Pouring Coffee on My Head

You remember how I botched that calf skin head installation last year? Well, I finally replaced it. Because I currently lack the funds and patience to install another natural hide head, I decided to reinstall the Fiberskyn head that came with my banjo way back when.

It's been a good decade since I've had a synthetic head on my banjo. There was a part of me that just couldn't deal with the bland look of the Fiberskyn, so I decided to try staining it with coffee to give it an aged and mottled aesthetic.

I took a small glass of water and mixed in two giant spoonfuls of Maxwell instant coffee and applied two coats with a paintbrush, allowing the head to dry between applications. If you want a more scientific measurement, I'd guess it was four ounces of water and three heaping tablespoons of coffee.

I'd recommend applying a minimum of two coats. I was considering a third coat, but I liked how it looked with two. Keep in mind, the coffee smell stays pretty strong for a while.

Overall I'm happy with the results. I waited a couple days before installing the head to ensure it was full dried. I consulted the Banjo Hangout regarding the use of a protective clear coat. The consensus was that such protection was not needed.

Upon switching out my banjo head, I learned just how bad the tear in the calf skin had gotten. What started as a cigarette burn sized hole had grown to about seven inches long, having pulled away from the flesh hoop. Up until recently, my banjo sounded fine, but it was starting to get a noticeable buzz.

It's taking some getting used to with the Fiberskyn head. To me, it sounds hollow. Also, the crown is higher than on the skin heads I had previously, which has impacted the action. The clearance between the head and strings, especially near where the neck meets the pot, is much lower than it was before. And of course, that's where I like to play. Oh well.

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The Ultimate Banjo Joke Compendium

This post is dedicated to my friend Joel Specht. Ever since the Olitsky & Moskovitz concert last month, my son has been obsessed with banjo jokes. During one of the MANY tuning breaks, they asked the crowd to fill the time by telling their favorite quips about the old five-string. Joel told many that night. I've been trying to remember them, along with best ones I've heard over the years for when my son asks again, so I thought I'd make this list. Question: What's the difference between a banjo and an onion? Answer: Nobody cries when you cut up a banjo. Question: How do you know if the floor is level? Answer: The banjo player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth. Question: What's the difference between a banjo and trampoline? Answer: You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline. Question: What's the definition of perfect pitch? Answer: When you can throw a banjo into a dumpster without hitting the sides. Question: How do yo

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Clawhammer Picks and You: A Review

Clawhammer picks are a useful tool for increasing volume or to overcome fingernail challenges, such as broken, too short or weak nails. There are all sorts of commercial and homemade solutions available for banjo players, but it can be difficult to decide which options to choose. Thankfully, I've already done some of the work for you. Just to be clear, I prefer my natural fingernail for frailing. However, there was a time when I experimented with regularly using a pick, and there are instances now where I find that a pick is necessary. Today, I'll take you through the five options I've tried. These are all available online at prices ranging from about $1 to $13. Reversed/Reshaped Dunlop Pick ($0.75) This was the most common suggestion before other companies started addressing the gap in the clawhammer pick market. Take a bluegrass pick, flatten it out and wear it backwards. The problem is that it's hard to get the fit right. While Dunlop picks are cheap and r

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Summer Blockbusters: Top 10 Banjo Movies

We’re nearing the end of the summer movie season, which this year has included blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War , Solo: A Star Wars Story , Incredibles 2 and other movies, including some that weren’t produced by Disney. However, none of these films showcases a banjo in any way. It's not like the banjo hasn't been featured on the silver screen throughout film history. The five-string has starred in numerous movies, sometimes in its proper context as a musical instrument and other times as a comedic prop. Whether making a cameo or starring in the hands of the main character, it's well past time to present my Top 10 Banjo Blockbusters: O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this movie sucked me into the realm of old-time , bluegrass and country music in general. The banjo is featured in a number of songs on the soundtrack and shows up on screen a few times throughout the movie. Top Banjo Moment: Delmar picks the banjo b

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The Glory-Beaming Banjo

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