Free Video on How to Tighten a Banjo head
Ross Nickerson Video and Advice on Tightening a Banjo Head
Perhaps the best way to tighten a banjo head is to start simple. I have a short video below which shows you in layman's terms how to tighten your banjo head, keeping it simple. You can certainly buy some tools like a banjo head tightening banjo head tightening drum dial or banjo head torque wrench to tweak it better but this video will show you a sensible easy way to "snug up" the banjo head tightening brackets to make sure you are not playing with a banjo head that is too loose. You absolutely do not want the head too tight either. Tightening the head to much will cause your banjo to loose volume, making it too bright and treble sounding. If your head is loose with some brackets barely having tension it will sound sluggish and non responsive. If you're bridge is sagging in the middle then the head is really loose.
The free video is an excerpt from my Beginning the Five String Banjo DVD Special Features Section so its primarily intended for new students who buy a banjo and never touch the head. A brand new banjo head, no matter how perfect it is when it leaves our shop will need to be "snugged up" 2 or 3 times in the 2 or 3 months.
Ross Nickerson - C Tuning
Wildwood Flower / Home Sweet Home / You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming
 Banjo Head Drum Dial |
 Banjo Head Tightening Wrench's |
 More Detailed Banjo Set Up |
