chuckv97 - Posted - 09/08/2015:  16:38:43

Does anyone know the last tune Earl recorded with the skin head, and the first recording with a plastic head? It'd be interesting to compare the two, although studio techniques and equipment might affect the final tone quality.

deestexas - Posted - 09/08/2015:  16:46:53

this might be informative:

Mike Longworth

Vintage Instruments

Bell Buckle, TN 37020

May 23, 1996        Updated 3/30/02

To: Paul Hopkins

Subject: RB-4 #9639-9

In January of 1959 Paul Champion and I rode down the Opry with Earl Scruggs after the TV show, and spent some time there before going out to the Club to play. That night, in Paul’s presence, Earl asked me if he could borrow my banjo for a recording session. The reason is vague after all these years, but as I recall his banjo was being repaired or was giving some problem. Earl felt he didn’t have a suitable banjo for the session, and always liked mine. Needless to say, I was thrilled and agreed to let him borrow it.

My recollection was that Earl was to record on Sunday but he apparently didn’t do so until the following Friday, according to the schedule. He had my banjo for about two weeks. He called me and said the head had broken, and that he would give me either a new Rogers Three-Star, or one of three sample plastic heads he had received from an outfit on the West Coast (Remo). When I asked him what he was going to do he replied that he was going to try a plastic head, so I agreed to let him put one on my banjo. It was a milky plastic instead of painted, and lasted me for many years. I finally retired it for fear it would break. I thought it didn’t have a name on it, but when I saw it recently I noticed that the name Weather King had been rubbed off. I never noticed this because it was under the tailpiece.

There was one instrumental recorded during the period Earl had my banjo. This was "Groundspeed", on the January 29, 1959 session. Owing to the circumstances and the timing of the session, I am certain my instrument was used on this number.

Edited by - deestexas on 09/08/2015 16:48:13

deestexas - Posted - 09/08/2015:  17:05:49

And: banjohangout.org/archive/112652

chuckv97 - Posted - 09/08/2015:  17:12:05

Thanks, deestexas,,appreciate it.

RioStat - Posted - 09/08/2015:  17:54:06

banjohangout.org/archive/112652

Fascinating stuff !! 

chuckv97 - Posted - 09/08/2015:  18:05:46

Just one thought - why didn't Mike Longworth ask Earl if he had used his banjo to record "Groundspeed"?