Does anyone have access to the factory specs for ordering the correct drum head for my Alvarez "Silver Belle" banjo?
11" diameter high crown Reno would fit the bill, but you maybe want to double check the crown height to be sure.
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Originally posted by Roger BrownDoes anyone have access to the factory specs for ordering the correct drum head for my Alvarez "Silver Belle" banjo?
I doubt that "factory Specs" were ever published, but your's is an easy one.
THe original head would have been an 11" frosted top by Remo. Crown height, if a flat top, would be either medium or high. measure the height of the tension hoop. The full height and the height where the neck and rim join. There should be a recess there for the strings., usually about 1/16" shorter.
I have those heads, and many other 11" options. You can check out the banjo head page of my website to get an idea of what is available.
Bob Smakula
Thank you, I'll do as you suggest and remove the old one to compare figures before ordering new head. Glad I've got 3 other banjos so the waiting for mail delivery won't kill me. Considering a clear see through head, any draw backs to that?
Clear heads can have an annoyingly piercing tone. Also looks like a fishbowl. But heads are inexpensive enough that you can try a couple different films and see if a new head gives you a new and inspiring sound.
Bob Smakula
smakula.com
Edited by - Bob Smakula on 03/21/2023 17:30:17
Clear heads can be scratched by your finger picks. If that happens, you will see every scratch from now on. After a while it looks pretty ratty.
Clear heads were all the rage about forty years ago and I had to try one. I quit using it for the reason I just mentioned.
When told by one of his salesmen, that the public wanted their Model T's in different colors besides black, Henry Ford replied: "You can paint my cars any color you want.......as long as it's black"
I feel the same way about banjo heads....they should be white. 
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Originally posted by RioStatWhen told by one of his salesmen, that the public wanted their Model T's in different colors besides black, Henry Ford replied: "You can paint my cars any color you want.......as long as it's black"
I feel the same way about banjo heads....they should be white.
That was because Black Japan Enamel was the only kind of paint that would dry fast enough to be used on the assembly line at that time. At least that's the story I always heard.
As far as banjo heads are concerned, I agree with you.
