How to Buy Drumheads for Toms

Choosing the right drumheads is essential to achieve the desired sound.

When it comes drumming, selecting the right drumheads for your drum kit is crucial, especially when you are trying to get a specific sound out of your tom-toms. The right drumheads can give your fills and dynamics the sound you desire.

Types of Drumheads

Tom-toms typically sit above the bass drum. schlagzeug image by Pamela Dürager from Fotolia.com

Drumheads break down into two categories: batter and resonant. Batter drumheads cover the top of each drum and act as the striking surface. Resonant drumheads cover the bottom of each drum and control the resonance that is heard after the drum is struck.

Batter Drumheads

These batter heads are coated to produce a thicker sound. photo d'un détail d'une batterie image by vanessa martineau from Fotolia.com

If you're looking for little resonance and a "wet" sound, choose thick batter heads like Evans Hydraulic or Aquarian Performance II. If you prefer more resonance and a warmer, prolonged sound that fills the air, choose heads like Remo Clear Diplomat or Evans G Plus Clear. Keep in mind that some drumheads do not project as well as others, so amplification might be necessary when playing in a larger space.

Resonant Drumheads

These resonant heads are coated to maintain a full, warm sound. Schlagzeug image by Otmar Smit from Fotolia.com

For full sound that projects well, pair your batter heads with thin resonant heads such as Evans Genera series or Remo Ambassador heads. If you're looking to maintain little resonance with thick batter heads, pair them with Evans EC Resonant heads or Remo Clear Pinstripe heads. Feel free to experiment with different combinations of batter and resonant heads to achieve the sound you desire.

Resources

• Evans Drumheads
• Remo