SmakulaSmakula
Fretted
Instruments
PO Box 882, Elkins, West Virginia 26241
304-636-6710
Banjo Heads contact us...
Page Updated 5-2-12
Please Visit our Home Page for links to our banjos, guitars, fiddles, mandolins, and more.
Banjo Heads
We stock hundreds of banjo heads in many different sizes. If there is a size you need not listed here, we are willing to special order it. We tend to order from Remo about 4 to 6 times a year and receive our heads 6 to 12 weeks after placing the order.
Remo Fiberskyn heads are closest to calfskin in appearance and sound. Tyvek is fused to one side of the Mylar head making the vibrating surface thicker. Old time banjo players often prefer the fuller sound. Fiberskyn banjo head thickness averages .014"
Remo Renaissance banjo heads have a semi transparent amber color, similar to "slunk" calfskin banjo heads. They are the thinnest of Remo's banjo heads, with a thickness of .008". Though thinner than standard Mylar, the tone is fuller and is a popular choice for Old Time Banjo players needing a slightly brighter sound in a band situation.
Frosted Mylar is cornerstone of the Remo banjo and drumhead line. The Weatherking line offers a classic look and consistently bright tone, there is no wonder these heads have been popular for more than 50 years. Thickness is .009"
Many banjo players like traditional calfskin for the warm tone that can not be reproduced by any synthetic. There are two down sides to this traditional head. One is it is affected by changes in temperature and humidity. High humidity will make the head sag. Low humidity will make the head tighten, risking breakage if the tension is excessive. Treating the head with Thompson's Water Seal can make the moisture effect negligible. The other negative aspect is installation of a calfskin head is more time consuming than Remo's pre-mounted plastic heads.
To order a banjo head you need to know the diameter of the rim. Most of the time measuring inside the tension hoop (the ring that holds the head down) will give you the rim diameter. Many vintage banjo rims become out of round over the years. If you get different measurements when you measure the diameter in different places on the rim, measure the circumference and divide by 3.145.
Crown height refers to the distance from the top of the flesh hoop to the top of the head and will determine how high the tension hoop rides above the top of the rim. Most banjos need a high crown head. Banjo with archtop tonerings or short tension hoops will need either low or medium. These measurements are Remo's standard crown heights; High; 1/2", Medium; 7/16", Low; 3/8"
If you need help determining the banjo head size you need, please call. We'll be happy to assist you
REMO FIBERSKYN BANJO HEADS
High Crown Remo Fiberskyn
8", 10", 10-1/16", 10-1/8", 10-1/4", 10-3/8", 10-7/16", 10-1/2", 10-9/16", 10-5/8", 10-11/16", 10-3/4", 10-13/16", 10-7/8", 10-15/16", 11", 11-1/16", 11-1/8", 11-1/4"; $19
11-1/2", 11-5/8", 11-3/4", 11-13/16", 12", 12-1/8"; $21
9", 12-3/16", 12-1/4" 12-7/16"; $50
13", 13-1/4", 13-3/8", 13-5/16". 14"; 14-3/16" $60
Medium Crown Remo Fiberskyn
10-1/2", 10-3/4", 10-7/8", 10-15/16", 11", 11-1/16", 11-1/8"; $19
12", 12-1/8"; $21
Low Crown Remo Fiberskyn
10-3/4", 10-15/16", 11", 11-1/16", 11-1/8"; $19
12-3/4" L. $50
REMO RENAISSANCE BANJO HEADS
High Crown Remo Renaissance ;
8", 10", 10-1/16" 10-1/8", 10-1/2", 10-3/4", 10-13/16", 10-7/8", 10-15/16", 11" (H,M,&L); $19
11-1/2" 11-13/16", 11-15/16", 12"; $21
12-7/8", 13"; $42
14"; $50
Medium Crown Remo Renaissance;
8", 10-1/2", 10-7/8", 11", 11-1/8"; $19
12", 12-1/8", 12-3/16"; $21
Low Crown Remo Renaissance;
11"; $19
Remo Top Frosted Plastic
High Crown Remo Weatherking Frosted Top;
8", 10-13/16", 10-15/16", 11", 11-1/8"; $17
11-13/16" & 12"; $19
12-3/16", 12-1/4"; $35
New old stock 14"; $30
Medium Crown Remo Weatherking Frosted Top;
10-7/8', 11", 11-1/8"; $17
12"; 12-1/8", 12-3/13"; $19
Low Crown Remo Weatherking Frosted Top;
11", 11-1/8"; $17
Inside Frosted , Smooth Top, Popular with 4 string banjo players
High Crown Remo Weatherking Frosted Inside;
8", 10-15/16", 11", 11-1/16", 11-1/8"; $17
Medium Crown Remo Weatherking Frosted Inside;
11-1/8"
Low Crown Remo Weatherking Frosted Inside;
11-1/8"
Remo Clear Mylar Heads
11", 11-1/8"; $17
Most of our Remo banjo heads are manufactured with no logo! The perfect look for your old old time banjo.
Calf Skin Banjo Heads
We stock several grades of flat calf skin banjo heads in diferent thickneses for you to soak and stretch on your banjo rim.
Economy calfskin head, 16" diameter; $16 .010" to .015" thick, slightly rough texture, mottled brown color.
Mid grade Calfskin head, 16" diameter; $20, about .008" thick, similar in appearance to the economy calfskin
Our high grade calf heads are made in the USA and we are very pleased with their quality. They are every bit as good as the vintage Rogers 3 star heads from the 1920's and 1930's. They are white with a smooth top. Thickness is usually .010" to .012". Thicker heads from this manufacturer can be special ordered.
High grade Calfskin head, 13" diameter; $40,
High grade Calfskin head, 14" diameter; $45
High grade Calfskin head, 15" diameter; $55
High grade Calfskin head, 16" diameter; $65,
Square Brass Wire flesh hoops; Mostly we have 10 15/16" and 10-3/4" from old Vega banjos. But ask for the size you need. We might have it. $10 each.
We can also rough shape a flesh hoop for you. Final trimming will have to be done in your shop. Price is $15 and we include heat shrink tubing to attach the ends.
Shipping Cost
Small goods like banjo heads and other parts cost $6 per order for Priority Mail shipping in the US no matter what the order size. Out of the USA shipments will be quoted before they are shipped.
To Order
Please call us at 304-636-6710. As payment we accept checks and MasterCard and Visa.Email; Occasionally a customer will let us know that the "Contact Us" button will not work on their computer. If you have that problem, please use sfi<at>smakula<dot>com You will have to change the <at> and <dot> to @ and .