During the 1970s, Remo was forced to modify the frosting that was applied to their heads in order to comply with evolving new environmental regulations. The resulting process applied a frosting that was thinner than before and serious and studious pickers were convinced that these new heads sounded differently as well.
Steve made arrangements with the company to manufacture a head for Huber with a slightly (.001″) thicker frosting. This new Huber/Remo head is very close to the older Remos that have been prized by banjo set up pros and aficionados.
These Huber/Remo heads are only available in a medium crown.
In most cases, the medium crown is recommended for flathead banjos as a high crown can bottom out in the neck cavity before reaching the desired tension. Medium crown heads are installed on all new Huber Banjos.
Don Etheredge –
I don’t replace the heads on my banjos as often as I should, but I’ve replaced two (on different banjos) over the past year with Huber heads and am very pleased with the the results. I especially like the thicker frosting. It’s amazing how a few little things can add up to make a big difference.
Mike Entsminger (verified owner) –
I like the Huber head very much and plan on using them in the future. Great product!
Bryan Davidson (verified owner) –
I just bought a 1989 Gibson RB3 (Rich Era) and the guy had put a Vintage Huber ring in it with a Huber head.
I thought everything fit wicked-NICE, and the head frosting had seen better days so I replaced the old Huber head with a new Huber head. Love it! Very glad you all are still making them! Cheers!
Mike Matz (verified owner) –
Over the years I’ve used most of the major brands and their variations out there. I was pleasantly surprised by the improvements in tone, ie, the richness and clarity of sound. Great improvement on my banjo!
John Sigmon –
I have a drop dead gorgeous custom Huber. I thought…well, a head is a head….but when I compared what Steve puts on his banjos to the one I had on my RB250 Gibson…….well, I am sold on Steve’s head. I don’t quite know how he goes about it, but I won’t purchase anything other!!!
Michael Ritter (verified owner) –
Awesome head, more like the old Remos. Used a drum dial to get even tension and it sounds great on my banjo…better than the new (thin) Remos in my opinion.
Daniel Young –
The blurb above says the Huber head delivers tone, volume and clarity and it absolutely does! Try it you’ll love it!
FIVE STARS
jack (verified owner) –
Sounds great. Shipped fast all around great experience.
Thank you
Roger (“Howie”) Jorgenson (verified owner) –
Slightly thicker head with thicker frosting. More like the old ones from forty or fifty years back. I found them very similar to Robin Smith’s Heartland Banjo heads, which I also liked a lot. I’ve also noticed the thicker coating seems to hold the bridge in place better.
Daniel (verified owner) –
As I’ve moved from playing grassroots bluegrass music to more refined classical music on the banjo, I prefer having a head free from rub marks. Not only does this new Huber head look vibrant and clean, but it sounds just as good as ever on my ’05 Lexington.
Michael Eisler (verified owner) –
Like many banjo players, I’m experimenting with the variables of banjo setup trying to turn a moderate priced instrument into sounding like a 1935 Granada. One tonal characteristic I am in search of is warmth. I have tried Renaissance heads with some success but they tend to lose their resiliency with age. The Huber head seems to have the same warmth but does not require such a long time period to stretch and seat.
Matt Will (verified owner) –
Perfect fit, works great and reasonably priced!
Zach Nibert –
These heads are great and in my opinion the best head on the banjo market. These heads are the only head I use on my banjos and they sound GREAT on a prewar rim. They bring great note separation and clarity and you will not be sorry if you decide to try one. Great job Steve on this great head !
Gregory English (verified owner) –
Best sound improvement of any head I’ve used.
Justin Ward (verified owner) –
I have a 2008 Huber Roanoke and the new head sounds awesome on it. As long as Huber keeps these heads available; I’ll keep using them. The best banjo head on the market for any banjo in my opinion, and especially for the best new banjos out there; Huber Banjos. Thanks for what you do Steve.
John Doyle (verified owner) –
Great banjo heads. I love the tone I get from using Huber heads.
Scott Caley (verified owner) –
I restored a non-name brand abused and neglected banjo so I could start lessons. Because I hope to reward myself with a Huber banjo once I learn, I graced this thing with a Huber head, strings, and leather strap… kinda like a pig with a tiara!
It was gratifying to drop in that head and to tune it in with a Drum Dial to 87 across the entire face. Wow, it makes such a nice plunk! The frosted surface is nice. The crown height was perfect for my restoration banjo.
Charles Bates (verified owner) –
This head helps create a rich tone in an already superb sounding Huber Kalamazoo Banjo.
I had to replace the old one as I used it for autographs of the instructors at Bela Fleck’s Banjo camp. I wouldn’t put any other head on a Huber Banjo… ever!