New Kit or New Heads

PeaceJones · Newbie Alert Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

I have a drumset that I bought in 2000-2001. It was a cheap Peace 5 pc set around $450 and a good beginner set. The heads are pretty beat up and I was wondering if you guys think I should re-skin it or look for a new set? I could probably get a decent set for 600-700 if I find a used one. Also how do you measure the heads? Also what heads would you recommend for a rock/metal sound? I'm a recreational player as of now, but getting back into it. Hope I get some responses and thanks.

random white person · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

i'd definitely invest in new heads before dropping hundreds of dollars on a new kit. you can get heads for all of your drums easily for under $100.

as for how to measure your heads... first i would check the manufacturers information on your set. if it only comes in one or two configurations, as most beginners sets do, then that will tell you what size the drums are. if you can't track that info down, then take out a tape measure and measure straight across each drum. the measurements probably won't be exact, but will give you a ballpark figure.

i'm willing to bet your snare drum is definitely 14", bass drum is either 20" or 22", and toms are 10", 12", 14" or 12", 13", 16". so, compare your measurements to those possibilities, and go from there.
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PeaceJones · Newbie Alert Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Thanks. What heads would you recommend for a metal sound? Do I need to get both sides for each drum? The bottoms of all the drums still look like new but are probably sound crappy.

random white person · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject:

the bottom heads wear out waaayy slower than the top heads, since they never get hit. manufacturers recommend that you change top heads every 3 months or so, and bottom heads every other time... so 6 months. but in all honesty, thats kind of ridiculous considering most modern heads can last way longer than that and still be playable, and buying new heads that often isn't affordable for most drummers. so, the long and short answer is, no i wouldn't bother changing bottom heads now. they'll likely work just fine unless theyve been physically damaged.

as for what heads you're looking for, it depends on what exactly you're looking for. if you want a deep, punchy sound then try a Remo Pinstripe/Evans EC2/Aquarian Performance II. for a slightly more resonant sound, try a standard two ply head... Remo Emperor/Evans G2/Aquarian Response II.

on the bass, try an Aquarian Superkick II (highly recommended)/Evans EMAD/Remo Powerstroke.

on the snare, i'd go for a standard coated head.. Remo Ambassador/Evans G1/Aquarian Classic Coated
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treb 821 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject:

I can only recommend what I have used and so far, Remo works for me. Try using Pinstripes on your toms, Powerstroke 3 for the bass and Coated Ambassador for the snare. Try changing first all the batter heads and you wil immediately hear the results, the resonant heads could follow later!

bamboo · Fierce Poodle Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 293

I concur wholeheartedly! Very Happy

Pinstripes are the standard for rock drumming nowadays, and are a good place to start since they provide a pretty versatile sound.

PeaceJones · Newbie Alert Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Hey I ended up ordering a Superkick 2 22", EC2 kit for the toms(came with free EC snare head). I'll let you guys know how they sound when I get them. Any good tips for tuning?