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Hide Heads

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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)

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From csbdr on 3/1/2012 11:01:49 AM

I am new to hide heads but have 3 somehow, and love them! So, I have a supertone with a very thin,translucent head on it. It has been very tight and has a nice bright tone which I love on this banjo. So over the last couple weeks I have used this one for a couple songs in sawmill and have just left it in that tuning. I've noticed that in the past week the bridge is sinking a bit, and I am starting to get some buzzing from the strings getting close to the fretboard. So, I wasnot expecting this in the wintertime. Do I need to adjust/tighten the head? is this just the way it is with a more alive, dynamic material? I was expecting this in the summer, not wintertime.

3 Comments
	carlb says: 3/1/2012 1:14:59 PM My suggestion is a higher bridge. I carry three bridges and change them depending on the humidity (1/2, 5/8 and 11/16 "). Tightening and loosening the head is not a good idea; I also have a very thin, translucent head. The humidity can change in the winter, too. Also check for any tears at the bottom of the tension hoop.
	jbalch says: 3/1/2012 2:46:58 PM Recently mounted hides will require tightening a few times as they stretch. This can continue for quite a while ... regardless of humidity. Obviously, I can't judge yours without seeing it. But those translucent hides are often very tough and capable of plenty of tension. I'd tighten it ... just go slow and increase the tension evenly all around ... and in small increments. Like Carl, I also sometimes use different bridge heights to avoid overtightening mature or well-stretched heads when the vary due to temporary humidity swings.
	csbdr says: 3/2/2012 2:34:51 AM Thanks! No tears, and not newly mounted, but I'm amazed at how these react to humidity. I have a hygrometer around here someplace.i need to,put itin the living room where this banjo hangs out, and check it once in a while. I'm going to probably give it a little adjustment and see how it fares.
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