N679371400_3703_small
Reputation: 238
Follow 0
Follow 1

Dear drummers, how often do you replace your drum heads?

I play my drums hard. How often should I replace the heads?

Grant Brissey asked in Making Music 9 months ago | Report

Answer this question or share it with a smart friend:

Avatar_default
Type your answer here…

Asker's Favorite

  • Avatar_default
    Reputation: 21
    Follow 0

    It depends on your circumstances. Do you just practice and jam with friends, or are you playing out? If you're just practicing and not playing shows, you only need to change them when they break. Beat 'em into the ground - no harm done.

    If you're playing regularly in front of people, you'll want to change them more often. Fresh heads have a much livelier sound than dead, beaten down heads. If you play one show per week and practice twice per week, I'd suggest changing them every 2 months or so. By then they'll be pretty dull. If you're touring, change them before the tour and then every 2 weeks or so. And for rock, the snare should be changed more often because you're beating the crap out of it all the time.

    This all depends on how you like them to sound. I like mine better after a few days worth of playing as they ring a bit less but are still bright. Also, dead sounds different (and worse) than muffled.

    topherbook answered in Making Music 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:

1 Other Answer

  • 203348_1474724953_8089053_n_small
    Reputation: 1
    Follow 0

    Well, I don't know that there's a scientifically proven "right" answer to this, other than when they pocket or break. I change tom heads yearly unless I pocket or break (which only happens if I try to go single ply...I should know by know I hit too hard for that shit). By year's end the coating's mostly gone and I usually have a few bead dents. I rarely change kick heads, though those do weaken after time and dull. Snare heads I tend to replace yearly, and are usually in the same condition as the tom heads. Bottom heads I tend to not do anything about, though like kick heads they eventually lose flex.

    Kelly Minnis answered in Making Music 9 months ago | Report
    1 comment by Grant Brissey…
    Share this answer with a friend: