I'll start by describing choices of heads to put on, then how to install one, and finally how to tighten it to get the sound you like. I won't recommend a specific type or brand. Heads are one of those things that don't cost that much compared to the price of a good quality banjo and the only way to learn how each type works with your banjo is to try different ones. First, let's look at what types of heads are available.

The main differences between heads are what they're made of, the thickness, and how, or if, they're coated. The standard Remo WeatherKing head was the only one around for many years so it tends to be the reference point. New Remo heads are slightly different from old ones because the coating on the outside is slightly thinner. In general a thicker coating produces a mellower sound that a thinner one. The reverse is that a thinner coating gives you a slightly brighter sound and may make the banjo slightly more responsive. Some heads have no coating (the easiest to spot are the ones that are clear). These usually have the brightest sound. Custom made Remo heads are available that have the same coating as the old ones. They produce a slightly mellower tone with less brightness, therefore a bit bassier sound.

Other brands currently available use thinner mylar and a more sturdy way of attaching the ridge (often called a flesh hoop from when there were only hide heads that often had to be mounted by the user) on the outside that is used to tighten the head. These usually have a brighter sound that the Remo heads and also can be tightened more without breaking. There aren't that many companies who actually make heads so you'll find several different brand name heads that are actually made at the same factory. We can even buy Kevlar heads that should be the brightest of all. I don't know if they're bulletproof or not.

Finally you can still buy actual calfskin heads which were the only choice before the mid 1950's. All of Earl Scruggs' early recordings were done with a skin head and it is fairly easy to hear the difference between skin and the plastic heads everyone eventually used. Jim Mills has a great CD out, “Hide Head Blues”, that was recorded on 4 original Gibson flat heads from the 1930's with original hide heads. If you haven't heard it already, it's great to listen to a state of the art recording showing what Earl and everyone else really sounded like back when bluegrass was new .

There's a good reason Earl and every other professional banjo player quickly moved to the plastic heads. They are much easier to maintain since they aren't effected by temperature and humidity the way calfskin is. More recently Remo has manufactured several generations of artificial skin heads that look and sound very close to calfskin, but don't have nearly as many of the problems. If you like an old-time sound, give one a try. I'm not going to give any specific setup suggestions using this type of head except don't tighten it too much like I did back in the day and broke mine.

Another difference between heads is something called crown height. Crown height doesn't directly relate to the sound of a head, just the proper fit. When heads are built they're molded into a shape kind of like a very broad but very short hat. Heads are made with 3 standard sizes for the height of the hat. These are, not surprisingly, referred to as high, medium, and low crown heights. The standard height for each crown size is high crown = 1/2 inch, medium crown = 7/16 inch, and low crown = "3/8 inch. This is the height from the top of the mounting band on the bottom of the head and the top of the “hat” part.

Most flathead banjos work with either a medium or high crown head. Exceptions to sometimes occur however. For instance some banjos have deeper rims or thicker stretcher bands that require high crown heads. Some have very narrow stretcher bands and short rims or 1 piece metal pots that need to use shorter brackets and a high crown head. Raised head banjos usually need a high crown head.

Heads also come in different diameter sizes. On almost all banjos designed to play bluegrass music the heads are 11" across. You can easily measure the top of the banjo just in case.