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Jan 13, 2025 - 9:04:26 AM
11 posts since 12/7/2024

I have a Gold Tone CC-OT banjo with the original FiberSkyn head and find it a bit too “plunky” and quiet for my liking. Will a Renaissance head lighten the tone and help with the volume or do I need a standard head? I don’t want something that sounds like my 50 year old Aria Pro II resonator bluegrass banjo but I’d like to be able to actually hear the 4th string!

Jan 13, 2025 - 9:11:10 AM
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Players Union Member

Emiel

Austria

10507 posts since 1/22/2003

quote:
Originally posted by Dry Ridge

I have a Gold Tone CC-OT banjo with the original FiberSkyn head and find it a bit too “plunky” and quiet for my liking. Will a Renaissance head lighten the tone and help with the volume or do I need a standard head? 


Yes, it will.

Whether you like the tone, is a personal thing. A top-frosted head is also an alternative…

Jan 13, 2025 - 10:33:16 AM

KCJones

USA

3415 posts since 8/30/2012

It's pure preference. The only way for you to know this answer is to try them. Anyone here could give you their opinion and preference but other people's preferences have no relation to you.

Edited by - KCJones on 01/13/2025 10:34:04

Jan 13, 2025 - 11:00:57 AM
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Dean T

USA

380 posts since 4/18/2024

I put a fiberskin head on my Americana, and didn’t like it at all, too plunky and lower volume. After 2 months, I put the original renaissance head bank on. Definitely higher volume and brighter. So from very recent experience, my opinion is a definite yes.

Jan 13, 2025 - 12:27:29 PM

28450 posts since 6/25/2005

You also should try a lighter, all-maple bridge. That will kick up the sound as much or more as a head change.

Jan 13, 2025 - 1:37:43 PM
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11 posts since 12/7/2024

I just watched a video by Mandy Tyner where she swapped out a FiberSkyn for a Renaissance on her Bart Reiter and it had the effect I am hoping for so Dean T’s comment rings true. Thanks also for the suggestion on the maple bridge. The one I have is maple with ebony cap and 3rd string compensaton.

Jan 14, 2025 - 3:33:35 PM
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pinenut

USA

175 posts since 10/2/2007
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I agree; fiberskin is way too plunky and quiet. I like the Amber/Renaissance on spun and rolled type rings; bright with some sweetness. The black/white suede sweetens up a heavy cast tone ring; very nice. Remo frosted heads are good and have their place too. I like the tension set between ~88-90 on a DrumDial tuner. Any other head will be louder and fuller sounding, this is an easy win.

note: smakulafrettedinstruments.com/...njo-heads is a great source for information
note: Check out the Steve Davis head tension method with a 10" ruler and coins if a DrumDial isn't handy.

Jan 17, 2025 - 7:38:14 AM

459 posts since 6/15/2006

Fiberskyn can be both loud and sound really good on some banjos, but it is also my experience, that a ren. head beats them on most banjos (but not all), so if one does not like the fiberskyn, because it is too plunky, try a ren., but first try to tighten it a little more. Steen.

Feb 2, 2025 - 8:30:37 PM
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11 posts since 12/7/2024

Finally got the Ren head and installed it yesterday. Cranked the tension up to 88-89 and it sounds much brighter now—exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

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