Does anyone know what tone ring the Gibson RB-800 banjo has, made in 1981? It's blonde..
That's a good question.
I hope some of the experts here reply to this.
I'd ike to know as well.
E
I was unable to remove the tone ring from the rim to see if it had any markings on the inside...is it the same ring as on the RB-250?
I bet the yr is was made and the type of flange on it are factors to who the manufacturer is
E
Isn't RB-800 from '81 going to be two-piece flange?
I'd assume the ring is the same as in the RB-250, except gold plated.
I'd also assume it's the heavy "GBB" tone ring. I've only heard of two rings in the 70s-80s TPF Gibsons: the original light weight ring (with more hollowed out underside, so less metal) and then the later 3-1/2-pound "GG" (Gibson bell bronze) ring. I've never heard of a third ring -- which only means I've never heard of it. There certainly could be other rings I don't know about.
Does this banjo have a multi-ply or three-ply rim? Kalamazoo label/sticker? Guarantee wording or nothing about guarantee?
Thanks for any way you can educate us in return?
quote:
Originally posted by otto1258I was unable to remove the tone ring from the rim to see if it had any markings on the inside...is it the same ring as on the RB-250?
You already have a problem with the tone ring fit being too tight. Try putting rim with the wedged on tone ring in the freezer for several hours then try to remove it. May be have to heat the tone ring a little while rim is still frozen. Be very carefull as gold plating is thin and fragile.
Ignore the recommendation for freezing cold and go straight to heat.
Put the banjo pot into a shallow pan on the burner of your stove. Put on a low fire or low heat. Remove the pot from the pan frequently to try to remove the ring. You may need to protect your hands from the heat. It will eventually expand enough to be pulled off.
Heat works because the ring will expand faster than the rim and the space between the ring and rim will also expand.
After you remove the ring, you can sand or file wood from the rim to loosen the fit.
quote:
Originally posted by Old HickoryPut the banjo pot into a shallow pan on the burner of your stove.
Should have specified: Ring down! Only metal touches the pan.
Ring down for sure in a shallow pan - However I had an experience with a stuck tone ring that would not come off with heat alone. I don't know if the rim had some lacquer that was soft that wicked under the skirt a bit but I eventually ran a small razor knife between the bottom of the skirt of the tone ring and all around the rim. Then I put the rim and ring into the freezer to cool the rim down for about 3 hours - then I put it ring down on a preheated (low fire) cast iron pan I had to heat the ring up. After two attempts they came free without having to jam something between the rim and the tone ring,
Originally posted by Old Hickoryquote:
Originally posted by Old HickoryPut the banjo pot into a shallow pan on the burner of your stove.
Should have specified: Ring down! Only metal touches the pan.
My 1981 RB 800 has the original 3 ply rim and the heavy 63 oz GBB ring. Great banjo and one of the best necks to be had.
quote:
Originally posted by bdjMy 1981 RB 800 has the original 3 ply rim and the heavy 63 oz GBB ring. Great banjo and one of the best necks to be had.
I have exactly the same thing...and how do you like the sound? Compared to other banjos, it's very midrange, in sound engineering jargon, lacking more clear highs and booming bass...that's how I see it...I had an RB-250 before and it played exactly the same....
