The neck is loosely fitted

This is entirely unnecessary, but I do it to make sure that there's nothing obviously wrong. All was well. The pot was then put aside to dry. I've found that a good way to dry a new head is to do a load of laundry -- socks and underwear -- and dry it in the dryer, then put the pot in a drawer with the still-warm, very dry laundry. Only after it is thoroughly dry can the head be tightened. This takes at least a day, but two or three days is better. Master banjowright Vinnie Mondello recommends lightly spraying the head with water and redrying it many times before tightening it; I took his advice with this instrument and was pleased with the results.