I've broken my bass drum head

[Ptitezone]

Hi !
Last november, i've bought a remo pinstripe bass drum head (22").
I'm playing about 3 hours a week. Tonight, I've just realised that my bass drumhead was broken. I don't think i'm a heavy player and i'm wondering how it is possible that a "new" head has already broken.
What can i do to avoid that problem ? (i don't want to buy a bass drum head every 2 months).
I've already had 2 drumkit before the one i have now (a tama rockstar) and it happens only once (on a pearl export) but the bass drum head was very old.

[alparrott]

That's not an unreasonable amount of time to break a head, with that amount of playing, but also taking into account a few other possible factors:

- how hard you play / style of music (are you doing speed metal double pedal or jazz feathering?)
- weight/style/material of beater
- angle of beater striking head (if it's not hitting flat you will cause faster wear)
- burying beater/pressing beater into head when not actually playing the drum
- tension of head (loose, tight, in between, paper bag wrinkly, etc.)
- using/not using an impact pad

If you've addressed all these issues and you still haven't got an answer, you *might* have a defective head, but like as not, you've run afoul in one or more of these usual problem areas.

[DrumEatDrum]

What beater are you using?

Wood beaters will go through heads quickly, and you really should use a patch at the point of impact.

Some plastic beaters can get hot from the friction of playing, and the heat can weaken the head at the point of impact.

Either way, some sort of bass drum patch (like a Remo Faalam Slam for example) will solve the issue of breaking future heads.

[Ptitezone]

I'm using a felt beater (i think).
I'm not playing very hard : i'm trying "American Idiot" but at 106. (i can't hardly play at more than 120).
I've no patch on my bass drum head.
I'm not sure about the tension of the head. I hope i haven't too tightened it.
Lastly, i have to verify about the angle of the beater.

[Ptitezone]

I've just taken 2 photos but i don't know how to put them in my message.

[alparrott]

Below the reply window, under "Additional Options", click the button that says "Manage Attachments". A second window will pop up, Browse to the pictures on your hard drive, and then hit upload. Once you upload the pictures, close that window and "Submit Reply". The pictures mustn't be too large.

[ddrumman2004]

I had the top ply on a Pinstripe break on me before....using a hard felt beater.

A Remo Falam patch cured that problem.

[audiotech]

Any kind of patch, even an Evans clear patch positioned where the beater hits will help immensely.

Dennis

[Ptitezone]

It's a double pedal but i don't use the second pedal (i'm trying to improve first my right foot).

[makinao]

It is possible to dent or break a kick head (or any head for that matter) like this if its too loose.