Glad to hear it! This is the only way I've ever been able to put one on without it busting. Setting your tacks on a day with average humidity is crucial. And I admit that I have no idea whether this is an historical/traditional method because I never found an old-timer who knew, or was willing to tell me, how to do it. Several knowledgeable folks I asked would always reply, "I can't explain it, I'd have to _show_ you." So this method was the best I could come up with on my own. Hope yall are keeping warm!
Dude you are awesome! I just mounted a head on a Croatian gusla! It was my first time mounting any head on anything, and so far, so good, and it's tight and sounds great! Guslas aren't round (they're pear-shaped) and I didn't know how I should do it! (not many gusla repair videos on UA-cam...) Your method worked fantastic. Thank you!
I've read how others tack a head on and your stitching method sounds a lot easier and less frantic. Thanks a lot for showing everyone, I'm definitely going to try it your way!
Thanks for all your fab banjo clips. Just finishing my second salad bowl build during Corona close down and your clip is most helpful. Maybe the banjo is the best way to beat it!!!
Cool video! I am refurbishing a very old Chinese drum that needs to have a new head tacked on. As you know, info on this topic is really hard to find. Great idea on the pre-tightening. I was just going to stretch the hide and start tacking, but realize this would probably have cause tears in the head and lots of frustration. If you ever do this again, it would be great to see you actually sew a few threads on the head first. Thanks!
Awesome lesson! I have seen most others simply do the glue and hammer the tacks on. They pull the hide down as they add tacks. What is the purpose of the threading method. Does it make the hide tension much higher so the sound is more resonant? Does this method make the hide tension comparable to tension hoop based systems? Also does the thread method make it more prone for the head to break than if one just adds the tacks?
Nice, thanks for sharing! What do you use for tacks? Also, do you ever pre-drill holes where you plan to place your tacks, or is it usually pretty easy just to hammer them in?
I have used mostly the brass "upholstery" tacks that many builders today (and in the past) used. I also occasionally use the smaller iron "cut" tacks which are actually more common on antique tacked banjos.
Same way would work on a square. Just mind where your edges bunch up and keep things tidy as it dries. A little Elmer's glue on the rim before mounting helps a LOT.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Awesome, thanks so much! Just the school glue? Or the wood glue? I’m wanting to build a banjo eventually but for now my focus is on the Japanese shamisen. I’m building an all wooden one but eventually want to do one with hide. Realizing I can use these old banjo methods makes it feasible for someone like me who can’t afford many tools :)
Thanks brother! This is gonna work out a million times better than my old method.
Glad to hear it! This is the only way I've ever been able to put one on without it busting. Setting your tacks on a day with average humidity is crucial. And I admit that I have no idea whether this is an historical/traditional method because I never found an old-timer who knew, or was willing to tell me, how to do it. Several knowledgeable folks I asked would always reply, "I can't explain it, I'd have to _show_ you." So this method was the best I could come up with on my own. Hope yall are keeping warm!
Thanks! I’ve done 3 of these. Two successes and one abject failure! This was the best explanation I’ve seen of the tack head process.
…just saved me wrecking my third head. Thanks Clif!
Any video I have seen from you, I learnt a thing or two. Thank you!
Thanks, Clifton. Very helpful.
Dude you are awesome! I just mounted a head on a Croatian gusla! It was my first time mounting any head on anything, and so far, so good, and it's tight and sounds great! Guslas aren't round (they're pear-shaped) and I didn't know how I should do it! (not many gusla repair videos on UA-cam...) Your method worked fantastic. Thank you!
Legend
I’m about to do this on a Carver so this method will definitely come in handy.
I've read how others tack a head on and your stitching method sounds a lot easier and less frantic. Thanks a lot for showing everyone, I'm definitely going to try it your way!
Great work, and thanks for all your videos. So helpful. Really appreciate the quality and good build information.
hell yes
Hell yes
Thanks for all your fab banjo clips. Just finishing my second salad bowl build during Corona close down and your clip is most helpful. Maybe the banjo is the best way to beat it!!!
Love this video ! Thanks for showing your technique
Thank you dude!
Thank you!!
Cool video! I am refurbishing a very old Chinese drum that needs to have a new head tacked on. As you know, info on this topic is really hard to find. Great idea on the pre-tightening. I was just going to stretch the hide and start tacking, but realize this would probably have cause tears in the head and lots of frustration. If you ever do this again, it would be great to see you actually sew a few threads on the head first. Thanks!
awesome!
fantastic, thanks a lot
I wonder if 'Tear's my Hide' was a banjo term? :) Thanks for the info as always.
Awesome lesson! I have seen most others simply do the glue and hammer the tacks on. They pull the hide down as they add tacks. What is the purpose of the threading method. Does it make the hide tension much higher so the sound is more resonant? Does this method make the hide tension comparable to tension hoop based systems? Also does the thread method make it more prone for the head to break than if one just adds the tacks?
Thread method mounts the head perfectly, in my opinion. Tacking the hide wet often leads to a loose head or a torn one.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo - do you have answers to my other questions above. About the hide tension? Thanks for your response.
Nice, thanks for sharing! What do you use for tacks? Also, do you ever pre-drill holes where you plan to place your tacks, or is it usually pretty easy just to hammer them in?
I have used mostly the brass "upholstery" tacks that many builders today (and in the past) used. I also occasionally use the smaller iron "cut" tacks which are actually more common on antique tacked banjos.
really good video with hard-won information from personal experience!
Is there a way to do this on a square head? Or maybe rounded square?
Same way would work on a square. Just mind where your edges bunch up and keep things tidy as it dries. A little Elmer's glue on the rim before mounting helps a LOT.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo Awesome, thanks so much! Just the school glue? Or the wood glue?
I’m wanting to build a banjo eventually but for now my focus is on the Japanese shamisen. I’m building an all wooden one but eventually want to do one with hide. Realizing I can use these old banjo methods makes it feasible for someone like me who can’t afford many tools :)
Can I use a bunch of rubber bands in this pool at tight and let it dry like that
That'd probably work. I had a buddy who used cut up bicycle tire inner tubes for this kind of task and those work well.
@@CliftonHicksbanjo thanks man
Ignore my comment over on Patreon. I found it!
Will this work on a Gourd banjo as well?
Yes, I go through the same basic process on both.
Awesome! Thank you.