How do you measure a drum head properly? I heard that you had to remove the head and ring and measure the shell from one side to the other, and that was suppose to give you the exact measurement. But every time I do it I don't get an exact measurement, say 16 as an example. Instead I would get 15 3/4. Am I measuring wrong? Is it because my drums are vintage? Am I suppose to round the number?
I have spent a week trying to figure this out and no success.
Please Help!
Thanks!
How do you measure a drum head properly? I heard that you had to remove the head and ring and measure the shell from one side to the other, and that was suppose to give you the exact measurement. But every time I do it I don't get an exact measurement, say 16 as an example. Instead I would get 15 3/4. Am I measuring wrong? Is it because my drums are vintage? Am I suppose to round the number?I have spent a week trying to figure this out and no success.Please Help!Thanks!
No your gretsch shells are made slightly undersized so the 15 3/4 is a 16" yes round off the numbers on the gretsch kit!
No your gretsch shells are made slightly undersized so the 15 3/4 is a 16" yes round off the numbers on the gretsch kit!
Thank you!!!!! Will the undersize cause any problems when first putting on the head and/or when I tune it?
And would you say it's safe to order the heads online (knowing it's the sound I want) even with the slight difference?
Modern drums are intentionally made just a smidge under full-inch sizes. For example, a 14" drum head fits on a shell that's 13 7/8". If that shell was 14" and the head's flesh hoop was exactly 14", they'd rub and possibly bind up.
Yes, it's safe to order heads online. Since heads generally only come in full-inch increments, you don't have to worry about ordering an incorrect head unless you really screw up a measurement. And even if you order wrong, any decent vendor will allow you to send it back so long as it's in new condition. (Don't play it unless you know you're going to keep it!)
Sonor undersized the shells a little on purpose to produce a tympani like ring.. They are one of the few drums that Remo heads fit on correctly...
Drum head fit makes me crazy.. Ludwig and Attack are the only consistent fitting heads I've found.
So - yes it is normal for the drums to be slightly smaller than your plastic/mylar head diameters.
Gretsch made some shells in the 50's for instance with exact diameters not allowing for the wrap thickness. You'd have to wrestle a head onto your drum to get it to fit. Not always, but sometimes.
I know this because I have a 1958 Gretsch kit with one of these "exact - sized" shells = my 1414 floor tom is 14" in diameter. All the other drums in the kit have slightly smaller diameter shells - from 1/16" to 1/8" allowing for heads to fit over the wrap.
Probably better for the drum to be a little smaller than not to be able to put heads on them without forcing them on & prying them off.
