Since the J-hook is going to go further through the flange when in the slot is there enough thread on the shaft after its run through the flange hole to tighten the head? If not, I suppose you could purchase new hooks. That's the only thing that comes to my mind. Good luck.

Bobby

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Originally posted by BobbyE

Since the J-hook is going to go further through the flange when in the slot is there enough thread on the shaft after its run through the flange hole to tighten the head? If not, I suppose you could purchase new hooks. That's the only thing that comes to my mind. Good luck.

Bobby

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I have new round hooks too. I measured everything out and I'm pretty sure they are the right length. We probably won't know for sure until I get the first one in. But the whole idea was to get rid of the flat hooks. Thanks.

Won't the hoop be thicker? Will it clear between the rim and neck?

If you do it post pictures.

I have a tenor 12" from gold tone. So far no issues for me with the flat hooks, but it would be nice to know there's an easy fix if I do ever have issues.

Pardon my ignorance, but why could not not just use the round hooks?

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Originally posted by jt80

Won't the hoop be thicker? Will it clear between the rim and neck?

If you do it post pictures.

I have a tenor 12" from gold tone. So far no issues for me with the flat hooks, but it would be nice to know there's an easy fix if I do ever have issues.

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Laying the slotted ring over the top of the unslotted ring, they look like they are exactly the same thickness. I could not get a good measurement with my calipers on the one that is already mounted on the Carlin12, I had to eyeball it. We will see I guess. As for the issues with the flat hooks, I often wonder if it is the hooks, or if it is me. But I seem to get along fine with the round ones on the OB-250. I will post pictures. I have to admit, there is a part of my brain saying to just leave well enough alone. 

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

Pardon my ignorance, but why could not not just use the round hooks?

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At one time that passed my mind. But the radius of the round hooks is different than the flat hooks. The flat hooks have a shallower radius to go over the top of the tension hoop. The round hooks have a sharper radius, because the slots on the tension hoop are not flat at the bottom, they are angled in toward the head to pull the hooks up tight against the hoop itself. And yes, I have spent and inordinate amount of time contemplating this project. I should just let it go and play the banjo. 

I definitely would be lubricating the threads when putting them together.

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Originally posted by BG Banjo

Several years ago I decided that I needed an open back banjo to learn clawhammer. Being I had a Gold Tone OB-250 that I was real happy with, I bought a Gold Tone CC-Carlin12. Quickly the Carlin 12 became my go to for everything. I even take it to bluegrass jams, who says you can't play an open back banjo at a bluegrass jam?

The only thing I don't like about it is the unslotted tension ring and the flat J hooks. They twist and eventually break if I don't hold them with a pliers when I tighten the head. Even then, they eventually pull away or break. Low and behold, Gold Tone had a sale on 12" slotted 26 hook tension rings. I bought one. Holding it over the flat one, everything lines up. I have 26 round hooks all measured out and looking like they will work and all ready to go.

It looks to me like an easy switch. I'm handy with tools, I used to be an airplane mechanic. At the same time, I defer to the cumulative knowledge here at Banjo Hangout. Anything I should know or watch out for when I tear into it on Saturday? Any tips or tricks?

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It's not surprising those flat hooks acted the way they did. All GT banjos are made in China with chinese parts. I ordered 30 vintage style hooks  and nuts from them for a restoration project. When they arrived the label on the plastic bag said 'made in China'.

As to advice on the change over, if everything lines up, you should have no problems. Good luck.

I once had issues with the head after changing the tension hoop, crown was too high then, but with a medium crown head it should probably be fine.
What bothers me with the goldtone hooks: the nuts now have a smaller diameter, so the bracket key, which works for all my other banjos, is too wide. Probably to save costs. I ordered the hooks last month, so I don‘t know whether this is new issue, these are my first goldtone hooks.