HunterBanjo - Posted - 03/07/2011:  12:54:41

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I have often come to this forum for its useful advice and interesting topics, but this is my first post. I have recently acquired an old no name japanese banjo with an aluminum pot. I've taken the thing completely apart and am ordering some new hardware for it which is badly needed. I was wondering if its possible to replace the head with a skin head or synthetic equivalent rather than a hard plastic one like it has? Is that possible on an aluminum banjo, has anybody tried, does sound good? I play clawhammer banjo and plan on using this banjo to take to jams and go camping with. Thanks for any advice and all opinions welcomed.

Thanks,
Hunter

Paul R - Posted - 03/07/2011:  13:13:51

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Hi Hunter. Welcome to BHO.

No problem. All you need to do is find the right size - diameter and crown height. Material shouldn't make a difference as far as replaceability is concerned. Check out the various types of head - frosted, clear, Renaissance, Fiberskyn, and so on. They all give different tones.

Tim13 - Posted - 03/07/2011:  13:37:36

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Measure the rim very carefully. Many of the no name asian imports from years ago have 11 1/8 heads on them.

Tim

xnavyguy - Posted - 03/07/2011:  15:01:17

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With a thicker head and the right bridge, aluminum rim banjos can make amazing clawhammer instruments. Remo makes an 11" black drum head called the Ebony Ambassador that works great on aluminum rim banjos. Eleven inches is an odd size for drums so a lot of music stores don't stock that size. I bought mine, online, at Sam Ash Music. Like Tim said, measure the rim carefully as some of those rims are a bit larger than 11".

1four5 - Posted - 03/07/2011:  16:25:04

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I put an Elite fiberskin head on an old Lotus bottlecap banjo and it really sounded good. I've also used the black drum heads xnavyguy mentioned with good success.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 03/07/2011:  16:40:45

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Depending on the actual maker, you may have an 11" rim or an 11 1/8" rim. Measure carefully.
I'm very happy with a Renaissance head on my "Bottlecap" Epi MB200.

If yours has the integral flange (Scalloped edge) like the Lotus in 1Four5's post, you'll need to cover those "points" with something if you remove the resonator. You can play clawhammer style with a resonator banjo.

Pictures of the banjo would help us to provide you with better advice.

HunterBanjo - Posted - 03/07/2011:  17:44:38

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Thanks for the advice. I measured the pot and it's 11 inches. It's not the bottlecap design and i have already removed the resonator. I sanded the paint off the pot and have sanded the neck down, I plan to stain it darker. I uploaded some pictures to show yall what i'm working with. I might upload some pictures or audio when I reassemble the thing.

PeterRedwoods - Posted - 03/07/2011:  21:59:59

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This is my wonderful cheapie Rover banjo. It has a skin head on it and sounds delightful. Navyguy is right they can sound really great.

yumagah - Posted - 03/08/2011:  10:52:40

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quote:

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Originally posted by 1four5

I put an Elite fiberskin head on an old Lotus bottlecap banjo and it really sounded good. I've also used the black drum heads xnavyguy mentioned with good success.

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Don't want to redirect this thread, but I have often admired the look of fiberskin heads. Would like to try one someday, but I have heard they soften the tone a bit. Would putting one on an all-wood Goodtime make it too quiet?

Jonnycake White - Posted - 03/08/2011:  16:54:58

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Some folks think that nothing you can do to a banjo will make it TOO quiet!
I've used Fiberskin on a couple or three of my banjos and like it all right, but I can't comment on volume differences because I havn't tried the plastic heads on the same banjos.

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Edited by - Jonnycake White on 03/08/2011 16:55:31