Reddit mentions: The best drum set drumheads

Can't go wrong with this combination. To be more specific:

Evans G2 Coated heads for the batter side (top) of the toms. Make sure the sizes match.

Evans G1 Clear heads for the resonant side (bottom) of the toms.

Evans EMAD Clear for the batter side (the part you hit) of the bass drum. Make sure you pick the right size (20" or 22").

The snare drum is all about preference, but an Evans HD Dry will get you a clean snap out of your snare.

This video is pretty helpful for getting started with tuning. Good luck!

Im finally going to buy drum heads for the first time ever, after a year of owning a drum set, and I am super excited because the heads that I've been using were super old and funky. However, I'm very confused on how to purchase them, specifically regarding how I know if a head is for a tom or a snare, and how I know if a head is for batter or resonant purposes. For instance, this Remo Ambassador head on amazon has a FAQ where it is stated that it can be used for both batter and resonant purposes. Does that mean that I could slap one on both sides of a tom drum and it would sound fine? Or would I have to buy the coated heads for the batter and the clear ones for the reso? As for the snare batter, do I have to buy a special head (I've heard snare resos are usually thinner than the standard head). I'd appreciate if anyone could map this out for me, thanks in advance

First of all, do you really want to use all those mounted toms? I'd probably go for a 2 up 2 down setup at most, and as /u/DarkSodom said, getting rid of the 13" is likely the best solution. I'm going to work on that assupmtion, though if you really wanted to keep the 13" you could just add the price of the single 13" head to the end sum.

• I'd go for this evans fusion pack, with the bonus snare head for $40.95
  
  
• then I'd get a single g2 16" for the floor tom for $12.99.
  
  
• Evans Hazy 300 snare side for $11.69
  
  
• I probably can't do better, than the puresound snare wires you linked, so $22.44.
  
  
• (if you want the single 13" G2, that goes for $11.99)
  
  Those are pretty much the same heads that you were going for, sans the spare 12" and it comes to $88.07 for toms + snare without the 13" ($100.06 with the 13" included, so we save st least 10 bucks right there). That order is all from the same vendor, and way over the free shipping threshold, so no worries there.
  
  For the kick I really have no idea, I don't like pre-muffled heads, so I don't know what compares well with the Superkick2. People seem to like the Evans EMAD2 a lot where I live. Those are about $5 cheaper than the Aquarians, so maybe worth a shot? I'd personally stick to the coated G2 on the kick too.
  
  EDIT: by the way Standard and Fusion is just the name of the pack, they are the same G2 heads, the only difference is the sizes included. I'm not sure if you knew that, if yes, sorry for the superfluous info, it wasn't clear from your post.

If you are a real beginner, then this remo pad is what you need. https://www.amazon.com/Remo-RT-0008-00-Practice-Ambassador-Drumhead/dp/B0002E56H6

it will give you the best idea of how drums rebound and respond to the stick at your level, and its super cheap. As you advance, you may want to invest in a rubber pad like this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FMDIXY/ref=pd_aw_lpo_267_bs_tr_img_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3SH33RTP2XM0BMQYPPX8

Personally, i really dont think you need a fancy electronic pad, especially as a beginner, but even at higher levels i dont see any benefits that having good ears or a good teacher dont privide. i think theyre just a waste of money, and especially if you are going to be playing latin music, not helpful. The only time i can see them being helpful is in training drumlines, but idk. Id love to hear other peoplea opinions on them!

There are special reso heads, yes - they're generally extremely thin and clear. You can put normal heads on the bottoms of drums to get interesting sounds, but it's not too common. For snare drums, you absolutely must use a resonant head on the bottom or the drum won't sound at all like a snare.

Example: http://www.amazon.com/Evans-Genera-Resonant-Drum-Head/dp/B0002OOQEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427236201&sr=8-1&keywords=evans+resonant

Most of the time you'll keep cymbals until they crack, and even then you can sometimes fix them (the sound will always change, however). Typically crashes are the most likely to crack - hi-hats and rides should last a good long time. My Sabian Holy China is suprisingly resilient - it's bent a bit but still sounds cool.

Just ordered the PureSound Blaster Series Snare Wire, 20 Strand, 14 Inch from eBay for $17.83 free shipping ($21.32 on Amazon). And I ordered Evans Clear 300 Snare Side Drum Head, 14 Inch from Amazon for $11.69.

Going to thoroughly clean the hardware and shells on all the toms/bass before I order the heads. Will give me motivation to make this thing look nice first :D

> so Barn is exponentially cool. :3

That compliment will fuel me for days.

You should get a practice pad! (If you're interested, that is.) Yes, Barn was a marching band drummer -- the princeliest of dorks.

Guitar and piano are what I want to learn! We should agree to swap hands for two weeks. Oh, I'm sorry; in 2016 that remains a medical impossibility. (Being just a bit too casual with my time-travel exploits.) xxx

I'm the same. Tried a few different heads, once I put the hydraulics on I've loved them since. How would you compare that hydraulic bass to the EMAD? Coated Hydraulic Snare head looks sweet, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere, I'd really like to try it.

Edit: shoulda known amazon would have it.

I've been using this for years: http://www.amazon.com/Remo-Practice-8-inch-Diameter-Coated/dp/B0002E56H6

It's a little louder than most but I love the feel.

my highest priority is a skin pack for the drums item
but i have way cooler stuff than that. mostly drum upgrades i'd like to add to my kit. i think i will probably buy a throne / those noise reducing headphones for myself before anything else on my list.

i was going to ask what you paint but i'm skimming your submitted list. very cool.

Cheers dude, will definitely try out this option! Is this the protector you mean?: https://www.amazon.com/Aquarian-Drumheads-DKP2-Kick-accessory/dp/B0002F77PE

They make one specifically for snares with a coated head... It sounds great!

Evans Hydraulic Blue Snare Batter Drum Head, 14 Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002S01N6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Oe36BbBKRSXCN

Rob does a great review of it here, in red:

https://youtu.be/cAYutWKs3rY

The Remo ambassador x14 would work great. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Remo/X14-Coated-Drumhead.gc

https://www.amazon.com/Remo-AX011314-U-Ambassador-Coated-Drumhead/dp/B00724YJTU

Copied from alxmonkey's post on DMDrummer.com. I used Pearl's Muffle heads, as they were the cheapest to order in.

Undo the bolts and remove the foams from the wooden ring. to change the order of the foam you need to move the thick black foam only so I made a cut from the edge to the centre so the wire from the piezo didn't need cutting.

Make a small cut from the edge of the rebound foam (thin black one) to the edge of the metal disc where the wires naturally fall.

Put the white foam at the bottom, turn the metal piezo plate over so you can see it. Trim 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch from the edge of the thin black foam.
Put it on top of the white foam.
Put the thick black foam (with a hole about the size of a standard sellotape roll just like the HF video) on top of the piezo plate.
Mesh head on top of that and replace the rim.

You don't really have to cut the thick black foam, you can just carefully pull it over the metal piezo plate. They can easily be pulled over the 8" shells, but might tear a bit with the 10". Also, I didn't have to cut the rebound foam to the edge of the metal disc, or trim any material from the edge of the thin black foam. I just switched the order and everything worked fine. I can try to find the post that gives you an idea of how to adjust the sensitivity and velocity curve after the upgrade.

edit:
This conversion likely voids you're warranty (epically if you cut the thick black foam ring), so proceed at you're own risk.

Evans G2 Clear Drumhead Pack Rock - 10/12/16 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5CRY2G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_FEDywbS14AP6D

You can have a snare drum bucket. Remo RP-0313-71-10SK Rhythm Lid Snare Kit, clear, 13" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M63AYT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_V8mbBbZYEH4A4

Could I possibly take a few tuning pegs off an old rack tom that I have?

And would this be an alright reso head?

Honestly the basic remo practice pads we used in middle school are about as close to the real thing as I've seen.. they're just not super quiet.

https://www.amazon.com/Remo-RT-0008-00-Practice-Ambassador-Drumhead/dp/B0002E56H6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536346254&sr=8-2&keywords=remo+practice+pad

You can't go wrong with this Remo Pinstripe/Powerstroke head prepack. Throw in a 22" Powerstroke for the kick, and you are GTG for virtually any style of music where the guitar player steps on a distortion pedal.

You're looking at around $35-50. Go Remo or Evans. My recommendation for your usage: [remo powerstroke] (https://www.amazon.com/Remo-P31124-C2-Coated-Powerstroke-24-Inch/dp/B0002F7JWU/ref=sr_1_13?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1466024591&sr=1-13&keywords=24+inch+bass+drum+head )

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarian-Drumheads-PF22-Performance-2-22-inch/dp/B0007YLXJQ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002E3L4G?pc_redir=1414055360&robot_redir=1

$64 brand new batters.

I come from guitar-land and I changed my strings monthly and / or before every show. Old strings on a guitar = dull, dead sound. Now, they are $5.40 a pack.

So, drum heads last soo much longer. I definitely would change mine before a recording session and since I have a standard setup the cost is cheap:

$26 for 3 tom batters:
http://www.amazon.com/Evans-Tompack-Coated-Standard-inch/dp/B000MFORYS

$30 for 3 tom resos:
http://www.amazon.com/Evans-Tompack-Clear-Standard-inch/dp/B000XTJJSW

Even with reso changes, it's still cheaper than my guitar string outlays (considering I was in a real active band). Let's not bring amp tubs into the picture @ $110 a year..

Drums aren't as bad as I thought.

Just go ahead and get a pad. This one is an old standard, will perform well, and is only $16 - http://www.amazon.com/Remo-RT0008-00-8-Inch-Practice-Pad/dp/B0002E56H6

If that is too much to spend, you have probably picked the wrong instrument considering sticks are $8-10 a pair.

If it's a Remo, I wouldn't think it's broken unless you cranked it wayyy too far. Never had a name brand head pull out like that.

Just loosen the whole thing and re-tune it again. Worst case scenario, you'll have to get a new Hazy snare side head...no big deal. Should cost about $11-15.

EDIT: Get this one if it's broken. https://www.amazon.com/Evans-Clear-Snare-Side-Drum/dp/B0002D0H8U/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Evans+Hazy+snare+side&qid=1551264309&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Batter and snare side

Admittedly, I'm playing in an 1800's era mill re-purposed for rehearsal rooms in the chilly Northeast. It gets as cold as Siberia in the winter during the days we're not there to put the space heaters on, and it gets as humid as a tropical forest in the summer. So.... yeah, I realize that's pretty bad (or maybe not necessarily?). But the snare has no cracks in it, and no obvious signs of warping. But of course, I'm no expert and I could be missing something.