Changing a Tambourine Head
Changing a tambourine head, wrapping mallets, regulating timpani, etc. There can be a long list of things that we are uncomfortable doing in order to maintain, repair, or customize our percussion equipment. Most of the time, these tasks are uncomfortable because we don’t do them very often and practice is not practical. Making timpani mallets with German felt can be costly and problematic. Regulating timpani could cause more questions then answers. Some tasks fell like they are better left to a professional.
It makes sense that we would want a professional to help us with a piece of our percussion equipment, even if we happen to be a percussionist. It is something that we do for so many other things in our lives. Car maintenance, plumbing, medicine, etc. are all things we don’t want to make a costly mistake doing so we pay a professional. I have wonderful news, though. If I can change a tambourine head, so can you.
I was asked to replace a tambourine head for a school I work with. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I at least had a vague idea of what to do.
I began the only way I knew how: get a Grover Tambourine Head Replacement Kit for the broken tambourine and watch an instructional YouTube video of a professional going step by step.
First, you should get your materials together because some of these steps need to be done quickly.
1 Towel
A small bin or tub that can hold about 2 gallons of water
1 New calf-skin head from the Grover Replacement Kit
1 Rubber band(s) from the Grover Replacement Kit
Wood glue (Titebond III is a good choice)
An exacto knife (sharp - be careful)
High-grit sandpaper
Needle-nose pliers
1 Pencil
A box of tools if necessary
I was able to accomplish changing a tambourine head for the very first time using two sources: The instructions that come with the Grover Pro Percussion Tambourine Head Replacement Kit and an instructional video by Will James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp-adrswBII&t=366s .
Remove the old head from the tambourine that needs to be changed.
Take off the tacks from the shell using a tool.
Some heads may old enough that the head can just be pulled off, but using the exacto knife may be necessary to peel the old head off.
You may want take a pencil and mark where you took the tacks from the shell of the tambourine.
Once the head is off, the next thing to do is to get the excess old calf-skin and glue off the shell.
High-grit sandpaper may seem extreme but, you will be able to get the glue and skin off more easily and quickly. Check in on what you are doing so you are not damaging the shell.
Before
After
3. Remove head from water and wipe off excess water. Lightly wrapping the wet head in a towel flat is a good idea.
4. Apply a liberal amount of Elmer’s (or carpenter) glue to the sanded edge. Use a finger to spread the glue evenly around the rim.
5. Place the wet head on top of the glue coated edge, centering the head so about one (1) inch extends past the edge of the shell.
6. Stretch a large rubber band (included in Grover’s head replacement kit) over the head and rim, attaching the head to the shell. (You may need help with this part)
7. Pull out the slack in the head by pulling the edge of the skin (under the elastic) until tight (use pliers if necessary).
8. Leave the tambourine in a humid place to slowly dry. Do not leave in a very dry place or in direct sunlight. If necessary, cover the head with a damp towel.
9. When dry, remove the rubber band and trim the excess skin with an exacto knife or single edged razor blade. There should be a half inch of skin around the outer edge of the shell. (Be Careful!)
10. Add tacks if so desired (optional).
