![]() ![]() The offset cam prevents the outer gear from turning backwards in response to string tension on the post, a common problem for banjo players. With the Cyclone tuners, the inner gear supports the button shaft, and the outer gear the string post. In this design, there is an inner and an outer gear, and they are connected by an offset cam so that the inner and outer gears are not directly touching. Working for years in the conveyor systems business, he was well familiar with this type of gear mechanism, usually used with electric motors. This is a function of the unique cycloidal device that Bill developed. In fact, when we spoke with Sean Sewell and Bill Rickard with the company today, they both mentioned that you can literally remove the button from the tuner shaft and it still won’t slip. The cycloidal gear system they use makes it impossible for the tuner to backwind, unless you turn the button. While that may sound like a bit of extra work – and it does feel like work when restringing – the final result is like having a set of fine tuners on your banjo, so making very minor adjustments in pitch are quite easy to accomplish.īut the most remarkable aspect of the cyclone tuners is how well they hold pitch. This means that instead of having to turn the button/shaft four times to complete one revolution of the tuning peg, it now takes ten. The primary benefit these tuners offer is a 10:1 tuning ratio, as opposed to the more common 4:1 ratio used in most tuners. But given the advantages claimed by the manufacturer, Rickard Banjos in Toronto, they are something that discriminating banjo players and owners may want to put on their wish list. This is a premium product, with a retail price of roughly $225 for a set of five tuners, more than many banjo players would consider for replacement tuners. Having heard very high praise of these tuning machines from both hobby and professional players, we reached out to Rickard and they graciously sent along a set for us to try out. We recently received a set of the Rickard Cyclone 10:1 banjo tuners. ![]()
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