ZEPP Country Music, Inc.

P.O. Box 306
4 East Third St.
Wendell, NC 27591-0306
919 365-5189

Remo Renaissance Banjo Heads. Mike Ramsey negotiated with Remo for a new plastic banjo head: These heads are uncoated (they are Mylar, with fibrous inclusions, as nearly as I can tell), have a golden hue, and are almost transparent (see the photo). What they really look like is the thin calf skin described below.

I tried an 11-inch on my Ramsey Electric, and I love it. I then put a 12-inch on my Ramsey Special fretless, and it has a great sound. Then I put one on my Tu-Ba-Phone. Wow! To date, I have really liked them on every banjo I've tried one on. Here's a sound file of a clawhammer tune played on a Deering Goodtime with a Renaissance head. Still don't believe me? Read these testimonials. Mike likes them well enough that they are now standard on his banjos and they are also standard on banjos by Chuck Lee.

Now In Stock in most popular sizes. Please call for availability: List $27.00 $17.55 for 11-inch. All other diameters are $19.95.


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Remo Weatherking frosted heads:

These are probably the best known and most widely used. They are mylar film with a sprayed-on, white "frosting." They are the thinnest head on the market, being ca. 0.009 inches thick, including the frosting. They are used as standard equipment by Gibson, Deering, and many others.

These heads come in three "crown" heights, imaginatively called "high," "medium," and "low." A high crown permits the tension hoop to be pulled further down onto the banjo, whereas a low crown will cause it to ride much higher. Typically, a flathead banjo uses a high or medium crown, and an arched top uses a low.

We stock these in 11" high, medium or low crown. $17.55 each. (Other sizes in 1/16th in increments are available on special order at $19.95.)

Remo Weatherking heads are also available uncoated (i.e., transparent), or with the frosting on the inside, which keeps it clean, but gives the banjo head a shiny appearance. These are available on special order.

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Ludwig frosted heads:
These are a heavier mylar film with a heavier sprayed-on white frosting than the heads by Remo. They are ca. 0.011 inch thick, including the frosting, and deliver a more solid sound than the thinner heads. Ludwig heads are sold under several brand names, including "5-Star," and are factory installed on Stelling and Ome banjos.
We stock Ludwig-made 5-Star heads in 11-inch, medium crown only . $16.95
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Remo Fiberskyn heads:
These are most commonly used on open-back banjos. They are Mylar film with Tyvek fibers laminated onto their surface, to resemble natural skin. They are fairly thick heads, being ca. 0.015 thick, and tend to deliver a deeper, plunkier sound than frosted heads.
These are sold by Remo to other retailers with different names on them, including "Elite," but they are all the same thing.
We stock these in 11- and 12-inch, high crown: $17.55 and $19.95, respectively. (Other sizes in 1/16th in increments are available on special order.)
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