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neighbour - Posted - 03/05/2012: 15:28:10
if theres lots of small transparent dots on a calfskin ,is this a sign of poor quality/weakness or normal.? thanks
jbalch - Posted - 03/05/2012: 15:37:54
From what I've seen, they are fairly common and usually inconsequential. Most are probably just clear spots.
If I'm worried about such a spot, I'll examine it under magnification to see if it is just translucent ... or actually a small natural hole. As a precaution, I have repaired some small apparent holes with patches of hide and superglue (see example below).
I'm linking this discussion to the hide heads group: banjohangout.org/group/hideheads
Edited by - jbalch on 03/05/2012 15:50:43
neighbour - Posted - 03/06/2012: 01:08:38
thanks jbalch i ll get out the magnifying glass!
DEmery - Posted - 03/06/2012: 04:03:05
John I think that photo is the head you installed on the Gibson. Right? I would echo that repair technique. I had a slight break in a nice head mounted on a SSS Thoroughbred. I got a piece of aged skin and cut a patch that extended beyond the separation and super glued it in place. There is no sign of a blimpish on the top and a patch if you can live with it inside. It is stable and saved a nice piece of skin...at least for a while or maybe years. David E.
jbalch - Posted - 03/06/2012: 05:10:04
quote:
Originally posted by neighbour
thanks jbalch i ll get out the magnifying glass!
BTW - I've seen small clear spots in high-grade vintage heads too. I really prefer not to find them. But As I said, they usualy don't cause problems.
I've only had one (1) head fail becuase a similar spot opened up onto a larger hole. But I think the real problem was that the tension hoop was too tight for the rim. I worked for several hours trying to get the skin to fit between hoop and rim. in the pricess I put WAY too much tension on the wet hide. It really failed because I over strettched it. I think that would not have happened under normal mounting circumstances.
Bart McNeil - Posted - 03/06/2012: 08:06:06
I too have repaired (filled) some tiny nail holes in an old pig skin head with super glue and they have lasted just fine for the past twenty years.
