[pembo93]

Im not sure how to postion my Bass drum pedal beater on my new Jazz kit with its 18" bass drum. Im not using a riser. Would it be best to postion the beater to hit the middle of the drum or more towards the top? As i find a better action in the pedal with it further to the top of the head and in the middle it tends to lack movement. But im wondering if it will damage the head hitting towards the top.
Cheers in advance guys,
Pembo93

[Der Trommler]

On a smaller bass like that you are bound to hit it closer to the top edge than the center unless you shorten the beater by sliding it into the pedal, but as you noticed the pedal feels completely different with the beater in that position.

You won't damage the head by being closer to the edge, but you will lose a bit of the deeper tone. I would leave the pedal adjusted where it feels the best to you unless it real close to the top or just plain sounds bad.