Hey there folks
I’m kinda new at banjo @ about two years in. I play some Scruggs style and some clawhammer. I love bluegrass and old time music. I bought a great sounding banjo last year, it’s a Deering Vega Star open back 12 inch head and I leave it out of the case all the time as I love to just grab it and play. I’ve noticed that the tone ring has gotten some corrosion started btween the head and the ring. I had emailed Deering about it but have not heard anything back yet , not a big deal. So my ? is, when I take the head off and try and clean the tone ring. Should I sand/polish/steel wool the ring at those spots and then apply some polish or clear coat or some other treatment to keep it from corroding again or is this a problem for open back banjos and I need to protect the open back to prevent stuff from getting in there. I do try and wipe it down after each use and have wiped it down on the inside as well using a guitar type cleaner/polish. Also am I gonna have to just get a new tone ring instead of refurbishing this one instead. I don’t really want to get a new one and didn’t see any for sale on the Deering web site? Thank you for your time. Sorry this is so long
Kent
I'm about as far from an expert as can be, but in my book, the prime consideration w.r.t. replacing it would be: if it sounds okay it is okay.
This link says, among other info, that tarnish can be removed by polishing. https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=ARPSEC&PC=ARPL&PTAG=30256&q=corrosion%20on%20brass
Could insufficient air flow/ventilation be a contributing factor?
Edited by - Owen on 10/01/2025 11:08:24
Take it apart and use a soft cloth to clean it with a stinky mineral spirits type wax. Buff lightly.
This also helps the head slide over the tone ring making tension adjustments smoother.
Edited by - pinenut on 10/01/2025 11:33:12
Many never touch it.
Earl said his looked like a bad penny.
I'd probably just use steel wool and a little beeswax. banjered
Thank you all so much I really appreciate your input. I am going to prolly take it apart and clean it up and use wax to coat it a little. Y’all are awesome!
Thx, Kent
I work here (NZ) on a lot of British made Zither style banjos which have steel bands (called flesh hoops) for mounting vellum heads. Given the age of these, it is not surprising to see vellums rusting through round the flesh hoops. I have never seen these with brass hoops. When I come to re-skin them, I use sand paper to remove rust then I spray them with clear lacquer to seal them. I guess wax would also work. But given the amount of time these metals coat up with whatever (rust, green oxide etc, its going to take quite a bit of time before you see if what ever treatment you use is going to work.
The OP said it's a Deering Vega Star. Deering pictures it with a raw brass Dobson tone ring. https://www.deeringbanjos.com/products/vega-vintage-star?srsltid=AfmBOor06tvy1btdCECaf5UpyUQ_YIZ0FmuyT12Li2Eabi4is5RDPE_j
The ring should wipe clean without abrasion. If the corrosion is stubborn; a little "Tarn-X" non-abrasive metal polish can be helpful. Follow up with a water rinse and wax. note: banjos function fine with a little corrosion on the tone ring. It's usually aesthetic and doesn't merit replacement.
Edited by - pinenut on 10/01/2025 21:43:35
Thx pinenut, I will try your method first, hopefully I won’t have to dig deeper. I know some folks don’t care about the corrosion but it is quite noticeable to me thru the head. It’s black streaks and some green building on it. So quite visible to me. I wonder if I should just replace the head while I am at it? I guess that depends on how bad it comes off or goes back on? I appreciate all the responses! Such a great site with a lot of info and great licks to.
Thx to yall, Kent
Mild soap. Water. Dry.
Non-abrasive tarnish remover as Mr. pinenut recommends.
Wash off the tarnish remover -- don't want a residue.
Brass polish if it needs it.
Replace the yukky head.
Forget:
- steel wool
- sandpaper
- leaving as is.
Will just end up damaging the brass and turn it into a bigger mess.
Need a bandage in this situation, not an amputation !
Edited by - Alex Z on 10/02/2025 07:29:36
Thanks Alex Z, I think this is the best layed out plan. Makes perfect sense and you answered my Q to a T. Your input is greatly appreciated. I just am gonna haf to get a new head.
Thx, Kent
I cleaned the brass rod on my RB 175 with brass polish. I had read that the makers of brass bathroom fixtures used a wax on the heated faucets, etc. The heat helps the wax seep into tiny crevices in the surfaces and slows or stops oxidation. I did that with heating to maybe 200 degrees, and the brass stayed bright for over a decade.
