Head Tension

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From The Gibson Man on 3/3/2015 7:54:33 AM

Curious I was tightening up on the head on my new Bellflower...which by the way is just awesome. Geoff the field manual is such a useful tool and I can't thank you enough. Anyway I have a drum dial and IMHO a good ear. The only issue is I would like to use the dial to get the head tension to an A,B, G...etc. So any experience with a dial reading associated with A, B, G....and so forth. I'm thinking in terms of using a torque wrench to torque to a spec associated with A for instance and G.

10 Comments
	CAPT Steve says: 3/3/2015 2:51:48 PM 91 on my DrumDial puts my Master's Cross a G#.
The Gibson Man says: 3/3/2015 10:03:14 PM Thanks Captain
	banjoman56 says: 3/3/2015 10:45:51 PM I keep the head on my Red Fox set at 91. It seems to be close to an A at that tension.
	Ybanjo says: 3/6/2015 7:02:26 AM I set my Staghorn to 91, per Geoff's recommendation, plus that's where my ear wanted it to be. It seems to hit between G# and A. Another question... when you measure with the drum dial, how far from the edge is the dial? That does change me measurement. I try to be around 3/4 inch from the rim. Wonder what others do???
	5Strangpicker says: 3/6/2015 2:22:43 PM I was looking at the JDMC website earlier and one of the persons who responded as a review on the item said he uses a 1/4" piece of wood to make sure the measurement is even so it would appear that you may want to consider a similar type of measuring item of your choosing. I'm not sure if there is a specific measurement to be used or not. FYI.
	CAPT Steve says: 3/6/2015 2:27:58 PM I usually use my thumb; it's a little less than the guide included with the DrumDial, but seems to work OK.
	drewbarries says: 3/6/2015 6:34:53 PM I really notice a big difference between 91, 92 and 93 on my Virginian. You probably already know or have read but it may be best to avoid landing exactly on a note such as G# or A as to avoid resonance between the played note and either the head or the resonator chamber. My preference for my Virginian is between a 92 and 93 and with the tail piece level witht the head.
	drewbarries says: 3/6/2015 6:49:09 PM I really notice a big difference between 91, 92 and 93 on my Virginian. You probably already know or have read but it may be best to avoid landing exactly on a note such as G# or A as to avoid resonance between the played note and either the head or the resonator chamber. My preference for my Virginian is between a 92 and 93 and with the tail piece level witht the head.
	Geoff Stelling says: 3/7/2015 12:47:30 PM Hi fellas, I tighten all the heads on new banjos to 91 or a little tighter, since I know they will settle down in a few days, and that gives me a G# to an A which is what I want. Good tuning. Geoff
	5Strangpicker says: 3/12/2015 10:26:33 AM Ok great, so lets assume the instrument is an older one like my 1980 sunflower with the original rim, what is the consensus on the most popular tension 89 to 90?
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