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Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 07:15:02 -0400

Hi Mickey,

Greetings Al,

I'm glad to assist:

All resonator model banjos made today have laminate resonators...now, I'm even talking about 4,000.00 banjos...the reason has to do with the way the resonator is made structurally...if made of solid wood, they are known to have problems due to the weakness of the concave build...hence, every banjo I know of, including Deering, Stelling, Gibson, Gold Tone, etc. have laminate resonators...this is also explained in our FAQ database.

I bought the BG-250F from Folk of the Woods about a month ago. When initially inquiring about it, my first question to one of the technicians at FOTW was if the resonators were solid wood. I'm sure he really (meant to say no) thought they were when he said yes. Well, I recently took off the resonator and noticed that the nice grain on the rim is a 1/16' veneer or laminate. I could easily view this where the felt was loose against the neck area of the resonator. Also the back has to be veneer because you can see it is book-matched on the outside, but not on the inside. 

In my experience with guitars, even $600 larrivees have solid top, back and sides. However, banjo is a different animal. So, I was wondering if you could educate me by answering these questions.

Do all banjo makers, domestic included, laminate the resonators?

Yes, all banjo makers use laminate resonators...

(I found that Stewart MacDonald laminates their unfinished resonator's rims with three-ply maple and veneers the back with flame maple)

Does the OB-250 have a laminated resonator?

Yes, the OB-250 also has a laminated resonator...

How about a Deering Sierra?

Yes, the Deering Sierra also has a laminated resonator...

This is a good thing...believe me. The few solid wood resonators that have ever been made were problematic...otherwise, everyone would be making them as solid wood...

Aside from this issue though, the BG-250 sounds great next to other imports I've played such as Morgan Monroe. I was just wondering if there is a higher end banjo that incorporates solid resonators for better sound over time.

There's not any I know of to date...

Sorry about any confusion on this...keep in mind, the Gold Tone is still one of the best makes in the price range offered that I've seen...and, you'll always have your 100% trade-up value if you ever feel that you outgrow it...I'd be glad to personally assist you in picking out another banjo to fit your needs...you're also welcome to call our in-house banjo expert, Tradd, @ 888-209-8434...feel free to call anytime...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

Thanks Much for your Expertise on this.

Sincerely,

Al Belville