Banjolution - Posted - 03/30/2011:  18:14:26

Has anyone tried the $9.00 medium calf skin from Elderly? I was just wondering how they compare to say Bill Millers,or the skins available from Menzies? They look kinda funky in the picture on the website. :-)
Thanks for any advice!

jbalch - Posted - 03/30/2011:  18:35:30

It has been a while since I ordered any skins from Elderly. But I did buy from them before I found Miller, Menzies, &/or Stern. I think those Elderly hides are great for many projects. It is hard to beat that price. I would expect a good bit of variation in color (which can be very cool) & maybe in thickness too (which might make them a little harder to mount and tune).

A good skin head can last for a long time (many decades if you are lucky). I think the better quality hides available today are well worth the little extra cost. It takes a good bit of effort to install a new skin head...I want to have confidence in the materials I use... and to expect the best results.

Eldery medium thickness calf:

Edited by - jbalch on 03/30/2011 18:36:55

jbalch - Posted - 03/30/2011:  18:57:20

I searched my files for photos of some of the heads I bought from Elderly. I purchased several from them back when I was buying & selling lots of banjos on ebaY. I'll link photos of some of the Elderly heads here. This might give you an idea iof the variation I found among them over time.

BTW...some of these are great heads. Jack Pearson has the two Buckbee banjos. Both sound and look amazing.

Edited by - jbalch on 03/30/2011 19:10:26

calfskin on an Exclesior tenor conversion	calf skin on a Bogen 5-string	calfskin on a tenor	calfskin on an unmarked tenor
translucent calf on a Lange-made banjo	calfskin on another Buckbee	calfskin on a Buckbee

banjonz - Posted - 03/30/2011:  19:20:37

I buy skins from Elderly. I have just taken delivery of an order. They certainly were not white. More semi transparent. They are an economy head and do work.

TwoTrax - Posted - 03/30/2011:  19:57:51

Elderly's $9 med and thin skins are very transparent. If you want pure white calf, $27. I have bought $3 skins that are better quality than Elderly's $9 ones.

Oh, and they don't actually look like they look in the picture on their website.

Edited by - TwoTrax on 03/30/2011 19:59:40

Banjolution - Posted - 03/30/2011:  21:34:36

Thanks for your opinions everyone! John B, Thank you for all the wonderful pics. Thats kind of a current phase Im in. Getting late 1800's Banjos on Ebay,and bringing them back to life. It's quite fulfilling! :-)
I have a nice new "main player" on the way though,a Vega Little Wonder pot w/White Laydie tone ring,and a Fawley #2 neck. I think Im going to spring for a couple of Bill Miller's Vellums for this baby!
Thanks again ya'll!