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broke my first bass drum head Last viewed: 11 hours ago

Posts: 199 Threads: 62

So last night at a rehearsal for an upcoming gig, I broke my first bass drum head. Wow, was I surprised! I never saw it coming, then whamo, no foot pedal, thought it was a brokeb chain, I didn't immediately realize that I had, in fact, put the beater right through the bass drum head.and laid it flat on the pillow inside.I've never broken a head playing , ever, only schlepping gear around without cases. But never playing. I made it to the end of the tune which happened to be Lies, by The Black Keys, and called an early end to the evening. Live and learn eh? I gues I have to get a set of heads for backup...Yikes more gear to hump. Oh well, good excuse to go buy some more drum stuff.

How about you guys? Ever broken heads or gear at a gig without backup on hand? Look forward to your tales of equipment mayhem at the most dirt stupid moments.

Glen

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 252 Threads: 37

Alas, yes, I think I have broken every kind of head on my kit.

When I was touring and away from home for months at a time, I carried a full repair kit, which included one of each size and type of head. Nice things is that they all nested nicely and fit in a thin box the size of the bass head.

As one would break, it would get replaced ASAP.

My kit:
Ludwig Vistalite Big Beat set consisting of:
14” X 22” bass, 16” X 16” floor tom, 8” X 12” ride tom, 9” X 13” ride tom, 5” X 14” snare
Ludwig 201 Speed King bass drum pedal
Ludwig 1124 Spur-lok hit-hat with Ludwig Standard Paiste 14” cymbals (760 & 770 gr) with ching-ring
Two Ludwig Standard S-270 cymbals stands
18” Zildjian crash cymbal (1550 gr) and 20” Zildjian ride cymbal (2130 gr) with CAMCO sizzler
Gibraltar motorcycle seat-style drum throne with backrest
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

When I was a mere lad the beater BROKE off the end of the rod,causing the rod to go thru the head-during a gig.I taped the beater back on and taped a paper plate to the ripped head.Last set was low-key...

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

EZ - Or should I call you, Bigfoot! lol

It happens. Bass drum heads take a beating repeatedly in just one spot. They wear and break, normal. I've busted two bass drum heads in my time. Both times the heads were on back-line kits, and both times it happened we were right in the middle of a number at a gig.

The first time it happened, I quickly moved my right hand from the ride cymbal to the bass drum and I hammered out the bass drum part on the top part of the head which still held some tension/tone. The second time it happened, I switched from the ride cymbal to the floor tom and banged out the bass drum part on the floor tom. It rattles your cage real good when stuff like that happens on a gig. Rehearsal is one thing, when you're being paid and people are watching/listening, it's a whole other kettle of fish.

Duct tape can be a lifesaver sometimes! lol

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 2115 Threads: 26

It does happen. When money was tight I used to rotate my kick head 90 degrees every several months (or years maybe) to get some additional life out of it. I certainly recommend a beater pad for the batter head and replace that when it gets worn. Inspect your beater. If you happen to use a wooden beater and it gets nicked up a bit it will eat right through a head. Lastly, I have seen several guys that wrap duck tape around the top shaft right under the beater on the off chance that the beater might break off. If that happens you still have a pseudo beater in the form of a bunch of tape to protect the head until you pull out your spare kick pedal.

tnsquint
Very proud owner of a new Blaemire Snare 6.5 x 14 made by Jerry Jenkins "Drumjinx"
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 376 Threads: 88

I have broken a bass drum head a couple of times, but never at a gig. That would be awful. The only back up skin I ever bring at gigs, is an extra snare skin.electricit

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 1597 Threads: 96

yep happens from time to time when you are gigging alot my culprit was snare heads broke them a lot carried as was said before a complete set all in on bass drum head box they all fit very nice....

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 1273 Threads: 22

I've broken snare heads and had lost the string on my snares. Both replaced during a brief intermission. I only remember breaking a BD head when I was a kid, using a wood beater, on a skin that prolly came with my first kit. But that was whilst practicing, thankfully. I remember replacing the BD head with a Silver Dot head (Remo?) and thinking I was sooo cool with a clear BD head.

Anyway....

B

Vintage Drum Fan (Not a Guru)
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 104 Threads: 8

Been there, at a gig. Thank god for duct tape.

Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

Duct tape is 'the Force' defined:

It has a light side, a dark side and it binds the universe together.

DOH

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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