DeanT - Posted - 03/19/2012:  19:15:22

It really works! I've prided myself in the past with adjusting my head tension using even tension, feel and sound. However, it usually takes a week or two and several tweeks to get it right. Well, last night I replaced the flange on my banjo. Before de-tensioning the head, I checked it using Steve's 10" rule and quarter method. A Quarter wouldn't fit, a dime fit perfect. I did the job, and set the head tension by feel. I strung it up and it sounded ok, but not quite what it was. I checked, and to my surprise, the Quarter fit easily! So my "by feel" method, wasn't as close as I thought it would get me! It was much looser. So, I simply continued to evenly tighten, until the Quarter wouldn't fit anymore, and the dime fit perfectly. Just the way it was before I started. And man oh man... my banjo is sounding just the way it was before, and just the way I like it!

Thanks Steve! The method is dirt simple and very accurate. With the starting reference, I was able to continue tightening with complete confidence, and no mystery, and no wondering if I was going to far. I played all afternoon, enjoying my banjo's sound, and not tweeking more and fiddeling with it. This method saved me a week or two of tweeking and listening and repeating until I got it back to where it was. The best part... it only costs pocket change... and you get to keep it!

Fathand - Posted - 03/20/2012:  06:22:51

Yes, this method makes a great starting point, of course you still want to watch that your tension hoop is level and that your nuts are reasonably to similar tightness which Steve states. Individual banjos may benefit from tweaking to match the players ear.

DeanT - Posted - 03/20/2012:  07:57:27

Even torque and level hoop are mandatory! That’s another place a coin comes in handy. For my banjo, a nickel, set on the head, is flush with the top of the tension hoop, at about the same time the head nears playing tension. Who knew a pocket full of change would make such great tools? :)

charleybill - Posted - 03/20/2012:  09:21:37

I tried this method a couple days ago and my banjo sounds much better now. I also checked it all the way around with a drum dial and it was really consistent too.

1xsculler - Posted - 03/20/2012:  11:20:33

A quarter wouldn't fit and a dime would fit where?

Edited by - 1xsculler on 03/20/2012 11:21:06

steve davis - Posted - 03/20/2012:  12:32:47

Right near the foot of the bridge.

That's where the head deflection is happening and what the coin(s) is measuring.A quarter is an "A" head.

A dime must be around a "B",I suppose.

Edited by - steve davis on 03/20/2012 12:35:19

DeanT - Posted - 03/20/2012:  13:23:40

Steve, to the best of my tap tuning abilities, I’d say my head is real close to an A. Keep in mind that I dish the bottom of my bridges, so I might not get as much deflection as a straight bottom bridge. But the main aspect of this, is being able to know where your tension is, when your banjo sounds how you like it, and then being able to put it back to that point, after doing work on it. Or having a great starting point, or having a reference point to check as your banjo ages and goes through temp and seasonal changes... or the sound starts dropping off. This is one of the simplest and cooled things I’ve leaned on the BHO! Especially for someone who doesn't have a whole lot of experience and isn't sure of the "feel" and tone of an overly loose or tight head.

Edited by - DeanT on 03/20/2012 13:26:24

steve davis - Posted - 03/20/2012:  13:30:13

This seems to help the age-old question of,"How tight is your banjo head...or how do I keep from going too tight and breaking the thing?"
It puts some hard numbers to the questions and also correlates tension to tone,concretely.

I also like how whether hearing the note or measuring the tension,you can go exactly to your favorite tension/tone with no break-in period.

Evan C - Posted - 03/20/2012:  15:09:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by DeanT

Even torque and level hoop are mandatory! That’s another place a coin comes in handy. For my banjo, a nickel, set on the head, is flush with the top of the tension hoop, at about the same time the head nears playing tension. Who knew a pocket full of change would make such great tools? :)

---

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that this works on cheap tension hoops like the one on the Goodtime. The ends of mine are soldered (or welded?) together unevenly under the tailpiece so that it comes out on one side lower than it does on the other.

I think my head tension is pretty darn uneven right now in part because of this. I could try to take some measurements and sort the thing out that way. Otherwise, a drum dial might be the best bet to get things properly evened out.

Tim Zowada - Posted - 03/21/2012:  06:44:09

The quarter method has worked great on my calfskin head. Now that we are in to spring, the head is changing almost daily. Using a quarter for a reference keeps the head at about a G#, and sounding fantastic. If I let it get to two dimes, the banjo sounds tubby and dull.

SReynolds - Posted - 03/21/2012:  06:47:10

I like it. I use it. Never sounded better, even after set-up at the selling dealer.

Hankon5 - Posted - 03/21/2012:  21:14:07

Today I tried to use a tuner to get my head on strait, I mean tune my head to an "A". I am one of those who can't positively identify an "A"  on the strings to the head tap.I took the resonator off and tried to find a spot where the tuner reacted to taps from the front. I attached it to the top co rod and tapped on the head a few times and it showed an F# - G. So I tightened the head a bit more until I got a G#-A. It must have been close since it  It made a noticeable difference to the TN20/Beech rim which needs a "G#-A to get the full tone as specified by many of those who have a similar setup.! I got a better growl at the 4th and a brighter tone higher up the neck. I believe using the tuner got me as close as I want to be, since I love the sparkling sound.

Edited by - Hankon5 on 03/21/2012 21:21:29

andyw1953 - Posted - 03/22/2012:  00:08:37

SO FOR U.K READERS WHICH COINS OF THE REALM WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO U.S. QUARTERS AND DIMES IN THICKNESS? THANKS IF YOU KNOW.

SReynolds - Posted - 03/22/2012:  04:11:23

The U.S. quarter is almost .070" like .068 or so.

the dine is .048"

The nickel is.064"

steve davis - Posted - 03/22/2012:  06:26:26

Head note/coin correlations on Weatherking flathead.

A/quarter

G#/2 dimes

G/penny and dime

F#/quarter and dime



With strings always tuned to pitch.

You're welcome,Dean.

Edited by - steve davis on 03/22/2012 06:29:35

Hankon5 - Posted - 03/22/2012:  08:38:50

Thanks Steve for the EASY way of determining head tension. After using the tuner I used the 10" rule and a quarter barely squeezes thru. I think I'll use this method since it is quick!

faulknej - Posted - 03/22/2012:  13:14:38

I can't hardly get a dime under mine.  Sounds good though.

steve davis - Posted - 03/22/2012:  13:20:44

Exact change is a personal choice.