Wikipedia said:
If you have the extra cash to throw down for single plies on your floors, I think it'll be worth the experiment because I noticed the biggest difference on my floors - especially the 18", YMMV.Good timing on this post... Ive recently been considering switch to 1ply batters on my rack toms. I'm happy with the G2s i have on my floor toms, but I've never been totally happy with the sound I'm getting on the racks...
All other things being equal, a double ply has friction between the plies that has a muting effect. A similarly thick single ply doesn't have that effect. Also, based on something I read recently, a 14 mil single ply will be more resonant than 7 or 10 mil single because of its increased mass, though it may take more energy to get it going.Does the same prove true for thicker single plys as opposed to a thinner double ply? Say, these new G14 heads against say a Pinstripe. A single 14 mil ply vs a double combined 12 mil ply.
But the tone between a 10 mil head and a 14 mil head will sound different. Sure you should get more sustain w/ a 14 mil head, but if the frequency range isn't to your liking...you have to see if you like the tone of a 14 mil single ply head. I did not when I tried it. I used an EC2 and removed the sticky tone control rings w/ a blowdryer. That left me w/ a 14 mil single ply head.
However the drum head companies term it, I prefer the frequencies, and the tone of single ply heads, as heard from the audience. They are crisper and not as muted as a 2 ply head.
Onstage, the 2 plys sound better to me, but I want it to sound good to the audience, so I use the singles.
This is right.All other things being equal, a double ply has friction between the plies that has a muting effect. A similarly thick single ply doesn't have that effect. Also, based on something I read recently, a 14 mil single ply will be more resonant than 7 or 10 mil single because of its increased mass, though it may take more energy to get it going.
Aren't EC2's double ply??
You're right they were EC1's, my bad, thanks Pete
As much experimenting I have done, I have stacks of used drumheads probably 5 feet high, I find that with the lowly single ply head for the toms, and 2 ply for the snare...nothing can beat it. So I'm done trying different heads. I know what I like. Agree with your "plasticky" sounding attack Andy, my impressions as well.