A rim of the type used in a resonator banjo having a body that includes a head, a resonator, a tone ring and a flange for securing the head and the tone ring to the banjo, where the rim includes a generally circular housing having an inner circumference and an outer circumference, a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is configured to engage the tone ring, an annular shoulder portion extending around the outer circumference for engaging the flange, and an arcuate recess located below the top end and extending along at least a portion of the inner circumference.