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ARCHIVED TOPIC: Designing banjo head

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/307162

Providence - Posted - 07/31/2015: 21:22:18

Hey everyone,

I want to design my banjo head to be like the RI state flag, which I think is great:

But I don't know how. Sharpie has been shot down on here before, paint seems risky. How could I simply design it? I'm fine with B&W with outlines, doesn't need to me colored, especially if it messes up the sound

Dan Drabek - Posted - 07/31/2015: 21:49:35

You might look into heat transfer paper. It can be used to print permanent designs on to t-shirts, etc. It would probably also work on calfskin heads. On plastic heads, maybe not.

dupreejan - Posted - 07/31/2015: 22:52:06

I have seen Confederate Flag banjo heads for sale. The same guy could make you a Rhode Island banjo head. Just google it. I don't think they have arrested him for it yet. Have they taken Patsy Cline's Confederate Flag cigarette lighter off display at the Grand Ole Opry?

rudy - Posted - 08/01/2015: 05:41:08

There's a Banjo Hangout group dedicated to head decoration. You should ask your question there:

banjohangout.org/group/banjoheaddecoration

championofnorthhuron - Posted - 08/01/2015: 06:12:45

If you use a clear head or a translucent head like a Renaissance an outline-cut decal can work very nicely on the backside. Has to be reverse (mirror) printed on clear material. Thin 0.002" thick cast vinyl is best.... flexible enough to stretch subtly with the head when it is tensioned. Best to source from a custom graphics house... though you will find that one-off quantity will seem quite expensive for a decal. Look for a custom graphics house that has a digital print thermal transfer resin printer and electro-cut plotter... like a Gerber Edge. Expect at least $20. Helps if you can provide the art design work in a format that can be used directly without further design work or manipulation. Looks like you must have already used a program to make your design?

These are a few I've done/had done for me. Works best to apply to the head as it is already stretched and settled on the banjo. Have the decal maker apply a transfer tape... helps with positioning and application. Decal is 100% protected because it's behind the head and will last and look like the day you put it on for pretty much as long as the head itself... but again only works on a transparent head. The tone and volume is not affected one bit because the vinyl is so thin, and because it is contour-cut and therefore does not have that much surface area. I like the somewhat matted appearance provided by the Renaissance head. Like looking at the graphic through the surface of an icy pond.

CofNH Decal

bartmcneil - Posted - 08/01/2015: 07:52:43

I am guessing that an actual skin head would work better than a plastic (Mylar) head as far as holding the paint goes. Traditionally skin was used as base for lettering or images on banjos. While Mylar might work for the short term I doubt that its glassy smooth surface would be a suitable surface for paint. On the other hand a coated front on a banjo head might be quite suitable for paint as it has a sand paper like surface which should grip the paint quite well.

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 08/01/2015: 13:22:45

quote:
Originally posted by bartmcneil

... On the other hand a coated front on a banjo head might be quite suitable for paint as it has a sand paper like surface which should grip the paint quite well.

I can confirm from plenty of experience that frosted Mylar holds ink very well. (Use permanent ink, of course - such as Indian Ink)

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 08/01/2015: 13:24:58

By the way, I have also painted several heads with acrylic, and coloured some with coloured pencils, and I don't notice any effect whatsoever on the banjo's tone.

Providence - Posted - 08/03/2015: 09:17:29

Friends, thanks for your replies.

I used acrylic paint and covered it with lacquer.

It is my first banjo, and tonight I will pluck my first string. Thanks for your help and happy pickin'

drew-gurbach - Posted - 08/03/2015: 09:46:35

Just another example. Not very elaborate, but a clear head with paint on the inside.

Weitzel - Posted - 08/03/2015: 13:22:09

Anybody tried sandblasting a head? I've had some ideas of trying this, but have not gotten around to it. I would think that a light blasting on the underside of a head would make a nice effect that would also probably hold ink if desired.