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J-Walk - Posted - 03/21/2011: 09:02:03
Today's playing advice: Don't forget to loosen your skin head when playing outside in dry weather.
I failed to heed that advice yesterday, and here's the result:
It's my Jason Burns #11 banjo, which I've had for about a year and a half. It's been in the house (or at indoor jams) all winter. Yesterday I took it to Phoenix for an outdoor jam, and didn't even consider that fact that it was really dry.
Fortunately, it happened on the last tune of the day -- after about five hours of playing. Now I get to mount a new head, which is a task that gets more fun every time I do it.
slipry1 - Posted - 03/21/2011: 09:11:16
quote:
Originally posted by J-Walk
Today's playing advice: Don't forget to loosen your skin head when playing outside in dry weather.
I failed to heed that advice yesterday, and here's the result:
It's my Jason Burns #11 banjo, which I've had for about a year and a half. It's been in the house (or at indoor jams) all winter. Yesterday I took it to Phoenix for an outdoor jam, and didn't even consider that fact that it was really dry.
Fortunately, it happened on the last tune of the day -- after about five hours of playing. Now I get to mount a new head, which is a task that gets more fun every time I do it.
Ah, yes! Phoenix, indeed. I had to be careful about my banjos when I lived there in the 80's. I had learned my lesson when I lived in Claremont, CA. A Santa Ana came through one night, and I heard a couple of "pops". When I got up the next morning, both of my banjos' heads looked like the on in the picture. The humidity had gone from 50% to 5%, and the temperature had gone from the 70's to the 90's. In the deset, you have to be really careful taking a banjo with a skin head from the your air conditioned house out into the desert heat.
Jim Yates - Posted - 03/21/2011: 09:21:41
Also, don't forget to loosen your head after tightening it for a late, damp night pickin' session. Mine looked much like yours the next day when it dried out.
carlb - Posted - 03/22/2011: 07:49:01
Repeating myself from other topics
By me, for any skin head, the thinner the better, especially in high humidity. You should probably have a few bridges of different heights. For me, I tighten the head so that it just doesn't buzz with the highest bridge in the most humid and cool conditions. Then I don't tighten it any more. It may take a month or so to get to that stage. Tightening and loosening a skin head only shortens its life.
I've been using skin heads on my banjos since 1973 (when I started). Here's how I deal with it. I tighten the head, the 2nd day after mounting, just so that it doesn't buzz with my highest bridge (11/16"). I then might tighten it a bit over the next month or if I'm playing in a very humid and cool environment, again, just so it doesn't buzz with my highest bridge. A couple of years ago, it dawned on me that I could maintain the same action, if I just used a lower bridge in drier conditions. For example, here in the northeast where the climate is pretty humid (often about 70%), I use either my 11/16" or a 5/8". However, when I went to Colorado last August, I only used my 1/2" one.
I do not suggest tightening and loosening or heating the head as this would probably cause it to have a shorter life. My heads have lasted between 5 and 15 years before developing a tear or losing a sound quality that I'm used to.
slipry1 - Posted - 03/22/2011: 08:49:38
That's fine for living where the humidity stays above 50%, but, for those of us out west, the humidity can go from 75% to 5% in less than a day. If you tighten the head so it plays well at 75% (or 50% for that matter) it will surely pop at 15% or lower.
carlb - Posted - 03/23/2011: 10:27:21
quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
If you tighten the head so it plays well at 75% (or 50% for that matter) it will surely pop at 15% or lower.
My didn't during my month stay in Fort Collins, CO. Remember in the most humid conditions I use an 11/16" bridge. While I was in CO, I used a 1/2" bridge.
J-Walk - Posted - 03/25/2011: 16:49:19
Good as new. Maybe even better.
I got a thin goatskin head from Mid East Manufacturing. The original head was thicker. I like the sound of this one a lot better.
Before soaking it, I applied a super-thin coat of oil-based wood stain -- wiped it on, and quickly wiped it off. I have an unproven theory that it helps with humidity. Probably not, but it makes it look good.
tomberghan - Posted - 03/26/2011: 07:49:00
Sorry that happened to you John, but at least it had a happy ending and the new head looks COOL I think!
Here is s trick I use to prevent me from busting one of my skin heads: (click on the link for the text-description)
banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...albumid=0
Edited by - tomberghan on 03/26/2011 07:50:32
carlb - Posted - 03/26/2011: 08:15:20
Glad you got a thin one and like the sound. I think for banjos, the thinner, the better, but the animal doesn't matter so much.
quote:
Originally posted by J-Walk
I got a thin goatskin head from Mid East Manufacturing. The original head was thicker. I like the sound of this one a lot better.
jbalch - Posted - 03/26/2011: 17:58:26
looks great.
majikgator - Posted - 03/27/2011: 07:25:17
i live in Florida. Wonder what gator skin would sound like? Sure no lack of humidity here.
Tackhead - Posted - 03/28/2011: 06:31:55
quote:
Originally posted by majikgator
i live in Florida. Wonder what gator skin would sound like? Sure no lack of humidity here.
Or 'possum. Given the amount of road kill around Tallahassee, 'possum might be a good choice. Fewer corn snakes this year than last, though.
~John
August - Posted - 03/29/2011: 06:44:22
Also, make sure the tailpiece isn't clamped down on the head. I had one cut the head once.
jbalch - Posted - 03/29/2011: 18:14:56
quote:
Originally posted by August
Also, make sure the tailpiece isn't clamped down on the head. I had one cut the head once.
Great point! The head on my Goose Acres T-12 has a hole from where a previous owner pulled the tailpiece too low. One of the little feet on the tailpiece cut the head. It is a wonderful sounding head. I've had it for a few years and it has been fine so far. But i know I'll open the case to fine a big split one day.
Tackhead - Posted - 03/30/2011: 06:19:03
quote:
Originally posted by August
Also, make sure the tailpiece isn't clamped down on the head. I had one cut the head once.
Me, too. I installed a skin head on my Tradesman and didn't notice that the stretcher had pulled the flesh hoop too low. So sad.
~John
