banjonz - Posted - 12/14/2022:  17:49:58

How many of you bluegrass banjoist play banjo with a vellum head rather than a Mylar one? I realize that in the USA the swings of temp and humidity are much greater than here in NZ. Having said that, I have recently installed an economy calf skin on my RK-80. I really like the sound. It is not as ringy as a white frosted head. I have had to shim the bridge a bit and tighten the head to raise the action as it is wet here.
What are your thoughts on the sound?

tdennis - Posted - 12/14/2022:  19:18:23

Mylar heads have the advantage of "industrial strength". The different skin heads give a rich, musical & interesting voice. (In S California the humidity is pretty good for natural heads, & I play throughout the year w/ nary touching the tension).

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/14/2022:  20:31:07

Skin heads sound great in winter! I’m enjoying one now on a 1991 Gibson Granada. Humidity is LOW in winter in New York so the head stays tight. By May it probably will get soggy. We’ll see!

davidppp - Posted - 12/14/2022:  21:56:23

Here's a great interview given by J.D. Crowe to Jim Mills: youtube.com/watch?v=g4fxjdjYwwA

Around 21:34, Jim asks about heads and the adoption of Mylar.  It takes until 23:20 until J.D. tells you what he first thought of Mylar.  I'll let J.D. tell it...

Stu D Baker-Hawk - Posted - 12/15/2022:  01:24:31

quote:

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Originally posted by tdennis

Mylar heads have the advantage of "industrial strength". The different skin heads give a rich, musical & interesting voice. (In S California the humidity is pretty good for natural heads, & I play throughout the year w/ nary touching the tension).

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Here in the state of Nevada, that's NEVADA as in THE driest state in the Union, Nevada, it has been a steady 11-percent humidity for the past 32 years... okay, maybe I was exaggerating a bit... 31 years.  

lapsteel - Posted - 12/15/2022:  05:57:08

quote:

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Originally posted by Stu D Baker-Hawk

quote:

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Originally posted by tdennis

Mylar heads have the advantage of "industrial strength". The different skin heads give a rich, musical & interesting voice. (In S California the humidity is pretty good for natural heads, & I play throughout the year w/ nary touching the tension).

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Here in the state of Nevada, that's NEVADA as in THE driest state in the Union, Nevada, it has been a steady 11-percent humidity for the past 32 years... okay, maybe I was exaggerating a bit... 31 years.  

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Ha ha! It's so dry that they put their postage stamp on with a paper clip.