TLE - Posted - 06/04/2014:  11:58:54

Hello Guys,

I just ordered an 11" Rickard Maple Ridge with Dobson. I have the choice of a skin or remo head. Just wondering what most of you would do.

Thank you for your opinions.

Terry

collegiate - Posted - 06/04/2014:  12:22:41

I have an open back and a resonater. I fitted vellums too both of them however after about six months I have given up on the vellums because of the constant re-tuning. due to the change in the weather and also to the change due to body warmth

I have to say to my un-practised ear the difference between the vellums and the Remo heads is to me hardly noticable. I miss the esthic  feeling of not using a man made head but not the re-tuning. In the end everything on the banjo other than the neck are all man made.

Chadbanjo - Posted - 06/04/2014:  13:25:41

Skin heads aren't hard to maintain. Changes the sound for sure. I'd go with skin first, try a remo down the road.

TLE - Posted - 06/04/2014:  14:21:05

quote:

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Originally posted by Chadbanjo

Skin heads aren't hard to maintain. Changes the sound for sure. I'd go with skin first, try a remo down the road.

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Chad,

I had to make a decision today, so I went with calfs skin. What is involved with maintaining them? Since this is my first banjo, how will I know when to tighten it? Is there such thing as a torque wrench so I can get every nut the same? Also, is there a device that measures the tightness of the head so once I find what's ideal, I can maintain it? Obviously I like gadgets.

Terry

davidwigal - Posted - 06/04/2014:  15:04:56

Only God can grow a tree, ( wood is not man-made); good choice going with the skin-head :-)

Edited by - davidwigal on 06/04/2014 15:06:52

Chadbanjo - Posted - 06/04/2014:  15:44:43

The best advice I can give you there is using the search feature on the top right. I'm on my first skin head. I use my finger to test its tension. Push in on the head, if its easy, tighten it. I don't have any special tools.

quote:

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Originally posted by TLE

quote:

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Originally posted by Chadbanjo

Skin heads aren't hard to maintain. Changes the sound for sure. I'd go with skin first, try a remo down the road.

---

Chad,

I had to make a decision today, so I went with calfs skin. What is involved with maintaining them? Since this is my first banjo, how will I know when to tighten it? Is there such thing as a torque wrench so I can get every nut the same? Also, is there a device that measures the tightness of the head so once I find what's ideal, I can maintain it? Obviously I like gadgets.

Terry

 

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pjxndvm - Posted - 06/04/2014:  20:55:13

Ditto on the skin heads...all mine are changed. The ren head sounded good, I was just looking for something with more character. If it's good enough for Adam Hurt, good enough for me. I don't travel with mine and they are always inside. John Balch has a nice document on tightening skin heads. Message him and I'm sure he would be glad to share it. The other thing to consider is the quality of the skin head. I don't know much about that except there inexpensive ones and expensive ones. I bought the best ones I could find and am very happy.

stevel - Posted - 06/05/2014:  05:57:32

All my banjos wear skin heads. As long as you don't leave it in the sunlight or a hot car as mentioned you should be okay. Mine require no adjustments what-so-ever.   The strings will need a slight adjustment when you go to play, but it's no big deal and worth it for the tone. 

I also just finger tap for tension. No drum dials or what not. 

Good luck. They're something you get more comfortable with a little experience. 

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/05/2014:  17:06:21

A skin was a good choice for two reasons:
1) They sound better (IMO)
2) Since the banjo is coming with one already mounted,
you'll side-step that chore had you elected for the Remo and then wanted to try skin.

You may later want to try some Nylguts or something similar.

As for gauging skin tension, once it is set where you like it, take a thread and stretch it across the rim
next to the bridge to see how much it (the bridge) is pressing into the head. Make a note of that and tighten/loosen
the head to maintain that measurement in the future.