DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/272361
JohnJ - Posted - 10/17/2013: 05:53:39
New SS Stewart owner - - First hide head banjo.
Trying to optimize tightness using Drum Dial - Would like something about 82 to 85 to start but find that one section of the head will not go below 89.... Can the thickness of head in this area (its noticeably thicker) cause a false higher reading??? Hooks in the area are loose enough that I can easily rock them by hand (seems too loose to me as nuts on these hooks might actually fall off by themselves if I leave them this loose).
Any advice would be appreciated.
JJ
trapdoor2 - Posted - 10/17/2013: 06:48:45
You will find variances in a hide head that would never show up on a plastic one. I'll see if I can dig out my drum-dial and pass it across a couple of my Stewarts tonight. I use a DD on my plastic headed banjos but have never thought to use it on a calfskin.
Pickin furry paws - Posted - 10/17/2013: 07:25:13
Yep, you are absolutely right. The thickness variations of a natural skin head will cause false readings on the dial. Plus, hide heads need a lot more tension than a plastic head in order to sound good. Personally, I trust tightening in very small increments and using a special paper gauge to judge the evenness of the tension hoop.
beegee - Posted - 10/17/2013: 08:04:54
It just seems incongruous to be using a drum dial on a thin-rim, hide-head banjo....
I'd opt for doing it the old-timey way.
OldPoppy - Posted - 10/17/2013: 10:25:30
What is this special paper gauge used to judge the evenness of the tension hoop?
I have noticed the same type of drum dial variations reported by the OP and figured they were due to the reasons cited. I generally disregard the outlier readings and figure if eveything else is within the ballpark, it's OK, but I may be deceiving myself there.
JohnJ - Posted - 10/17/2013: 11:00:58
Thanks for the replies - - I use the Drum Dial to keep my plastic heads 'up to snuff' and was hoping that it would give me at least similar results on a hide head....
JJ
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
