TX2AK - Posted - 04/05/2012:  00:58:17

I sent an email to Mr. Miller's web site a week and a half ago, and haven't heard back.  Maybe my email didn't work or maybe it's seeing a response as spam, maybe he's just on vacation - don't know.  The questions I have relate to head selection. 

-I like the mottle look of skin heads - are the processed white and off white still going to have that look?

-What are the attributes of the white or off white versus the processed vellum? - Particularly volume and bright vs. plunky

-Will I still need to wet and strech the head?  I have an old Fairbanks/Vega, so it's 10 15/16, which I believe he uses to size the pre-mounts.

This will be my first skin head, so I'm a little chicken of doing the whole thing myself - hence the pre-mount.

pastorharry - Posted - 04/05/2012:  01:17:26

Well, unfortunatly Bill Miller passed away in January. His family is doing the best they can to fill existing orders,however I'm not sure about the future of the company. There are several threads posted in the Hide Heads group, and I will link this to the group as well. John Balch would be a good person to talk to about the difference on head materials and fit.

jbalch - Posted - 04/05/2012:  04:23:47

Here is what I know regarding Miller heads:  banjohangout.org/topic/233011

Otherwise

-I like the mottle look of skin heads - are the processed white and off white still going to have that look? - No. Every hide is unique.  To get a mottled look you must start with an un-bleached hide that has the appearance you like.  Bleached white heads are solid white.  Vellum processed hides are somewhere in-between (sometimes  a  little bit mottled look).

-What are the attributes of the white or off white versus the processed vellum? - Particularly volume and bright vs. plunky - Vellum processed hides tend to be stiffer & stronger. the sound might be a little brighter.

-Will I still need to wet and strech the head? I have an old Fairbanks/Vega, so it's 10 15/16, which I believe he uses to size the pre-mounts. - Usually no need to re-wet pore mounts.  Only necessary if you need to stretch the crown height to fit your banjo.

This will be my first skin head, so I'm a little chicken of doing the whole thing myself - hence the pre-mount. It is not really difficult.  I recommend you buy a piece of hide, make a wire flesh hoop. and go for it.  -  It is not

Edited by - jbalch on 04/05/2012 04:30:51

R Buck - Posted - 04/05/2012:  07:27:44

I  am sorry to hear of Bill's passing.  His banjo heads were magnificent.  My condolences to his family.