The skin on my 1920's Vega has eventually split, after approx 70+ years, according to family tradition.
Don't know whether I believe it or not, however I now need to reskin it.
Not wanting to go through the messy painful process of using calf, goat etc (once did a bodhron).
Can someone please advise on which are the best artificial skins to use.
Are you sure you want to have a skin on your banjo?
If you like the sound, one of the companies makes heads that gives the same sound as skin. But you wan't have problem with tuning and stuff like that.
Look around at http://stewmac.com/
I don't think the fiberskyn ones sound anything like real skin. In fact, none of the artificial ones sound like skin to me, although, I've had generally good results with the Renaissance.
If your Vega is an 11" rim (most of them are), I would recommend a pre-mounted skin head.
Beware, genuine 1920 vega banjos are 10 15/16 inch heads not 11" . UK based Eagle Music , Tony Sullivan and Andy Banjo all have web sites that will supply what you want. compare prices on these before you buy. With dollar pound so favouritable to UK at the moment it can be cheaper even with postage to buy from the U.S. A. I recently put a Remo renaisance head on my Vega Professional and am very satisfied with it
Tenor Banjo Assistance
Tenor Banjo Assistance
Hi guys,
The skin on my 1920's Vega has eventually split, after approx 70+ years, according to family tradition.
Don't know whether I believe it or not, however I now need to reskin it.
Not wanting to go through the messy painful process of using calf, goat etc (once did a bodhron).
Can someone please advise on which are the best artificial skins to use.
Thanx
# Posted on September 16th 2007 by -=cluiche=-
Re: Tenor Banjo Assistance
Are you sure you want to have a skin on your banjo?
If you like the sound, one of the companies makes heads that gives the same sound as skin. But you wan't have problem with tuning and stuff like that.
Look around at http://stewmac.com/
# Posted on September 16th 2007 by padre
Re: Tenor Banjo Assistance
renaissance, and fiber skin are good alternatives to skin, neither change with the weather and they settle in quickly. Don
# Posted on September 16th 2007 by Dont
Re: Tenor Banjo Assistance
I don't think the fiberskyn ones sound anything like real skin. In fact, none of the artificial ones sound like skin to me, although, I've had generally good results with the Renaissance.
If your Vega is an 11" rim (most of them are), I would recommend a pre-mounted skin head.
Janet Davis Music has calf skin ones: http://janetdavismusic.com/heads.html
And Elderly Music has goat skin ones: http://elderly.com/accessories/cats/BPHG.htm (although, for some reason, they don't seem to show the 11" ones right now!)
My 30's Paramount has its original skin head, and my 20's Orpheum has a new one that was hand mounted, since both of them take an 11 1/8" head...
Pete
# Posted on September 16th 2007 by Reverend
Re: Tenor Banjo Assistance
Thanks for the info guys.
Yes it's a 11'' head, that pre-mounted idea sounds just the ticket.
Anybody know if there are any pre-mounted skin head suppliers in the UK.
# Posted on September 17th 2007 by -=cluiche=-
Re: Tenor Banjo Assistance
Beware, genuine 1920 vega banjos are 10 15/16 inch heads not 11" . UK based Eagle Music , Tony Sullivan and Andy Banjo all have web sites that will supply what you want. compare prices on these before you buy. With dollar pound so favouritable to UK at the moment it can be cheaper even with postage to buy from the U.S. A. I recently put a Remo renaisance head on my Vega Professional and am very satisfied with it
# Posted on September 17th 2007 by Stoneyjohn
Re: Tenor Banjo Assistance
Thanx guys, will away and search out these web sites.... and re-measure the head ;)
# Posted on September 19th 2007 by -=cluiche=-