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/388727
wally2frank - Posted - 02/12/2023: 15:43:05
Anyone ever put a medium head crown on a RK35 or think its ok to do so. they come with a high crown. I have some Med. crown and just curious as to what issues I might encounter or if it's worth the trouble.
deestexas - Posted - 02/12/2023: 16:53:56
The risk is that the tension hoop may sit too high, maybe above the fingerboard.
Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 02/13/2023: 05:52:38
quote:
Originally posted by deestexas
The risk is that the tension hoop may sit too high, maybe above the fingerboard.
Which in turn might affect the height of the tailpiece off the head.
Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 02/13/2023: 06:02:52
quote:
Originally posted by wally2frank
Anyone ever put a medium head crown on a RK35 or think its ok to do so. they come with a high crown. I have some Med. crown and just curious as to what issues I might encounter or if it's worth the trouble.
I replaced the Recording King OME head on my RK-36 with a REMO USA. It immediately sound better (at least to my ear). After the head was on the banjo for a month I went back and tensioned it to 91 on the drum dial and with a Snuffy Smith bridge and Prucha Clamshell tailpiece it really woke up. It's loud and really rings. I had been thinking about selling it simply because I have several fine handmade banjos from USA builders, but now it sounds so good I have to keep it.
Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 02/13/2023 06:06:04
wally2frank - Posted - 02/13/2023: 06:35:06
Did you use a medium or high crown head?.
Emiel - Posted - 02/13/2023: 07:42:15
I used a medium-crown head on my RK-35, works just fine. The tension hoop sits just a bit higher, which I think looks better.
For typical Gibson-type resonator banjos, you can always use medium crown. Archtops take low crown as well (which looks a bit better on them), flatheads take also high crown.
Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 02/13/2023: 10:05:09
quote:
Originally posted by wally2frank
Did you use a medium or high crown head?.
I used the HIGH crown head as called for in the RK specifications (website below).
recordingking.com/rkr36br
Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 02/13/2023 10:16:03
wally2frank - Posted - 02/13/2023: 17:00:07
It's my understanding that with Remo heads the domestic vs the imports are the amount of frosting applied. Some prefer one over the other. I have some Stelling heads new old stock. The frosting is definitely different than stock Remo. I suspect Huber heads are custom frosted as well as other custom banjo makers. Stelling only used medium crown heads. going to try one on my RK35 just to see if it makes a difference in tone. If it fits well, I'll leave it on. Can't afford a Stelling and they are out of business. being a Virginia guy from that region it just gives me something to talk about if nothing else.
wally2frank - Posted - 02/19/2023: 05:43:30
Well, I finally put my new medium crown head on my RK35. Works perfect no issues. Tightened up to 92 on the drum dial and will check periodically. replaced my moon bridge with my snuffy smith pegged one. good crisp tight sound with more crack. sounds better up the neck also. point is a medium crown works fine.
