Re: drum head suggestions for low tones

Phil Oliver wrote:
Hi folks,
This is not a micing question...
I've got an upcoming session where we're looking for a big, really low tom sound. So, I'm looking for suggestions on drum heads that can get real low with decent sustain, lots of fundamental, minimal overtones, without sounding flabby (for lack of a better word).


Thanks
Phil


Remo pinstripes on top, single skin on bottom.

Tuning:

Buy a "Drumdial" tuning aid. Yeah, they're about sixty bucks, but you'll be able to literally tune the head perfectly. Ears get fatigued (a sad reality); using this to tune the heads removes your ears from having to listen to the constant tap tap tap as you tune around the head to even out the pressure.

For example, I have a six piece Yamaha World Studio kit, 5 ply maple; the low tom is tuned to 78 lbs on the top head and 76 lbs on the bottom head. No flab, nice and tight and good tone. You play around with it to get the "note" you want, but once you get it, you just have to remember the pressure setting on the gauge -- particularly when changing heads -- and it will always be the same.

--fletch
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