Tone rings: RB-75 vs. Scruggs
Peter S. Kelly
Scruggs series. Does anyone have a preference either way for the sound
of the RB-75 or the Scruggs Standard?
Pete
Bill Sullivan
stock with a Kulesh 20 hole flathead. The RB-75 has a different formula and
the shape in the sound chamber is slightly different. The 75 seems to
produce a bassier sound easier than the Kulesh. Both are very good tone
rings. The Kulesh has the Gibson USA stamped on the inside under the head
at the tailpiece. The 75 has the serial numbers and Gibson stamped where the
ring meets the wood rim. J.D. Crowe helped in the development of the 75
tonering and I really like it a lot. They are really hard to get as Gibson
does not sell them except in the banjos. It might be possible to find a used
75 tonering but Im sure it would be difficult.
Good luck, Your friend Bill Sullivan
Peter S. Kelly wrote in message <38550E48...@pro.msrc.sunysb.edu>...
Mike Coleman
"Bill Sullivan" <bi...@fqms.com> wrote in message
news:833m1v$bpn$1...@nntp2.atl.mindspring.net...
> The RB-75 definitly has a different tone ring, the Scruggs standard comes
> stock with a Kulesh 20 hole flathead. The RB-75 has a different formula
and
> the shape in the sound chamber is slightly different. >
Bill,
What about the other Gibson models? From the RB250 on up are they all the
same?
M.C.
.
..
Bill Sullivan
All the Gibson models except the 75 used the Kulesh flathead. The only
exception are the archtop models, those tonerings are purchased from First
Quality .I understand Steve Huber is now making some tonerings like the
Kulesh 20 hole for Gibson. .
Mike Coleman wrote in message <833ofe$4kt$1...@fir.prod.itd.earthlink.net>...
Prewar1932
TERRIBLE. I'VE HEARD A FEW OF THE RB-75'S AND THE VOLUME AND ALAROUND SOUND IS
SO MUCH MORE CLEARER ,LOUDER AND PLAYS SO MUCH EASIER....IT IS JUST A BETTER
BUILT BANJO....
Bill Rogers
clawhammer banjo to see how it sounded vs a Mastertone. To my surprise
the Essex was louder, punchier and less "mushy" than a new Gibson Earl
Scruggs model. Now I understand less than ever about what makes great
banjos sound the way they do.
Bill
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
TheStatelers
Bill, has it always been the case that all new Gibsons have had the 20 hole
Kulesh rings since they were introduced, I was under the impression that in the
early 90's only the Scruggs model and the reissue models had the Kulesh and the
RB250 had something else? Also do you know what serial number separates the
Scruggs models made from StuMac parts and those from the Greg Rich era?. Did
Greg use the Kulesh from the time he came on board with Gibson? Thanks Mike
Bill Rogers
seriously since 1972 or so...but before that I had a converted PB-1
shell on which Walt Pittman installed what I was told was one of the
first of a new Gibson flathead ring. I don't remember how many holes
it had, but it sounded great. Does anyone know the background/history
of those tone rings? Tnx.
Bill Sullivan
shipped with a tonering from the Flatiron division, it was made by Kulesh
but may possibly have had a different formula.
I do not know which serial number indicated the change in the Scruggs model,
however it is very easy to determine one from another. The Greg Rich models
have a very accurate Pre war style double cut peghead shape and the color is
a much darker brown, more like the banjos of the thirtys.
Another point is the inlay work . The Greg Rich era and to present is
probably the finest inlay work ever from the Gibson Factory. This work is
done by Custom Inlay of Leitchfield Ky. Bryan England is one of the finest
craftsmen I have ever known, he took Gibson's inlay to another level.
Your friend,Bill Sullivan
TheStatelers wrote in message
<19991221043246...@ng-ff1.aol.com>...
Bill Sullivan
variety . That was the period when Norlin owned the company and they cut
cost a lot and quality suffered. However I have seen some heavy rings from
that period in the RB-800 models so there must have been some good ones
also. The standard flathead in the RB-250 weighed about 2 lbs. The better
flathead weighed around 3 lbs. Please understand that weight alone does not
make a tone ring sound good. I'm sure Norlan had several vendors but I don't
know who they were. It is very possible you got a great tonering from the
70's but they were rare.
Your friend, Bill Sullivan
Bill Rogers wrote in message <83o961$uii$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
>In article <19991221043246...@ng-ff1.aol.com>,
> thesta...@aol.com (TheStatelers) wrote:
>> >All the Gibson models except the 75 used the Kulesh flathead.
>>
>> Bill, has it always been the case that all new Gibsons have had the
>20 hole
>> Kulesh rings since they were introduced, I was under the impression
>that in the
>> early 90's only the Scruggs model and the reissue models had the
>Kulesh and the
>> RB250 had something else? Also do you know what serial number
>separates the
>> Scruggs models made from StuMac parts and those from the Greg Rich
>era?. Did
>> Greg use the Kulesh from the time he came on board with Gibson?
>Thanks Mike
>>
Bill Rogers
"Bill Sullivan" <bi...@fqms.com> wrote:
> Bill, in my opinion most of the Gibson rings in the 70's were of the
light
> variety . That was the period when Norlin owned the company and they
cut
> cost a lot and quality suffered. However I have seen some heavy rings
from
> that period in the RB-800 models so there must have been some good
ones
> also. The standard flathead in the RB-250 weighed about 2 lbs. The
better
> flathead weighed around 3 lbs. Please understand that weight alone
does not
> make a tone ring sound good. I'm sure Norlan had several vendors but
I don't
> know who they were. It is very possible you got a great tonering from
the
> 70's but they were rare.
>
> Your friend, Bill Sullivan
Thanks Bill; I guess I wasn't too clear...my tonering was from 1962; at
least that's when it was installed. I infer from your comments that
those early ones were likely better.