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Tom Boy - Posted - 10/24/2024: 14:20:11
I now have an 11 Will Howson with a pony hide skin. My first real skin.
What do I need to know? I’m particularly interested in skin tension. How to set it, what to look for etc. should it be similarly tensioned to a Mylar style head?
Any care needed?
It’s a JD Balch head if that helps.
Banner Blue - Posted - 10/24/2024: 14:56:19
What do you need to know?
Doing something for the first time can be difficult. Tutorials almost always skip steps and details. Don't expect to be successful on the first run through.
Young children at the stage where they learn vocabulary quickly, should not be in the room.
GMB - Posted - 10/24/2024: 15:53:16
Why not contact John? He is a member here
jbalch - Posted - 10/24/2024: 19:01:34
How do you set up your plastic heads? Do you use a tensioning tool?
Can you phos a photo of the head? I'd like to see what type it is and Ill be happy to respond.
JB
Culloden - Posted - 10/24/2024: 21:38:38
Young children at the stage where they learn vocabulary quickly, should not be in the room.
That's hilarious. When you start tinkering with a banjo that becomes obvious pretty quickly.
Tom Boy - Posted - 10/25/2024: 00:18:37
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
How do you set up your plastic heads? Do you use a tensioning tool?
Can you phos a photo of the head? I'd like to see what type it is and Ill be happy to respond.
JB
Thank you John.
I've attached some pictures to help - its an 11" head.
I use a Drumdial to check my existing heads set to around 90, just off the rim.
MRichaud - Posted - 10/25/2024: 02:55:17
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Boy
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
How do you set up your plastic heads? Do you use a tensioning tool?
Can you phos a photo of the head? I'd like to see what type it is and Ill be happy to respond.
JB
Thank you John.
I've attached some pictures to help - its an 11" head.
I use a Drumdial to check my existing heads set to around 90, just off the rim.
Well, I'd imagine John CAN help you - that's one of his! 
jbalch - Posted - 10/25/2024: 04:55:39
That is a salt-processed goat hide.
Generally they perform well with plenty of tension. I tension mine much like I would a mylar head. Maybe you should start out at around 89 on the drumdial ... and raise it to the 90 range if you feel it sounds better there.
Otherwise, there is no real special maintanance required - just play and enjoy.
IF you experience big humidity swings, you might need to tweak the tension from time to time. Here in Tennessee, the humidity outside in the summer is sometimes near 100%. But in our gas-heated house, it drops VERY low in the winter. I loosen the tension very slightly in the winter when the humidity is so low. That prevents overstressing the hide. I've used natural hides for a LONG time and personally never had any issues at all.
I hope it serves you well for many years.
JB
Tom Boy - Posted - 10/25/2024: 05:49:09
quote:
Originally posted by jbalch
That is a salt-processed goat hide.
Generally they perform well with plenty of tension. I tension mine much like I would a mylar head. Maybe you should start out at around 89 on the drumdial ... and raise it to the 90 range if you feel it sounds better there.
Otherwise, there is no real special maintanance required - just play and enjoy.
IF you experience big humidity swings, you might need to tweak the tension from time to time. Here in Tennessee, the humidity outside in the summer is sometimes near 100%. But in our gas-heated house, it drops VERY low in the winter. I loosen the tension very slightly in the winter when the humidity is so low. That prevents overstressing the hide. I've used natural hides for a LONG time and personally never had any issues at all.
I hope it serves you well for many years.
JB
Thank you very much. Certainly make for a warm tone to the banjo and looks great.
