Resonant heads - how much difference?

[brody]

Obviously I've owned kits with resonant heads, but my playing kits now have what look like batters fitted on the resonant side - (bought them both second-hand like this) As a new set of tom resonants is going to set me back almost £40 including delivery, how much difference can the actually make? I know heads and tuning make a difference, but don't know hom much impact it will have on the sound of birch toms.

[mrmike]

The most popular resonant heads are clear single ply batter heads like Remo Ambassador or Evans G1. A thinner head will resonate more than a thicker head and some people like to use an even thinner head like a Remo Diplomat. These are all batter heads and not like snare side heads.

Of course this is all a matter of taste. Coated 2 ply heads for resonates could also sound good if tuned to ones liking. I myself would only change them if they were something other than a 1 ply head.

[mcjnic]

A thicker one ply head will give you the best results for a reso head if you are seeking out a nice RESONANCE. The thicker mylar/plastic/whatever will vibrate longer and hence increase the sustain of the drum. Thinner heads respond quicker and reach peak much sooner. It seems contrary to logic, but if you think about wave properties, it makes sense. Longer and larger waves travel further. Shorter and smaller waves are usually line of sight. This is of course referring to radio and sound waves, i.e. waves traveling through a medium. A good 10 mil single ply head is ideal for a reso head. Clear equals more response while coated mutes it ever so slightly. Double ply heads mute the snot out of the drum. This is because the two heads vibrate against each other, thereby muting themselves. Not good. Even two 5 mil plies making up a doubleply head will be a dog due to the self-muting behavior. Hope this helps.

[brody]

Thanks for the input. I'm prety sure they are pinstripes on the reso side - as far as I'm aware they are double ply (they are old however). I'm just going to make sure there are no double plys on the resonant ends I think.

[atomicmorganic]

If there are pinstripes on the reso side, get them off! Single ply on! I have heard real good things about the Evans EC reso heads.

[drumboy]

A thicker one ply head will give you the best results for a reso head if you are seeking out a nice RESONANCE. The thicker mylar/plastic/whatever will vibrate longer and hence increase the sustain of the drum. Thinner heads respond quicker and reach peak much sooner. It seems contrary to logic, but if you think about wave properties, it makes sense. Longer and larger waves travel further. Shorter and smaller waves are usually line of sight. This is of course referring to radio and sound waves, i.e. waves traveling through a medium. A good 10 mil single ply head is ideal for a reso head. Clear equals more response while coated mutes it ever so slightly. Double ply heads mute the snot out of the drum. This is because the two heads vibrate against each other, thereby muting themselves. Not good. Even two 5 mil plies making up a doubleply head will be a dog due to the self-muting behavior. Hope this helps.

Clapping Happy2 I was just going to chime in with these exact comments until I read this reply. "Ditto."

[lucky]

I think it depends also on the shell size. My 14x14 slingy floor tom sings with an Evans thin reso head on it. The 8x12 is a dog with the Evans thin reso head. I had an old Ludwig weathermaster single ply clear batter on the reso side of the 8x12 and it kicks a$$.

[brody]

Thanks again. My Beverley's have single ply resos apart from the floor. Listening to them at rehearsals, the tone was great. My Tama's have the pinstripes - toms don't sound great. Will probably record with the Beverley's as I think the great tone should pick up in studio - will deffo put resos on the Tamas too, just to hear them at full potential!