joshjones - Posted - 05/19/2011:  19:46:46

I just got my calf skin head from elderly instruments, the instructions say to place the skin over the flesh hoop. Then place the flesh hoop over the tension hoop. I'm not sure what part is what. I placed the skin over the pot and placed a ring around the skin and put 4 hooks on and am waiting for the skin to dry. Am I missing a part that I need to make it work?, it seems to be working as it dries., will it start slipping?
I'm putting it on my 1890 Buckbee, seems as though it should all be there as I'm assuming it originally came with a calf skin head.

jbalch - Posted - 05/19/2011:  20:04:25

You must have a flesh hoop.  It is just a loop of wire.  The hide wraps around the flesh hoop to form a bead and lock the skin underneath the tension hoop.

Here are photos of the installation process:  banjoseen.us/calfskin%20banjohead.html

vintage SS Stewart instruction sheet here (very cool):  frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/...head.html

I'm linking this thread to the hide heads group:  banjohangout.org/group/hideheads

Edited by - jbalch on 05/19/2011 20:10:43

joshjones - Posted - 05/19/2011:  20:11:41

I didn't see a loop of wire that resembles a flesh hoop, I removed a plastic head to put the Calf skin on, could it be missing as it's not needed for a plastic head?

jbalch - Posted - 05/19/2011:  20:15:33

You do not need a flesh hoop with a plastic head. 

The plastic head comes mounted to an aluminum hoop around the bottom edge.  That aluminum hoop serves the same purpose as a flesh hoop.

I know that some folks cut the aluminum hoop off of an old plastic head and use that as a flesh hoop. If you do that...be sure to trim it cleanly and leave no sharp edges to cut the hide.

Edited by - jbalch on 05/19/2011 20:19:03

jbalch - Posted - 05/19/2011:  20:16:19

This video might help: youtu.be/V3c54i90Ghk

joshjones - Posted - 05/19/2011:  20:24:44

I thought about cutting the aluminum off the plastic head, that's what I shall attempt to do,
Thanks!

rudy - Posted - 05/19/2011:  20:27:38

This shows you where your flesh hoop is located:

vintagewells - Posted - 05/20/2011:  10:54:23

I recycle the wire from hubcap holders I find in the street near the potholes. It is usually spring steel but if you have difficulty cutting or bending it, heat it to glowing and let cool. Just the right size, and free.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 05/20/2011:  13:45:19

I have a brass flesh hoop from a Vega Mando-banjo restoration I did for someone a couple of years ago. What size do you need?

Hawgfiddle65 - Posted - 06/09/2011:  08:19:49

Hi

Just cut off the aluminium ring from your old plastic  head and use this as the flesh hoop .I did this when I converted an old hondo into a fretless  , it had a weird pot diameter I could get a plastic head for so  used the old hoop to put on a calf skin head .Worked just fine.

Jim (Hawgfiddle65)

mikehalloran - Posted - 06/09/2011:  08:23:38

Vega flesh hoops are square brass with sharp edges to better secure the head. Round wire does work, of course. More than a few are made of thick coat hangers with some masking tape to secure the ends.

Bart McNeil - Posted - 06/09/2011:  09:10:40

I have used both coat hanger wire and round thin brass rod from the hardware store. rod is easier to bend in a nice circle, but it ain't rocket science... so give it a try.