Drums without a resonant head (open drums?)

Lukeykookey · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 06:46 AM

One iof my drums is missing its resonant head, was planning on buying one.

I have seen older kits without the resonant head. What is the benefit of having a resonant head on the drum, just to sustain the tone?

I have my drums in the basement, its quite echoey, would removal of the resonant heads increase this, or vice versa?

CJDG · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 10:49 AM

Batter head supports the attack, punch, or projection
resonant head supports the tone like you said.

Personally I find single headed toms boxy and lacking. But that is me. Phil Collins plays
with single headed drums.

There is nothing you can do about resonance of the room unless you treat the room. If you
want to reduce the loud booming then start by adding something to soak up the sound. A good couple of blankets, sound isolation foam, whatever.

Realize that with a basement you might run the risk of damaging your drums. Unless it is a finished basement I'd refrain from garages and basements. Again that is a personal preference of mine sometimes the choice of another location just isn't there.

jhilldrums · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 10:50 PM

CJDG is right on, they'll sound relatively dead single headed. I too have mine in a basement, covered when not in use by a cotton sheet. I run a 20" box fan from behind the kit 24/7 and my dehumidifier is on high all summer. It's no more humid than the "finished" part of my house, but without it, I'd put my kit in storage for the summer. I wrote the other day about 2 kids up the street that have their kits in the garage. It's been in the high 80% humidity here for weeks on end. Can't wait to see the 2 kits when the shells are ovals!

Lukeykookey · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 09:34 AM

Thanks very much for the replies guys.

I dont have a choice but to put the stuff in the basement, its pretty dry and I am going to tank it over the next few months to make it 100% dry.

I am going to soundproof the ceiling and all the walls with combinations of openfibre insulation, fibreboard, plasterboard - hopefully this will soundproof AND improve the quality of the sound from the drums.

I think I will go ahead and get another hoop & head for the resonant side and check out the differences in sound.

jhilldrums · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 10:07 PM

I have an open beamed cellar with concrete walls. I drive my family nuts. (Ranch type house) Let me know how the different insulations work. I'd be interested to see what I'll be up against.

pearldrummer94 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 11:43 PM

Hey guys, I was wondering if playing without resonants could damage your drums?

mind_drummer · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearldrummer94

Hey guys, I was wondering if playing without resonants could damage your drums?

Not at all unless you leave your drum uncovered bearing edge right on the floor. It may damage the bearing edge.

pearldrummer94 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 01:33 AM

Thanks a bunch!

rsk21 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 12:03 AM

I say bring back the 80's concert tom sound. Phil Collins still plays his Gretch kit with all concert toms. Remember "In the Air Tonight". Concert Toms sound best with good old CS black dots but the new Evans EC2's or Aquarian studio series sound good on them too.