greenbriar - Posted - 04/14/2026:  08:30:24

I need a couple of the high crown USA “ wagon wheel” Remo heads. Musicians Friend has them for $49.00. Who else sells these?

I find them to make all the difference in the world. It was hard to believe that there could be so much of a difference between these and the other Remo “banjo head only” same brand, same looking head.

pinenut - Posted - 04/14/2026:  09:36:34

What is Bob Smakula's opinion on the "wagon wheel" run of Remo banjo heads, as compared to the other top frosted heads?

smakulafrettedinstruments.com/...d-11.html

musiciansfriend.com/accessorie...anjo-head

Edited by - pinenut on 04/14/2026 09:37:25

greenbriar - Posted - 04/14/2026:  10:01:50

Bob
Thank you sir.
I’ll take a count and place an order.
I was a bit sick that a new top of the line banjo did not sound good.
I read a post about the USA heads, tried a used one and holy cow.
Not only does it sound great, as best that I can describe it, the “feel” and ease of playing is different. It might be string vibration? What ever it is, I am sold and wish that I had known this before now.
I’m a 50 year experienced picker and really work at getting better tone and playability. Because of the Hangout wealth of knowledge, it shows that you can learn new things that you overlooked a thousand times.

lightgauge - Posted - 04/14/2026:  13:23:34

I tried to find "wagon wheel" heads several years ago with no luck. I put one on a conversion and really liked it, but they seemed to have been a short run. If you find them at a reasonable price, please post or message me. I use medium crown on all mine. Thanks, Kurt.

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/14/2026:  14:07:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by pinenut

What is Bob Smakula's opinion on the "wagon wheel" run of Remo banjo heads, as compared to the other top frosted heads?

smakulafrettedinstruments.com/...d-11.html

musiciansfriend.com/accessorie...anjo-head

 

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Bob Smakula has no opinion on the Remo "Wagon Wheel" heads, but knows that respected colleagues in the music industry think they are the best banjo heads for their playing style.

Most of my banjos have calf skin heads, but I go to my Goose Acres with a Remo Fiberskyn when I will be using a banjo where the humidity swings. 

As all the heads I sell have no logo, I could have been selling "Wagon Wheel" era heads without even realizing it.

Bob Smakula

smakulafrettedinstruments.com

Bob Smakula - Posted - 04/14/2026:  14:17:26

quote:

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Originally posted by greenbriar

I need a couple of the high crown USA “ wagon wheel” Remo heads. Musicians Friend has them for $49.00. Who else sells these?

---

I am curious if the actual product that Musician's Friend is selling is a Remo "Wagon Wheel" head. I have the feeling that they just never updated their illustration as different logos were applied to Remo products. For what it's worth, there are several drum heads listed on the Musician's friend site with Wagon Wheel logos.

Bob Smakula

localhost - Posted - 04/14/2026:  17:11:10

What's the secret sauce of wagon wheel variants? Is it thicker frosting like the pre-EPA heads or is there some other head characteristic?

greenbriar - Posted - 04/14/2026:  17:58:33

I have a V35 that I tried both the wagon wheel( USA made and a Remo printed banjo use only.

I was very surprised at the difference. Bob Smakula says that they are made differently.
With the bead and crimping being a factor. They look much the same. I ordered several USA made ones from him. He has great prices on heads and Gotoh tuners.

rupickin5 - Posted - 04/14/2026:  18:04:35

I’m of the opinion that the Remo top-frosted “Wagon Wheel” logo heads were a run many years ago…not to be duplicated…as Remo moved forward. Am I incorrect?
Thanks,
Brian

banjonz - Posted - 04/14/2026:  18:19:41

I assume this is the head you all are talking about?
This is on my 2005 Gold Star GF 85. This appears to be its original head and was imported from the US by the owner I purchased it from.

 

greenbriar - Posted - 04/14/2026:  20:18:04

Yes Wayne, that is the head.
I sent a 2002 Sullivan Greenbriar to New Zealand about 20 years ago.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 04/15/2026:  07:09:47

quote:

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Originally posted by localhost

What's the secret sauce of wagon wheel variants? Is it thicker frosting like the pre-EPA heads or is there some other head characteristic?

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As with most banjo things, the rareness or lack of general availability makes them more desirable.  I doubt that in a science based double blind test anyone could tell the difference. 

banjonz - Posted - 04/15/2026:  13:29:18

quote:

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Originally posted by greenbriar

Yes Wayne, that is the head.

I sent a 2002 Sullivan Greenbriar to New Zealand about 20 years ago.

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I think I may have seen that banjo. We don't get many Sullivan's down here

DSmoke - Posted - 04/15/2026:  15:23:12

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

quote:

---

Originally posted by localhost

What's the secret sauce of wagon wheel variants? Is it thicker frosting like the pre-EPA heads or is there some other head characteristic?

---

As with most banjo things, the rareness or lack of general availability makes them more desirable.  I doubt that in a science based double blind test anyone could tell the difference. 

 

 

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Probably true, but we're banjo players, who needs real proof. I believe the heavier crimp rings on vintage heads and the import Remos make the heads sound better in my world or Irish trad. I have no proof other than my ear. The wood the bridge is made from has the most impact on tone for me.

greenbriar - Posted - 04/15/2026:  22:23:39

Joel, it’s for sure that the rarity factor drives demand!

The head that did not sound as good to me could absolutely have a different factor than where it was made. But the tonal difference between these 2 heads on this banjo made me wonder why and if anyone else noticed something like this.
For sure, I did not analyze it but I believe I’ll do some more comparisons on my other banjos.
If it seems to help, I’ll make the switch. There’s a bunch of hype that we buy into for sure.

rupickin5 - Posted - 04/16/2026:  05:05:40

quote:

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Originally posted by greenbriar

Joel, it’s for sure that the rarity factor drives demand!



The head that did not sound as good to me could absolutely have a different factor than where it was made. But the tonal difference between these 2 heads on this banjo made me wonder why and if anyone else noticed something like this.

For sure, I did not analyze it but I believe I’ll do some more comparisons on my other banjos.

If it seems to help, I’ll make the switch. There’s a bunch of hype that we buy into for sure.

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Am I to understand that there are currently Remo "Wagon Wheel" heads available? New or NOS? 

thanks

Joel Hooks - Posted - 04/16/2026:  05:25:03

Don't get me wrong, I'm also a sucker for old banjo stuff no longer made. I don't play or own a single banjo that is currently in production. I am always chasing 19th and early 20th century useless banjo accessories. And I play from old banjo sheet music.

So I have respect if that logo is important. That said, I don't think that one piece of painted polyester is going to be that much different than another. I suppose it could be different, but "better" in a noticeable amount, I'm not so sure.

I would guess tension and the banjo it is on would be bigger factors.

I expect that age hardening and exposure to UV could affect things as well.

Emiel - Posted - 04/16/2026:  12:13:31

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

Don't get me wrong, I'm also a sucker for old banjo stuff no longer made. I don't play or own a single banjo that is currently in production. I am always chasing 19th and early 20th century useless banjo accessories. And I play from old banjo sheet music.



So I have respect if that logo is important. That said, I don't think that one piece of painted polyester is going to be that much different than another. I suppose it could be different, but "better" in a noticeable amount, I'm not so sure.



I would guess tension and the banjo it is on would be bigger factors.



I expect that age hardening and exposure to UV could affect things as well.

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The top-frosted Wagon Wheel heads had a thinner frosting than the current Remo heads.

Noah Cline - Posted - 04/16/2026:  13:41:38

I remember there being and older discussion about these heads with the wagon wheel or rather ship's wheel logo. If I remember right, it was for an anniversary? My Morgan Monroe Luxmore openback has this logo on a Renaissance head (bought new in 2009). 

Edited by - Noah Cline on 04/16/2026 13:44:06