RUSTYSTILL - Posted - 05/29/2011:  11:22:10

I'm putting a skin head on my old banjo and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good source for flesh rings? The old head was a weather king drum head type and there was no hoop to hold the skin under the tension hoop.

Also, is there any preference for material that could affect the quality of sound or other function?Thanks,

Jim

'09 Fairbanks Whyte Laydie

2008 Deering Calico

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 05/29/2011:  11:35:27

What size do you need?  I have a brass flesh hoop (square in cross-section) from an old Vega Banjo-mandolin I restored for someone. The owner wanted a modern head on it, so had no use for the flesh hoop. It should fit a 10 3/4" pot, I believe.  Neither of my banjos are that size, so I'll be wiling to part with it.

rcmoore - Posted - 05/29/2011:  11:57:22

This search of Banjo Hangout should answer your question.

Bob Moore

banjohangout.org/pages/search....hoop#1263

WH Mayo - Posted - 05/29/2011:  12:51:08

Here's one spot:

banjoseen.us/Store/index.html

banjonz - Posted - 05/29/2011:  13:41:15

Could I recommend 1/8" PVC welding rod. I have used this on a couple of banjos when I couldn't get the right sized metal hoops or the existing one was so tight that I couldn't fit the replacement head on it. PVC had the bonus of being flexible and I can use masking tape to join the two ends together. Don't try and join the ends by melting them. It doesn't work too well.

RUSTYSTILL - Posted - 05/29/2011:  14:22:25

Thanks for the info, folks.  One question, other than ease of installation, what difference in sound might occur with a pre mounted skin head VS one I would soak and mount myself? 

Jim

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 05/29/2011:  14:49:04

Putting a skin head on a flesh hoop is not hard, but there is s learning curve  and your first one might not come out that great.

Bill Miller sells pre-mounted skins that are easy to install and are a good value. On the other hand learning to mount a skin is a good thing too.

SFI - Posted - 05/29/2011:  15:31:15

You didn't mention the size you need. I have many 10-15/16" square brass flesh hoops for sale at $5 each. I do have a few other sizes too.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 05/29/2011:  15:44:16

I just actually saw my first Bill Miller pre-mounted skin on a banjo a week ago. I figured from everything I read that they would be a quality item and now I have proof. I'm still not ready to take that particular plunge - but maybe once I have enough banjos again I'll have skins on some. My only current 5 string skin head is my avatar Jackie-O, and her hooks are so metal-fatigued I leave the head loose all year - making her playable only in the middle of winter when the furnace is always on and in the middle of summer when the AC is always on.

Edited by - oldwoodchuckb on 05/29/2011 15:48:17

Jackie O

J.B. Schall circa 1893

DEmery - Posted - 05/29/2011:  18:11:13

John Balch has commented on flesh hoops many times on BHO. He will see this thread from my comment but if you want to contact him just look him up under the members list and drop a note. He is a wealth of information and regardless of the size or shape of hoop you want he can point you in the right direction. David E.

Edited by - DEmery on 05/29/2011 18:12:50

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 05/30/2011:  03:59:59

quote:

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Originally posted by banjonz

Could I recommend 1/8" PVC welding rod. I have used this on a couple of banjos when I couldn't get the right sized metal hoops or the existing one was so tight that I couldn't fit the replacement head on it. PVC had the bonus of being flexible and I can use masking tape to join the two ends together. Don't try and join the ends by melting them. It doesn't work too well.

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Would PVC cement work?

RUSTYSTILL - Posted - 05/30/2011:  06:07:43

When measuring a banjo head, from where to where am I measuring, the outside diameter of the pot? Thanks,

Jim