floor tom heads?

[Turbo6]

I have pinstripes on all my toms and they sound alright but my floor tom sounds like a wet diaper! Its got a very papery sound to it and Im guessing this is is from the junky stock resonant head. So I like the tone that the top head (16" pinstripe) gives but the harder you hit it the worse it sounds so that tells me the reso head needs replaced with something thicker or more muffled. So Im just looking for advice on what kind of bottom head would help me out here. Thanks in advance!

[harryconway]

You may certainly be correct in that your reso. head needs replacing. What kind of drum (make/model) and how old is the Pinstripe batter?

[cdrums21]

I have pinstripes on all my toms and they sound alright but my floor tom sounds like a wet diaper! Its got a very papery sound to it and Im guessing this is is from the junky stock resonant head. So I like the tone that the top head (16" pinstripe) gives but the harder you hit it the worse it sounds so that tells me the reso head needs replaced with something thicker or more muffled. So Im just looking for advice on what kind of bottom head would help me out here. Thanks in advance!

You may not want to go with a thicker or muffled resonant head though. Usually, tone and resonance are what is sought after in a drum sound, so a single ply unmuffled head such as an Ambassador or G1 is usually the head of choice. A new one of those makes a pretty significant difference in sound. In order to bring floor toms to "life" so to speak, many drummers tune the top head to a good pitch just above the wrinkle point and tune the bottom head up 3 or 4 notes higher. That makes the drum sound "rounder" and takes away that thin papery sound you spoke of. I would give that a try before you start to dampen the drum's tone through muffled heads.

[Turbo6]

My first problem is the drum is a junker. Its brand new but its an OSP kit so the hoops and shells arent much. MADE IN CHINA lol. But the hoop isnt out of round but the shell might be off a bit. When I tighten the lugs down it seems impossible to get it torqued enough. I have to crank the lugs down tight to even get the wrinkles out so it makes me wonder if the shell is crooked. I dont think it is because Im pretty sure I checked it out when I put heads on.

But as far as the heads, the pinstripe has maybe 4 hours of playtime on it so its virtually new still. The bottom head is a stock single ply plastic head like all the other cheap junky heads that come from the factory. Im thinking the G1 bottom head would be a nice choice to compliment the pinstripe I have on top.

[PreppieNerd]

As far as the cranking of the lugs, it may jsut seem tight. You might need to lube the tension rods so they operate smoother.

[harryconway]

You may want to replace those tension rods even. Lube 'em first, and see what happens. If the threads on the tension rods are damaged, or just plain stop before they tighten the head, then they need to be replaced. They may also be too long, and bottoming out inside the lug sleeve. Easy quick fix there would be throw a few small washers on top of the hoop before inserting each tension rod. An almost brand new pinstripe head should sound better than "wet paper", even on a tom of great "craptitude". I'd opt to take the reso. head completely off, and see what you get, soundwise.

[catlover]

Maybe your problem does not come from heads...

The most common problem with floor toms is... floor !
Bad rubber legs tips = no vibrations, no sound !
Ask someone to hold your tom without legs touching the floor, if it sounds ok, change for better rubber tips !

[hauk]

Although single ply heads are the standard for resos, I remember one member posting about a question they asked Evans, who suggested using G2s (double ply) on floor toms. The guy tried it and liked it. I might try it next time I replace heads on a 16", but probably not a 14" floor.

[Creothcean]

remo ebony ambassadors! I started using them two years ago after I made the switch from coated heads on my toms and I've never looked back. they sound incredible, especially with pinstripes, which are what I use on my toms for the batter.

[ULTIMATEDRUMMER]

remo ebony ambassadors! I started using them two years ago after I made the switch from coated heads on my toms and I've never looked back. they sound incredible, especially with pinstripes, which are what I use on my toms for the batter.

Yeah I use ebony ambassadors as well there alright overall
and they match my kit!

[Turbo6]

You guys are using ebony resonant heads??? Ive NEVER heard of that before and never seen it either.

[harryconway]

You guys are using ebony resonant heads??? Ive NEVER heard of that before and never seen it either.

Check out Lars Ulrich's piano white Tama kit with ebony reso.'s and black hardware. http://www.encycmet.com/equipment/larseq.shtml

[Turbo6]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Ive been wondered what equipment Lars was using for record for years and now I finally have the list! Regardless what heads he used Im stoked lol. Only thing Im confused about is the black album wasnt listed on that page, I assume the 90's tours was the kit he used for that. But some of his cymbals Ive been in love with and didnt know what they were...NOW I DO! :)

I do like the look of ebonys on the bottoms because its cleaner looking. Are the ebony bottoms batter heads or are they ambassador reso or batter heads? And is it totally awful to use batter heads on the resonant side?

[ULTIMATEDRUMMER]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Ive been wondered what equipment Lars was using for record for years and now I finally have the list! Regardless what heads he used Im stoked lol. Only thing Im confused about is the black album wasnt listed on that page, I assume the 90's tours was the kit he used for that. But some of his cymbals Ive been in love with and didnt know what they were...NOW I DO! :)

I do like the look of ebonys on the bottoms because its cleaner looking. Are the ebony bottoms batter heads or are they ambassador reso or batter heads? And is it totally awful to use batter heads on the resonant side?

No dude you can use them on ethier side you want.
I use them on the top but there not the srogest thing out there so if your a hard hitter they will probably sound better on the bottom. I have EVANS G2 Clears on the bottom.

[harryconway]

You can get the Remo ebony in Ambassador, Powerstroke 3 and Pinstripe. Where you choose to mount them, batter or reso., is up to you. The Ambassador head is my primary choice for a reso., but I've also used the Powerstroke 3, Emperor and Pinstripe reso. Just depends on what sound you're trying to get. Same with batter heads. Ambassador, Conrolled Sound, Powerstroke 3, Emperor and Pinstripe all are main contenders for batter use. 1 drum can have many personalities, just with the changing of a drum head.

[MadJazz]

Although single ply heads are the standard for resos, I remember one member posting about a question they asked Evans, who suggested using G2s (double ply) on floor toms. The guy tried it and liked it. I might try it next time I replace heads on a 16", but probably not a 14" floor.

I've tried that too. Thicker heads is what floor toms need and double reso's work wonders.
.

[Skitch]

You may not want to go with a thicker or muffled resonant head though. Usually, tone and resonance are what is sought after in a drum sound, so a single ply unmuffled head such as an Ambassador or G1 is usually the head of choice. A new one of those makes a pretty significant difference in sound. In order to bring floor toms to "life" so to speak, many drummers tune the top head to a good pitch just above the wrinkle point and tune the bottom head up 3 or 4 notes higher. That makes the drum sound "rounder" and takes away that thin papery sound you spoke of. I would give that a try before you start to dampen the drum's tone through muffled heads.

I am definitely going to remember this and oh yeah - we're 3 - 0.



Mike

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