I have a short-scale Vega with a Tubaphone tone ring and a large diameter pot. Right now it has a fiberskin head, but I'm thinking about switching to a different head, maybe even clear mylar. I like the sound Angelina Carberry gets, though her banjo has a Gibson Mastertone tone ring and I don't expect to be able to get exactly the same sound with my Vega.
Is anyone familiar with, or have a recommendation about, which type of head would likely sound best on this banjo for ITM? Thanks.
Its really a personal choice as to the kind of sound you want. I have tried all three,fiberskin, hide and clear mylar. The nicest was without a doubt the hide, but also the hardest to manage! I use the fiberskin now because it has some of the warmth and depth of hide, but none of the disadvantages. PersonallyI didnt like the tingy clear plastic.... .
One of my banjo's is an odd size so it took ages to source a skin from the states..
try it. If you dont like it you can change back no? handy to have a backup head, in case something happens to your working one.
I use a clear head, I really like it. It's louder and a bit brighter but it gives a nice twang - it's clunky. If you know what I mean - if you would like, private message me and I'll send you a clip, it obviously won't be exactly the same but it will give you an idea.
I've also got a vega short scale tubaphone. 90 years old, and a head on it that I don't recognise. Looks like thick paper, very old, maybe original? It's in A1 condition, but like you, was thinking of changing the head. Ironic that you mention Angelina Carberry's sound/setup. I've played/listened to nothing else lately in an attempt to play her version of Col. MCBain/Rolling out the barrel. I'm thinking of a remo plastic head just foir a change, and keep the other spare. I do like the sound I've got now, but like you, think that Angelina's got a great sounding banjo.. - (and technique). I'll watch this thread with interest. Also, The Vega has a 10 3/4 inch rim. Not sure how easy it'll be to find the correct size head.
Check out "Renaissance" heads, sold by Deering. A synthetic head that looks a bit like translucent parchment. I recently replaced a Fybreskin head (been using them for years) and was impressed with the way the bass tightened up.Chords too became a lot cleaner Looks sexy too! What's not to like. They may only come in !!" though. Re Angelina's banjo-doesn' she play an Oakwood, made in Leeds, England?
Elderly instruments carries a lot of odd-sized heads. Your Tubaphone is probably 11 13/16? I am a fan of the Renaissance heads that threethumbs suggested, and Elderly carries them in that size (although, looks like they're back ordered right now)
I tried a Renaissance on my Ome, but it sounded weird, so I took it off. I've been playing with a calf skin on it for a while, but thought it was holding back the sound some, so just switched back to a smooth, translucent plastic head.
But I have put the Renaissance head on several banjos with great success. (In fact, I'm on my way down to put one on a friend's B&D this afternoon to see how it sounds!)
Thanks for the suggestion threethumbs - I'll give the Renaissance heads a try.
Angelina's banjo is an Oakwood made in Leeds, however it has a Gibson Mastertone tone ring. It's so loud that even though it came with a resonator, she doesn't use it.
I actually played her banjo when I took a class from her - it's a great instrument in playability as well as sound. When she played my Vega it sounded better than I've ever heard it - no surprise there
As a follow-up, the Renaissance didn't sound good on the B&D for my friend, but an inner-frosted Remo did the trick. It's amazing how much difference a head can make, and while the Renaissance has sounded great on a Weymann and an Orpheum that I have done recently (both very ringy banjos), it didn't sound good at all on my Ome or on this B&D.
Come to think of it, I played an oversized Tubaphone a couple of weeks ago with an outer-frosted head, and it was an amazing voice. I can't stand outer frosting when I'm playing, but the outer and inner frosted heads sound very similar. You might also give a shot at a frosted head and see what you think. Elderly carries them in the weird sizes too.
Banjo question
Banjo question
I have a short-scale Vega with a Tubaphone tone ring and a large diameter pot. Right now it has a fiberskin head, but I'm thinking about switching to a different head, maybe even clear mylar. I like the sound Angelina Carberry gets, though her banjo has a Gibson Mastertone tone ring and I don't expect to be able to get exactly the same sound with my Vega.
Is anyone familiar with, or have a recommendation about, which type of head would likely sound best on this banjo for ITM? Thanks.
# Posted on February 17th 2008 by dfost
Re: Banjo question
try contacting Andy Banjo,or a banjo maker like Tommy Cussens for an informed opinion.
# Posted on February 17th 2008 by Dick Miles
Re: Banjo question
Its really a personal choice as to the kind of sound you want. I have tried all three,fiberskin, hide and clear mylar. The nicest was without a doubt the hide, but also the hardest to manage! I use the fiberskin now because it has some of the warmth and depth of hide, but none of the disadvantages. PersonallyI didnt like the tingy clear plastic.... .
in case something happens to your working one.
One of my banjo's is an odd size so it took ages to source a skin from the states..
try it. If you dont like it you can change back no? handy to have a backup head,
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by piobagusfidil
Re: Banjo question
I use a clear head, I really like it. It's louder and a bit brighter but it gives a nice twang - it's clunky. If you know what I mean - if you would like, private message me and I'll send you a clip, it obviously won't be exactly the same but it will give you an idea.
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by camwebby
Re: Banjo question
I've also got a vega short scale tubaphone. 90 years old, and a head on it that I don't recognise. Looks like thick paper, very old, maybe original? It's in A1 condition, but like you, was thinking of changing the head. Ironic that you mention Angelina Carberry's sound/setup. I've played/listened to nothing else lately in an attempt to play her version of Col. MCBain/Rolling out the barrel. I'm thinking of a remo plastic head just foir a change, and keep the other spare. I do like the sound I've got now, but like you, think that Angelina's got a great sounding banjo.. - (and technique). I'll watch this thread with interest. Also, The Vega has a 10 3/4 inch rim. Not sure how easy it'll be to find the correct size head.
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by gilezzznik
Re: Banjo question
Check out "Renaissance" heads, sold by Deering. A synthetic head that looks a bit like translucent parchment. I recently replaced a Fybreskin head (been using them for years) and was impressed with the way the bass tightened up.Chords too became a lot cleaner Looks sexy too! What's not to like. They may only come in !!" though. Re Angelina's banjo-doesn' she play an Oakwood, made in Leeds, England?
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by threethumbs
Re: Banjo question
Elderly instruments carries a lot of odd-sized heads. Your Tubaphone is probably 11 13/16? I am a fan of the Renaissance heads that threethumbs suggested, and Elderly carries them in that size (although, looks like they're back ordered right now)
http://elderly.com/accessories/banjo_heads_remo?size=1113
I tried a Renaissance on my Ome, but it sounded weird, so I took it off. I've been playing with a calf skin on it for a while, but thought it was holding back the sound some, so just switched back to a smooth, translucent plastic head.
But I have put the Renaissance head on several banjos with great success. (In fact, I'm on my way down to put one on a friend's B&D this afternoon to see how it sounds!)
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Banjo question
Thanks for the suggestion threethumbs - I'll give the Renaissance heads a try.
Angelina's banjo is an Oakwood made in Leeds, however it has a Gibson Mastertone tone ring. It's so loud that even though it came with a resonator, she doesn't use it.
I actually played her banjo when I took a class from her - it's a great instrument in playability as well as sound. When she played my Vega it sounded better than I've ever heard it - no surprise there
# Posted on February 18th 2008 by dfost
Re: Banjo question
I use a clear Remo head on my 1914 short scale Vega Whyte Laydie, it sounds amazing, very loud, very clear
fat tone
Dave H
# Posted on February 19th 2008 by Dave Hanson
Re: Banjo question
As a follow-up, the Renaissance didn't sound good on the B&D for my friend, but an inner-frosted Remo did the trick. It's amazing how much difference a head can make, and while the Renaissance has sounded great on a Weymann and an Orpheum that I have done recently (both very ringy banjos), it didn't sound good at all on my Ome or on this B&D.
Come to think of it, I played an oversized Tubaphone a couple of weeks ago with an outer-frosted head, and it was an amazing voice. I can't stand outer frosting when I'm playing, but the outer and inner frosted heads sound very similar. You might also give a shot at a frosted head and see what you think. Elderly carries them in the weird sizes too.
# Posted on February 19th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Banjo question
I like the slightly clangy sound my tubaphone head makes when set up with light strings and a fairly slack shiny top head.
# Posted on February 19th 2008 by millionyears_bc