ThomasHale - Posted - 03/28/2011:  13:26:23

I just wanted to come on the forums and ask people. What do you think of skin heads?

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/28/2011:  14:21:14

Frequently discussed here. They have a sound and tone all their own that some folks really like. But even those who really like them know that skin heads are "fussy" about weather, humidity, temperature, etc. Putting one on from scratch is a Pure D b*tch of a job, but gives a real sense of "accomplishment" and sharing in the old time skills of a banjo player who had to know how to do this FREQUENTLY due to heads busting when they got too dry! Skin heads are more widely used today in old time banjos than bluegrass banjos. There are a few dedicated bluegrassers who've learned to feed and care for them properly though, notably Jimmy Mills' CD "Hide Head Blues" recorded on 4 banjos with hide heads.

The only way to truly know is to try one! Thankfully, you can buy a decent pre-mounted calf or goat skin head fairly easy nowadays, which takes a lot of the risk out of putting it on the banjo. Then you have to figure out how tight you want it in what kind of weather situation, and see what you think!

jbalch - Posted - 03/28/2011:  16:55:48

I have skin heads on all my open back banjos and one bluegrass instrument. I really like them and think they are well worth the small amount of extra required effort. I recommend learning to mount them yourself. That saves money and allows you to customize the fit to your banjo. It is really not too difficult.

The topic comes up here all the time. Here are Some recent threads:

banjohangout.org/topic/201572

banjohangout.org/topic/193292

banjohangout.org/topic/185384

banjohangout.org/topic/202583/#2580163

banjohangout.org/topic/201898

banjonz - Posted - 03/28/2011:  19:33:08

Skin heads/vellums/hide heads are great for some banjos and not others. This is my opinion only! The problem with them is they are very susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. This is why 99% of all banjos use the mylar heads. Having said that, having the right vellum on a banjo will make a world of difference to tone. Skins come in a wide range of grades. The top quality thin heads are quite expensive but worth it. I do a lot of reskinning of banjos here and use the economy calf skin heads I get from Elderly Instruments. They work really well IMO. Way back before mylar heads and during the golden age of banjos, the standard head was a 'Jos B. Rogers' which was a lovely head and superior quality.

Kurt Kemp - Posted - 03/29/2011:  02:50:54

Alot of it depends on where you live too. I live in Michigan where every aspect of the weather changes every 15 minutes. I don't mind tweaking but sure don't want to be forced into it every time I turn around. I will say though, that the thought of trying a skin head has intrigued me on many occasions and still does!

Viper - Posted - 03/29/2011:  07:32:44

I live in Northeast Ohio where the weather is very similar to that of parts of Michigan. You'll tweak far less than you think. I've had a goat skin head on my banjo since late last summer and have barely touched since the initial stretching. Give it a try!

stevel - Posted - 03/29/2011:  07:52:08

quote:

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Originally posted by ThomasHale

I just wanted to come on the forums and ask people. What do you think of skin heads?

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Kurt Kemp - Posted - 03/29/2011:  08:35:44

so which one would you consider the best and where would a fellar buy one?

Viper - Posted - 03/29/2011:  08:51:57

Lots of choices:
Mid-East Music: mid-east.com/ (where I got mine)
Elderly: elderly.com/
Bill Miller: banjoseen.us/Store/index.html (where I got my flesh hoop)

I'm sure others have some suggestions as well. Goat vs. Calf is one of those personal preference choices.

Kurt Kemp - Posted - 03/29/2011:  09:43:29

I read all the other threads too and decided on a Miller white calfskin.