I know that this isnt tambourine.org but i figured some of you reading this board might know something about stuff besides marimbas.

Anyway, I bought a great Grover tambourine over the winter and now that summer is nearing, the heat has loosened the head so much that there isn't a pitch produced when you strike it...just a sort of loose thump. I've tried a few things to bring the pitch up but in 20 minutes its back to where it was. I was wondering if anyone knew a way I could tighten the head permanently. I would greatly appreciate all suggestions. Thanks!

-Ben

A couple ways of temporarily raising the pitch are:
1. blow a hair dryer on the head or
2. get a little electric heating pad (a cloth with a heating element
inside, like a mini electric blanket) and set the instrument on it.

The idea is to dry the head slightly, as it is mostly the humidity which
makes the head loose. (If the head is ever too tight you can rub a SMALL
amount of water evenly across the head)

Either way, make sure it doesn't get too hot. (or too tight)

Once you have the head at a tension you like, I have seen people apply
shellac to the head (both sides, I believe) to seal out the moisture,
making the head less susceptible to humidity changes.

However -- I have not tried this myself, as the shellac would be
permanent, and would likely make the head feel too hard and unforgiving
when struck with the hand.

Therefore I recommend the small heating pad. You can just rest the
tambourine on it (or vice versa perhaps) until you need it and when you
pick it up you are ready to go!

Take care,
Mike Morrison