mwc9725e - Posted - 08/13/2012:  15:19:11

Honest, when I play two-finger and anchor my pinky on the plastic head of my banjo, I get scratchy noises from my pinky moving around just a tiny bit as I play. I can hear those noises in recordings of my playing. That doesn't happen when I play the banjo with the skin head on it. there seems to be something about the texture of the skin head that keeps it from happening. Even with a "textured" plastic head ( the kind that feels like it's coated with mild sandpaper or grit )  it happens. Anyone else ever notice this, or is it just a peculiarity of the way I happen to play?

banjo bill-e - Posted - 08/13/2012:  15:48:39

No answer, but a similar question!---if Bill does not mind me piggybacking on his thread?  I was wondering if a skin head would have less thumb and finger noise from hitting the head playing clawhammer? The frosted head on my Goodtime was way too loud, until I wore a hole through the frosting. The Ren head on my Ramsey was much better, but still makes more noise than I would prefer. Yeah, I know, don't hit the head, and I'm much better about that than before, but contact is still made and I would love a quieter surface.

Also wonder if a hide head grips the bridge any better? My Ren head lets that sucker slide around and throws off the intonation. Of course, I can do minor corrections by just giving it a little nudge.

Edited by - banjo bill-e on 08/13/2012 15:50:03

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 08/13/2012:  16:40:23

quote:

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Originally posted by banjo bill-e

 

I was wondering if a skin head would have less thumb and finger noise from hitting the head playing clawhammer?

Also wonder if a hide head grips the bridge any better?

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 1) Yes.

2) Most probably.

george pereda - Posted - 08/13/2012:  17:03:57

yes a plastic head sounds more like a snare drum head -than the skin head--mine just broke- sounded good- but good riddance--I spent

more time adjusting than playing.

jbalch - Posted - 08/13/2012:  17:41:25

disclosure:  I advocate for hide heads and even sell them...so I am biased.    Natural skin heads often attain a smooth surface over time that can reduce the noise you experience.

But there are several alternatives in mylar heads that have smoother surfaces than a top-frosted REMO.  Those would include bottom-frosted REMO heads, clear or non-frosted REMO heads, Renaissance, and Fyberskin. The bottom frosted heads and non-frosted types are popular with tenor player precisely because they reduce surface pick noise.

When it comes to clawhammer playing, I think a certain amount of percussive head noise can be a good thing.  it is like playing drums and banjo at the same time (IMHO).

gary schumann - Posted - 08/13/2012:  19:16:57

i have a1924 slingerland banjo with its original calfskin head its got a great sound very mellow an rainy days a sharp sound on dry days i dont record so i have not heard any noises but im sure its not affected buy my pick {im playing plectrum)

banjopogo - Posted - 08/14/2012:  17:45:08

quote:

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Originally posted by mwc9725e

Honest, when I play two-finger and anchor my pinky on the plastic head of my banjo, I get scratchy noises from my pinky moving around just a tiny bit as I play. I can hear those noises in recordings of my playing. That doesn't happen when I play the banjo with the skin head on it. there seems to be something about the texture of the skin head that keeps it from happening. Even with a "textured" plastic head ( the kind that feels like it's coated with mild sandpaper or grit )  it happens. Anyone else ever notice this, or is it just a peculiarity of the way I happen to play?

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I haven't played two-finger enough lately to notice I guess, but it seems likely... in my experience, plastic heads tend to hype the treble compared to calfskin.  In general, I have tried various means to combat that.

1. I do have a Fiberskyn head, but it STILL needs help.

2. I keep the head fairly loose.

3. I use strips of masking tape crossed under the bridge underneath the head.

IDEA:  Take a strip of wide masking tape and put it under the head underneath where you post for 2 finger picking.  That MAY keep the noises from the pinky from conducting to the rest of the head.  If it helps some, but not enough, try a second strip of masking tape in the same place.

mwc9725e - Posted - 08/15/2012:  07:49:29

quote:

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Originally posted by banjopogo

quote:

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Originally posted by mwc9725e

Honest, when I play two-finger and anchor my pinky on the plastic head of my banjo, I get scratchy noises from my pinky moving around just a tiny bit as I play. I can hear those noises in recordings of my playing. That doesn't happen when I play the banjo with the skin head on it. there seems to be something about the texture of the skin head that keeps it from happening. Even with a "textured" plastic head ( the kind that feels like it's coated with mild sandpaper or grit )  it happens. Anyone else ever notice this, or is it just a peculiarity of the way I happen to play?

---

I haven't played two-finger enough lately to notice I guess, but it seems likely... in my experience, plastic heads tend to hype the treble compared to calfskin.  In general, I have tried various means to combat that.

1. I do have a Fiberskyn head, but it STILL needs help.

2. I keep the head fairly loose.

3. I use strips of masking tape crossed under the bridge underneath the head.

IDEA:  Take a strip of wide masking tape and put it under the head underneath where you post for 2 finger picking.  That MAY keep the noises from the pinky from conducting to the rest of the head.  If it helps some, but not enough, try a second strip of masking tape in the same place.

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Thanks for the tip, I'll try it. That scratchy sound's very distracting and I find myself paying more attention to minimizing it than I do to my playing.

JRushing - Posted - 08/15/2012:  08:10:37

I like the sounds the plastic head makes from my thumb and sometimes knuckles. The player usually hears it more than the listeners anyway but I like the rhythmic percussion it provides.

On slower prettier tunes I move my thumb more over the neck so I don't get that thump I like on the faster driving tunes. But to each his own, unless you don't like the look just wear it down and leave it on.

I dont know if it's the Mississippi humidity but I couldn't get the pre-mounted skin head to act right for me.