TLE - Posted - 06/04/2014:  14:50:06

Hello,

I just ordered a Rickard Maple Ridge and took the skin head option. This is my first banjo, so I don't know anything about setup. I do know that I will need to maintain the head. Is there such thing as a torque wrench for the hook nuts so I make sure they are all even. If so where do I get it? I want something nice. Also, is there a head tention measurement device so when I know the ideal tention, I can use it to maintain it? I would like a nice one, also.  Thank you so much.

Terry

etparadox - Posted - 06/04/2014:  15:22:29

There are wrenches for banjo nuts, but there are a few different sizes depending on the size of nut. No torque wrenches that I know of. The way you get everything even is by evenly going around the banjo head when you are tightening or loosening it, turning a 1/4 turn each time.

There are drum dials that work on plastic heads, but they are ineffective on skin heads because of the varying thickness within and between heads. 

There is no ideal tension once you get away from the extremes. You can do a lot to the tone of your banjo by changing the head tension. The best method I know of tuning a skin head is to get everything finger tight, put the strings back on, and slowly increase the tension until you get the sound you like. This will take some experimenting, but is the most reliable method out there. 

As for general maintenance, don't get the head wet if you can help it. If the day is particularly dry, loosen the head a bit. Don't leave the banjo in direct sun for an extended period of time. If you take your banjo out and about and are near a river or other body of water, you will probably have to tighten the head. If you do so, don't forget to loosen it before it come back to low humidity.

TLE - Posted - 06/04/2014:  16:35:45

quote:Wow, it sounds like I should have tried a skin head after I got some experience. Oh well, there's a learning curve for everything. Thanks

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Originally posted by etparadox

There are wrenches for banjo nuts, but there are a few different sizes depending on the size of nut. No torque wrenches that I know of. The way you get everything even is by evenly going around the banjo head when you are tightening or loosening it, turning a 1/4 turn each time.

There are drum dials that work on plastic heads, but they are ineffective on skin heads because of the varying thickness within and between heads. 

There is no ideal tension once you get away from the extremes. You can do a lot to the tone of your banjo by changing the head tension. The best method I know of tuning a skin head is to get everything finger tight, put the strings back on, and slowly increase the tension until you get the sound you like. This will take some experimenting, but is the most reliable method out there. 

 

As for general maintenance, don't get the head wet if you can help it. If the day is particularly dry, loosen the head a bit. Don't leave the banjo in direct sun for an extended period of time. If you take your banjo out and about and are near a river or other body of water, you will probably have to tighten the head. If you do so, don't forget to loosen it before it come back to low humidity.

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dbrooks - Posted - 06/04/2014:  17:06:14

John Balch, who sells fine skin heads, provided some helpful tips in this thread:

banjohangout.org/topic/285941

You can also find his advice in a JPG on his BHO home page:

banjohangout.org/photo/177854

David

etparadox - Posted - 06/04/2014:  18:26:38

It's more difficult on paper than in reality. Just dont let it get to tight and you'll be fine. Tune it to the tension that pleases your ears. Treat it like a nice leather bag. 

jmoathout - Posted - 06/04/2014:  19:33:41

Actually, there IS a torque wrench for this purpose. See Regal Tip Drum Torque, I think at regaltip.com. It has a dial on the end marked from 0 - 25 kg-cm.  I believe it's a Neary Drum Torque.  Using it, you can check your nut tightness.  While I have one, I don't believe it's necessary.  The methods recommended by John Balch and Tom Berghan  work fine.  Some folks warn against depending on a torque device, since wear/rust/corrosion on the nut or hook can affect the reading.  Others like them. 

Also check Steve Davis' method using a straight edge and coins (quarter, etc.) for measuring the depression of the bridge. It works well for me.

Edited by - jmoathout on 06/04/2014 19:35:02

stevel - Posted - 06/05/2014:  06:01:20

Good choice. The "maintenance" isn't much work after they settle in. Just don't leave the banjo in a hot car or in direct sunlight. 

They sound intimidating to a beginner, but I think you'll like it. But not much more intimidating than trying different tunings. 

grm405 - Posted - 06/05/2014:  07:07:54

I have used the Neary torque wrench for banjo for 15 years.  As far as I am concerned it is an extremely useful and consistent tool.  I think it is necessary and use it on all my banjos to maintain head tension, including my skin head when I had one on a Vega.

You have to know how to use it and its limitations, but when these are accounted for I find it 100% reliable.  If I set the nut torque to the desired value, the sound is ALWAYS the same.  I can follow and correct the change in head tension with time, head stretching and even humidity (very useful with skin for sure).

The limitations are pretty simple and logical.  They are 1: lube the threads (once every several years is fine).  2:  Have a consistent surface under the nuts (I use SS washers selling for less than $3 for 50 at Home Depot.

So in response to your original question, yes there is a torque wrench and it works extremely well, especially for skin heads.  I used to adjust the head tension daily when the humidity was variable.  It is remarkable how much the sound changed with a 10-15% change in nut torque on a few nuts, something which was common with skin when I used that head.  And the torque may go up or down that amount daily.

Gerry

Jonnycake White - Posted - 06/05/2014:  09:20:08

Like many others, I don't find it necessary to use a torque wrench on banjo nuts but if I did, I wouldn't waste my money on a plastic one when Harbor Freight sells a metal 1/4" drive torque wrench for about 10 bucks if you have a coupon.  I don't have that particular one, but I have a 1/2" drive version that I use for automotive work and I'm perfectly satisfied with the usability and quality.

grm405 - Posted - 06/05/2014:  11:24:16

If you use the Harbor Freight one you will break your head at the lowest setting.  The max I go to is under 10 in-lb (about 9 kg-cm) on any banjo.  The 1/4" Harbor Freight one has a lowest setting of 20 in-lb, if I remember the numbers I read off the box.  I have two of the HF wrenches in 1/2 and 3/8" drive.  I didn't buy the 1/4" as it didn't go low enough to be useful for anything I need it for.

The Neary is plastic and it works very well and has for 15 years.  Can't ask for more.   I have looked at torque screwdrivers but can't justify the several hundred $ price.  The Neary works well enough for me.

Gerry