Vixen, there is far more to it than the resonater which tends to project the sound and make the instrument sound louder than having the most effect on the tone.

I am not an expert on this but the main issues are the actual construction of the instrument and the presence of and type of tone ring used is probably the biggest factor. A bluegrass player for example is likely to want an instrument that is made in the style of the Gibson Mastertone to get the type of sound that they require.

An old time player is likely to prefer an open back instrument but may also prefer an instrument live the Vega White Ladyie for the sound that they want to get.

Another big influence on the tone of a banjo is the head. A blue grass player is likely to use a modern plastic head which produces a loud clear sharp tone. An old time player may well prefer a calf skin vellumn which produces a quieter but more mellow sound or a fibreskin head which I believe is a modern attempt atmaking something that produces a sound similar to the animal skins.

I play "celtic" dance music on a tenor banjo and people seem a little less fussy over the tone of the instrument as they are with say bluegrass. The instrument that I chose was built along the same lines as a Gibson Mastertone flathead model. Tone is a very personal thing and I love the sound that mine produces. This link (even though it is a bad recording) my banjo should give you an idea of what the sound that I chose.

Jon