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Barnacle Joe - Posted - 11/18/2025: 09:49:24
I've had this old Lyon & Healy sitting around for a while. I'm not particularly attached to it (it was bundled with another auction item some time ago). I'm intending to get it playable (and clean up a bit) but it's first in line to be sold off. Probably sooner rather than later. Someone already modified it for modern tuners, so Grover Champions seem to be the safe option here.
But what head should I put on for maximum-attractiveness when I try to sell it? Modern plastic? Remo white frosted or Renaissance? Real skin? If real skin, try for the most evenly colored/textured white or a bit more color/texture?
If anyone wants to guess the going price for such an instrument that's also welcome.
pinenut - Posted - 11/18/2025: 11:07:02
Renaissance is easier and few dollars less, but, real skin is more appropriate.
For sale, easier is probably the 'best' route.
Edited by - pinenut on 11/18/2025 11:09:49
Barnacle Joe - Posted - 11/18/2025: 11:13:42
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
Renaissance is easier and few dollars less, but, real skin is more appropriate.
For sale, easier is probably the 'best' route.
I have some experience putting skin heads on, and I have the time, so I'm not worried about that.
pinenut - Posted - 11/18/2025: 11:31:48
quote:
Originally posted by Barnacle Joe
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
Renaissance is easier and few dollars less, but, real skin is more appropriate.
For sale, easier is probably the 'best' route.
I have some experience putting skin heads on, and I have the time, so I'm not worried about that.
I would think that the amber/cloudy renaissance head would have a wider market and skinhead people won't care about that aspect of setup.
note: Nylon strings, a two foot bridge and renaissance head are an acceptable combo and consistantly give decent maintanance-free tone.
Edited by - pinenut on 11/18/2025 11:39:20
Culloden - Posted - 11/18/2025: 13:44:42
If it has a standard size rim I would suggest a Renaissance head. If it's an odd size then you might have to use a skin.
pinenut - Posted - 11/18/2025: 14:36:46
quote:
Originally posted by Culloden
If it has a standard size rim I would suggest a Renaissance head. If it's an odd size then you might have to use a skin.
Nahhh... We have a Bob and he's your good uncle.
smakulafrettedinstruments.com/...naissance
Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/18/2025: 14:39:27
What Mark said if you need to put a new head on it. You can only put so much lipstick on a pig. I would not put a skin head on it. That’s a losing proposition unless you have one sitting around that you don’t want and will fit. If you have a used head of any kind that fits, use that. Remember that a new head of your choice that a potential buyer does not want will either kill the sale or bring you a lesser offer. Personally, I would want to put my choice of head on a used banjo I bought. The chances a seller will match my choice are 50-50 at best. I suspect most buyers will feel the same. In the end a new head is a roll of the dice.
Culloden - Posted - 11/18/2025: 14:47:21
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
quote:
Originally posted by Culloden
If it has a standard size rim I would suggest a Renaissance head. If it's an odd size then you might have to use a skin.
Nahhh... We have a Bob and he's your good uncle.
smakulafrettedinstruments.com/...naissance
I buy my heads from Bob, too. I just forgot that Renaissance heads were available in that many sizes. I've only bought them in 11" and 10 3/4".
Bob Smakula - Posted - 11/18/2025: 16:22:52
It is very likely I have the head you want.
I do see one hurdle with fitting a modern plastic head to your “obsolete” banjo. The tension hoop looks exceptionally thin, roughly 1/16” thick. The aluminum channel flesh hoop of a modern Remo head is thicker than the 1/8” or so flesh hoops of the skin banjo head era. The thicker flesh hoop will prevent the hooks from grabbing the tension hoop. The work-around we do in my shop is to remove the aluminum, leaving the epoxy. That allows the hooks to grab the tension hoop without bending the hooks.
We charge $5 for that service when we sell you a head, or are happy to email you free instructions to do it in your shop.
Bob Smakula
Smakulafrettedinstruments.com
Barnacle Joe - Posted - 11/19/2025: 20:04:30
Thanks Bob, I'll contact you about an order once I either find 1-2 other things I might need (or realize I don't really need anything else). You were right, it does measure at about 1/16".
Thanks also, everyone else.
