gratefulted - Posted - 08/22/2018:  13:54:43

I have a 1925 Supertone 5 string banjo. It has a hide banjo head. I noticed that it was buzzing a bit one day while I was playing. I was so bummed when I saw that there was a small 2 in tear by the rim. This is the original head with a Chubby Parker signature on it and I would just be so dissapointed if I can't use it. Has anyone ever repaired a skin head before with success? Thanks in advance for any help.

1925 Supertone Hide Banjo Head.

 

mike gregory - Posted - 08/22/2018:  14:26:10

I took a scrap off a completely RUINED skin head, instant-glued it on underneath.
With boards all the way across, to & bottom, so I didn't have to take the head off the rim.
Stacked like so:

Clamp
Long board
block
waxed paper
Old head
glue
Patch
waxed paper
block
long board
Other half of clamp.

But it wasn't that close to the edge.

vintagetenor - Posted - 08/22/2018:  14:38:02

Also, glue the patch while the head has good tension, not when it's slack.

Edited by - vintagetenor on 08/22/2018 14:39:17

Fud - Posted - 08/22/2018:  16:06:44

Tyvek and super glue on the underside. Proximity to the edge is worrisome. Good luck.

Larry

Bill Rogers - Posted - 08/22/2018:  18:46:30

I fixed one like that by supergluing it right to tie tone ring. Lasted another 5 years.

Dan Drabek - Posted - 08/22/2018:  19:19:06

If it's an old Rogers head, I would definitely try to save it. I would try laminating a patch of hide to the underside with Barge Cement. It's a contact cement that doesn't require clamping. You just paint it on, let it dry and stick it together. Very strong. They use it for laminating leather on the soles of shoes, and other such heavy-duty stuff. And it's waterproof.

DD

frisco slim - Posted - 08/22/2018:  20:20:33

I would patch it on the underside with a super-thin piece of split cowhide such as you might get by cutting apart an old wallet.

And I agreee with Dan that Barge Cement (a.k.a. Shoe Glue) would be the adhesive of choice. Sticks like crazy and stays flexible.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 08/23/2018:  04:20:52

I have only patched splits in the middle of calf banjo heads. My personal fretless banjo now has about 10 years of playing on two patches with no signs of failure.

I have never repaired a split around the edge, but with the encouraging posts here on the hangout, it is certainly worth a try. The worst case is you'll still have a broken head.

Bob Smakula

smakula.com

gratefulted - Posted - 08/23/2018:  05:11:27

I really appreciate all of your tips and experience! Thank you all. I'll let you know how it turns out!

jbalch - Posted - 08/24/2018:  05:20:32

Like Bob Smukla, I've patched small splits - in the center of heads - with good results. I used scraps of thin rawhide head material and superglue.

Also as others have said - the location of this split may make applying a patch very difficult - even impossible. Honestly - I'm doubtful it can be done.

One bit of advice with the glue - use it sparingly. Glue - applied to the patch and botton surface - can soak through and stain the top of head. If saving that autograph is inpordant to you - be careful not to apply too much glue and risk spoiling it.

Best wishes!