I'm just a beginner when it comes to hide heads. But, I thought my experiences might prove useful to someone considering a hide head for their banjo.
I have been looking for a more "mellow" tone for my Mastertone style banjo. I am playing more classical and big band style music. The overtones, and shrill nature of the first and second strings above the 17th fret did not lend well to the sound I was trying to achieve. Changing bridges, and tailpieces helped me move in the right direction. Yet, am cursed with the disease of many banjo players. I love to tinker.
I ordered a Vellum processed head from banjoseen.com. It arrived within a week. following the instructions, I sprayed both sides with KIWI Silicone boot dressing. The Silicone dressing quickly soaked completely through the head. I'm hindsight, I will now wait to silicone the head until after it has been fit to my banjo.
When I was installing the head for the first time, I could get about two threads on the bracket hooks. That was good enough. I tightened the head, following the instructions. But, the tension hoop was still too high with the head very tight. I dampened the head and continued to tighten. I finally got the hoop down to the level of the last fret and left it overnight to dry.
The next morning, the head was dry and very tight. I gave it some thought and decided I wanted the front of the tension hoop level with the end of the fingerboard. To soak things quickly, I laid a damp towel on the head for about ten minutes. The stretching and drying went easily and the head was where I wanted it. The interesting thing is that the weave of the towel left an imprint of the fabric on the head. With all the soaking and Silicone, the head is pretty rough now.
After things had dried, I re-applied the Silicone. After the Silicone was dry, I put things back together.
The tensioning was interesting. The head dried to between a G and G#. I haven't done anything to the tension since. The Steve Davis straight edge and quarter trick put it right at a quarter in sag. The drum dial readings vary between 86 and 90. But that is just the nature of the beast. I've had it on for a week now, and the tension will vary between having a micro-gap (0.002") between the quarter and straight edge, and having the quarter lift one edge of the straight edge off the head by about 0.002" on one end. I don't think the pitch has ever been over a G#. We have had some pretty big weather swings during the week.
Now for the sound. It is unlike any banjo I have ever heard in person. It sounds a lot like Mr. Scruggs' banjo off of the old TV shows. I am told he was using a hide head then as well. For my music though, the most important thing is the elimination of the harshness of the higher pitches. I guess you could say the overall tone is more "mellow". It is still just as loud, and still has good sustain up the neck. A second string high G# still rings.
After only a week, I'm a convert. Of course a muggy summer may drive me back to plastic, but I don't think so. My excessive/compulsive nature is now leading me to make a stretching jig so I can try different hides. It is a good thing that I do enjoy playing as much as tinkering.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. I am wondering how a rough vs. smooth finish, and Silicone, effects the tone.
If you have ever even considered a hide head, give it a try. You might just luck in to that "Holy Grail" sound.