The frosting is worn off where my right hand fingers are planting. As a result, my fingers are sliding around on the slippery area I’ve created. I suppose I could rotate the hear a few degrees so that there’s fresh frosting under my fingers. Anybody else ever have to do that?
Banjo Head Frosting
I’ve never done it myself, but I’ve seen people with banjos that clearly had it done. The marks being on the opposite side etc.
Same with my banjo (and most banjos after they get played in). It didn’t affect my planting position at all, though I can see how it might if you’re newer and still working out your hand position. I wouldn’t recommend moving it too far if it alters your tone very much.
A lot of people leave it as a badge of honor. A roughed up head shows you’ve played a lot.
It’s all been said, so I have nothing to add,
You could put on a new head, which would probably improve the sound of the banjo. Costs about $20.
https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/parts/products/banjo-ben-11-banjo-heads-high-med-low
The Store has other heads as well, some can be rather exotic looking, depending on your taste & banjo.
I heard from an excellent source that Earl Scruggs would change his banjo head twice a year. Yes, even after he started using a modern plastic head. And while he was at it, he would give his banjo a thorough cleaning.
I know some see a worn head as a badge of honor, while others see it as a mark of neglect. I don’t care what others think, but I do think it’s a good idea to take proper care of anything that brings so much pleasure! I believe routine maintenance is always a good idea.
“Take care of your tools and your tools will take care of you.”
@BanJoe over time the Velum (Skin) heads would loose their tone with the constant changes in humidity and regular readjustment also the skin would frequently tear or suddenly split under tension with a loud bang.
To mount a skin head requires you soak the head in warm water overnight. stretch and tension the velum over the banjo, and leave to dry out before trimming the surplus skin and finally tuning the head. A lengthy process. Hence the introduction of the plastic head with the frosted top. With the frosting wearing off, They created new head designs with the frosting on the inside. These heads have a much brighter tone and you’ve guessed it your fingers slide all over the place when your hands sweat playing in the spotlight.
I guess this is where the practice of owning multiple banjos became a popular move. It bit like GOLF which started out with one wooden hawthorn stick fashioned into a club, Then multiple clubs, Then a bag to carry the clubs, With a bag you could carry even more clubs. Now that the bag has even more clubs some with metal blades it’s way too heavy to carry around the course. So you need a caddy. But the poor caddy is exhausted by the time you reach the 19th hole, so you buy a hand cart to haul the heavy bag of clubs round the course. By now new courses are being built across the land with hills and ditches and every one is exhausted at the end of each tournament so you go and buy an electric golf cart and everyone is happy.
But wait a wee minute. You can only use one golf club to hit the ball and only one ball to push round the course. Lastly it was only HONEST GENTLEMEN who played Golf. My my, how times have changed.
In response to @dzarmbinski Dean’s question. Personally I would never rotate the banjo head. But it’s your banjo feel free to rotate it if you feel the need. I tend to ‘learn to live with the worn head’ as most banjo players do, only replacing it when it begins to look ugly. Also changing the head requires a setup.
Is that what they told you, and you believed them?
“Golf - A good walk spoiled.”
“Also, changing the head requires a setup.”
And what’s the big deal? Don’t let the banjo intimidate you. Poor, uneducated hillbillies have been tinkering with them for years. A banjo is just another machine, with nuts & bolts. Take it apart, clean it it up and put it back together again. Try not to lose any pieces.
The internet is filled with good instructions on “How to change your banjo head.”
“Fear not!” or “Fear nought!” I say take the plunge!
Look at the picture, no common man would ever dress like that it had to be Honest Gentlemen. The North Sea breeze at St Andrews is enough to cut you like a knife. I know I have stood right where those folks are standing and the wind hits you like a sledge hammer.
Living near the shores of Lake Ontario, I can fully appreciate the cutting cold of an onshore breeze. It does cut like a knife, then throws needles into the open wound.
As for golf, methinks an Honest Gentleman is not necessarily an honest golfer.
Even in the picture, there seem to be many eyes watching.
Probably to keep things honest!
I think back then these Gentlemen were Honest - There was a code of conduct which alas no longer seems to exist. I should add I am neither golfer or gentleman. But I do think I am honest in making such a bold statement.
I wholeheartedly agree! That’s why so many here value your opinion and insights.
If Archie says it’s so, you can take it to the bank!
I try to be honest, but sometimes the urge to pull a fast one on the gullible is too hard to resist! I haven’t done it yet, but I’ve long toyed with the idea of soliciting donations to help the poor flood-ravaged victims of Atlantis.
I’ll keep that in mind. I sometimes donate to charities. Like More Sun for the Sahara or Ice Block’s for Greenland. two very worthwhile causes.
Or do like one guy who was accepting donations to give to the widow of the unknown soldier.
Gee you’ve got me all embarrassed