Bacon style tone ring
Bob Baz
ring compare with the Tubaphone or Whyte Laydie Tone ring? I've heard it
described as having a rich, mellow tone with lots of sustain. Any
opinions?
Brittles
asked:
<< How does The Bacon style (Bacon and Day without internal resonator) tone
ring compare with the Tubaphone or Whyte Laydie Tone ring? I've heard it
described as having a rich, mellow tone with lots of sustain. Any opinions? >>
Hi Bob-
The OME Silverspun tone ring is based on the B&D Silver Bell. Ken Perlman now
plays one, in place of the Tubaphone he's played for 20 years.
Sustain is one of it's major benefits - as well as clarity in higher positions.
Like most good tone-ring banjos - it can be set-up to be warm and mellow (my
choice) or blisteringly bright. Depending on choice and adjustment of head,
strings, bridge, and tailpiece.
The original B&D's are the same way - though most 4-string players prefered
them for their brightness, and upper register clarity.
Fred Bacon's whole "thing" was adding sustain to the usually "short" notes of
the banjo. Lot's of pin-n-ng! Dave Day helped to create the ALL of the
Fairbanks banjos including the Whyte Laydie and Tubaphone. (The tubaphone was
patented by Vega's president Julius Nelson)
The Silver Bell was Day's next great tone ring.
For those who like a "drier" sound (the "plock" or "blong" sound favored by a
lot of string bands) a rolled-rod, or wood rim usually respond best. (At least
in the low positions.)
(The Bacon "Orchestra" banjos were closer to this - with a lighter ring - more
like a Vega Little Wonder)
Best-
Ed Britt
Please Remove *UNSPAM* from my address, to e-mail me.
Mike Stanger
I really like the sound of a B&D Silver Bell a lot. (I've owned one for
a long time now). With a loose setup and heavy bridge, the sound has a
lot of bottom end and a lot of sustain, but is clearer and crisper on
the high register than most Vega tonerings. When you crank down the
head, the bottom tends to fade quite quickly and the banjo's volume
starts increasing dramatically, but it still keeps the sustain. With a
medium setup on the head, bridge and tailpiece, the tone and volume are
right up there with a Gibson, but somewhat sweeter in nature than a
typical Gibson flathead. The upper register is noticeably brighter and
more even with the low register- no fade much between lows and highs.
The Silver Bell resonator comes off as one piece, so the banjo is
quickly converted to an open back if desired, but I've always preferred
the sound with the resonator on. As far as I'm concerned, the resonator,
which is much different from the Gibson style, is an integral part of
the Silver Bell tone.
And the knee mute actually works very well, too. While you can only use
it sitting down, it responds quickly to light pressure, and can change
the tone from full on to slightly dry and muted to a long sustain muted
tone by simply pressing it against your knee to the desired effect.
...and them's my 2 cents!
Stanger
Bill Rogers
Super--with the precursor tone ring to the Silver Bell. Had holes
through to the outside of the tone ring. Incredible volume and pop,
without too much sustain for good clawhammer playing.
Bill
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