How does head tension affect the banjo's sound?

Tom Nechville demonstrates how even a slight difference in head tension can affect the banjo's sound. Time links below. Played on a mahogany Renaissance Vintage w/ Hybrid tone ring, a lightweight banjo coming in at just under 8 pounds.
Head tension @ 94 on drum dial: 1:44
Head tension @ 93 on drum dial: 3:42

[@Joseph-qp1jx]

I revitalized and renewed an old Antares banjo I found rusted and broken in my Dad's basement over this past summer. I didn't realize that my head tension was very low until watching your video, so thank you for this demonstration. Hard to find in person banjo resources. I'll say though- I do prefer the lower tension. Sounds so warm :)

[@coledeshler930]

Beautiful banjo

[@muymalo7651]

Beautiful instrument

[@liammurrayful]

Beautiful thank you 🙏🏼

[@thesaturdayshow3327]

Your camera quality is insanely good

[@chrissmith7669]

I’ve been wondering about the effect of varied tension, when played by an advanced player.

[@notshared4072]

I really enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing. It sounded like the looser head had more ring and harmonic overtones, but maybe not the brightness or articulation that the tighter head offered. I know that drummers sometimes use muffles (some foam attached to a head or a pillow in a kick or whatever) to get the best of both worlds... this is anathema for banjo, or no?

[@notshared4072]

@Brett Mularkey Awesome! I had no idea. Thanks

[@domeniccarson9232]

@Brett Mularkey open back/old time represent!

[@soap5393]

You mentioned the original tension was 93 or 94 per the Drum Dial. Did you happen to measure the tension with the Drum Dial after you took some of the tension out? Just curious. Thanks!

[@TonyDiaz.]

I'm a drummer. So seeing the head on the banjo makes me wanna grab my sticks and hit it... xD
Nice lesson!!

[@koratvsports9231]

Please I want to clean my hofner 6 strings banjo but I don't know what to use?

[@nechvillebanjos]

Use an eraser to clean the head. Simple cloth maybe with a bit of lemon oil will clean the rest. Cheers.

[@koratvsports9231]

Thank you very much❤️

[@perrybucsdad]

Tom, why did you only adjust two spots? I could clearly hear the difference, but wouldn't it have been better to drop the tension all the way around (or is that how your Heli mount works)? It also would have been nice to know what the head tension was at when you were done. You mentioned 90 something at the start, but you really did some serious adjustments to those two bolts.

[@sniperturtle1]

Was thinking the same.
Got a cheap banjo that sounds like a tin can, trynna get sounding "decent". Never did think about how head tension changes the tone.

[@aalidas8951]

whats that tune

[@nechvillebanjos]

Rebecca

[@aalidas8951]

@@nechvillebanjos thank you, you play it wonderfully