I own one of these Banjo’s myself. The one I’ve got is one of them that has a wooden rim with a brass tone ring. It has Hearts and Flowers inlay in the fretboard. It’s fairly heavy and it it one of there more up the line models. They refer to these as MASTERCLONE models because they resemble a Mastertone Banjo.
There are many masterclones out there, and Japan produced some of the best. I know that the Gold Stars have long been well regarded. I have heard that some of these higher-end Iidas were made in the same factory as Gold Stars, but I cannot confirm that.
Single piece aluminum integrated tone ring. Not as powerful as the tone ring models but perfect for fiddle tune melodics for the warmth. The nut is plastic replace it and put a heavy brass tailpiece on it will improve significantly.
@@luminawarren8132 it's not mine, but I do like these banjos. You're right, they don't cut like some others, but I think they sit better in most groups.
@@nicpennsylvania these were a big hit in the 70s because melodic fiddle tunes were just starting and these could pump a good melodic fiddle tune w a warm tone.
My understanding is that the person who would go on to found ODE/OME started at StewMac and was instrumental in the development of this integrated aluminum pot/ring. They became pretty popular for a variety of reasons. I'm not sure I'd call this one "warm", but this head is tuned pretty high. I even mention a heavier head would "tone it down" in the video. No doubt that these were widely available as melodic Clawhammer started to really establish itself.
@@nicpennsylvania id say if you put a brass tension hoop on it w a heavy brass tailpiece, change out the plastic nut, put a maple resonator on it would pump really good.
I own one of these Banjo’s myself. The one I’ve got is one of them that has a wooden rim with a brass tone ring. It has Hearts and Flowers inlay in the fretboard. It’s fairly heavy and it it one of there more up the line models. They refer to these as MASTERCLONE models because they resemble a Mastertone Banjo.
There are many masterclones out there, and Japan produced some of the best. I know that the Gold Stars have long been well regarded. I have heard that some of these higher-end Iidas were made in the same factory as Gold Stars, but I cannot confirm that.
Single piece aluminum integrated tone ring.
Not as powerful as the tone ring models but perfect for fiddle tune melodics for the warmth.
The nut is plastic replace it and put a heavy brass tailpiece on it will improve significantly.
@@luminawarren8132 it's not mine, but I do like these banjos. You're right, they don't cut like some others, but I think they sit better in most groups.
@@nicpennsylvania these were a big hit in the 70s because melodic fiddle tunes were just starting and these could pump a good melodic fiddle tune w a warm tone.
My understanding is that the person who would go on to found ODE/OME started at StewMac and was instrumental in the development of this integrated aluminum pot/ring. They became pretty popular for a variety of reasons. I'm not sure I'd call this one "warm", but this head is tuned pretty high. I even mention a heavier head would "tone it down" in the video.
No doubt that these were widely available as melodic Clawhammer started to really establish itself.
@@nicpennsylvania it would make sense that the japanese copied this after the ODE aluminum model.
@@nicpennsylvania id say if you put a brass tension hoop on it w a heavy brass tailpiece, change out the plastic nut, put a maple resonator on it would pump really good.