Skin head mounted outside in - Discussion Forums

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ARCHIVED TOPIC: Skin head mounted outside in

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/204014

dculgan - Posted - 04/07/2011: 12:18:45

Was looking at a SSS Thoroughbred just posted to the classified. Noticed from the pics that the head appears to have been installed in an unusual fashion with the excess tucked under and inside. Its difficult enough the conventional way. No questions or other comments, but go take a look. D Culgan

bluemule_77 - Posted - 04/07/2011: 12:58:12

Wow. Y'know, that looks like it might be easier to install a skin that way. Just fold around the flesh hoop and lay it on the pot and start the tension hoop down. No?

Would like to hear of others who might do it this way.

jbalch - Posted - 04/07/2011: 13:57:14

I've seen a few old banjos with heads mounted that way. It seems like a very secure mount. I've not tried do do it that way myself.

I assume the way to do is is to: lay the flesh hoop in the center of a wet hide. Fold the skin over all around. The set the rim on top of the hoop and skin. Then flip the whole thing over and install the tension hoop from the top. Does that make sense?

bluemule_77 - Posted - 04/07/2011: 14:24:11

Makes sense to me. I intend to try this sometime or 'nother.

jbalch - Posted - 04/07/2011: 15:40:31

here is the photo:

Slingerland - Posted - 04/07/2011: 16:17:34

I've mounted heads like that before, I think it works well.

Here is Wayne Rogers' outside in method....

part 1:

youtube.com/watch?v=b9r2VGZf--0

part 2:

youtube.com/watch?v=7NvWPKQJdm...e=related

DEmery - Posted - 04/07/2011: 18:19:42

I have not seen a head mounted with the tuck inside the rim. It makes for a clean mount to the banjo but seems more difficult to get a clean trim inside...unless it is removed like you do John after it has cured for a day or so. I watched the links provided by Slingerland and find it interesting. I can say that having seen John Balch's heads mounted (owning a couple mounted by John for me), his technique is clean and the heads perform extremely well. This goes for an open back or two and a 1929 TB1 picked three finger style. Guess it goes to show there are at least two ways to "skin a head." David E.