Davidprat - Posted - 09/09/2014:  11:35:08

I just found at Bernuzio's web a Cole banjo, and I realize that the hide head is not mounted the way that they are usually installed.

bernunzio.com/product/w-cole-19313/

jbalch - Posted - 09/09/2014:  11:46:19

David:

I've seen a few old heads installed that way.  Here is a video demonstrating the method  youtube.com/watch?v=b9r2VGZf--0

One thing that I don't like about that method is that I would seem to be more difficult to control the crown height.  Plus trimming the hide inside the rim seems like it might be difficult.

rot-n-dobe - Posted - 09/09/2014:  11:48:50

that is strange, it appears to have been tucked under then tensioned. I can see why it was not trimmed, would be difficult not to cut the head.it is also strange that the ad says it has a 2 1/4" nut, that is wider than a guitar. must be a typo.

OldPappy - Posted - 09/09/2014:  12:37:07

I too have seen a few mounted like that.

I suppose it may have been someone's idea of better appearance, but I don't see any real advantage in doing it that way.

I did mount one that way once just to do it, and see if I found something I liked about it.

I didn't like it.

It was a little awkward to install, probably because I wasn't used to doing it that way, and trimming it was difficult, with constant worry about nicking the inside of the head.

Nice looking old banjo though.

davidppp - Posted - 09/09/2014:  12:39:58

...and there's an additional layer of skin between the vibrating head and the pot rim. Is that something you'd want?

TLG - Posted - 09/09/2014:  12:44:25

I too have seen a few banjo heads mounted that way.
I have seen more drum heads mounted that way & heard that's the way drum heads are to be mounted.

Tommy

Lyndon Smith - Posted - 09/09/2014:  14:09:51

David, I once mounted a head just that way. It was no more difficult than the standard way and trimming from the inside would have only needed a little more care. In the end, the fact that there were two layers of skin over the tone ring made me dismantle it, re-soak and remount the standard way.

I never did a sound comparison, less skin on the tone ring just 'feels right'...