For you fellas that a have a Nechville.. how much can you tension the head before damage? I was thinking of trying 92..93 for the learning experience.
Id like to hear the two extremes, so I was going to go down as well..
I'm also going to get some bridges to go down to 2.1 and up to 2.9 maybe a 2.7 as well. Just to play with it. :)
You should ask Tom Nechville. I bet he has tested his banjo every way possible.
A lot depends on the head and how well it was made. I broke a brand new Remo Weatherking that measured 85 with a Drum Dial. The head was obviously defective and the vendor replaced it for free.
Heads are cheap and easy to change on a Nechville so it would be easy for you to find out their limits. I have a feeling that the Nechville pinion wrenches would be almost impossible to turn, once you get a head that tight.
If you want an unfocused, somewhat muted and tubby banjo with a lot of sustain, put a heavy bridge on it. A stiff, 2.1 gram bridge is hard to beat for bluegrass on any banjo with a properly tensioned head.
quote:
Originally posted by Bill HYou should ask Tom Nechville. I bet he has tested his banjo every way possible.
He also has a video where he shows the sound of different bridge weights.
I worked with Tom for 15 years. The Heli-Mount will take as much tension as you want, and like xnavyguy said, depending on the head itself.
