oldtimefolkie - Posted - 12/31/2012:  18:42:28

I've just moved to Calgary, Alberta. Looking for a good source for skin banjo heads and other banjo parts in Canada. Anyone have some suggestions?

Thanks,
Warren

Happy new year!

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 12/31/2012:  18:53:10

John Balch is a member here and he is the premier source for skin, and I'm sure he ships to the Great White North.

jacktraylor - Posted - 12/31/2012:  18:55:14

Rickard's would be a good place to start, Great people to work with and will help you with almost any problem. Best of the New year to you too.
Jack

Pine Cone - Posted - 12/31/2012:  21:49:12

Try Jeff Menzies... awesome gourd banjo builder, and skin head purveyor. 

I got some of his goat-skin heads last year and have been very pleased.  jeffreymenzies.com/news/now-av...eads-sale

For some reason Jeff is in Churchill, Ontario famous for gourd banjos and polar bears!

For parts, banjos, and banjo kits you can't beat Bill Rickard, you won't find higher quality parts or a nicer man.  rickardbanjos.com/site/  Also in Ontario, but further south near Toronto in Aurora.

Edited by - Pine Cone on 12/31/2012 21:57:40

jbalch - Posted - 01/01/2013:  05:50:40

Jeff Menzies is a great suggestion. I purchased hides from many times in the past. Jeff now resides in Jamacia. But I think if you contact him, Jeff might be able to suggest Canadian resources that would be helpful.

Edited by - jbalch on 01/01/2013 05:52:00

Jim Yates - Posted - 01/01/2013:  06:43:15

Al Black from Peterborough, Ontario builds great bodhrans and has put many new skin heads on banjos.

Fathand - Posted - 01/01/2013:  08:29:42

I buy the $9.00 heads from Elderly Instruments. They work well. They have a $10.00 shipping option to Canada. If you bought 5 heads, that would average out to $11.00 each with the shipping.  Stock up on Strings etc. at the same time. 

elderly.com/accessories/items/...EDIUM.htm

Billyjimbob - Posted - 01/01/2013:  10:12:37

Hi Warren...How many do you need? PM me

oldtimefolkie - Posted - 01/01/2013:  13:44:13

Thanks for the resources everyone.  I don't need any right this instance, but in a few weeks I'll be setup in a new house with a workshop.  Then I want to order some.

Happy New Year again!

Warren

hhunter44 - Posted - 01/01/2013:  17:19:45

I have a number of skins in stock too. Just get in touch and we can work something out. BTW - Jeff Menzies is now in Jamaica so he may have a limited source of heads that he can ship to Canada.

Hugh

PS Happy New Year

oldtimefolkie - Posted - 01/01/2013:  17:50:36

Fathand,

Do you have to pay duties and taxes on those elderly heads?

Thanks,
Warren

Billyjimbob - Posted - 01/01/2013:  18:13:48

There is normally no duty or taxes to pay if they come with the post office and the total is under $100..The supplier I use sends a document along with them to show that they are processed skins.. It satisfies customs that they are not restricted animal parts..