banjomartin88 - Posted - 08/26/2012:  09:50:37

I acquired an all original rb-00 from my good friend Don Bryant earlier this week. Today I found the skin head to be busted.  I know Mr. Miller is no longer with us and I was wondering if anybody has taken up the task of pre-mounting high quality skin heads. I could just put a plastic head on it, and I probably will until I can get another skin head. So, is there anyone doing skin heads now or am I stuck mounting it myself? Thanks! 

Oldpiper - Posted - 08/26/2012:  10:23:07

John Balch builds an excellent skin head. He has several in the classifieds. I use three of them and couldn't be happier. Very easy to install.

Fred

Edited by - Oldpiper on 08/26/2012 10:23:56

Snaps - Posted - 08/26/2012:  10:44:15

Yes, Talk to John

rowdyboy - Posted - 08/26/2012:  11:56:02

I think that the statement that Bill Miller is no longer with us may be premature. I bought and installed one of his fine vellum heads a little over a month ago and I just checked his website banjoseen.com which is still up and running. So, if he has passed, this the first I've heard of it- maybe the first he's heard of it as well.

Edited by - rowdyboy on 08/26/2012 11:57:01

jbalch - Posted - 08/26/2012:  12:19:26

Unfortunately it is true, Bill Miller passed away in January after a battle with Multiple Myeloma cancer.  I think his daughter Christine is still operating the website (banjoseen.com) and filling orders. I’m aware of several folks who have received hides and other products.  banjohangout.org/group/hideheads/blog/3465

Lately, I too have been mounting and selling 11” and 12” hide heads.  I don’t have a website but have been selling through the classifieds and taking orders by referral and word-of-mouth. 

I’ve sold a lot of natural goat hide heads.  Most have been mottled & coffee stained for an old-timey look.  I really appreciate the response and the feedback of members who have purchased them.

Recently, I have added more variety to my inventory of hides to mount.  I now have in-stock:

Natural goat (mottled and not),

Bleached white goat (very white),

Natural calf.

In  addition, I  just ordered a supply of very high-quality calfskins form Jeff Stern (Stern Tanning).  These are the BEST skins available.  Jeff bought the business and equipment of the old United Tanning Co. of Chicago, IL.  United supplied drum and banjo heads for the likes of Ludwig & Slingerland. Jeff’s heads are machine sanded for precise thickness and buffed to a very smooth surface on top.  These really are comparable to the old Rogers heads.  I’ll offer pre-mounted Stern Tanning heads as soon as my supply arrives.

Edited by - jbalch on 08/26/2012 12:32:05

Coffee Stained Goat Skin

Natural calfskin - partially translucent

Bleached goatskin on a 1923 Gibson TB-junior

Stern Tanning hide on 1929 Gibson TB-1 conversion

banjopickingman - Posted - 08/26/2012:  14:16:34

I ordered a head from banjoseen.com in early April. They didn't confirm the order or respond to any of my emails. The head arrived out of the blue in late July. I had long given up on it. It seems like a pretty good head, but I don't think I would order another.

I also bought a head from John Balch recently --attractive, great-sounding head, fast delivery. I would trust him to provide a well-mounted, good quality skin.

DEmery - Posted - 08/26/2012:  16:04:33

John has provided or mounted my skin heads for years and they are excellent. Quality is always there in selection and mounting. Attached are a few of the heads John has done for me. David E.

Edited by - DEmery on 08/26/2012 16:06:42

1922 Vega S with Dan Knowles Neck built 2004		Vellum Skin Head on Sherry Lynne Ebony Banjo	1929 TB1 Gibson with Robin Smith Neck
John Balch mounted skin head