JD Crowe RB75 tone ring

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Crowe Powered

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Gibson owners group for owners and fans of RB75 Crowe, Blackjacks, RB75VL's and other original Gibsons with a Crowe tonering

42 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: 3fingers (owner)

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From jeff stovall on 1/16/2014 5:23:24 AM

As I posted yesterday, I recently purchased a 2004 JD Crowe RB75, and my tone ring has the Gibson script on the bottom at the lag bolt hole but no serial number. I weighed the tone ring last night, and it weighed exactly 3 lbs 4 oz, so apparently Gibson chose to install a PM ring in my banjo instead of the JD Crowe ring. I have read that the JD Crowe rings are slightly different in dimensions than a Kulesh or PM ring, so if the rim is cut for the PM ring, how much change in the rim will be necessary to get a JD Crowe ring to fit properly? How difficult is it to find an RB75 JD Crowe tone ring, and what are they selling for?

Thanks for the help.

Jeff Stovall

2 Comments
	Mike Casey says: 1/16/2014 8:21:17 AM Given the time period you are probably correct about its being a PM ring. These are good tone rings too in my opinion, but not what you'd expect in a Gibson J.D. Crowe banjo. The New Era Gibson flathead rings are pretty much interchangeable with one another. I've seen ring to rim fit from the factory be snug, loose and in between so any replacement ring will likely need adjustment. If the ring you put on your rim doesn't fit properly I recommend having that operation done by a professional. The first step is to get a Crowe ring so check the classifieds to see if one might be for sale. Run an ad in the classifieds and let people know you are looking for one. I don't know what they are going for right now, but one of the Crowe Powered folks here might know a recent price quote or even have one they'd sell. Once you have one then you can decide if it needs to be fit to the rim or if it is OK as is. These rings are almost certainly not going to be offered in a Gibson banjo again so if you can get one it would probably be a good sound investment in both ways. You'll eventually turn one up and when you do I would be interested in what you think of the banjo after you install it. Give us a report. Best regards, Mike
	jeff stovall says: 1/16/2014 8:57:10 AM Thanks Mike. I appreciate the information. I live in Birmingham, so I get Robin Smith to do this kind of work for me. He is extremely reasonable in price and turnaround, and his quality of work is 2nd to none I think. I'm going to do exactly what you said about posting on the Hangout and letting folks know I'm looking for a tone ring. I'm also going to call Robin and let him be on the lookout for one for me. I'm planning to go to SPGMA in a couple of weeks and look for one there. I'll let you know my progress and the results once everything is complete.
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