I discovered a new form of banjo-related activity last night. While watching TV I became aware of this strange 'scraping' sound in the living room and couldn't figure out what it was or where it was coming from. After a head-scratching fifteen minute search I thought it could only be a mouse or a rat come in from outside. I got quite a shock when I finally realised it was coming from my vintage banjo hanging on the wall.
The sound was a split appearing round the edge of the skin head and gradually lengthening. Weird thing is it was probably three weeks ago that I (carefully) tightened the head because the bridge was sagging. Not excessive tightening, just enough so the head was level under the bridge. I have two questions:
...is central heating likely to cause this? Should I have slackened the head in a warmer, heated winter house?The banjo is kept on a wall-hanger when not being played but fifteen feet from the nearest radiator.
...what is my best option for replacing the skin head. I guess it was the original (calf-skin) head. I really liked the warm tone and would like to keep as close as possible to this sound.