New heads or new kit?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gmiller1122
  • Start date Start date
gmiller1122

gmiller1122

Addled but happy
I have an older 5-piece set (not a junior set) and have heard that all I need are new heads to sound okay.

Anything will sound better, I'm sure, but should I invest in a new set instead of spending the money on heads?

Thanks!

ps: limited budget!
 
Try getting the new heads, if it doesn't work then buy a new set and just keep the heads as backups.
Jake
 
What make and model of kit do you have currently? Sounding better will be determined by several factors...
 
http://www.drumweb.com/profsound.shtml has instructions on what to check for to see if your shells are OK. If they are new heads should imporve things according to Dr Sound.

I'm gonna buy new heads too, very interesting, first time I venture into that part of the music biz. :)
 
Most drums come with cheap heads to start with. In addition, many drummers fail to replace heads often enough and all the life is sucked out of the drums. Assuming your drums/hoops are not warped, that the bearing edges are good and that the tuning lugs work, it is almost a sure thing new heads will make the drums sound better.

Is better good enough? Only you can decide. As previously posted you can always keep the new heads and put them on a new set since the new set will come with cheap head anyway.

The drumweb.com site has very good information regarding how to tune drums, etc.
 
I bought the kit used for $50 after the drummer in my college band traded me drum lessons for guitar lessons. They are TKO, not sure which model. I see that new, they list for 300-500.

Mike, thanks for the link.

To me, anything will sound better. I'll get a new set someday...

I don't want to spend 100 per head - I may as well buy a new set! What are some of the decent, affordable brands to look at/avoid.

Thanks, guys...
 
Heads are not that expensive. I don't know what brands are available in your area. I like the Evans G2 coated for toms and the Evans EQ3 clear or EQ4 clear on kick. Kick head (batter side only) EQ3 22" $35, Evans G2 pre-pack (14" snare, 13" tom, 14" tom, 16" floor) $69. The resonant heads are probably done on your kit as well, so around $100 for the top heads, and another $70 should do it. And like jrlemonz said, if it still sounds like shit after careful tuning, you can use these heads on your next kit.
 
I agree with Emeric - Evans G2 batter heads with an EQ3 or EQ4. I really like the Evans Dry Vent coated on the snare batter. Although my main acoustic kits are a Yamaha Custom and a Premier Genista (Evans on both kits), I have a Mapex Voyager (an entry level basswood kit), which I use for small pick-up jazz gigs. I replaced the standard heads on the Mapex with G2s and an EQ3 and often get comments on the good sound from such a small kit.

Remo Pinstripes are also good batters for the toms, with possibly a coated Ambassador for snare. Aquarian heads are also very good, but their distribution system makes them difficult to find consistantly.

To replace the batters for a standard 5 piece (22" 14" 12" 13" 16") will cost about $80-$100 depending on your choice and market area. Although Emeric is probably right that the resonant heads are dead too, I would start with the batters first and see what that does to your sound.

Actually, Regebro deserves credit for the drumweb.com link, I simply agreed with him.
 
Get an export 5 piece-a sabian pre pack, and DDrum triggers with the DM5. It'll be 2 grand. If not go with my choice----all DW!!!
 
Just keep in mind that if you buy a new set, you'll still have to get heads :) Unless you happen to buy a preowned set that someone just upgraded with new nice heads and tuned it real well :)
 
heads are proportional to the drum
small or thin ply use ambasodors
thick ones use empororers
i prefer light heads on bottom for a nice ring
snare bottom head i/4 tone higher on bottom than top
toms almost equal
then in a triad 1 half tone off between toms
make sense ?
no new drums unless they rattle if not you can make them sound like anything - trust me
 
well....all drum companies get their shells from the same place. except for dw, who makes their own. though over 22in (i think), dw also gets them from a company called Kevlar (spelling?). so the only thing that'll make a difference is hardware and heads. my drum set isn't really that good. it doesn't even have a brand name on it. like $300. but i got a new snare, and new cymbals. throw some good heads on there...TUNE THEM!......get some decent mics on em, and i'm making really good recordings, in my opinion. so get new heads.....a whole kit isn't really necessary. unless you gig alot.

>>>michael
 
Actually not ALL drum companies get their shells from the same place. However, Aquanaut is partially correct. Keller shells are used by many companies. If my memory serves, I believe Keller only provides Maple shells. Actually, individuals can order shells and hardware from Keller and build their own drums. In my opinion the cost of materials and sweat equity doesn't seem worth it since you can buy so many good sounding drums from so many companies (unless you really want the pride of playing what you built).

There are so many different types of wood from Maple, Birch and Beech on the high end to Basswood and Mahogany on the low end (with various combinations in between) that sound quality is a relavant term.

But as previously mentioned by several people, new heads will almost always improve the sound of drums.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top