[seanthedrummer]

Hi there,

I am having some tuning issues with my DW 22 x 18 inch bass drum.
It's a Collectors Standard Maple.
It's got great tone but it's just not loud enough. I have the resonant head tuned very tight which has worked pretty well but when i'm playing really loud stuff, it gets lost. I used to play a Pearl export select kit and NEVER had this problem.
I have a nice acquarian II skin on the beater side and a nice evans resonant head. so i'm really not sure what to do. i need it to be much louder.

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

best wishes,

sean

[Tainojim]

I make it a habit of always using the same brand heads on the res and batter sides.

I also use the Drum Dial.

May the force of the different drummer be with you.

[Der Trommler]

Are you using a felt beater? If so switch to a hard plastic beater and don't forget to put a bass drum patch on the batter under the beater contact point.

Evans Drumheads : Accessories : Patches, Disks & Sound Control

[nthpokt]

I have good luck with a DW resonant head that has the 3 small breather holes on each side and a Force 1 batter.All I have inside is a T pillow. I also use a Drum Dial.Hope this helps!

	DW Drums Shop for DW Drums at Musician's Friend

[seanthedrummer]

thanks for the thoughts.
i use a wooden beater.
i am going to try to replace the batter head and see if it's just dead.
it looks fine, but you never know.

i am thinking about trading it in and downgrading to larger mid-level birch kit.
i sacrificed on size (2 bass drums) and drum dimension (the floor toms are shallow) because of the DW quality.

not sure if this is a totally stupid move.
the birch will certainly give me more punch and cut, but not sure if i'd be shooting myself in the foot.

thoughts?

	DW Drums Shop for DW Drums at Musician's Friend

[Behemouthman]

i would suggest a frontside bass head with a mic port you could always put is a kickport for more of a thump or leave the port empty and let the sound resonate

[drummertom]

Originally Posted by seanthedrummer

Hi there,

I am having some tuning issues with my DW 22 x 18 inch bass drum.
It's a Collectors Standard Maple.
It's got great tone but it's just not loud enough. I have the resonant head tuned very tight which has worked pretty well but when i'm playing really loud stuff, it gets lost. I used to play a Pearl export select kit and NEVER had this problem.
I have a nice acquarian II skin on the beater side and a nice evans resonant head. so i'm really not sure what to do. i need it to be much louder.

any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

best wishes,

sean

I would obsolutely add a kickport to your resonant head. Also check your batter for damage or like you said it might be a good idea to replace it. That said, are you saying the BD is not loud enough for playing by yourself or with a band? For playing by yourself it is sometimes difficult to hear all tones from the BD in comparison to the other drums and that's normal. It also depends on the room acoustics and how they interact with the tones of the drums. For playing with a band, miking is a necessity to get the presence, richness and thump of the BD regardless of the music style or size of the room. It's not a band idea to process your kit during practice sessions (with head phones) to get a feel for how the kit will sound live over the PA and in the monitor. I usually run the BD heavy in my monitor with a touch in everyone elses. It really keeps the band tight. I would suggest not trading in your DW Collectors Series kit. The loudest bands in the world use your DW kit...it's not the drums. Such a beautiful kit...you may regret trading them afterwards. Just my thoughts-Tom

	Pearl Drums Shop for Pearl Drums at Musician's Friend

	DW Drums Shop for DW Drums at Musician's Friend

	Evans Drumheads Shop for Evans Drumheads at Musician's Friend

[seanthedrummer]

dear tom,

thanks for the incisive words.
i replaced the resonant skin and got a world of difference.
i am very happy with the sound now. i certainly won't be trading them in.

all the best,

sean