fruit_bat - Posted - 08/11/2012:  15:31:12

I am looking to change to a leather head on my banjo. Wat are the differences between a goat skin versus a calf skin head. Thanks!

Drew

carlb - Posted - 08/11/2012:  16:55:03

I'd rather see a comparison of thickness rather then animals. Thinner is better by me.

jbalch - Posted - 08/11/2012:  16:58:51

Personally, I don't think the species makes a big difference in sound or performance.  Both make fine banjo heads. Regardless of whether you choose calf or goat ... other factors (like: the quality of the piece of hide, thickness, and processing) are probably more important than the species.

Here are some generalizations to consider:

unbleached hides - goat hides tend to be more yellow/brown in appearance that calf.

bleached hides - on the other hand, some bleached goatskin has a very white appearance (whiter than most bleached calf hides I've used).

stiffness & strength - the mottled or translucent hides can be very stiff and strong.  Hides that are mostly white may have a softer hand and tend to stretch more.

thickness - I prefer hides to be between .012" - .018" average thickness.  Most sellers would classify that as "medium" thickness.  If the hide is thick enough and sturdy it will accept plenty of tension (adequate tension helps minimize fluctuations due to weather).

Best quality (most even thickness and smoothest surface)  - available from Stern tanning.  Jeff's hides are machine sanded and processed like vintage heads.  They cost more but are worth the price for a special banjo.  sterntanning.com/percussion.htm

Attached are photos of various hides to illustrate

Check out the Hide Heads group: banjohangout.org/group/hideheads

Edited by - jbalch on 08/11/2012 17:05:54

natural (non-bleached) calfskin head on Wayne Sagmoen banjo	Jeff Menzies Goat hide on a Reiter Bacophone-Plus	Bleached calfskin from Jeff Menzies top	Compare skin heads
calfskin hide from Stern tanning	bleached calfskin from Menzies Instruments	Bleached goatskin on a 1923 Gibson TB-junior	Menzies Calfskin head on banjo Uke
calfskin on an unmarked tenor	calfskin on a Buckbee	mottled goat hide - very light coffee stain	Coffee Stained Goat Skin

gottasmilealot - Posted - 08/11/2012:  17:44:14

Very informative post, John.  Thanks!

Gordy Ohliger - Posted - 08/12/2012:  11:03:10

Thank you. Comprehensive. Nice info, all in one spot.
I think I'm gonna try one of those goat-hide heads. I was always hesitant, thinking they might sound thin/frail/ treble. Guess I'll just have to get on and take a ride....

gregboyd - Posted - 08/12/2012:  18:52:22

Hi,
Does anyone know of a proven treatment to greatly diminish the tight/loose effects of humidity on a hide head?

I've always heard of various mixes of lanolin and other oils... but to tell the whole story, I've only tried 2 or 3, and every hide head I've tried has ended up rupturing prematurely because of my forgetting to loosen the head when humidity drops and temps go up.

In many parts of western U.S. the outside humidity can sit for days and days on the very low end - around 5% to 20%
We maintain about 40% humidity in our music store...

I have a new excellent thinned goat skin head I've put on my 1981 Gold Star.
INDOORS, the head drops to about F... but OUTDOORS at a summer festival it shoots up to B in hot sunny afternoon.
In the shade I can keep it around A or Bb at about 95deg and 15% humidity.

When its passing thru F#, G, G# and A, it sounds amazingly wonderful - full of tonal expression.
But when too tight you sort of want to take a step back for safety's sake.

Please feel free to phone - 406/327-9925

fruit_bat - Posted - 08/12/2012:  22:23:46

Thanks John. I joined the group and am enjoying the posts. Is adjusting the head for the right tuning necessary? Is it hard, time consuming or both? I plan on ordering the head from John Stern tomorrow.

rendesvous1840 - Posted - 09/10/2012:  15:10:47

I have very little experience with natural hides, but given the moisture retaining quality of hide, I suspect keeping it at a certain note is very tricky in certain climates. But that may be a way to warn you that it needs to be loosened to prevent it breaking. Tune it to a certain note, when it goes up or down a half tone adjust it? Any one have experience at this?
Paul