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View Full Version : My "dots" saved my gig tonight!


Concrete Pete
06-11-2009, 08:19 AM
Hey Crew,

You all know I'm pretty new here, and have been experimenting around since I took up drumming again, but here's a wild idea I posted before that really came in handy---I took some Mylar limo tint film (meant for use on car windows) and cut large "dots" out of it, and placed them over my cheapo Legion tom heads for extra protection and slight sound muffling qualities. I figured that Mylar heads would easily adhere to Mylar film on top of them, and was correct in that assumption. Sound has been better on those cheap heads, and I figured the wear would be lessened--correct again.

Well, tonight, during a local (low-paying, as in $80 per band member) gig, I put a stick right through the left upper tom to the point that I had to PULL hard to get it back out! Ruined head, right? I thought so...

This happened 2 songs before our last set was over, and the next song on our play list was "Snortin' Whiskey" by Pat Travers, which has a few fast/ sneaky riffs in it that involve the whole set. No problem, as the head stayed in (mostly) playable condition, despite the 1-1/2" hole I punched in it-- the Mylar kept the hole from spreading out, and the last song of the night was Deep Purple's "Highway Star" which instinctively made me hit that tom during the fast riffs (but I tried to keep to the outer perimeter of that tom) and it worked so well that no one in the audience OR the band noticed.

Got home, swapped the lower head on the tom for the upper one, and put TWO layers of Mylar on it--I think I'm on to something here, but will be buying a new head before my country band's gig Saturday.

Here's a pic of my tom hole, and also to show how it didn't rip to the edges.
Feedback welcome from all. Does anyone think I maybe on to something here?


Cheers,
C. P.

GRUNTERSDAD
06-11-2009, 02:53 PM
I would take the 80 bucks and buy some new, decent heads. Batters on top and resos on the bottom. I can't imagine that big, wrinkled piece of mylar has any decent sound to it at all.

larryace
06-11-2009, 03:46 PM
I have a similar helpful tip. Bring a new laminating sheet, you know the kind that you cut, put like a paper license between and stick together. They make great bass drum head fixes. If you put a beater through a head, just peel the backer from the laminate sheet and cover the BD hole with it.

druid
06-12-2009, 06:13 AM
Dear Gawd....sir....don't take this wrong but I believe it IS time for some new heads.

Concrete Pete
06-12-2009, 08:49 AM
SIR?

Man, I never get called that anymore!

Anyway, I took off all the crap-tastic Legion heads, and am heading to the local music store tomorrow with $100 in my pocket to get all new batter heads, preferably Remo Weather Kings, as they are ON SALE! (woo hoo!)

I'm also gonna buy some new sticks, (Vic Firth, and some throwaways) and a new Lee Oskar 'G' harp-- looks like no steak on the grocery list for a week or two now!

Rock on,
C. P.

eddiehimself
06-12-2009, 01:48 PM
You say $80 per band member is low paying but i know there's a local band right now who are struggling to do gigs for £100 for the whole band, that's like £20 each! Defintely an idea to get decent heads.

wolfgang
06-13-2009, 08:57 AM
Yeah 20 bucks a band member is what my band considers a good night lol.

And I agree that new heads will serve you well, but as a quick fix in a gig, keeping some of those dots handy might not be a bad idea.

Vipercussionist
06-13-2009, 04:23 PM
Whoa Pete!! you're in for a culture shock when you get a set of real heads on those drums. The added tone might actually sound BAD as you're not used to it.

Might I suggest eBay, there's lot's of people selling slightly USED heads, for MUCH cheaper if you compare it to NEW heads. I've done my share of buying used heads on eBay.

If you're OK with a suggestion, try Evans G2's for batters. Great tone, and a bit more durability as they're double ply heads.
Maybe try any single ply clear UNDENTED heads for resonant heads. We won't get too silly in spending your money!! HA HA!!!

In a perfect world, you'd want to try Evans G1's or Evans Resonant heads as resos, but that's only if you can afford it.

mind_drummer
06-14-2009, 04:36 AM
Wow heavy hitter ! .

eddiehimself
06-14-2009, 11:44 AM
Whoa Pete!! you're in for a culture shock when you get a set of real heads on those drums. The added tone might actually sound BAD as you're not used to it.

Might I suggest eBay, there's lot's of people selling slightly USED heads, for MUCH cheaper if you compare it to NEW heads. I've done my share of buying used heads on eBay.

If you're OK with a suggestion, try Evans G2's for batters. Great tone, and a bit more durability as they're double ply heads.
Maybe try any single ply clear UNDENTED heads for resonant heads. We won't get too silly in spending your money!! HA HA!!!

In a perfect world, you'd want to try Evans G1's or Evans Resonant heads as resos, but that's only if you can afford it.

I was pretty lucky in that my drums already came with some G1s underneath although they look like they're from the 80s lol. But i think it is worth buying some nice resos now as chances are you're unlikely to have to replace them again unless you do something stupid.

Concrete Pete
06-15-2009, 04:58 AM
Hey Crew,

As usual you guys are right!
I broke down and scored two Remo Weather King Ambassador (coated) tom heads and scored mightily on the price- The heads were $25.99 each, and I got the heads, and two pairs of Vic Firth sticks for $41.00. Not a bad deal. My guitarist in my 2nd classic rock band does freelance amp and guitar repair for the shop, so he came in handy, as in 40% off!!!

These toms sound like night and day compared to those cheapo Legion heads- now I'm gonna replace the floor tom head and the beater side bass head when $$$ flow allows. I still use my Evans rings on the heads, and like the sound they produce.

Bad news is that no music shops in my area (NorCal) give ANY kinda discount on Lee Oskar harmonicas. Oh, well....

Hey, as for gig pay- I'm curious as to what most of us here average for gigs. I have to divide my gigs into a couple categories, "base pay" wise: (all include free drinks)

1) My C & W band (five guys) at local (mostly DIVES!) clubs-- $60 each, minimum for three 50 minute sets. $80 for 4 sets. More $ if it's a long drive.

2) My #1 classic rock band (four persons)
a) Casinos- $300 each for 3 sets, $350 for 4 sets, ("lounge") + chow and a room if necessary.
b) Local clubs- $50-75 each for 3-4 sets, free brewskis, sometimes free chow.

My #2 rock band (trio, slightly less quality than #1)
Local clubs- $75 each for 2 sets, $80 each for 3 (plus drinks, etc.

Please post what you're getting paid, + perks, etc. OH- and what part of town or country you're in.

Rock on,
Pete