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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 rowdyboy on 9/1/2012 11:26:00 AM

I just installed a new head from Bill Miller. It came out perfectly- but I have to admit it took two tries. I didn't pull it down far enough the first time, so I redid it - now I'm happy I did. The tension ring is just the right distance above the head and the banjo sounds just like a Tubaphon should. I use a small foam block along the dowel under the skin to modify tone. With all due respect to its aesthetics, I don't quite get all the hubub about staining. To me its a lot like "relicing" electric guitars- deliberately chipping and scratching the finish and treating the parts to fool the viewer into thinking the instrument has been played for years. I say playing it will accomplish the goal- let it happen naturally. In the meantime bask in the glow of that newly mounted skin. (I'd attach a photo if I could figure out how)

6 Comments
	mworden says: 7/19/2012 11:14:39 AM I didn't stain my head to make it look old. I stained it because I thought it looked cool (I dig the streaks and striations). I'm not sure any amount of natural aging would accomplish the same thing (save maybe in the context of a 3 pack a day habit, which I thankfully don't have).
	flatlander78 says: 7/20/2012 10:07:46 PM Ya, I stained mine to match the walnut finish of my pot and neck. I don't care much for a white head. I think it kinda looks out of sorts if you will. Like a sore thumb you accidentally smashed with a mallet. Besides I don't have the patience to wait 70+ yrs to get the natural patina.
	rowdyboy says: 7/21/2012 7:03:59 PM I guess that's why they make chocolate and vanilla (and however many other flavors) it's all about choices and the freedom to make them. I was not trying to start a row, merely voice one man's opinion and I fully respect the views voiced in response.
	mworden says: 7/23/2012 7:24:44 AM I certainly didn't mean to imply any offense taken. Just that "aging" wasn't the reason I would choose to stain my head. Simply aesthetics.
	flatlander78 says: 7/23/2012 4:01:12 PM You didn't want to start a row? I thought that's what the name rowdyboy implied. LOL. Oh just kidding. I didn't mean to sound like I had taken it the wrong way and I do apologize if I gave the wrong impression. I actually like to hear other folks comments about how they choose to set up their jo's because it gives me a chance to hear other points of view. I really appreciate how different they can all sound and that's why I enjoy tinkering with them so much. Its all about learning as much as I can from as many folks as I can.
	rowdyboy says: 7/23/2012 5:09:21 PM Amen to you both. My name Rowdyboy has been with me since grade school. It makes me laugh to think about how that kid was. I turned 71 last Saturday so I'm not quite so rowdy anymore (well, maybe in my head). My view is that since 71 is a prime number, I must have entered the prime of my life!- Never mind the fuzzy logic and the implications of that statement!
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