Tuesday, January 15, 2019
JDBALCH pre-mounted HIDE BANJO HEADS - 2019 Price List
Grade of hide: (see descriptions below) Price us$
- Stern Tanning Premium Calf 11" $ 100.00 - out of stock please email for availability
- Stern Tanning Premium Calf 12" $ 110.00 - out of stock please email for availability
- Stern Hides are in limited supply - please e-mail for availability
- JDBalch SPECIAL Select mottled Calf $ 85.00 Supply is limited - email for availability
- JDBalch SPECIAL Select Mule hide $ 85.00 Supply is limited - email for availability
- JDBalch FuZZy Goat hide with HAIR $ 80.00
- JDBalch SPECIAL Select Goat $ 75.00
- JDBalch 4-star Goat $ 65.00
- JDBalch 3-star Goat $ 55.00
These prices are for a complete, pre-mounted head. Waterproofer spray (on request) & hand-applied wax offered at no extra charge.
See below for detailed descriptions of all grades. All grades and options subject to availability - please contact me for current stock.
A free case sticker is included with each head order.
Options & add-ons: (see details below) Price us$
- Coffee Stain (includes oil finish) $ 15.00
- Hard Oil Finish (on unstained head) $ 10.00
- Spiral Wound Flesh Hoop $ 12.00
- Sheepskin banjo stuffer $ 5.00
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- USA domestic postage (1st class) $ 6.00
- International postage contact for quote
Supplies: Price us$
- Semi-finished flesh hoop – sq. brass $ 10.00
- Unmounted goat hide (18" round) $ 18.00
Pre-mounted head sizes:
- 10 15/16” (Vega)
- 11”
- 11 13/16” (Vega)
- 12”
Other sizes are available only as custom-mounted heads. This requires shipping your rim for fitting (including tone ring, tension hoop, & hooks & nuts). Cost is the same as a pre-mount – plus the actual return postage. Contact me for details and arrangements. NOTE: due to problems with breakage of inferior hardware and high cost of replacement parts, I no longer can install heads on Eastman Whyte Laydie banjos (sorry).
Check the Classifieds for finished heads ready to ship: http://www.banjohangout.org/classifieds/search.asp?m=byposter&v=1896
Grades - details:
Premium (calf ) - Stern Tanning Co. Stern tanning produces highest-grade, machine-sanded, calf hides. Stern hides feature precise, even, thickness (for optimum tonal response). These are comparable to the best heads of the bygone era. Availability is very limited. NOTE: Stern hides are natural (unbleached). This is preferred because chemical whiteners may weaken the hide. Most Stern calfskins exhibit some degree of natural mottling and/or coloration. Stern calfskins may not be stained or oil finished. Wax treatment is included at no extra cost. SUPPLY IS VERY LIMITED - conatct me for availability.
JDBalch 5-star SPECIAL Select Calf Calfskin is sturdy and reliable. They are generally thicker than average goat hide. Most are mottled. Supply is limited. Contact me re: availability.
JDBalch 5-star SPECIAL Select Mule Mule skin is sturdy and reliable. They are generally thicker than average goat hide. Most are fully translucent with few opaque areas. Suppl;y is limited. Contact me re: availability.
JDBalch SPECIAL Select Goat heads are individually chosen for unique appearance. They are the best of the 4-star grade hide heads. They may be are mottled with a mix of translucent opaque areas - or mostly opaque. They are offered as available and supply is limited.
JDBalch FuZZy Goat hide with HAIR Un-shaved natural goat hide. Hair is trimmed. Length and thickness of hair will vary. Colors available in a wide range. Sound is slightly muted compared to shaved hides. Tone is very good! See links below for comparison samples:
Bart Reiter Bacophone-plus – Fuzzy hide head: http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/media-player/audio_player2.asp?musicid=753&archived=
Bart Reiter Bacophone-plus – Shaved hide head: http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/media-player/audio_player2.asp?musicid=752&archived=
JDBalch 4-star goat heads are a very popular grade. 4-star heads are selected for good thickness, and attractive appearance. 4-star heads may have inconsequential cosmetic blemishes or flaws.
JDBalch 3-star goat or calfskin heads are standard quality. These are reliable heads that sound very good. 3-star heads will have natural cosmetic blemishes, variations in thickness, or small flaws that should not affect integrity or performance.
Options & add ons:
Stain – Coffee, Tea, or natural walnut extract (when available). Staining includes the application of the Hard Oil finish as described below – no extra cost.
Hard Oil finish (for unstained heads) – a mulit-step, hand applied finish designed to enhance appearance and significantly improve stability.
Spiral Wound Flesh hoop. – a fiber wrapping designed to improve the grip of the hide around a round brass hoop. I personally use and prefer these hoops. See here: http://www.hangoutstorage.com/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/large/18/1896-454772162015.jpg
Sheepskin Stuffer – small piece of sheepskin with the hair on. Useful and very effective to control overtones. Color, size and shape will vary. E-mail for availability.
Payment is accepted by PayPal, check or cash (in person). Contact me for instructions.
Installation video: How to install a pre mounted JDBalch hide banjo head - YouTube
Photos of various types here: http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/photos.asp?id=1896&albumid=7464
Daily photos of new heads are available in INSTAGRAM at: #hidebanjoheads
Prices effective 01/01/2019 - subject to change
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