Mylar vs Hide Banjo Heads: A Side by Side Comparison

I have run Renaissance heads on my banjos for almost two decades, and I thought this year it was time for some experimentation with real hide heads. I ordered a Menzies head mounted by John Balch and wanted to provide everyone with a side-by-side comparison of the two heads.
If you want more information about John Balch, his amazing music and his hide heads please visit: www.hidebanjoheads.com
If you want access to exclusive content for this, and hundreds of other videos and topics related to banjo, old-time music and acoustic ephemera, please consider joining my Patreon campaign: / tomcollins

[@robertjohnson5795]

I was looking for a comparison and this is by far the best thing I've found. Excellent work. Thanks!

[@wmitchellsmith]

THAAAANK YOUUUU.

[@markbrown1412]

I must say, your comparison of skin to mylar is very well done.

[@rowanferguson]

Great post Tom, informative and accessible. I like the idea of the hide giving the instrument more variation - or personality - from day to day.

[@banjoman44]

Excellent presentation. Very well done, thanks. A lot of work has gone into this.

[@longtalljay]

Ok, I'm convinced! With a mellow banjo played over the scoop by a mellow player, there's no need for a hide head. Mylar sounds mellow enough, but has the timbral overtone sizzle built in to its EQ. Cheers!

[@gutbucket260]

I listened to this video without watching and every time I heard the tone that I liked, I looked up at what head was on. Always was the hide head.

[@Kurzes_Spiel]

This is incredibly informative. Thank you!

[@mario7frankielee]

i was (for decades) a complete and exclusive hide user on drums

[@HSet77]

Thanks Tom! - about time someone did this

[@timdunn5691]

I think you do really well with your videos man! It's not everyday i see people on youtube really obsessed with clawhammer banjo as much as i am who can give such a professional delivery with their clawhammer banjo stuff! I just bought a Remo high fiber head... i haven't installed it yet because i like the dirt patterns from my rambling days! But Alas!!! i want that plunky sound! Anyway! keep up the good stuff! P.S. the Hide is more resonant and plunky but the Mylar is more precise (no overtones after the note) yet sometimes more high pitch like you said.

[@ragdolltech3526]

I've now got two vintage banjo variants, one is a 50's soviet germany banjolele, the other is a 1920's (I was told) English banjolin. After I buy a banjitar I've had my eye on (east Germany again) I'll be sending all 3 into him to get them worked on!

[@OkieRob]

I think it can depend on the mood a person is in to what sounds a person is wanting to bring out also. Some days I like a plunky and some days I'm liking a punch or bright sound.

[@GeoffTaucer]

Wow, I didn't think there'd be that much of a difference, but the hide head sounds so much better!

[@winkcrittenden6011]

Thank you for doing this

[@liammurrayful]

Beautiful

[@lovechild89507]

I much prefer the hide head. A well-seasoned hide head won't change much. I live in the Northwest and my RB--00 has stabilized well over the years and I rarely need to mess with it.

[@nolenvlogs2697]

It’s all about the skin heads for tone. Got three brooks banjos. All 3 with goat skin. Incredible tone.

[@jethrobodine4638]

i am considering adding a new banjo with a natural head, calf maybe. i like the hide sound better, it is richer, sharper and seems to have some banjo twang which is what i am looking for! great video. thanks for taking the time to do this it has reassured me to give hide a try!

[@melodoubt]

Totally agree with your conclusion.The goat head on my open back ( Romero