single head set

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Dethska

Dethska

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I have a question that I haven't seen addressed. I purchased my drum set used and it didn't come with any hoops or lugs for the non-played (resonant?) side of the toms and bass drum. Everything I've seen regarding micing and tuning refers to these heads as a crucial part of the tone? Can I get a decent tone without these heads, or should I purchase new hardware for my kit to be able to add these on? Does anyone know where I can get parts (hoops, lugs) for an ancient Ludwig kit with 12",14" toms, and a 20" bass drum? If it helps, the set looks just like Ringo played in the early days of the Beatles but not in that good of condition.
Thanks for the help.
 
Were the drums built for taking a resonator head? A very popular Ldwig kit is outfitted with "concert toms" (Batter head only) and is not set up to take a resonator head. You'd have to mill a bearing edge and drill and install lugs. Not a venture for the inexperienced. Quick way to ruin a drum.
You asked about a source for hardware (lugs, hoops, claws, posts,etc.) I have had good luck dealing with:

www.drummaker.com

He has always been very honorable and responsible towards me.

Lots of times at the coaxing of sound engineers, drummers remove the resonator head from the kick drum. It makes it easier to mic in studio and in live situations it gives a dead thud sound. You'll need a hoop, claws and tee rods or long rods to set yourself up with that...oh yeah and a resonator head.

If the drums sound good as concert toms and they were designed that way, why not just leave well enough alone?
 
I believe they were designed for the double-head system. They have the part that is attached to the drum. All I would need to attach would be the hoop, and the tension rods. Same with the bass drum. Just need a wood hoop, and some tension rods and hooks. It just looks like someone took off the bottom heads of everything, and never put them back on.
Do you have any recommendations for tuning "concert" toms? Same as regular toms, or is there something special I need to do.
Thanks for the link, BTW, I'll check it out.
 
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Dethska said:
Do you have any recommendations for tuning "concert" toms? Same as regular toms, or is there something special I need to do.
Click to expand...

Depends on what kind of heads you're using. For instance if you're using single ply heads you won't be able to go too low or you'll run into a "growly" type sound - too high and you'll achieve a timbale effect. Middle of the road is probably best but the best advice I can give is:


Does it sound good? If not do something else until it does.

:D
 
theletterq said:
Does it sound good? If not do something else until it does.

:D
Click to expand...

That's what I've been doing on this kit for five years. And it never sounds good. That's why I'm trying to get advice. I've got pinstripes on it now, but I'd change them if it would make it sound better. Right now all I have is a cardboard box tone. But the heads are really old. I play punk and metal, and lighter stuff too. I just want to the set to sound decent.

I just did some research and the kit is definately from the early 60's. Makes me feel kind of bad for beating it up so much.
 
In the 70's & 80's everyone wanted the "flat" drum tone. So bottom heads started to come off. Over the years people lost the rims and tuning rods.

In the 90's a "fatter" drum sound became popular and all of a sudden we're all useing the resonant heads again (Thank God!!!!).

You can still get a good sound out a a single headed kit (engineers did in for 2 decades!!!)

If you want to replace the bottom rims and tuning rods, you need to confirm is the shell is a 6 lug or 8 lug (to order the correct rim). You also need to confirm the size of the lug threads and the length of the tuning rods (they willing likely be the same size as the batter head). If the lug casings are also missing the job gets harder (to find matching lug casiings)

It is getting harder to find parts for the older drums, but look in Modern Drummer magazine (or beter yet Not So Modern Drummer magazine) - there are always ads in the back for people selling "vintage gear".

Keep in mind a 14" vintage shell may not match up to a modern 14" thus, current rims may not match up properly. Depending on how beat-up the kit is it may not be worth the cost or effort.

However, if it is a vintage Ludwig in good shape, replacing the rims could help the vaue of the kit.
 
Thanks MikeH. But does anyone have any tips for getting a full sound out of kit without resonant heads? Is it possible, or should I just forget it, and save money for a new kit?
 
Well first of all, new heads will and will always help. I would look into a little less muffled head. Something like an Evans G2 could be exactly what you're looking for. Tune them a little lower for a deeper sound. If necessary, a little moongel or tape could be used to accentuate the "deepness".

Good luck.
 
For many years my hobby was resurrecting old kits and re-selling them. I have done lots of Ludwigs. I play/record with a "63" Ludwig in the Ringo finish and it looks and sounds great! I would suggest you invest in the bottom rims and hardware before buying another kit. If you still dont like the sound then you can sell the kit. It will be worth a LOT more money with those bottom heads. You can still buy Ludwig hoops and rims, etc.... Gibralter and Cannon stuff will also fit and will be a bit cheaper. If you need help contact me via PM and I can tell exactly how to go about it.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I bought new heads for the bass and snare today. Hopefully this will help. The guy at the store was real helpful (obviously it wasn't GC). He suggested Aquarian studio x(?) heads for the toms. Does this sound like a decent suggestion to you guys? Anybody have any experience with Aquarian heads? I've never really even heard of them.
 
oh yeah,

I noticed this thread has one star. Is this good? or is this bad?
 
Aquarion Studio X are very good heads for toms. Aquarian is a small company (compared to Remo or Evans) and the distribution chain is not as dominant - but they make very good heads.

Since you don't have resonant heads, you need to get as much tone out of the batter as you can. This would likely be best accomplished by keeping the heads as open as possible (minimum muffling). Possibly some reverb or a tight dealy can and some ambiance. Certainly new heads will help.

I agree with nick6572 that putting the rims back on the drums should help the value and certainly would help the sound - but only you know how beatup the drums are. If the damage to the drums is just cosmetic (scratches in the wrap, etc) it would be worth looking into replacing the rims. However, if the bottom bearing edges have been damaged (from being exposed) it may or may not be worth the costs of adding rims.

It sounds like nick6572 can be a great source of info for you.
 
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