DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/328073
Reemus - Posted - 02/23/2017: 15:30:20
I recently bought a 1925 Paramount style B. It is completely original and I'd like to use the Rogers head. I will be gigging with this banjo and I've always used Mylar heads before for the lower maintenance aspect. This head sounds so good though and is in incredible shape for the age. The whole banjo is in top shape no neck repairs or anything.
I have made 3 rounds on tightening the head and each round is making this thing get sweeter and sweeter. I'm not looking to get the bridge sitting flat or anything, but can I get close to flatness? Right now the bridge is still sitting in a shallow valley and the head just sounds like it needs to be tightened more.
Am I dreaming and just need to go on and get a renaissance head?
I normally tighten my heads to what sounds good to me. This head sounds good now but I know I can get much more out of this banjo if I go tighter.
The Old Timer - Posted - 02/23/2017: 16:40:14
Hide heads sound best when as tight as possible. As the old timers used to say, tighten it til it breaks, then back off a quarter turn!
You CAN get the bridge to sit flat if you go slow and patient. 1/8 of a turn at a time. The larger problem will be keeping it that way. As spring and summer come around and normal relative humidity goes up, your head will slacken. Rainstorms will wreak havoc with how slack it is. You tighten it back up, but then run the somewhat high risk of the head breaking when the air dries out again. Or if you forget to slack it back off a bit heading into NEXT winter.
You'll find you have to fool with it all the time.
But they do sound GREAT.
I have a hide head on a 2002 Gibson Mastertone and it's sounding great this winter. I'll change to another banjo with plastic head when summer arrives, and go back to this one late next fall when things dry out again.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 02/23/2017 16:40:46
Reemus - Posted - 02/24/2017: 06:41:44
Thanks for the info Dick.
I took it real slow last night and got the head singing! The bridge is not quite flat but pretty close. I don't care about the bridge being flat I just want the best sound. In the past my banjos have sounded the best to me when the bridge is flat or almost flat.
I've never owned a Rogers head or a tenor Paramount before, but I absolutely love the tone of this banjo. Playing ITM and various other styles in GDAE.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
