jun3machina - Posted - 07/10/2014:  17:33:37

Hello...I have a tenor banjo on its way to me. I think the current skin head has slipped off the rim and may need to be replaced. I should know better when I receive it. Is it possible to reinstall the original head? And if not...because I am a newbie...can you kind folks give me any recommendations for a new one? Thanks in advance! Excited to work on this

jbalch - Posted - 07/10/2014:  17:53:17

If the original skin head has split, re-mounting it is not possible. If you want natural hide, you would probably need to replace it with a new skin head.

Or ...if you want plastic ... your Bacon style B tenor should be a standard 11" rim.  An 11", (medium or high crown), REMO, or other brand head, should fit it just fine. I think that something with a smooth top (like REMO Renaissance) is a popular choice for tenor banjo because it doesn't have textured frosting on top to contribute to pick noise.

Edited by - jbalch on 07/10/2014 17:55:27

jun3machina - Posted - 07/10/2014:  18:40:56

I don't think the head has split...but not 100% sure on that. I figured if it was split...I'd have to get a new one. If it has just slipped out of the rims, is it tricky to get it back on there? I'm assuming the answer is probably yes...as there's nothing to grip really to pull it tight...but never hurts to ask right ;)

jbalch - Posted - 07/10/2014:  20:42:20

Without seeing the banjo - I can't say for sure.  Can you post some photos of it?

jun3machina - Posted - 07/10/2014:  21:34:32

Will do when it arrives ;)

mikehalloran - Posted - 07/10/2014:  21:44:28

The B takes an 11" medium or high crown unless it was specially ordered with the optional 11 1/2" head. 

Everybody has 11" heads in stock - same as most flathead banjos being made today. High crown heads work but I like the Wyatt's hair dryer technique with medium crown, frankly. The 11.5" head may have to be found online but SFI or Elderly can easily fix you up.

I used a Fibreskyn on my B. I recently found the only recording i made with that banjo and can email a sound clip if you like. I had three other plectrums when I sold it but now wish I hasn't. It was a powerful banjo.