Dicemanb wrote:Mike,
Do they do mules and what is a polymer skin?
Dice
Hi Diceman,
they do not do mules at Banux, only cow, calf and goat skins.
Polymer is some chemical stuff they put on the skin to make the skin
even more homogeneous I guess.
It seems to be a tanning specialty. Here is what I could find at wikipedia:
In the following report the results are published of investigations concemed with the irreversible deposition of polymers within the fibre structure to level out the structural differences in bull middle-splits and sheepskins without adversely affecting their properties, but even, if possible, improving them. The resins deposited were either fine particle fully polymerized acrylate binders or acrylate monomers, which were subsequently polymerized in tle leather. The application of these products was partly on wet leather and partly on crusted stock. The levels of application amounted to 5% solids of the polymerized products, or in the case of the monomers 25-40% based on the dry weight of the leather. The treated leathers all showed a tight surface, a shorter denser nap, and a finer smoother grain on sheepskins. A negative influence on their dyeing behaviour could not be established. With regard to the physical properties an improvement in fastness properties was achieved. The water vapour absorption and the water vapour permeability were, as expected, reduced by a certain extent, which in turn considerably influenced the hygienic wearing properties..
As a result of this polymere processing, the skin looks whiteish and
has got a layer on the underside.
I enclose a photo of a small piece of skin I got and could luckily wedge
onto a "children´s bongo" (i.e. a sewage pipe
).
The sound is amazing, rich and fat, but an important thing is that the polymer layer somewhat gets thicker
AFTER mounting, so the1.2mm skin smple went to 2.5mm thickness after drying.
For Taiko drums this seems to be appropiate, for Gon Bops lovers of thick skins too maybe.
BTW I ordered also a regular cow skin for my Raúl macho which is of the same outstanding
quality as L&H skins. Take a look yourself:
Now the Raúl macho rules even more than with the goat skin I had had on it which wore out pretty quickly after 1 year of playing.
ANd my 9" Patato requinto really sings with the natural cowskin by Banux that I mounted.
Hope this could shed some light on these company´s products.