For every aspiring drummer out there, who is failing to achieve their desired sound, we have a suggestion. Have you thought about changing your drum head? While there is no perfect one size fits all drum head for every drummer out there, there is plenty of variety available making it easy for everyone to find their perfect drum head. Take a look at this article to find out more about the factors you should keep in mind and the best bass drum heads available in the market.
Buying Guide
In order to make the decision of which bass drum head you should buy, there are certain factors that you should keep in mind.
Sound
When it comes to selecting the right drum heads for your kit, sound is one of the most critical considerations. The sound of a drum head is determined by the overall tone, which ranges from bright to warm, and the amount of ringing. In this case, “bright” refers to a higher pitch, while “warm” refers to a darker tone.
The ringing you hear from a drum head is a mixture of the sustain and the overtones you hear after you strike it. Sustain is a more concentrated ringing. The various frequencies of ringing that occur around the edge of the drum head are known as overtones.
The best option is to choose one that is not too dense and has little or no dampening.
The modulation of the drum’s natural overtones is referred to as dampening. Many drum heads have features that allow them to dampen the drum without the use of additional dampening materials like tape or gel.
The Durability
Durability refers to the drum head’s power and ability to tolerate long periods of hard playing.
The type of drum head you purchase here will be determined by your musical preferences and how hard you hit the drums.
Choose a thicker drum head if you’re a hard hitter, or if you use very thick drumsticks. Thinner drum heads can’t withstand as much force, so if you’re a heavy hitter, they won’t last as long.
On the other hand, if you play music at a moderate or low volume, it’s better to buy thinner drum heads. They usually sound better at low levels and are sensitive enough to pick up on the lighter hits.
The Ply
The number of layers of film used to create the drumhead is referred to as the ply. Some heads are constructed from a single sheet of film, called the 1-ply heads, while others are constructed from two layers of film known as the 2-ply head.
Single ply drumheads have more color and character and are suitable for music with a lower or medium volume. They will add a lot to your sound, and they’re extremely sensitive to light touches.
For louder music, dual ply or double ply is the best choice. This will boost your attack and allow you to cut through in noisy environments. Best of all, 2-ply drumheads, particularly the thicker types, can withstand heavier hitting.
Best Drum Heads
Product Name |
Features |
Price Range |
Check on Amazon |
Aquarian Super-Kick II |
|
$$ |
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Evans EMAD
|
|
$$ |
|
Remo Pinstripes PP-1470-PS) |
|
$$ |
|
Remo Silentstroke |
|
$$ |
|
Evans EC Resonant
|
|
$ |
1. Aquarian Super-Kick II
The Aquarian Super-Kick II maintains the tuning without compromising low-end sound quality.
Your present boomy bass will be transformed into a more concentrated, punchy, and thumping low tone with the Aquarian. Its built-in floating felt muffle-reduction ring does a fantastic job of providing a complete low-end sound without the need for additional muffling.
Pros:
- Excellent for practicing and performing live
- Sounds fantastic when connected to mic during recording
- Fit for a lot of genres
Cons:
- Poor muffling
2. Evans EMAD
These drum heads from Evans creates smooth and clean tone. It’s simple to install and tunable, allowing each drummer to select which of the foam dampening rings they want to use to monitor the amount of attack and concentration. With well-crafted hoop/edge assembly, it’s also very robust and durable.
Pros:
- Accessible as well as versatile
- Just the right thickness to resonate without ringing
Cons:
- Not suitable for jazz
3. Remo Pinstripes PP-1470-PS
Quick decay and minimal overtones characterize the resulting sound of the Remo Pinstripes. The Pinstripes are a good choice for those who want a rich, deep, as well as strong sound. At the same time prefer to have mild attack and response characteristics, midrange tones with low-end, and improved durability.
Pros:
- Ideal for those looking for a low-pitched sound
- Mild attack and response
- Affordable price range
Cons:
- Has issues with tuning
4. Remo Silentstroke
The Ambassador Silentstroke drumheads are amazing low-volume drumheads. They are built for quiet practice sessions where regular drumset volumes are a problem. Ambassador Silentstroke drumheads are made of a single-ply mesh material that gives them a soft springy feel at low decibel levels.
Pros:
- Compatible with external electronic triggers
- Perfect for low-noise environments
Cons:
- One might rip through them if hit extremely hard
5. Evans EC Resonant
These drum heads Evans emphasize your drums’ natural sound while not overly coloring their performance.
The Evans EC Resonant Drumhead is a fantastic pick for obtaining the pure sound. Many Sweetwater drummers prefer a single-ply head because of the improved shell resonance it offers.
Pros:
- The EC ring aids in the removal of unnecessary overtones
- Provides a frequency bump in the mid-range
- It aids in the monitoring and correction of tuning inconsistencies
- The natural sound of the drum is highlighted
Cons:
- A bit overpriced
Final Words
We hope this article has helped you find the perfect drum head for your bass. For more information, go ahead and check out the drum heads yourself.
You can also read: How to Clean Drums
