First time installing a hide head

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage. Hide this notice

Hide Heads

Join This Group

For all things related to the use of SKIN BANJO HEADS. Calf, goat, possum, hairy, shaved, stained, pre-mounted. You name it.

380 Members, Created 3/28/2011 -

Administrators: jbalch (owner)

< Back to Home

From Rsquare on 6/16/2022 7:42:19 AM

Hello pickers! I'm a life long guitar picker and have very recently picked up a banjo for the first time. I have fallen in love with claw hammer style and have about a half dozen songs down. Can't quit now so I bought a better banjo. Washburn B102. The first thing I did was order a calf skin medium thick hide. Installation went very well. 3 days later it's all reassembled , but the head sags at the bridge too much. I'm worried about over tightening this thing. 1) should I let it settle for a while? 2) grit my teeth and wrench it on down?

I've read a lot of posts here and I'm looking for encouragement :)

1 Comments
	BDCA says: 6/16/2022 9:37:57 AM If the head is securely mounted you will be able to tighten the head sufficiently without worrying about splitting. Obviously, if not, then the head and/or banjo is useless. A well stretched head will produce wonderful tone and take a surprising amount of tension. Check for flaws in the skin. Also be careful of significant humidity changes, because a drop in humidity will tighten the head. hope that helps. When all else fails buy a head from John Balch. I have a number of his and it's the best possible investment you can make. Bob
Post a Comment
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.

Forum Post: Drum dial settings for vellums Linked by jbalch yesterday
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 4 months ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 4 months ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 5 months ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 9 months ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 10 months ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 10 months ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 1 year ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 1 year ago
Forum Post: (untitled) Linked by jbalch 2 years ago