ericlong - Posted - 12/08/2025:  07:46:32

I wanted to try out a Fiberskyn head on on my Rickard and was told by Rickard that I’d need a 11 15/16 high crown head.

No one had them in stock in September but Sweetwater said they could special order one for me no problem.

Well, that was back in September and every time I’ve checked on the order it gets pushed back another month.

Anyone know where I can find one in the US?

KCJones - Posted - 12/08/2025:  07:58:23

If Smakula doesn't have one, it doesn't exist.

Bob Smakula

Edited by - KCJones on 12/08/2025 08:00:09

Culloden - Posted - 12/08/2025:  08:02:28

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

ericlong - Posted - 12/08/2025:  08:35:46

Bob did not have this in stock back in September when I placed the original order.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 12/08/2025:  08:44:41

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlong

I wanted to try out a Fiberskyn head on on my Rickard and was told by Rickard that I’d need a 11 15/16 high crown head.



No one had them in stock in September but Sweetwater said they could special order one for me no problem.



Well, that was back in September and every time I’ve checked on the order it gets pushed back another month.



Anyone know where I can find one in the US?

---

I only stock that size in Renaissance. As i sell very few of those in a year, I am not going to stock that size in other film types. Remo will do a single head custom order, but sometimes it takes as much as a year for them to make a custom head. Most of the time 2 to 3 months.

I placed my most recent Remo order a few weeks ago, so I will not be ordering again until after the first of the year. If you want a banjo shop to order it, I am willing to add it to my next Remo order. Contact me through my website.

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

pinenut - Posted - 12/08/2025:  09:36:00

12" medium crown...

Edited by - pinenut on 12/08/2025 09:37:04

ericlong - Posted - 12/08/2025:  11:19:09

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

12" medium crown...

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Have you done this before?

Wouldn't the bevel be in the wrong spot?

pinenut - Posted - 12/08/2025:  11:23:54

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlong

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

12" medium crown...

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Have you done this before?

Wouldn't the bevel be in the wrong spot?

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As long as the rim measures 11-15/16" and not 11-7/8" or some such.  The shorter crown on a bigger diameter should provide some of the deeper crown on the smaller diameter head and the extra diameter is 1/32" (not much) slop on the circumference.

It's a $25 risk on an educated guess with an unobtainium result.  

Place your bet and choose your adventure; right?  

notes:  choosing the "right" head for non-11" banjos usually has a little guesswork and risk initially.  

Edited by - pinenut on 12/08/2025 11:38:52

Culloden - Posted - 12/08/2025:  13:02:26

I have used an 11" head on a Vega with a 10 15/16" rim. It's still on the banjo and it still works. I think Kam made the point pretty well. There's only a 1/32" difference around the rim. More clearance than that might cause a problem.

pinenut - Posted - 12/08/2025:  14:36:57

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlong

I wanted to try out a Fiberskyn head on on my Rickard and was told by Rickard that I’d need a 11 15/16 high crown head.

---

Hold on a minute; "Rickard!", apologies, I missed that.  Bill's typical tone rings are 11" and 12".  It must be a drum shell without a tone ring?  Bill is a fantastic banjo maker and a well-rounded, interesting person. 

Same answer.  medium crown 12"  note:  The Rickard 12" tubaphone uses this size, my experience is at odds with the high crown recommendation.

Cheers.

Errrr... Warning, unrequested advice below:

If it's the overtones and funny sounds resulting from a no-knot tailpiece that are driving you to try a fiberskin (fully muted) head; I would first install a Presto, Kershner or other long tailed type of tailpiece. 

Then install a frosted top head.  Fiberskins choke the life out of an acoustic banjo.  If you really need that muted tone; start with the 'suede' type from Smakula.

Get a 12" slip-on Dobson tone ring and maybe consider a high crown with the additional ~1/16" of tone ring rim height:  balsambanjoworks.com/product/d...one-ring/

Edited by - pinenut on 12/08/2025 14:52:25

ericlong - Posted - 12/08/2025:  15:14:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by pinenut

quote:

---

Originally posted by ericlong

I wanted to try out a Fiberskyn head on on my Rickard and was told by Rickard that I’d need a 11 15/16 high crown head.

---

Hold on a minute; "Rickard!", apologies, I missed that.  Bill's typical tone rings are 11" and 12".  It must be a drum shell without a tone ring?  Bill is a fantastic banjo maker and a well-rounded, interesting person. 

Same answer.  medium crown 12"  note:  The Rickard 12" tubaphone uses this size, my experience is at odds with the high crown recommendation.

Cheers.

 

Errrr... Warning, unrequested advice below:

If it's the overtones and funny sounds resulting from a no-knot tailpiece that are driving you to try a fiberskin (fully muted) head; I would first install a Presto, Kershner or other long tailed type of tailpiece. 

Then install a frosted top head.  Fiberskins choke the life out of an acoustic banjo.  If you really need that muted tone; start with the 'suede' type from Smakula.

Get a 12" slip-on Dobson tone ring and maybe consider a high crown with the additional ~1/16" of tone ring rim height:  balsambanjoworks.com/product/d...one-ring/

 

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It's got the Rickard Whyte Laydie/Electric style tone ring. Just wanted to try it with a fiberskyn. Ren on there at the moment.

I'm not interested in swapping the tailpiece. Tones subjective and this is just something I want to try. It's got quite a lot of bark. I perform professionally quite often both solo and in a large ensemble and want to try this out as a best of both worlds kind of situation. (More rounded tone to balance the WL.) I love it as is, I just want to experiment to see what this particaluar banjo is capable of with a fibersyn.