aeroweenie - Posted - 06/06/2013:  20:07:41

Can/should hide heads be tightened as much as a plastic head?  I know, "tighten until it sounds best", but I'm a newb with hide heads and would at least like to know if a hide is much weaker, a little weaker, or the same as a plastic head before I start cranking away on it.  Probably hard to generalize since hides vary in thickness, preparation, etc.  I've put on many plastic heads and haven't broken any, I'd like to say the same for hide heads.

Also, does the S. Davis quarter/ruler method give a good starting point with hide?  I've found it useful for plastic heads.

Thanks!

xnavyguy - Posted - 06/06/2013:  20:20:35

Hide heads, in my limited experience, are certainly more sensitive to humidity variations and they are only as strong as their weakest/thinnest part.  The one time that I brought a hide head up to full tension, it was fine, until the air got dry.  When the humidity dropped, the head split in an area of obvious weakness that I did not see.  If I were you, I would use a bit of caution and make sure to monitor things closely.  I don't think you could, safely, tighten it up to a level needed for bluegrass, and leave it, else it might break.

Austin Stovall - Posted - 06/06/2013:  20:29:22

I keep my hide heads pretty tight if they have been installed well and you keep the tension even you shouldn't have a problem. The biggest thing is that they change with the weather so in theory if it was very humid and you really cranked it down if then the weather suddenly got real dry the head could break but I have never actually had this happen. I have experienced having my head good and tight but then humidity going up and the head going down. Mountain style banjos usually have their heads streached pretty tight and hold up just fine with no way 2 adjust to tension

pastorharry - Posted - 06/07/2013:  02:50:24

Linked to the hide heads group...hopefully John Balch and a few others will chime in.

beegee - Posted - 06/07/2013:  05:08:47

It is difficult to predict how any particular hide head will react or sound. There are no two hide heads that are alike, so the only answer to your question is: whatever works, works.