The original vellum on my Zither banjo has just started to split under the bridge. I’m looking to purchase and replace the skin myself. Thank you very much for this amazing unedited tutorial, it has been VERY helpful!!!
Great video Mark - thanks. I am about to replace the vellum on my Windsor Ideal No 9. Wish me luck! I have one question: how do you know when you have the right tension on the head? I have heard that some bluegrass players tune their head to G to match the tuning of the strings. Do you do that?
Good luck, it's a fun project, g# is what most people who want this level of accuracy want you to aim for, as long as you get an even tension and a good ring I would not worry 😉
Whilst I am pretty much in full agreement with Mark on this, in answer to your question my approach is slightly different. Yes, very definitely tighten the tensioning bolts or screws in sequence. Do not attempt to tighten diagonally during these early stages or you will end up with a vellum like the roller coaster at Southend's Kursaal -slight exaggeration. Tighten the first bolt until it just starts to 'bite' and then continue around with the others, all the time keeping an eye on the eveness of the vellum all around the rim of the upper tensioning rim. Mark uses a depth gauge for this, which is a good and accurate means of ascertaining how you're doing. I have a gauge that fits between the upper and lower tensioning rings. A rule will do if you haven't anything else, or just feel at the top, or use your eye. Tighten about one flat at a time. When you've gone round the lot. Check to see if any of the bolts have loosened. Tighten those that have to what you judge to be the tightness of the others. Keep going around the bolts in sequence and check the tightness of the vellum with your finger at the centre. The vellum should just 'give' a little. Get a small electrician's screwdriver and drop the handle from about 1 inch high and 1 inch in from the periphery, onto the vellum, and listen to the note as you go around the periphery. Tighten any bolts where the note sounds flat, but only a bit at a time. When it sounds OK to your ear, you've got it. But remember, if you tighten too much or clumsily you stand a good chance of splitting the vellum. Good Luck, Martin. Black Jake of Norwich.
Not necessarily, I have a fair few customers having me put vellum on instead onto their banjos as they prefer the sound, it is more rounded and mellow, and if the tension is correct it is playable for 50 years plus 🥰
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The original vellum on my Zither banjo has just started to split under the bridge. I’m looking to purchase and replace the skin myself. Thank you very much for this amazing unedited tutorial, it has been VERY helpful!!!
The best yet! Thanks Mark. Exactly how I do mine!
Black Jake of Norwich.
Great video Mark - thanks. I am about to replace the vellum on my Windsor Ideal No 9. Wish me luck! I have one question: how do you know when you have the right tension on the head? I have heard that some bluegrass players tune their head to G to match the tuning of the strings. Do you do that?
Good luck, it's a fun project, g# is what most people who want this level of accuracy want you to aim for, as long as you get an even tension and a good ring I would not worry 😉
Whilst I am pretty much in full agreement with Mark on this, in answer to your question my approach is slightly different. Yes, very definitely tighten the tensioning bolts or screws in sequence. Do not attempt to tighten diagonally during these early stages or you will end up with a vellum like the roller coaster at Southend's Kursaal -slight exaggeration.
Tighten the first bolt until it just starts to 'bite' and then continue around with the others, all the time keeping an eye on the eveness of the vellum all around the rim of the upper tensioning rim. Mark uses a depth gauge for this, which is a good and accurate means of ascertaining how you're doing. I have a gauge that fits between the upper and lower tensioning rings. A rule will do if you haven't anything else, or just feel at the top, or use your eye. Tighten about one flat at a time.
When you've gone round the lot. Check to see if any of the bolts have loosened. Tighten those that have to what you judge to be the tightness of the others. Keep going around the bolts in sequence and check the tightness of the vellum with your finger at the centre. The vellum should just 'give' a little.
Get a small electrician's screwdriver and drop the handle from about 1 inch high and 1 inch in from the periphery, onto the vellum, and listen to the note as you go around the periphery. Tighten any bolts where the note sounds flat, but only a bit at a time.
When it sounds OK to your ear, you've got it. But remember, if you tighten too much or clumsily you stand a good chance of splitting the vellum.
Good Luck, Martin.
Black Jake of Norwich.
A Plastic Head would hold tune better and it has a bit crisper sound.
Not necessarily, I have a fair few customers having me put vellum on instead onto their banjos as they prefer the sound, it is more rounded and mellow, and if the tension is correct it is playable for 50 years plus 🥰
@@markgordon4368 A Plastic Drum Head is easier to get the tension correct plus it lasts many times as long.
So what thickness like what weight Vellum? Does it matter? Thanks.
@@VairameTedesco It's a teeny bit thicker so it's stronger