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A Flat Head banjo is one that has a tone ring that bears only on the
outside of the head, and an Arched Head is one that has a raised ring
that is smaller than the outside bearing, making the head arch up and
over it.
This creates a smaller “Active” playing surface, and makes for a
snappier brighter tone.
It also has a little more “Cutoff” in the notes and many single string
melody players can get a lot from this.
 The
Flat Head can be a better rhythm banjo, giving a full, but slightly
mellower tone (Mellow for a banjo)
A Flat Head today, is usually an 11” active playing surface, and the
Arch Head ring can bring that down to 10.5” so this is actually giving
you a smaller head to play on, with a big tone chamber.
There are many styles of Flat Heads and Arched Head banjos.
Over time, they developed separately, and both have staunch supporters
in both the 4 and the 5 string world. In the quest for “Specific” tone,
both examples must be tested to see which is the one that suits you.
Keep Strumming!
Vinnie Mondello
www.4stringbanjos.com
14902 SH 322 N
Longview ,TX, 75603
Phone: 903-643-2959
mrvintagebanjo@aol.com
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