Banjo: Tone Rings Tonerings

Subject: Re: Fwd: question
Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 15:00:06 +1000

Mickey,
thanks for your advice, so a bell brass tone ring is not essential for a good banjo then (as i dont think these ones have one).
thanks again
Raife

Greetings Raife,

It depends on what would be serving as the tone ring: an aluminum rim, a wood rim, a maple rim, or even a stainless steel rim...if the banjo doesn't have a tone ring, then another integral part of the banjo usually serves as the tone ring...as in most cases the rims themselves...and in some cases, what would be called a tone hoop...such as on the Gibson RB entry level banjo...

The rim would then be the biggest influence on the tone...it's very common on cheaper imports to have aluminum rims that serve as tone rings...and this gives the banjo a hollow sound...almost like you're in a cave...now, on the higher end, and the price usually reflects this, take the Deering Boston...it has a steel rim that serves as the tone ring...and, wow...it has a great tone and does not sound near as hollow as you'd expect of a banjo without a tone ring...then there's the Deering Goodtimes...these have wood rims that serves as tone rings...and they have a really sweet woody tone...

So, I guess the upshot would be, yes, a tone ring is important to the quality of tone...and if a banjo doesn't have a tone ring, you might, at the very least, look for a banjo that's a higher end quality offering a solid wood rim or steel rim to serve as the tone ring...notwithstanding, if affordability is your main criteria, then a cheaper import, set up properly, should still serve your needs as a solid student level banjo...Mickey

Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Buying Your First Banjo
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 19:40:34 -0500

Greetings,

Cannot find any on info on your Q&A's about a banjo with a brass tone ring
vs. just a regular banjo with a resonator.

You're right...that's a true void...

For a beginner who never played before would it be a good thought to spend
the extra bucks for a step up to a tone ring.

No, a beginner, more than anything else, needs a solid learning tool. A banjo that's properly set up for ease of play...one that allows the fastest approach to learning without any unnecessary struggle...this

Once you've learned to play, and you feel up to playing within jamming circles, or you find yourself in a performance situation, a tone ring would then become essential...to arrive at this point, may still be years away...depending on your ambition and what you can time you can afford to practice...this is only to assure you that you do not need to spend the extra money to get into a tone ring model for the learning process...

My thoughts are that after awhile if I do make good progress and want to
step up I will already have a tone ring banjo and can just proceed on.

This is true...you can also learn on a student model banjo and take your time about finding a pro-level banjo with tone ring...allowing you to research your options at a timely pace...

A would be beginner like myself cannot tell the difference right now but
before the year is up I should be able to and maybe wished I would have
spent the few extra bucks for a tone ring.

Your thoughts on this?

A brass tone ring adds more ring and volume to a banjo...just because a banjo doesn't have a tone ring, doesn't mean it sounds horrible...take the Goodtime itself, the maple wood rim serves as the tone ring and it has its own voicing...a sweeter woodier tone...pleasant to the ears...and because of the toned down volume, it may make a better banjo to learn on...some beginners use a banjo mute on the bridge to quiet down the banjo during practice periods...

Hope something here helps, Mickey

Thx

Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 14:33:28 -0800 (GMT-08:00)
Subject: Thanks!

Greetings!

Greetings Richard,

I was doing a search on tonerings, and I wanted to thank you for something I found on your site. On the following link;

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page884.htm

I noted that you made mention of:

"Tone Ring: Made to Gibson Specs by Kulesh"

I have been becoming aware of late that many folks are not aware that I still make tonerings, and are under the misconception that when Richard Sr. passed away, the Kulesh rings stopped. I have been producing the rings since 1996. That fine dealers, such as yourself, make a point of mentioning it is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

You're most welcome...we'll post your e-mail, with your contact info on our website...which may further establish your presence for those who are not aware of your tone ring design...wishing you the best in all your future endeavors, Mickey

Regards,

Richard Kulesh Jr.
Kulesh Music Components
10867 Hijos Way
San Diego, CA 92124
kulesh.tonering@earthlink.net