
My apologies to the OP for high jacking your post.
No prob, it actually gave me an idea to modify my original idea.
quote:
Originally posted by Jacob RalphNo prob, it actually gave me an idea to modify my original idea.
Excellent! Enjoy.
Let us know what you do.
Edited by - mrphysics55 on 05/26/2022 15:47:07
Newest Posts
' Too old to go shopping' 26 min
'Kay K52 banjo' 2 hrs
'Pre-War Wall Hanger' 2 hrs
'Sammy Shelor Picks' 4 hrs
'Wire Arm Rests' 6 hrs
