Re-wetting a head

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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 Bill on 6/14/2013 9:04:46 AM

Another question. The calfskin that I mounted last evening is drying nicely, but it does look like it will dry with too low a crown to suit my taste -- a high stretcher band will cut into my arm and/or interfere with my thumb on the fifth string when I play at the edge of the pot.

If I wet it the skin to stretch it a bit, do I have to remove it completely from the pot and start over? I presume that I could do that because I haven't trimmed it, but I'd rather not because I got all the wrinkles out this time.

Or, can I just leave it mounted on the pot as is, wet the flat surface and tighten it down some more? I worry that it'll pop when it dries.

2 Comments
	jbalch says: 6/15/2013 4:37:33 AM You can remove the untrimmed head and start over. But that is usually not necessary if the tension hoop is only 3/8" +/- proud. You want it to be a little high initially - it will stretch further in time. Dont be in a hurry. If the tension hoop sits a "little" high - that is usually a good thing. As long as it does not interefere with the strings at the end of the fingerboard - I would probably leave it alone. The head will naturally stretch more over time and it will eventually pull down further. You can deliberately expose it to high humidity to speed the process (ala: Brooks Masten's recommendations) If it is necessary to really re-wet and stretch the crown (so that the tension hoop will not interfere with playing), I simply place a wet wash cloth on top of the mounted head for a few minutes. I linked a photo to illustrate. Use your best judgement - this is the kind of thing that is best learned by experience. Good luck with it!
	Bill says: 6/15/2013 8:27:10 AM This is all great to know about, John. I was lucky enough not to need the advice, but I'll keep it under my hat for future need. Thanks!
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