An open back banjo, specifically the Bart Reiter White Laydie.

The Nechville Helimount system is a completely different animal. The head "screws" on much like the lid of a jar.

Old timey, open back banjos produce tone in a different way.

Most old time players prefer natural skin for the head. Drawbacks to natural skin include an extreme susceptibility to humidity. High humidity can result in a loose head and poor tone. Low humidity can actually cause the head to crack and tear. For that reason Fiberskyn, a synthetic material, is gaining greater acceptance in old time circles. It approximates the tone of natural skin without the humidity concerns.

Most old time banjos do not have a tone ring. In fact, a tone ring produces a richer tone that is undesirable in old time music. A few models offer a scalloped tone ring as a middle ground between an old time banjo and a bluegrass banjo.

Old time banjos do not have a resonator. This is probably the easiest defining characteristic of these two instruments. Banjos in old time music provide a rhythmic background, whereas bluegrass banjo tends to be out front of the band playing lead lines.

Just like the bluegrass banjo, the tension hoop is made of steel and is used to provide even tension on the head.

With the myriad of moving parts and the real potential to do damage to your instrument, we recommend that all adjustments be made by a qualified technician or experienced players.