westsideryan - Posted - 11/25/2014:  02:17:37

Since I haven't had the time to play the banjo that much lately, and the fact that the heat is on all of the time now, I decided to swap my skin head out for a renaissance head.  Only problem is that I can't get the skin head off of the pot!  I have been trying for over an hour now.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  In case it matters, the banjo is an Ome Wizard and I also took the neck off.  Any help would be great!

Thanks,

Ryan

Helix - Posted - 11/25/2014:  02:32:26

Maybe contact Mike Gregory, he's on the hangout and lives close to you.

Emiel - Posted - 11/25/2014:  03:44:34

I would wet the skin head...

maneckep - Posted - 11/25/2014:  04:12:52

Sometimes they are very tight and have to be helped with a rubber mallet or some other non-scratching item. Just turn the pot upside down and gently tap all around the flesh hoop. It should work it's way loose.

jbalch - Posted - 11/25/2014:  04:41:11

Ryan:  did you succeed?

My flesh hoops are individually rolled and may not be perfectly uniform.  Plus, all rims are not the same diameter (or exactly round) either.  That combination can make for a tight fit of the hoop to your rim.

Plus, the proteins in animal skin produce a natural adhesive ("hide" glue).  That natural phenomenon helps make for a sturdy crown and head, but it can also form a little bit of a temporary bond between the hide & your rim.

Don't wet the hide.  Use something that won't damage the skin and gently tap the bottom of the flesh hoop to start it moving.  Maybe - place the eraser end of a (new unsharp) pencil against the bottom side of the flesh hoop - and tap the pencil with a small mallet to push the head up on the rim.

Send me an e-mail if you are still having trouble.

JB

Edited by - jbalch on 11/25/2014 04:57:18

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/25/2014:  07:15:10

I recently changed out a recent calfskin hide head and it REALLY didn't want to come off! Rapping on it very smart with a hardwood stick and a mallet only lifted the tone ring off the rim!!!!

Perseverance was the only way it came off. But it did, and undamaged at that. Also, the banjo was undamaged too. But what a tussle! I should add, the tension hoop would not come off the head either, until I got the entire thing, head plus tension hoop, off the tone ring in one piece.

Jonnycake White - Posted - 11/25/2014:  10:50:15

When the hoops and head are that tight, what does it do to the drum-dial readings for setting head tension?

(the above is a rhetorical question)

banjonz - Posted - 11/25/2014:  11:13:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jonnycake White

When the hoops and head are that tight, what does it do to the drum-dial readings for setting head tension?

 (the above is a rhetorical question)

 

In my experience with skin heads not wanting to come off, it is generally the head itself that is binding to the rim, not the tension band. I guess that over time and pressure, the head bonds with the rim finish somewhat. I had an exact problem with an Epiphone 'Recording' tenor. I had to use a piece of wood and a hammer and firmly tap it off.

maneckep - Posted - 11/25/2014:  11:13:42

Jon,

It probably was not that tight when it was installed. As JB pointed out a natural skin head kind of produces hide glue when installed. After being on the banjo for a while they do become difficult to remove - doesn't mean it was that difficult to install.

Paul

westsideryan - Posted - 11/25/2014:  11:42:25

Thanks for the suggestions. 

I will try again a little later when I get back home and report back. 

The head did go on real easy. 

It must have moved a little because there is a more slack in the head than there was before.

westsideryan - Posted - 11/25/2014:  21:48:42

I guess I should have also stated that the tension ring is stuck on as well. 

I taped up the pot with low tack masking tape and then tried tapping it off with a piece of wood and a rubber mallet but had no success.  I'll have another go tomorrow!