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Gibson Ballbearing Owners Group

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All those who own or would like to own one of these wonderful instruments are invited to join.

119 Members, Created 1/26/2011 -

Administrators: Couchie (owner)

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From BanjoFlyboy on 10/18/2013 6:21:13 AM

Hey fellow BB aficionados. Thinking of putting a hide head on my '26 Gibson Style 5. John Balch a BHO member lives only about 25 miles north of me in Murfreesboro, TN. He sells and installs hide heads and recommends a Stern HH as the best choice for a bluegrass banjo. Says they compare very favorably to the old Rogers 3 star heads of the past. I know the issue of weather conditions on HH performance, but I plan on this being my house banjo. Give me some feedback! FlyBoy

5 Comments
	BBKing26 says: 10/18/2013 6:50:14 AM You'll be happy with hide. I have 2 up and running and they sound fantastic. I mount skins from Stearns Tanning myself or get pre mounts from Bill Miller. They are fine most of the year inside or out. There is nothing better than the BB tone with a skin head! Good luck.
	Dave Obrien says: 10/18/2013 7:02:41 AM I have installed his goatskin heads on both my 5 string and tenor BB's and like them. I stored both in an unheated shed all winter no issues.
	BanjoFlyboy says: 10/18/2013 7:15:21 AM Thanks for the feedback! I didn't expect such a fast response!!
	gailg64 says: 10/21/2013 5:42:15 AM I have a new skin on my bb banjo ( a 26) but it sags & becomes unplayable exactly during the months & times when I want to play it outdoors--at summer fiddlers conventions at night. I have had an old weather king on it the last few years & it sounds different but very nice & focused. I have used waterproofing on an old hide on another banjo but it still collapses at night in the summer.
	gdoc says: 10/25/2013 7:56:03 AM One of the best things about a banjo, is anything changed doesn't have to be permanent. Your tastes are allowed to change too.
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