Hi, I'm a banjo player from France and I have a couple of questions regarding Kulesh Tonerings, I'm sure some banjo scholars over here could help. I'm a big fan of these Tonerings, I think they are great and I'm owning some of them that are set up in my banjos.
I already read many posts on BHO but didn't find the answers to my qsuestions
Most of my tonerings have Gibson logo, Kulesh or Kulesh AFP logos, and serial numbers.
One with Gibson and Kulesh logos, and AFP J-789. I was told it's from 1989
One with Gibson and Kulesh logos and AFP 1483 . Is it from 1990 ?
One with Gibson and Kulesh logos, # 1287. I don't know the year
One with Gibson and Kulesh logos, # 729. I've been told it's from 1988 or 1989
Three differs from those above and I would be glad to get info about them:
One only has AFP logo and # 905, the number 95051 being engraved inside the ring. No Gibson neither Kulesh logos.
One has Gibson and Kulesh logos, but that's all. No number.
The only Gold plated one I' owning has Gibson and Kulesh logos and the number 21. Is it an early tonering ? Could it come fron a Granada ?
All your comments are welcome !
Thanks,
Bertrand
There is another Kulesh Mastertone type ring designed by Mark Taylor & Kulesh jr for the Rich & Taylor banjo line , a centrifically spun , cast 10 hole ring which is said to be superior to any flat head type ring Kulesh produced . It was replaced by a Tennessee 20 ring rumored to be superior which was completely false as according to Lynwood Lundsford , a buyer involved w Rich , Taylor, & Kulesh at the time , the real replacement reason was a financial situation between Taylor & Kulesh . I spoke w/ Lynwood at length about this situation at a festival whereby he divulged the truth of the matter . He is the current banjo player w/ the Country Gentlemen Show & has played w/ Jimmy Martin . He felt the 10 hole was the best flat head ring ever , bar any ! These R & T 10 holes come up for sale once in a while . U can read about R & T banjos & the 10 hole here in the archives .
Edited by - heavy5 on 02/22/2026 09:26:48
Here is some helpful information for dating AFP (Anti-Friction Products) rings
:Richard Kulesh
Lot A: April 1987 - 50 rings (1-50)
Lot B: September 1987 - 95 rings (51-145)
Lot C: December 1987 - 94 rings (146-240)
Lot D: April 1988 - 199 rings (241-440)
Lot E: Unknown Date (probably mid-1988) - 145 rings (441- 558, 607-635)
Lot F: Unknown date (probably summer/fall-1988), but simultaneous to Lot E, from the looks of it - 47 rings (559-606)
Lot G: No date (probably very late 1988) - (636-664)
Lot I: 25Apr89, previous 3 lots were possibly in 3-4 month increments.
Lot J: June 1989 - 252 rings (713-965). The last of the lot is dated to have been completed on 8/18/1989.
Some lots had dates, some did not. Usually, if a lot was undated, you can get an idea from the adjacent one when that was. For example, Lot I was 25Apr89, so the previous 3 lots were possibly in 3-4 month increments.
Also, The sequential nature of the serial number means that ring one of the lot was ring number 713 and the last of the last was 965\ for Lot J as an example.
Thanks for all this info, I appreciate ! So among the tonering production it could happen some haven't logos or serial numbers ?
Bertrand
Sorry for the photo, it was a mistake ! This is a sticker that was in on of my previous banjos
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