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/330840
TheDanman - Posted - 05/18/2017: 12:11:42
I think I've read everything on adding wood stain to banjo head. But reading and doing are two very different things. What scared me the most was taking apart my very lovely OME Wizard. It sounded and felt great, but I really liked the look of a stained head. After getting over the fear (and realized if I messed anything up, the very nice folks who sold me said banjo could fix almost anything) I knew this is what I wanted to do.
Long story short...I took off the neck, old head etc, and I was off to the races. After a lengthy process I decided on a Minwax stain and the results were better than I expected. After everything is said and done I managed to stain the new head (a medium goat skin from Elderly) get it installed and completely reassembled my banjo (thankfully with no troubles). I've attached 3 photos of the head, 1 before stained, 1 after and 1 when it's fully installed.
Besides the look, I also really like the sound of the goat skin. It's quite a bit louder, but that just means every one can hear me better!
I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on using wood stain.
Edited by - TheDanman on 05/18/2017 18:09:28
Fathand - Posted - 05/18/2017: 13:02:16
Fiebings leather dye is an excellent wood stain as well as excellent leather stain. They are alcohol based so no worries about oil base.
Stephen45710 - Posted - 05/18/2017: 13:31:14
Wood stain is an easy and safe way to color a hide head. Finding a head with interesting flesh scraping marks and color choice for the stain is personal preference.
sunburst - Posted - 05/18/2017: 13:34:20
Should have used goat-skin-head stain, not wood stain! It ain't wood, is it?
Obviously, coloring agents are pretty generic when we get right down to it. The Minwax stains I've used are pigment based, not dye based like Feibings and others, and perhaps a dye would work better on the head, but if you are happy with the results, then that means the Minwax worked just fine.
jbalch - Posted - 05/18/2017: 13:35:59
Looks great. Well done.
coreyowen - Posted - 05/18/2017: 13:36:09
Nicely complements the Wizard's dark stained wood--looks great!!
Dan Drabek - Posted - 05/18/2017: 14:54:10
Dyes and stains can be fugitive depending on the color and the chemistry of the color. In general, earth tones, like browns, tans and ochre tend to be more colorfast than the bright colors. And black is one of the ones that can sometimes change with exposure to sunlight. I've seen black dye fade to pink over time. Whether your head will hold it's current color, is something that only time will tell. Of course it can always be re-dyed if it fades.
DD
TheDanman - Posted - 05/18/2017: 18:33:59
There was no "goat-skin-head stain" at the Home Depot, so Minwax had to do! Haha - but I agree, perhaps a dye based stain may of work better, but I'm very happy with the results. It's all a matter of personal preference I suppose.
Also, the stain I used is technically not black but a very very dark brown. If it fades over time or when exposed to the sun (which I will try and limit), hopefully is goes brown and not pink! If it does fade or turn some terrible colour, I can always try again. I think part of the fun was the process of tinkering around. I learned a lot.
Regardless of looks...I think it sounds great!
BDCA - Posted - 05/18/2017: 22:54:22
quote:
Originally posted by Fathand
Fiebings leather dye is an excellent wood stain as well as excellent leather stain. They are alcohol based so no worries about oil base.
Second Feibings..have a workshop full of em. BTW I tried Vinagaroon with little success. Not enough tanins in banjo heads.
Bob
sunburst - Posted - 05/19/2017: 06:31:57
quote:
Second Feibings..have a workshop full of em. BTW I tried Vinagaroon with little success. Not enough tanins in banjo heads.
Bob
Might work better if you soak the head in strong tea first. Tea adds tannins, it works for wood so perhaps it would work for heads.
BDCA - Posted - 05/19/2017: 07:15:33
Tried it and it was moderately successful but easier to use tea alone. Not sure if the iron acetate in the vingaroon would have a detrimental effect on the skin. I have veg tanned items that are 7 or 8 years old that are looking good. Since it's neither a dye nor stain, it certainly won't wear or bleach.
Bob
