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Originally posted by banjonz

What do folk set their tension for a 12" renaissance head using a drum dial?

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This is a great topic, Wayne.  I've wondered the same thing; it seems like the twelves should be tensioned different than the elevens. 

I have tried various tensions and have been happiest with the same tension as I typically use on eleven inch heads; 91-92. 

And the head types, renn/frosted/suede, don't seem to matter much either, go figure...

I put the head on get even tension all around and it then start listening, bringing the tension up slowly until I’m happy with the sound. It could end up at anything (l mostly use drum heads) but I stop it reaches 95.

My archtop, which has an effective diameter of 9.5" (od 11") is set at 91, the same as I would use for an 11" head. Perhaps size does not matter at all. It will be interesting to see other's opinions.

I thought 92 was high but 95 ????
I run my Stanley-tone at 88 which gives everything I need. YMMV.

89 on both 11 and 12 inch rims. I'm a old time Ren head two finger guy.

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Originally posted by Ralph Stanley legend

I thought 92 was high but 95 ????
I run my Stanley-tone at 88 which gives everything I need. YMMV.

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Sometimes I put double ply heads on the banjos I make, so they are about twice the thickness. The drum dial measures 'deflection' so the readings are higher at the same tension. Usually I install a single layer head 50% thicker than a regular banjo head and often bring them up to 93 on the dial. 

I'm still tweaking my openback. It came from gold tone at 89, and according to Tom the range for them is 89-91 (91 being bluegrass).

I'm doing Irish on my 12" open back, so I think I'm actually at maybe 88 right now, and I also went to top frosted for a little more "pop", but may end up going back or trying one of the new "suede" heads.

On my archtop reso irish banjo I also run 88 with a ren head right now.

For my 5 string flathead it's 91 on a top frosted.

Different tones wanted and achieved on all of them, but still a pretty narrow range for me.

I think of a 12 like an off road vehicle so the head can be less tense to travel further
What sound do you desire? Hmmmm ?