Custom Rickard 11" Openback Banjo with Silver Bell Tone Ring (Serial #1873)

We are proud to be an authorized Rickard Banjo dealer, and we have to admit this custom creation is something truly special. At Banjo Studio, we love the attention to detail Bill Rickard and his team pour into every instrument, and this 11" Maple openback with a Silver Bell tone ring is a perfect example in tonal balance and craftsmanship.

You are viewing the exact, one-of-a-kind banjo (Serial #1873) you will receive upon purchase.

What Makes This Custom Banjo Unique?

This isn't an off-the-rack production banjo as it combines vintage appointments with high-level craftmanship.

• Silver Bell Tone Ring: This is not a tone ring found on standard models of Rickard Banjos. 
  
• Custom Hardware: Bullseye Ball Shoes and Belly-style tension nuts. This is a nice change to the look of the rim and its components. 

What is a Silver Bell Tone Ring and How Does It Sound?

Originally popularized in early 20th-century banjo design, the Silver Bell tone ring (a classic archtop/Dobson-style spun brass ring) sits atop the rim to transform the banjo's voice without adding excessive weight.

• Tonal Evaluation: Where heavy bronze flathead rings skew bright and punchy, and rim-only banjos skew dry and "thumpy," the Silver Bell finds the sweet spot right in the middle. It delivers a rich, warm, "tubby" low-end bass paired with a sweet, singing sustain and crystal-clear high-end sparkle. Notes separate beautifully, whether you are picking individual melodies or strumming full chords.

The Tonewood: Hard Maple Neck & 1/2" Resonant Rim

• Hard Maple Neck: Maple is renowned in banjo building for its density and structural stiffness. It gives this banjo a quick note attack, natural clarity, and vibrant projection, ensuring every drop-thumb or finger-flick pops out crisp and clean.

• 1/2" Thick Maple Rim: While thicker 3/4" rims choke resonance in favor of raw volume, this medium 1/2" maple rim allows the wood body to vibrate more freely. It provides your tone with an organic, airy, woody resonance and vintage warmth that lets the Silver Bell tone ring breathe.

Why Banjo Studio Loves This Banjo

If you’ve been searching for an openback banjo that refuses to compromise between warmth and clarity, this is the one:

1. Versatility Across Styles: It is articulate enough for complex fingerstyle and melodic picking, yet full-bodied and warm enough for classic clawhammer.

2. Pro-Level Setup Out of the Box: Set up by our experts with low action (3/32" at the 12th fret) on a 5/8" maple bridge—it plays effortlessly right out of the case.

3. Classic 11" Rim Focus & Punch: While 12" openback rims push a deeper, darker low-end, this traditional 11" rim delivers a tight, focused response with quick attack, bright midrange clarity, and crisp note separation. Combined with the Silver Bell tone ring, it gives you the ideal balance—warm, woody resonance without sacrificing the punch and bite needed to lead a jam.