Hide heads splitting

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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 flailing on 7/7/2013 8:44:59 AM

I bought 3 Bill Miller pre-mounted hide heads just over a year ago and mounted them on 3 banjos. I was very careful in ensuring a good mount, even tension all the way round, and use the straight edge-quarter method (mentioned on the BHO) to gauge the head tension on a regular basis.

I keep a eye on the heads and adjust for humidity changes as needed. The humidity is currently about 57% in my house, which is normal this time of year.

So far 2 of the three heads have spilt along the inside edge of flesh hoop. This happened with both banjos being stored in their cases. The second one just split a couple of days ago, and I am sure it was not too tight given the higher humidity. Has anyone had similar issues, or suggest what I may be doing wrong?

Thanks

Gord

8 Comments
	Bill says: 7/7/2013 1:17:36 PM Rough spot on the edge of the flesh hoop or the stretcher band?
	flailing says: 7/7/2013 1:22:30 PM I will check that. I was not sure if storing in a case with higher humidity could cause it. I have two other hide head bankos that are on stands and no problems.
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 7/7/2013 3:11:31 PM I've only ever had one split. The reason was that the metal hoop had rusted over about two inches and the rust rotted through the skin. The break in the nickel finish that allowed the rust was not notice when fitting the new skin some years before. This is very unlikely to be the cause of your experience but that's what happened to me.
	jbalch says: 7/9/2013 6:20:44 AM Three things to think about. 1. I usually "ease" the edges of my square brass flesh hoops to make sure there are no sharp corners to cut the hide. Use 600 grit finishing sand paper. 2. Check the inside edge of your banjo tension hoop. Make sure it is not too sharp as well. 3. I had GREAT results with almost all of of the hides I purchased from Bill. He was an awesome gentleman too. If I received a hide that I thought might be unreliable, Bill replaced it for me ...no questions asked. But ... some of the hides he supplied were just too thin. Also, I think the bleached (white) hides in particular had a soft texture. If the bleached hides were thin - they were sometimes unreliable. VERY thin hides are easy to mount - but understandibly less trustworthy. I had a couple of very thin Miller heads break pre-maturely - exactly as you describe. Hide heads are individual, and natural, and sometimes they will break unpredictably. It is also true that many hides last for decades (I've seen some that were 60 or 70 years old - or more - and still going strong).
	flailing says: 7/9/2013 6:28:58 AM Thanks John. I will check those two items on both banjos. Both heads that split were the bleached white hides, while the third is a processed-vellum and it is fine.
	jbalch says: 7/9/2013 6:40:44 AM The velum processed hides were my favorites from Bill. I always had great results from them.
	pastorharry says: 7/10/2013 1:09:00 AM Unfortunately the 2 hides I got from Bill both split along the band also. I've had no problem with John Balch's heads.
	existential_banjo says: 9/8/2013 6:53:06 PM Try mounting the calf or goat skin yourself. Elderly instruments sells them for $10.00. It is also good occupational and psychological therapy.
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