AJOS - Posted - 08/02/2026:  18:12:13

Just got this tenor off of marketplace, seller says it's from 1920s/30s ish. Old hide head has a tear so looking for a replacement. Conflicting IDs on an FB group call it either a supertone or a Stromberg-Voisonette. Not too concerned with rarity or anything, would just love to get it up and running

 

The Old Timer - Posted - 08/02/2026:  18:26:49

They key to head replacement is knowing the diameter INSIDE the tension hoop to the nearest 1/16". Measure in 3 or 4 different spots (in case the head is out of round) and average the result, expressed to the nearest 1/16". If you're lucky you'll end up with 11" which is a standard head diameter.

The vast vast majority of banjo heads used nowadays are plastic, usually from the company Remo. You can get a hide head, but they're not offered/stocked in music stores -- they are either used (and frequently dirty) or made by "boutique" makers which makes them expensive, at least 4X as expensive as a plastic head.

I don't see any tear in the head from your photo, perhaps it's down on the side somewhere? Is the head tight and does it make a good high pitched tap or thump note when you rap on the head? Maybe you don't need a new head after all.

Good luck. Nice looking old banjo -- looks like it's all there.

Banner Blue - Posted - 08/02/2026:  18:29:10

The bow tie holes in the flange and the shape of the headstock screams Harmony USA Chicago. Harmony did make lots of stuff for Sears. The house brand for Sears was Supertone.

AJOS - Posted - 08/02/2026:  18:33:47

Thank you! I was kinda hoping I'd be able to swap it for a plastic one. yeah the tear is hard to see, down under the wrist rest, and pretty substantial, skin flops in and out + has some wrinkles.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 08/02/2026:  19:07:38

Measure it as directed and go visit Bob Smakula's site. He'll have a head that will fit.

Also, pick up a set of tuners while you're there. You'll be much happier. You'll need to open the old tuner holes to 3/8" (10mm).

smakulafrettedinstruments.com/...t-ni.html

Edited by - trapdoor2 on 08/02/2026 19:09:35

banjoboyd - Posted - 08/02/2026:  20:25:38

Be aware, I recently changed the head on a tenor from the same era. Luckily, it took an 11" head, but because the original flesh hoop was much thinner than what comes on plastic heads, I wound up having to bend each hook to have it reach the rim. No problem, but if you want to preserve the original hooks for some reason, you might replace them with a set you don't care about bending out of shape.

Parker135 - Posted - 08/03/2026:  13:41:13

You can often peel away the aluminum rim on modern plastic heads to get the diameter down to something that will work with the existing hooks. The plastic that's left on the perimeter of the head works fine with the tension hoop. Been there, done that. Bob Smakula can advise on this.