Snare side head

[TamaSabian]

How often do you change it?. This is the second head that I have to change because it´s broke from the side near the snare strainer. My snare is a 8 lug tama rockstar, I use remo heads, 14" coated ambassador on top, diplomat hazy on bottom. I tune top higher than bottom, do you think that´s the reason why I break the snare side head, maybe my the batter is too high in pitch.
What othe heads would you recommend for snare side??.

Thanks
Tama

[kesterdevine]

You might wanna check closely to make sure you don't have a rough edge on the snare itself or something that might be physically puncturing/cutting the head?

I've been drumming for a LOOOONNGGG time, and I don't think I've ever broken a bottom head.

Just an idea.

[mikeh]

I agree that there are very few reasons a bottom head should break. Either the snare caused a tear (rough edge or missing snare strand) - or the basket of the snare stand has something in contact with the head - or some other abuse.

I normally change my bottom head on the snare every year or two (depending on how "dead" the drum starts to sound - but have never had to change it due to a tear.

[TamaSabian]

Thanks mike and kes, I think you´re right, my snare is rusty on the resonant side, when it makes contact with the head it finally tears or puncture the head.

Is there another snare side head thicker than diplmat hazy, what about ambassador´s

Tama

[Rimshot]

You choose your snare side head for the sound you want to get not for durability. A very thin snare head with good contact to sn average width of good snare wires will give you a more sensitive snare. I usually tune my snare side head a half step higher than my batter head.
I have this one snare that is a 10 ply maple with 45 degree bearing edges and I wanted it to be a very sensitive snare. The problem was it was TOO sensitive, so I had to replace the snare side head with a thicker head just to tame it a bit.
I agree with all of the others. The only time that I've had to replace a snare side head was when it got tired. You MUST have something else going on there, either bad snare wires (if they're rusty, it's well past time to replace them), an issue with your stand or possibly, a roughness or a sharp spot on the bearing edge.
Have you checked and smoothed down the bearing edges on your drums? Most drummers don't realize than things can get in there through the vents and eventually lodge between the skin and the bearing edge. It will pay you to open up your drums every once in a while, clean the interior out and check and attend to the bearing edges, replace the heads and re-tune. Think of it like a tune up and an oil change for your car.

[TamaSabian]

Thanks rimshot, I think I must check inside my snare....
I was looking through the snare side head and I can see some dust and lodge that has been there for a while, I need to clean and check the bearing edges they must be a little rusty too. I need to save for another snare.

Thanks
Tama

[Drummer4Life05]

Also just make sure you're not crankin' the bottom head.
Bottom heads are very thin and don't stand up to very much tightening.

[MapexSabian]

Remembering of course that remo diplomats are bloody thin heads. i don't know if they have diplomats and diplomat snare sides but they are still hugely thin.

try an ambassador snare side. they are awesome.

on my snare I have a CS dot batter over ambassador snare side

[Greykitkat36]

I dont have a very good snare, but I have good heads to make up for it. I have an Evans G1 on top, and an Evans Hazy 300 on the bottom

[Blink 182]

only thing i can think of is over tightening. i had a problem once when i didnt put the bottom head in correctly, and i tightened it alot and warped the skin. it was a 12 inch snare though, so i dont know.