claybanjo - Posted - 08/19/2011:  18:31:08

Calf skin or goat skin? I have a 10" pot that has a torn goat skin head. I have to replace it as I assemble this "new" mutt of mine. I've never heard goat skin's except on drums. Let me know what you all think.

Thanks all, Eric

Edited by - claybanjo on 08/19/2011 18:32:44

jbalch - Posted - 08/19/2011:  18:43:34

On a 10" rim, I don't think you will hear much (any) real difference between calf or goat.  I'd choose based on the look you want.  Here are some resources:

banjoseen.us/Store/index.html

jeffreymenzies.com/

mid-east.com/items.asp?Cc=Skin&Bc=

check out the photos of various heads I've mounted on my homepage...banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...umid=2775

I'm linking this to the hide heads group....

tdennis - Posted - 08/19/2011:  18:45:09

Goat will work on banjos, but I believe that calf is a superior product that  will offer you more choices of thicknesses & levels of quality.   

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 08/19/2011:  19:18:57

Calf seems to be the "norm" (doesn't make it right, but makes it more common)

jbalch - Posted - 08/19/2011:  19:47:14

There are several different types of hides available today. Here is a little more detail about some of the types I've used. Note: Hides are available from several sources, I identify my suppliers below.  I hope this might be helpful: 

machine-sanded calfskin (Stern Tanning Co). very even thickness, smooth surface, most expensive - best quality!

bleached Goatskin (Bill Miller & Jeff Menzies) - very bright white, even thickness and texture

bleached calfskin (Miller & Menzies) off-white, even thickness, soft texture

vellum-processed calfskin (Bill Miller) - slightly mottled with white spots, stiff texture, strong - very good hides!

un-bleached goat - (Jeff Menzies or Mid East Mfg.) very mottled appearance with some clear spots, less even thickness

un-bleached calf - (Jeff Menzies or Mid East Mfg.) semi-translucent with varying degree of white spots, often stiff texture, very strong

hairy goat skin - (Mid East Mfg.) rustic appearance - very muted tone (made popular by Johannes Bonefaas)

Edited by - jbalch on 08/19/2011 19:52:06

1932 style 5 Mastertone w/ Stern tanning calfskin head	Bill Miller bleached Goat Skin	Bleached Calf Skin	vellum processed calfskin on the ebony banjo
Menzies non-bleached calfskin on Sagmoen banjo	Hairy goatskin head

tdennis - Posted - 08/19/2011:  20:53:04

John ,  Thanks for all the information, & beautiful display.

Ho C Ying - Posted - 08/20/2011:  05:56:30

I am selling a snakeskin head banjo.
banjobuyer.com/banjo/23488

You can hear a similar one here:
56.com/u11/v_NDk4MDcxMDY.html

I want to use a snakeskin head banjo pot to make a 5 strings banjo if I have time.

mrussell - Posted - 08/20/2011:  07:13:00

I prefer goat over calf, but as John said, you may not hear any difference, come down to the look you want.

Mike