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Calfskin Bass Drum Heads Last viewed: 4 hours ago

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Hoping to obtain some "words of wisdom" from those of you who've got bass drums with calfskin heads. I'd like to know whether you use the calfskin heads when playing out or whether you replace them with something else. When I try to tune the head on my particular bass drum it either sounds extremely "ringy" (when left unmuffled) or extremely flat and dead (when muffled either internally or externally). Either way, I don't like it at all. I guess the simplest solution might be to put on an Aquarian Super Kick II for playing purposes. Just would like some input from you experts out there. Thanks in advance for your time and your help!

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
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Gary, I use plastic heads on my RK's I am a hard hitter so why destroy calf heads, plus they stay in tune once tuned up as opposed to calf heads which need constant attention for live playing.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255
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gary-i agree with mark. i'd put the calf up for safe keeping if youre gonna be gigging with these.

mike

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
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My "M&M" (Mark & Mike) experts come through again. Thanks so much for your input guys. I'm definitely going to follow your recommendations.

Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 1725 Threads: 135
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I have a converted 18" marching tenor that I use as a BD. I have left the calf head on the reso side and put a modern fiberskin on the batter. It didn't sound good with a calf batter but it's sensational with the current configuration. The calf reso gives it a very warm tone.

Andrew

Golden Curtain
www.myspace.com/garagelandnz
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
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From Fayray

I have a converted 18" marching tenor that I use as a BD. I have left the calf head on the reso side and put a modern fiberskin on the batter. It didn't sound good with a calf batter but it's sensational with the current configuration. The calf reso gives it a very warm tone.

I appreciate your input, Andrew!

Posted on 11 years ago
#6
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I use calf heads on my 26" Radio king bd . Try tuning it very low (Dave Tough style) with a felt strip on the batter and an external damper outside, this works very well for me but I guess it's personal.

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
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The calfskin heads are very durable and will last a long time and will withstand playing a lot harder than most people think. Consider this, fife and drum corps often play on drums with calfskin heads using sticks that are in many cases thicker and heavier than most of today's marching style sticks and some of them can be pretty large. For the bass drum you can try tuning low to get a little more punch out of it but keep in mind that if it looks like a head that is original to the drum then it is 60-70 years old or more and most likely has not been maintained very well so it is probably dried out. New calf play plays and feels much different than old calfskin which can become dry and brittle. If you want to play drums with calf then I would recommend changing the heads (at least the batter side) all together and hanging the originals on your wall.

I play out with with calfskin all the time on the batter side of one of my 60s era Slingerland kits and use clear Diplomat heads on the resonant side and the warmth and boom out of the heads is something that plastic just can't compete with. As brushbaby said though, it is all a matter of personal taste. Calfskin works for me on some gigs but not all but it is great to have it as a go to option for some things. Hope this helps a little.

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
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