When to loosen?

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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 Andy K on 9/24/2013 12:38:36 PM

You always read about having to adjust a hide head in the heat and humidity. You also hear about heads splitting when the weather cools. My question is when do you know to loosen the head before you find it broken? Is there a change in tone to warn you or do you go by temperature? Any tips? Thanks in advance

Andy

6 Comments
	C Nyal de Kaye says: 9/24/2013 2:00:32 PM I have never heard of that happening, but I am in Australia with different weather conditions. I'll be interested to see the comments. Thanks for your post Andy.
	Pluckin Mutha says: 9/24/2013 2:23:14 PM I have a head on my S. S. Stewart which I installed in 1973. It has never been loosened. It has been tightened a few time in the early years to take up slack, and allow for a balanced head pressured. Our humidity varies from 0% to 90%. Temperatures indoor from 50 to 90. Outdoor - 35 to +95 There's probably a Nelly factory in there somewhere.
	jbalch says: 10/3/2013 5:38:09 PM I rarely loosen mine unless the just begin to feel too tight. The few I've seen fail did so after being tightened excessively during high humidity ... then stored in a heated home with artificially low humidity. So I think it depends on how tight you keep your head generally. If it is extremely tight ... in the wet season ... it might make sense to back off a little bit as dry times approach. If it feels like an adjustment is needed ... go for it. You can always re-tighten if-and-when necessary.
	Gordy Ohliger says: 10/3/2013 7:10:52 PM I have been playing hide heads since....Ack! over fifty years now! Here it is; don't leave it in your car at 107 degrees. Other than that, I have NEVER adjusted the head! EVER! You people think too much. Just play your banjo. When flying to a gig; loosen it a few notches....tighten when you get there. Don't sit it in the sun..(kinda like your grandchild?) and it will be OK.
	Tom Berghan says: 10/19/2013 12:27:44 PM Please click on his link for my answer as to the question "When to Loosen? banjohangout.org/group/hideheads/blog/6311
	Andy K says: 11/1/2013 3:55:59 PM Thank you all for the great information. I am entering my first cold season with a hide head and don't want to screw it up. I have a John Balch 3 star head on a Reiter Standard. Thanks again. Andy
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