It was likely hide glue that was used. All you have to do is -carefully- heat it up with a hair dryer and it will soften enough to wipe, or scrape it off. There are solvents that will work I'm just not sure how it will interact with the calfskin substrate. Some heat ought to soften it enough to begin removal. Just don't hold the dryer on one spot, keep it moving so you heat the area gradually. I don't see how you'll ever get the stain of the glue out though. Skin is skin and that head -absorbed- a lot of that glue.

John

Thank John! I'm not too worried about the staining. At this point I just want to get a consistent, smooth surface to play on. I will try the hair dryer tonight.

Is there anything I should condition the skin with before I start using it? Saddle soap, neatsfoot oil, etc.?

Read about hide glue and found out it is water soluble. Soaked the center of the head and it softened it up enough I could peel it off with tweezers. Making progress!

Water is safer than heat, go with it. Take off the bottom head so it can dry out evenly.

John

Thanks John!

Here's what the head looks like now. I was able to get it to where I am happy with it.

Nicely done, looks much better now.