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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/342907
hweinberg - Posted - 05/20/2018: 08:29:37
I've never had a problem using my drum dial on heads made of artificial materials, but I recently got a calfskin head on a 12" dobson rim and I get different readings ranging from 84-91 depending on the location on the head. I've tried tightening the head to increase the tension on the areas that read low on the drum dial, but I still get inconsistent readings. The banjo sounds good and I'm going to try the straightedge and quarter method just to check. I have another calfskin head (10") that reads consistently on the drum dial.
rudy - Posted - 05/20/2018: 08:59:23
The drum dial is looking for only a few thousandths of displacement of the center plunger in relation to the outer lip of the unit. Natural hide has some thinner and thicker areas of the hide, so I think it might be a possibility that is what you see creating the fluctuations in the reading. The actual head tension could be uniform and the very slight differances in plunger displacement might be showing the readings as being non-uniform.
At least that's one plausible explanation, even if it's not true in your case.
Edited by - rudy on 05/20/2018 09:00:25
hweinberg - Posted - 05/20/2018: 09:30:34
Thanks Rudy. That was what I thought, especially since this particular head is more visibly uneven (staining makes the differences more visible) than the other calfskin heads I have set up.
Oldpiper - Posted - 05/20/2018: 10:30:37
For hide heads I use the Drum-Torque wrench and usually have a setting on the nuts of about 5-6.
mbuk06 - Posted - 05/20/2018: 10:52:06
I'm not sure a drum dial is a helpful way to go. Tightening a skin head is a longer process than tensioning plastic heads due to the natural tendency of skin to stretch. Tighten gradually and evenly, listen to the tone and trust your ears.
Edited by - mbuk06 on 05/20/2018 10:53:18
jbalch - Posted - 05/20/2018: 11:36:50
quote:
Originally posted by rudyThe drum dial is looking for only a few thousandths of displacement of the center plunger in relation to the outer lip of the unit. Natural hide has some thinner and thicker areas of the hide, so I think it might be a possibility that is what you see creating the fluctuations in the reading. The actual head tension could be uniform and the very slight differances in plunger displacement might be showing the readings as being non-uniform.
At least that's one plausible explanation, even if it's not true in your case.
Well said:
One potential issue when using a drumdial with hide heads is that these "natural" differences may actually lead you to tension the head unevenly. If you keep tightening trying equalize the readings - you can run the risk of pulling the tension hoop lower in one area vs. another. In an extreme case, you might damage the head (or even distort the tension hoop).
"If it sounds good - it is good". That is my motto. Best to tune to a pleasing sound - rather than a mechanical measurement. If interested. here is some information on my tensioning techniques: Hide Head Tension
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