Attack vs Sustain - Double vs Single ply Heads

[PeteN]

As the subject states which balance of Attack vs Sustain do you prefer? One side of me loves two ply heads for more attack while the other side is loving single ply heads for more sustain and tone.

Mr drumming style varies from rock, blues, pop, and even some latin stuff. On single ply heads I miss the attack when I get busy on the toms but when I use them in a linear/melodic fashion they shine. The double ply heads seem to shine when I get busy on the heads and are good for linear stuff just not as good as the single ply heads.

So I understand there is a compromise to be made for me and those who like to play busy yet still melodic on the toms.

My question is....Do you utilize a different technique to get more attack out of a single ply head when you want to get busy?

My chops sound somewhat muddy at times when I get busy on single ply tom heads yet they sound solid when I get busy on double ply heads.

I've been working on slow clean sticking exercises on my toms just to try and be precise to get good attack that registers in my ears on single ply heads from the drivers seat but am curious to hear about your thoughts and experiences as well.

I also understand that I can tune a single ply head for more attack (lower tuning) and tune a double ply head for more sustain and tone (higher tuning) but when "feel" is an important factor in your tuning it just seems counter intuitive to go that route.

I'm having a hard time making a compromise between the two types of heads...help!!!!

Thanks

[AndyMC]

Try a thick single ply, it cuts a bit of the overtones but leaves sustain so the notes are a little clearer, but eventually you will have to compromise, or have 2 sets of toms lol.

[tard]

Single ply heads have more attack and sustain than 2 ply heads. A 2 ply might sound like it has more attack from behind the kit due to the reduced resonance but a single ply head actually has more attack.

[EvansSpecialist]

Personally, I've been hooked on the heavier single-ply heads for a while now. I used to be all about the coated G2 or clear EC2S (depending on the situation) but got hooked on the G Plus and the new G14 back in November. The thicker single-ply heads (particularly the G14) seem to offer more attack than a typical single-ply head but response like you would expect out of a thinner 10mil head.

As far as technique goes, when playing faster rhythmic passages, I'm careful to play with more of a staccato articulation in order to allow the head to speak during each hit- making sure that the stick doesn't spend any longer than it needs to on the head. Playing staccato, or "separated," will help you achieve better rhythmic definition. I'd recommend continuing what you're doing with sticking exercises on the toms (play them on each one too) with a metronome and at various tempi.

Cheers!

[PeteN]

Originally Posted by EvansSpecialist

Personally, I've been hooked on the heavier single-ply heads for a while now. I used to be all about the coated G2 or clear EC2S (depending on the situation) but got hooked on the G Plus and the new G14 back in November. The thicker single-ply heads (particularly the G14) seem to offer more attack than a typical single-ply head but response like you would expect out of a thinner 10mil head.

As far as technique goes, when playing faster rhythmic passages, I'm careful to play with more of a staccato articulation in order to allow the head to speak during each hit- making sure that the stick doesn't spend any longer than it needs to on the head. Playing staccato, or "separated," will help you achieve better rhythmic definition. I'd recommend continuing what you're doing with sticking exercises on the toms (play them on each one too) with a metronome and at various tempi.

Cheers!

At last someone answers one of the more important questions I had on technique!!! :-)

oh...and g14's are on my list as well, thanks for the reply Evans Specialist

[veggo32]

Originally Posted by tard

Single ply heads have more attack and sustain than 2 ply heads. A 2 ply might sound like it has more attack from behind the kit due to the reduced resonance but a single ply head actually has more attack.

Thats what I thought too. I'm happy with 2 ply clears or singly ply coated on toms, its a flip.

[Drumolator]

The G14 may be what I am looking for too. However, remember that in between 2-ply and 1-ply are heads with dots. I used to use "dot" heads for a long time. If they were good enough for Tony Williams, they are good enough for me. Remo, Evans, Ludwig, and Aquarian all make heads with dots. Peace, goodwill, and blues.