Does anyone actively prefer worn-out heads?

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Philaiy9

Junior Member
I just watched the Drum History Podcast about Hal Blaine, and they mentioned that he never changed drum heads. Obviously changing heads was within his means so it had to be preference. I've also heard something similar about Bonham's preferences.

Personally, I've always found that new heads sound best. I find there's more attack, more bottom end and more overall tone. Does anyone here actually prefer the sound of old heads disregarding the cost of buying new heads?
 
There’s a large sweet spot for heads for me. I don’t like the sound of new heads, particularly on snares and floor toms—they’re too boingy. I like heads when they’ve been worn in for awhile, because the high frequencies and the attack are subdued. The honeymoon is over with the sweet spot when the heads go lifeless. I’ve had the same heads on my kits for a number of years now. When I just had one kit, I changed my heads about every two to three years. Since I rotate kits, and I’m not a basher anymore, they aren’t wearing down to that point as quickly.
 
I like whe nmy heads have been on for about 2 weeks.

Currently, most of my batter heads are 7 years or older. My snare batter ws new in 2001. It still sounds like a cannon (Remo Coated Ambassador on a 62 Supraphonic; Remo Hazy snare side)

having grown up poor, I got used to just having the same heads on my kit, and giving them a little tweak every month to keep the plastic fresh. Still do the same thing today as well
 
I’m trying to decide. I don’t know yet. I can hear the difference when I change them, but I don’t know if I like the extra brightness and ring, and it wasn’t a total night and day difference anyway.

My current heads have been on over a year and they sound fine to me, although I wish I got Emperor batters for the toms. Not enough to buy them when the Ambs and an o ring are a fine imitation, though.

I’m pretty sure I actively prefer used tom and bass drum heads, but there’s something to be said about changing snare heads. But really, I only think about it at the time I change them, and I don’t think I lack in brightness and ring at the moment. Get back with me in another year on that.
 
I changed heads once. The old head was so worn out that it looked as if it could break at any time.
 
Yes, me.. I keep heads on for many years. Bad side of that is the sticker shock when it comes time to replace them.
 
Holy smokes... I change heads every 2-3 months and I am not a hard hitter at all. I might be missing out on something, but I like to experiment with different head combinations. Fortunately, I keep the old heads in case I want to use them again later.
 
Toms and kicks last for years with me…I still haven’t “played in” my current heads as I’m not playing out at the mo…
 
yammyfan said:
Holy smokes... I change heads every 2-3 months and I am not a hard hitter at all. I might be missing out on something, but I like to experiment with different head combinations. Fortunately, I keep the old heads in case I want to use them again later.
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I bought a BUNCH of heads about a decade ago, when a local drum shop was going out of business. I, too, spend a lot of time swapping out different heads on drums, particularly single-ply, coated single-ply, double-ply, coated double-ply, and pinstripes. I have about 10 different heads I swap out on each snare drum I get, including fiberskyn, renaissance, calf, and that dumb head with all of the pinholes around the edge that never sounds good on anything, ever…
 
caddywumpus said:
I bought a BUNCH of heads about a decade ago, when a local drum shop was going out of business. I, too, spend a lot of time swapping out different heads on drums, particularly single-ply, coated single-ply, double-ply, coated double-ply, and pinstripes. I have about 10 different heads I swap out on each snare drum I get, including fiberskyn, renaissance, calf, and that dumb head with all of the pinholes around the edge that never sounds good on anything, ever…
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reading this post made me think of something

i hate changing heads

that is probably why I don't do it very often. The act of changing heads is super tedious to me. Probably b/c I do it a lot for work. But I think the post above just made me realize that about my self sfter all of these years!!!

Always learning....
 
I too like the look, sound and feel of new heads. But since those aren't cheap they stay on for many years. To be honest, after a few months i just don't notice the change in sound when the heads are settled in. Only head that gets changed more often, maybe once every 2 - 3 years, is the snare batter. I tune it pretty high and after a few years i start to notice a loss in sound, that's the only head that get's replaced then.
 
I prefer the sound of a head once it’s been played-in a little which for me is about 2 weeks irrespective of head brand /series. But I have played kits (an old Premier Resonator that had heads that were about 30 years old totally worn but not pitted and it sounded really rather good. I also use to use a Rogers kit in a rehearsal place that had old heads that sounded awful (It wasn’t the drums but the worn and pitted heads as well as over tensioned resonant side). So in conclusion it all depends….
 
Philaiy9 said:
Does anyone here actually prefer the sound of old heads disregarding the cost of buying new heads?
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No. Older heads are harder to tune and have difficulty staying in tune. I hate changing heads because of the cost; however, I never regret it after I do.
 
caddywumpus said:
Since I rotate kits, and I’m not a basher anymore, they aren’t wearing down to that point as quickly.
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Same here. I have a small kit for small stages & a "big rig" for the larger ones. I'm not out to beat my drums like they owe me money anymore, so my heads last a lot longer.
But the "sweet spot" you mentioned is very true no matter the brand or plies. Once they're dead, they get changed.
 
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