How long to heads typically last?

[JesusMySavior]

I put some Aquarian Response 2's on my kit (12,13,16 2-ply clear) in February, I've played an average of 3-5 hours per week, and I'm a heavy hitter. You can see stick marks all over the head but I doubt that makes a huge difference.

Reason I'm asking, I'm starting recording drums with this kit here pretty soon but I'm tight on money. How can you tell how much "life" a head has in it? Or better yet, how can you tell if it's dead?

Thanks!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Are they scuff marks or dents? And you can tell if they are dead by how they sound. If they sound dead, they are.

[caddywumpus]

Try having somebody else play your kit and take a few steps back. If the skins sound good to you (or not) from about 5-10 feet in front of the kit, then there's your answer. It's so hard to tell while you're playing, considering where you're sitting and the fact that your ears have grown accustomed to the gradual dying of your heads. This change in perspective should give you some insight.

I would recommend changing your heads before you record, but that's just me. You'll probably want all of those "fresh" overtones on the recording so your drums don't get lost in the mix...

[larryace]

Maybe buy set of heads for recording, and remove them after you're done? Save them just for recording?