Stretching self-mounted heads

[Mike]

Hi everyone,
I´ve got a question, i.e. if stretching skins you mounted on your conga yourself works the way
it does with factory heads - the latter of which I have done quite often so far, especially to prevent
my pupils hands from getting hurt when playing tumbadoras with traditional rims. Iknow some players prefer
their rims very high, but I am talking about students and amateurs here who will never be technically perfect
(Who will? )

I guess everybody knows about the stretching method that consists of puring some water into the disassembled head,
soaking in a bit and carefully remounting it.

I´d like to know now if not only the water-buffalo, but also cow and mule skins you mounted yourself
will give in a bit and provide an extra playing space of 0.5 to max. 1 cm? Would you recommend this
procedure at all? Does it even do harm to the skins?

Any reply is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Mike

[congaDR]

If the rim is .5 inches from the top, id keep it as is. funny how the rim can get beginners playing with decent technique sooner, if it hurts to play the wrong way.

that being said, you should be able to stretch a stock skin another .5 inches if you soak it in shallow water for a couple of hours (careful not to soak the part with the metal hoop, as it may open up and be hard to remount) remount it and tighten to the desired position, with some room to tighten further as it dries to prevent 'dipping'.

It will lessen the life of the skin, and may change the sound to more of a muddy tone. If you have access to hides, id just reskin them where you want the crown. they will sound much better than stretching out a thin stock skin.

Hope that helps,

Tony

[Mike]

Thanks, Tony,

perhaps I´d better leave the skin as the rim is indeed about half an inch below the playing surface.
I certainly want the mule skin to have a long life

Thanks for the input.

Mike