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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/338369
datkat - Posted - 01/02/2018: 17:01:42
The drum head on the old UF given to me at Christmas has some really ugly stains on it. Everything on the banjo, except the strings and tailpiece, is original, I believe. If I were to change out the head with a new one, would that devalue the instrument, its appeal or its value?
mbanza - Posted - 01/02/2018: 17:06:39
Changing the head, like changing the strings, won't diminish value or appeal.
Fathand - Posted - 01/02/2018: 17:57:08
There are people who prefer an old instrument to look old and grungy. There are threads on BHO about people purposely staining their banjo heads with coffee and the like. I know one person who proudly shows off the crud and corruption on his older Stelling. There is a multi million dollar industry of "relicing" electric guitars and some of that interest rubs off into the banjo industry.
While I doubt that a new clean head would devalue your instrument by anything substantial, a dirty head is unlikely to either. If the head is playable, I would save the time and money of changing it. If you really want to change to a new clean head for your personal satisfaction, I would save the old head to sell along with the banjo when the next owner comes along.
jbalch - Posted - 01/02/2018: 18:05:19
I had an 1880s Dobson banjo with a head that was probably 100 years old (or more). It was stained and very dirty. I loved the look of it. It sounded great too.
But If you decide to install a new head these is nothing wrong with that. You can keep the old one and it could be reinstalled later - no problem.
John_J - Posted - 01/03/2018: 07:22:07
John Balch can provide you with an excellent goat skin or calf skin head that has been pre-mounted so you can just slip it on like a plastic head.... He can be contacted by clicking on the jbalch link above.... JJ
datkat - Posted - 02/01/2018: 16:42:47
John, thank you. I've down after back surgery. Sorry for the delayed reply.
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