TaterHead - Posted - 03/25/2026:  17:56:14

I'm new ... I see several drumdial tuners on the market that all look the same. I want to be able to accurately even out the tension everywhere on my banjo's drum head, and likely tune it to a particular tension. Which drumdial tuner is recommended most highly for open back banjo? Links would be great ... thx (PM them if we're not supposed to post links to stores/dealers here).

jdeluke137 - Posted - 03/25/2026:  20:07:49

I have the DrumDial brand, and the analog model. Here it is at Amazon.

a.co/d/06UZXDGF

Personally, I wouldn't buy used.  If it's left sitting on the needle it can be damaged and won't read accurately.  It needs to be stored  in the box it came in or the available case.  The only way to be really sure it works properly is to buy it new still sealed in the box.  But that's just my opinion.  Others may disagree.

 

Edited by - jdeluke137 on 03/25/2026 20:11:31

randybartlett - Posted - 03/26/2026:  18:29:13

Here's the manufacturer's website DRUMDIAL

I got the digital one but I think I would have preferred the analog one.

gcpicken - Posted - 03/26/2026:  18:38:25

I was going to recommend the Pocket Dial by the Nashville Banjo Company, because they specialize in open back banjos. I have a Pocket Dial and use it on my resonator banjos (I don't have any open backs). BUT - it appears that they no longer make the Pocket Dial.

Dean T - Posted - 03/26/2026:  18:52:46

I got the old fashioned analog model around 17 years ago and still going strong, even after loaning it out… and finally getting it back 4 years later. It works fantastic on my two open back banjos, and my resonator banjo.

Davis head tension method

 

pinenut - Posted - 03/26/2026:  20:28:24

quote:

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Originally posted by Dean T

I got the old fashioned analog model around 17 years ago and still going strong, even after loaning it out… 

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Hi Dean,

That's the best picture I've seen posted for head tension measurements.  Keep that handy.  

+1     On the plain analog Drum Dial.  I purchased a used one; they're tough and last forever.

RB3 - Posted - 03/27/2026:  12:23:32

I would suggest that you buy the analog version of the Drum Dial, rather than the digital version. With the analog version, you can achieve greater accuracy using visual interpolation. Also, the analog version is less expensive. Below is a link to the analog version at Amazon.

Drum Dial - Amazon

LouZee Picker - Posted - 03/28/2026:  10:51:58

I purchased a used digital model years ago for 60 bucks and has worked flawlessly.  

martyjoe - Posted - 03/28/2026:  11:10:25

I purchased a digital drum dial a few years ago and had to return it because it was faulty. When the replacement came it worked perfectly for a couple of months and then developed problems with the digital readout. So now I don’t fully trust it and regret not getting the analog version.