Is it OK to re-use drum heads?

mfran · Fierce Puppy Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 230 Location: CT

This question may seem overly basic, but it has to be asked.

Is it OK, to take a perfectly good, relatively new drum head off, and use it again at a later date?

I ask because lately I have been trying different snare drum heads, just to compare results, and the heads I take off are still like new, maybe 3 weeks old at most---I figure I will use them in the future. But all the talk regarding drum heads seating properly, breaking in, glue breaking when tuning up the first time, etc. makes me wonder if they will be okay to re-use. They are good heads, Remo Coated Ambassador, Evans Coated with dot underneath, etc...

What do you think, okay to reuse these hardly-used heads with relatively good results?

I turn to you for answers, O DrumDogs!
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mfran · Fierce Puppy Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 230 Location: CT

Let's not all answer at once, people... Laughing

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bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5260 Location: Kansas

Yeah, there's no problem with re-using heads, as long as they are structurally sound and not stretched out too much. If, after taking off the head, you don't see any dents or a concave indentation in the middle, then the head will be fine to re-use.

Premier Artist · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 11:25 pm Post subject:

In my opinion, it's better to release the head from the drum every now and then, than to have it on until it's completely worn out. The head will slacken over time just from the tension, even if You don't play it, and I don't really know what the rest of You guys think but I tend to believe that keeping a head tight on a wood shell for long periods of time just might effect the shell itself as well.

I always make sure I keep my old heads somewhere (in the car on top of the spare tire or in a box in the bands practice space) just to have them in reach if one of the new heads wouldn't hold the pressure. Also, old 14" heads make excellent snare muffling, just cut it out close to the rim and cut out the center about 1.5 - 2 inches from the edge. You get a circular 1.5-2" strip that kills practically all overtones from the snare drum.
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mfran · Fierce Puppy Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 230 Location: CT

nice ideas! I like the spare-drum-head-on-the-spare-tire trick... right now, they are just in my trunk standing up along the wall.

As of right now, still got that Aquarian coated with dot underneath head on the snare drum, sounds great.
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Let that snare drum ring!

DanielBM85 · Posted: Fri May 14, 2004 10:40 am Post subject:

I havent ever brought spare heads to my gigs, not because im cool or badass, most likely just irresponsible, has anyone had a head break at a gig yet?
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Premier Artist · Posted: Tue May 18, 2004 12:56 am Post subject:

Radialprofan · Grizzly Bear Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 728

I take a spare kick and snare head with me when I play. I keep them in the trailer that we use to haul the gear in.