That banjo has an aluminum rim which serves as the 'tone ring ' and rim. It would not be possible to install a tone ring in it. When you reach the point where you want a banjo with 'more', you will want one with a mastertone type ring and there are many to choose from with a wide price range.
- The tone-ring-to-rim fit on this banjo is what many regard as perfect. The rim and ring assembly could be inverted on the workbench and picked up by the rim with the tone ring remaining in place; one shake was all that was needed for the tone ring to fall off onto the (well-padded) workbench.
- The custom cut tone ring you made for me was an almost perfect fit, I just had to shave a hair off the rim step to make sure the ring sat all the way down on top. I got the banjo put back together and today was picking on it some.
- The tone-ring-to-rim fit on this banjo is what many regard as perfect. The rim and ring assembly could be inverted on the workbench and picked up by the rim with the tone ring remaining in place; one shake was all that was needed for the tone ring to fall off onto the (well-padded) workbench.
- The shape, rigidity and general weight of a tone ring is part of what creates “the” sound of the banjo. Because Deering makes so many different tone rings, they are excellent examples of the combination of design and material for the purposes of defining the function of a tone ring.
$1,289.00
Looking to lose about 4 pounds without going on a diet? Well now you can, all while having a banjo that produces great bluegrass tone and drive!
This Orange Blossom model, rather than employing a brass tone ring, features a 'tone rim' which is similar to a wooden tonering as seen in some much more expensive banjos. The high-quality multi-ply maple rim is machined into the shape of a flat head tone ring, but its all-wood design shaves a few pounds off your OB-250. So if you struggle with neck or shoulder fatigue during those long parking lot jams, THIS is your banjo. All other OB-250 features are here, including curly maple binding on the maple neck and resonator, GT-Master planetary tuners, hearts & flowers inlay, one-piece curly maple veneer on the resonator, a gorgeous new tobacco-brown finish.
Includes Professional Setup, 5th String Spike Installation, Hardshell Case, Lifetime Warranty, and Free Shipping!
- Neck: Maple
- Finish: Vintage Brown
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Bridge: Maple with Ebony Cap
- Tuners: GT Master Planets
- Inlay: Hearts & Flowers
- Truss Rod: Two-Way Adjustable
- Tone Ring: Tone Rim
- Rim: 3-Ply Canadian Rock Maple Tone Rim
- Tension Hoop: Notched Brass
- Flange: One Piece Die Cast Zinc
- Binding: Wood
- Brackets: 24
- Buttons: C-Style
- Hardware: Chrome Plated
- Pickups: Optional (special order)
- Tailpiece: 5-String Straightline
- Resonator: 14' Flamed Maple
- Armrest: Gold Tone Engraved
- Head: 11' HC Frosted
- Number of Frets: 22
- Nut Width: 1-3/16' Bone
- Scale Length: 26-3/16'
- Weight: 9.9 lbs.
- Tuning: GDGBD
- Strings: .011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
- Hard Case: Included
- Left-Handed Available: Yes
If you've got questions, shoot us a message or give us a call at 833-BANJOBEN (833-226-5623).
Banjos
Banjos are musical instruments that consist of a membrane stretched over a cavity that functions as a resonator and a head where the strings are attached. These instruments originated in Africa and were brought to Europe and the Americas where the design was slightly modified to include a deeper cavity and longer head. They are plucked like a guitar and can be played alone or with a group of other instruments, particularly fiddles.
What materials are banjos made from?
- Plastic or animal skin membrane - Older banjos, such as those made before the 1950s, may have a membrane made of animal skin, typically leather. The banjos made after the 1950s usually have a plastic membrane stretched over the cavity.
- Wood body - Although the earliest banjos had a cavity consisting of a large, hollowed-out gourd, the majority of banjos have a wood body. The body may be open back or closed. Many Deering banjos and other brands have artwork on the wood body, with designs such as animals, scrollwork, or flags carved or painted onto the body.
- Metal bindings - The head of the banjo typically uses metal bindings to keep the strings tight and in place. The membrane is held in place around the body with a metal band. Deering banjos typically use stainless steel as the metal.
Used Banjo Tone Rings
How do you choose a banjo instrument to play?
- Choose a type - Choose a guitar, tenor, or electric banjo. The electric types have amplifiers built into them to produce a louder sound or to connect with other types of electronics for mixing the sounds.
- Select the number of strings - There are banjos made with four, five, or six strings. A 4-string banjo comes in two sub-types, which are plectrum and tenor, and they are used for playing the lower notes in music. A 5-string banjo has one short thread and four standard-length threads. The shortest one is tuned to make higher musical notes. A 6-string banjo was designed as a novelty instrument by British musician William Temlet in 1846. The 6-string banjo is also referred to as a zither. Its sixth piece adds a bass string between the drone and tenor pieces on a 5-string banjo.
- Choose the dexterity - Deering banjos and other brands of banjos are made in a left-handed or right-handed dexterity.
- Select a brand - Select from Bruce Wei, Fender, Gibson, Gold Tone, Recording King, Washburn, or Deering banjos, which are common brands. There are other brands as well as unbranded banjos available.
What type of music do you make on a banjo?
Brass Banjo Tone Rings
The 4-string banjo is typically used to make Irish traditional music or early traditional jazz tunes, with a guitar style of pick. This type is used in theatrical productions, including 'Chicago,' 'Cabaret,' and 'Annie.' The 5-string banjo can be tuned in multiple ways for making songs in musical genres as diverse as bluegrass, American old-time, classical, opera, folk, and rock 'n' roll. The 6-string banjo is often used for playing classical, folk, and bluegrass music.