Flip Tone Ring Upside Down

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Gibson Ballbearing Owners Group

Join This Group

All those who own or would like to own one of these wonderful instruments are invited to join.

119 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

Administrators: Couchie (owner)

< Back to Home

From Fathand on 12/10/2011 5:46:47 PM

Has anyone else experimented with flipping their BB tone ring so that the smaller hoop is on the bottom, thus creating a larger vibrating surface that may provide a closer to flathead sound. Results?

I just did this last time I changed the head and at first I didn't like it but I think it is starting to settle in and sound better. I find the sound a little less clear and deep so far but perhaps a little more bass response.

8 Comments
	gdoc says: 12/10/2011 7:16:11 PM I did it several times in the past, but noticed no real difference. Partly because I found when I change or take the head off and put it back on, it takes a week or two to settle into it's long term sound. By then I forgot the difference. Never had a good enough recorder to tell by either. and the banjo never sounded "normal" until a couple weeks passed. Lots of times I thought oh god, what have I done, I screwed it all up... but then it came around.
	haystack says: 12/10/2011 8:18:43 PM I had a 25-3 that had the ball-bearing ring inverted, and currently habe a 26-5 that has the ball-bearing ring inverted. In both banjos a hoop off a 100 was added to set on the main part of the ring, giving the banjo a more flat-head configuration. I love the sound of both. Jim (Haystack)
	eMike says: 3/11/2012 11:50:02 AM I did that but preferred the sound of the original configuration so it's back as an original BB. I love the sound.
	hawkaroo says: 9/1/2012 5:42:28 AM So, what crown height head do you need if you flip the tone ring and use a 100 tone hoop with it?
	Fathand says: 9/1/2012 5:46:48 AM I am not sure what a 100 tone hoop is. My banjo has a stock grooved early E2 hoop (without string notch). I use the same head with the tone ring either way. Pretty sure it is a Low or Medium.
	hawkaroo says: 9/1/2012 9:35:01 AM So, what crown height head do you need if you flip the tone ring and use a 100 tone hoop with it?
	hawkaroo says: 9/1/2012 9:38:03 AM Sorry I re-sent the previous post. I assumed it is the type tone ring in a Gibson RB100 which I think is a quarter diameter rod.
	Fathand says: 9/1/2012 2:36:33 PM I would try a Low with a tone hoop but I don't think you can flip the tone ring and use a tone hoop together. I was talking about E2 tension hoop.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

	Meet Doc, Sleepy, Happy and Grumpy Linked by paxflyer 6 years ago
	1926 Gibson tb3 w/conversion 5 string neck Linked by petevincze 7 years ago
	(untitled) Linked by bbult 7 years ago: Gibson Script Logo Block on my 1925 Tb3.....very few were made...Oct 1925...
	PRICE REDUCED! Original 5 String 1926 Gibson Mastertone RB-3, Ball-bearing, FON 8447-7 Linked by revellfa 8 years ago: Wow. Only one I've ever seen for sale
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 8 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 8 years ago: I'd like to trade my 1954 Gibson Southern Jumbo for your Ball Bearing Banjo
	Raised head Banjo for sale - REDUCED REDUCED REDUCED - ON EBAY. ** SOLD SOLD SOLD ** Linked by Ralph Stanley legend 8 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by Ralph Stanley legend 8 years ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by revellfa 9 years ago: 1923 TB-3 conversion. Balls and tone hoop but no springs on this model I'm told.
MP3: Darlin' Cora Linked by revellfa 9 years ago: Played on a 1923 TB-3 Conversion. No springs on this model, just the tube and balls.