toms without resonant heads

[drumguyfromWI]

I've always had problems getting my toms to sound the way I want them to sound. so today, I tried out something new (for me, at least) on my old kit: I tried taking the resonant heads off the toms.

I got the idea from a picture I saw of Keith Moon with one of his kits that had no resonant heads on the toms... so I tried it out, and for some reason, they sounded amazing! (in my opinion) they were louder, had more attack, had less sustain (which I like), and they were much, much easier to tune!

am I going crazy? or should I try this on my new kit?

I'm definetly digging the sound, but I'm not sure if I should do it, because without the hoop and the head on the resonant side, I'm afraid I'll mess up the shells or the resonant side bearing edge if they get bumped or whatever when I'm playing gigs.

P.S. I can almost hear the sirens of the D.R.P. (Drum Resonance Police) in the distance... leave me alone! some people like tons of resonance, I find it annoying. I want my drums to speak, and then shut up. so please don't yell (or rather, type loudly lol) at me for not liking tons of resonance haha

[Steady Freddy]

I'm definetly digging the sound, but I'm not sure if I should do it, because without the hoop and the head on the resonant side, I'm afraid I'll mess up the shells or the resonant side bearing edge if they get bumped or whatever when I'm playing gigs.

Something we used to do back in the day was to cut the head away and leave about an inch of head around the counter hoop. That way you can leave the hardware on the drum and not worry about dinging the edges.

HTH

[drumguyfromWI]

good idea!

and I have another idea... I wonder if I could get rubber trim for the bottom bearing edges.. like on marching band toms:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/5/4/4/254544.jpg

[harryconway]

Something we used to do back in the day was to cut the head away and leave about an inch of head around the counter hoop. That way you can leave the hardware on the drum and not worry about dinging the edges.



Yeah, about 1969/70 for me. A lot of concert toms come with bearing edges cut in the reso. side. Ludwig used to crimp a metal band/ring around the bottom (open) edge. Kept the wrap/cortex from getting torn, and the wood intact, and in general, just gave the drum a "more finished" look. Some form of "Home Depot" weatherstripping, plastic channeling, would work.

[drumguyfromWI]

tried taking the resonant heads off the toms on my new kit today... they sounded great!

also... is removing the lugs on the resonant side a good idea or not? will I be able to get them back on easily if I need to?

[That Guy]

tried taking the resonant heads off the toms on my new kit today... they sounded great!

also... is removing the lugs on the resonant side a good idea or not? will I be able to get them back on easily if I need to?


Glad it worked out for you buddy. There should be no problem replacing the lugs when removed.

[drumguyfromWI]

I did the cut a hole in the resonant head and leave an inch thing. thanks!

[pbassdrums]

I know this thread is old as hell.. but just came across it when I was searching and would rather add to this than start a new thread.

I just cut my resonant heads down to about 1-1.5" and for the first time since owning them they actually sound how I've always wanted them to sound. More defined attack, less sustain, much easier to tune -- and no more hi tom/snare sympathetic buzz!! The buzz especially was really starting to get frustrating. I could never tune my higher toms to get a good sound without affecting the snare, and tuning away from the snare would always result in (for me) highly undesirable pitch bending.

I only use my drums for recording (no live for me!) and they are also turning out to be way easier to work with close mic'd. I used to have all manner of moongel, E-rings, foam circles, etc to try to massage my toms into the sound I wanted but this finally did it.

[bobdadruma]

Concert toms are perfect for recording.
Do you put the mics inside of the drums?

[Les Ismore]

Hmmm, maybe this will catch on and we'll be back to single headed deadness (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrN4_Eg2Zx4&feature=related), at least we'll $ave on bottom heads.

Here's what you need (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Pearl-MFH-Mesh-Tom-Head-for-Rhythm-Traveler-Drum?sku=448441&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26034674) to go single.