I'd like to replace the original raised/arch type tone-ring in my RB-175. Would any of you have any suggestions for a replacement tone-ring that would get close to the classic sound of Gibson mastertones before the 1970's? I mean the deep dark doomsday tone of Earl's in "Reuben's Train" on Foggy Mountain Banjo (1948?).
quote:
Originally posted by Darryl HattenhauerI'd like to replace the original raised/arch type tone-ring in my RB-175. Would any of you have any suggestions for a replacement tone-ring that would get close to the classic sound of Gibson mastertones before the 1970's? I mean the deep dark doomsday tone of Earl's in "Reuben's Train" on Foggy Mountain Banjo (1948?).
Edited by - Darryl Hattenhauer on 08/09/2024 12:03:52
I'm pretty sure your 175 has a brass "tone hoop", and not a full-blown cast tone ring.
if you have the hoop ring, then it's the small diameter 9 1/2" hoop giving your banjo the arch top look.
Easiest, least expensive option for a tone hoop banjo, would be to remove the small hoop and install an 11" brass tone hoop, giving your banjo the flathead look.
Next option would to send the rim to someone who can turn it on a lathe, and install a full-weight, cast flathead tone ring. Sullivan Banjo / Eric Sullivan can do that job.
No matter what you do, the banjo is never going to have that Earl Scruggs, Bluegrass sound without a resonator and some sort of flange on it
In addition to what Scott said, you will wind up with a lot of money invested in a banjo that won't ever sound like what you want. The RB175 is a long neck open back banjo. It was not designed to have a bluegrass sound.
If I were in your shoes I would keep it like it is and save up money for a proper bluegrass banjo.
Not sure where your budget sits right now, but as the guys above said, to get the sound you want, you'd be better to start with the right banjo.
Even though I build my own banjos, I would like to pick up one of these someday.
Richard was a fine gentleman, and he cared quite a bit about the instruments he built.
And as the add says, this IS a great price.
banjohangout.org/classified/105701
Edited by - Bruce Berry Banjos on 08/09/2024 22:40:01
Gibson's RB-180 model banjo is a long neck with an openback rim that has a factory installed flat head Mastertone tonering. They were manufactured in the 1960's. The few I have seen have sounded great.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
You are not going to get to the bluegrass sound you describe with an open back longneck model. They are two different machines for two different purposes. What you have is a very cool banjo. The only variable you mention is tone ring. But the lack of a resonator and the scale length are two other major variables for sound. You can try to swap out the internal hoop for an external one, but I still don't think that is going to get you to where you want to go. Something like the banjo linked below is of the same general price range of what you have. So I would look for a trade, consignment, or sale and buy something along these lines. I would also look at the Recording King line, which new is around and below this price range.
https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/105880
quote:
Originally posted by Bob SmakulaGibson's RB-180 model banjo is a long neck with an openback rim that has a factory installed flat head Mastertone tonering. They were manufactured in the 1960's. The few I have seen have sounded great.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
These and the Epiphone EB-88 aka "Minstrel" had an extra deep pot. Instead of the pot being cut for the cast ring, it was just placed on top.. Only Gibson banjo to have that. Not many RB-180s were made and even fewer EB-88s (possibly only 36). Gryphon Strings had an EB-88 on their site for a long time but it was sold a few months ago.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 08/12/2024 20:35:29
quote:
Originally posted by RioStatI'm pretty sure your 175 has a brass "tone hoop", and not a full-blown cast tone ring.
if you have the hoop ring, then it's the small diameter 9 1/2" hoop giving your banjo the arch top look.
Easiest, least expensive option for a tone hoop banjo, would be to remove the small hoop and install an 11" brass tone hoop, giving your banjo the flathead look.
Next option would to send the rim to someone who can turn it on a lathe, and install a full-weight, cast flathead tone ring. Sullivan Banjo / Eric Sullivan can do that job.
No matter what you do, the banjo is never going to have that Earl Scruggs, Bluegrass sound without a resonator and some sort of flange on it
The RB-175, like the 100 and 170 came with either the 9.5" or 11" round rod.
I play oldtime and have an RB175. I wanted to get a Sullivan master tone style ring for it. It has the 11 inch brass rod for a tone ring. I was all set to send the banjo to Sullivan when a bluegrass friend said my banjo has wonderful tone, and I was about to mess it up. So I kept it as is, and I now recognize that it has a dark-ish bass-heavy tone that I like. But I've always admired the tone of resonator mastertones, so I also bought a Deering Sierra open back that I really like.
Incidentally, I've heard several high quality bluegrass resonator banjos that don'e sound as good as either of the two banjos I have. Though they might sound good to me from the front, I hear weird overtones when I play them. I guess I just like the fact that an open back lets some sound out of the back.
But back to Darryl Hattenhauer 's question. The larger (11 inch) tone ring will give you a bit more bluegrass tone, a master tone style ring, even more so. Maybe it will not be exactly the same as a resonator banjo, but it will be close.
