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mworden - Posted - 05/17/2012: 10:48:48
Not too long ago I got a tear in the goatskin head on my 11" Romero. I replaced it with an Elite Amber head and it sounds OK but I'm missing the tone I had with the goatskin. I've never put a skin head on before and I am not certain how big the new skin needs to be. I ordered a 14" skin from elderly but looking at it I am worried that it might be too small to install easily by the time you count for the extra material needed for getting down and around the flesh hoop and needing something to grab onto to get it tight before trimming. Should I order something bigger and save myself some frustration? --Mike
Brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 05/17/2012: 10:51:57
14 inches should do.
That having been said, I like to use 16 inch heads on 11 and 12 inch rims because it gives me enough skin to latch onto and pull things tight and even.
But you should have enough leeway with 14 inches.
As Ed Haggard used to say, "How do you put a skin head on a banjo? First, get yourself a goat ..."
mbanza - Posted - 05/17/2012: 10:51:59
Usually they will be about 16 inches diameter for an 11 inch pot.
You could also get a pre-mounted skin head:
elderly.com/search/elderly?ter...0&y=0
Edited by - mbanza on 05/17/2012 10:54:28
jbalch - Posted - 05/17/2012: 11:30:32
As others have said, 14" should fit your 11" rim fine. when I buy expensive hides for 11" rims, I select 14" diameter to save cost.
16" is a little easier but not necessary.
I'm linking this to the hide heads group.banjohangout.org/group/hideheads
mworden - Posted - 05/17/2012: 11:47:11
Out of curiosity, what differentiates an "expensive" hide from an inexpensive one (other than cost...)?
Exotic heritage breed hand-raised beer-fed gnu skin?
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
As others have said, 14" should fit your 11" rim fine. when I buy expensive hides for 11" rims, I select 14" diameter to save cost.
16" is a little easier but not necessary.
I'm linking this to the hide heads group.http://banjohangout.org/group/hideheads
jbalch - Posted - 05/18/2012: 05:33:39
The most expensive (best quality) hides I sometimes use are from Stern Tanning. Jeff Stern's hides are machine sanded and processed using vintage equipment he purchased from the old United Tanning Co. in Chicago (traditional head supplier to Slingerland, Ludwig & others).
Jeff's hides are awesome in terms of quality and finish (very similar to the best vintage heads). They are well worth the price. Unmounted Stern Tanning calf banjo heads cost about $32-60 plus shipping (depending on size). I reserve these for very special banjos.
Otherwise, most hides for banjo these days cost $12-20 retail (less in bulk). The un-bleached type are often imported form Pakistan. They are mottled or transparent in appearance and un-even in thickness. The bleached type are not as finely finished (as the Stern Tanning hides) and may vary in thickness or have natural flaws. Nonetheless when you find a good one, these make very good sounding and reliable heads.
Edited by - jbalch on 05/18/2012 05:42:14
mworden - Posted - 05/18/2012: 06:01:11
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. That's quite a stable of beautiful instruments.
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
The most expensive (best quality) hides I sometimes use are from Stern Tanning. Jeff Stern's hides are machine sanded and processed using vintage equipment he purchased from the old United Tanning Co. in Chicago (traditional head supplier to Slingerland, Ludwig & others).
Jeff's hides are awesome in terms of quality and finish (very similar to the best vintage heads). They are well worth the price. Unmounted Stern Tanning calf banjo heads cost about $32-60 plus shipping (depending on size). I reserve these for very special banjos.
Otherwise, most hides for banjo these days cost $12-20 retail (less in bulk). The un-bleached type are often imported form Pakistan. They are mottled or transparent in appearance and un-even in thickness. The bleached type are not as finely finished (as the Stern Tanning hides) and may vary in thickness or have natural flaws. Nonetheless when you find a good one, these make very good sounding and reliable heads.
jbalch - Posted - 05/18/2012: 08:04:49
Thanks! They are not all mine. (Too bad). Some are sold and some are heads installed for friends.
Ho C Ying - Posted - 05/18/2012: 08:14:49
One of the pictures looks like pot of milk. 
ponty - Posted - 05/18/2012: 18:13:21
I have just received and fitted a skin head on my Reiter standard. I got it from from Stern Tanning. It was expensive! After international shipping and duty phew!
Previous to this, I had a Bill Miller vellum processed skin on the recommendation of John. Unfortunately, it split after about 6 months. The Stern Tanning head is very high quality, smooth, uniform thickness, white colour. I fitted it the 'British' way, so the when the excess is cut off, it is inside the pot and not outside. For my first non pre-fitted skin it went well. The sound however is quite different from the Miller skin, and probably the BMiller skin sounded better. By this, I mean
it was brighter and less plunky. I like plunky, but this is real plunky. Probably made worse by a heavy bridge and strings. I will change these soon. You will need at least 2'' diameter greater that the pot.IE 11'' pot 14'' skin. I got a 16'' skin and that wasn't a waste.
jbalch - Posted - 05/18/2012: 18:29:45
quote:
Originally posted by ponty
I have just received and fitted a skin head on my Reiter standard. I got it from from Stern Tanning. It was expensive! After international shipping and duty phew!
Previous to this, I had a Bill Miller vellum processed skin on the recommendation of John. Unfortunately, it split after about 6 months. The Stern Tanning head is very high quality, smooth, uniform thickness, white colour. I fitted it the 'British' way, so the when the excess is cut off, it is inside the pot and not outside. For my first non pre-fitted skin it went well. The sound however is quite different from the Miller skin, and probably the BMiller skin sounded better. By this, I mean
it was brighter and less plunky. I like plunky, but this is real plunky. Probably made worse by a heavy bridge and strings. I will change these soon. You will need at least 2'' diameter greater that the pot.IE 11'' pot 14'' skin. I got a 16'' skin and that wasn't a waste.
How is the tension on your new head? I'm a little surprised with your comments. My experience with the Stern heads is that they are capable of a great sound ...not inherently plunky or dull.
ponty - Posted - 05/18/2012: 18:39:27
Hi John,
I have reduced the plunk quite abit! The way that I installed it,- so that the excess skin comes into the pot was partly
at fault. Because of the pot thickness, the skin was trimmed leaving a 5/8' ring of skin in the underside of the head.
This essentially acted as a mute. So, I took the head off, and with scissors, further trimmed the skin edge.
That was a big improvement. It is, however still not as loud or bright as the Bill Miller. However, I will be keeping it and with experiment with strings and bridges.
The head tension is tight, but I am unsure how tight it will go without blowing!
Edited by - ponty on 05/18/2012 18:41:50
