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©1992 - 2008 Richie Dotson. All photographs, graphics and text owned by Richie Dotson. All rights reserved Website designed, written, photographed and maintained by Richie Dotson You are visitor Number:
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Changing a standard (plastic) banjo head Most banjo heads are a standard 11 inches in diameter. Some banjos have a different size head and therefore a special size must be purchased. Make sure you know what size banjo head you are dealing with. You should also be aware that most flathead banjos use a medium crown banjo head while most banjos with archtop tone rings use a low crown head, but this is a pretty broad statement and one needs to be able to tell. Here is a clue to help get you started: Low crown heads have a crown that measures 3/8" from the bottom of the heads mounting collar to the top of the heads surface. A medium crown head measures 7/16" and a high crown measures 1/2". So, before you start take a good look at your banjo and make sure you are getting the banjo head that will service your instrument. You will save time and money. This banjo was new in the mid 1970s. This is the original banjo head and although it looks sound enough it has lost the snap and clarity it no doubt had years ago. One can tighten these old heads in hopes of regaining some of that old power but you are usually only setting yourself up for frustration and disappointment. Ten (10) years is old for a banjo head. The chemicals start breaking down and the snap becomes rubbery and muddy. Time to go, then. Start by loosening all the strings and then removing them completely.
Removing the bridge, the hardware that attaches the resonator and the tailpiece is next. Remember to have a "Job Box" standing by to place all the pieces into so they are all in one place when you start to reassemble. |
