How to find the best bass drum heads?
In order to find the best bass drum head, you must consider a number of different factors. Each bass drum head is great at producing distinct sounds, and often, it can depend on the individual aspects of the drum head itself. You’ll want to check the brand, diameter, structure, tone, adjustability, durability, any extra features it may have, and finally, its price. Depending on the type of drummer you are, some of these features may be more important than others. Our goal here is to help all drummers find the best bass drum heads that work for their playing style.
Brand
By far, the two most notable brands when it comes to picking the best bass drum head are Remo and Evans. Remo is a musical instruments company in California. They have been on the market since 1957, and their main products feature drum kits, drumheads, and drums. They are often known for their superb quality bass drum heads, as evidenced by our Editor’s Choice, the Remo Ambassador Coated Bass Drum Head.
Evans is Remo’s primary competitors in the bass drum head market, and they are the other major player on the market. Evans is also an American company that was founded in 1950. They specialize in the manufacturing drum heads as well, and they are known for applying advanced technologies to build their bass drum heads.
Another less well-known drum head company is Aquarian Drumheads. While they don’t have quite the remarkable reputation as Remo or Evans, they are known for producing more cost-friendly drumheads, such as the Super Kick II, that an introductory drummer can test.
Diameter
Most experienced drummers already know that the diameter of the drum head is incredibly important. Not knowing your drum head’s diameter can lead to you purchasing the wrong size for your shell.
The best way to find out the diameter of your drum head is by simply checking the specs or removing it from your current shell and measuring it from one end to another, passing directly through the middle.
Generally, you’ll find that the standard drum head diameter is 22”, and many of the bass drum heads only come in this one size, including our Editor’s Choice, Remo Ambassador Coated Bass Drum Head. However, you might be able to find one that offers different sizes as well, like the Evans EMAD2 Clear Bass Drum Head and Evans REMAD Resonant Bass Drum Head. Both of these bass drum heads come in diameters of 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 inches, offering great versatility and flexibility to suit different drum shells.
Structure
When it comes to the composition and structure of the best bass drum heads, you’re looking at two distinct types: 1-ply and 2-ply.
The single-ply drum heads are typically made of one 10-mil layer of film. Single-ply heads offer a different sound than double-ply heads, giving a more lively sound where you can uniquely identify the overtones, sustain, and ambiance. Many drummers say it offers a much wider variety in terms of changing the resonance and attack. Thanks to this variety, these drummers believe single-ply heads provide stable bass drum sounds.
For the 2-ply bass drum heads, these are typically made with 7-mil and 7.5-mil layers of film. The obvious benefit of having two plies as opposed to one is its superior durability. Drummers that prefer the double-ply heads also note denser attack, with fewer overtones and a much shorter sustain. The double-ply heads also produce a deeper low-end response.
Tone
The tone produced by the best bass drum heads can vary depending on the structure of the bass drum head. As mentioned in the previous section, single-ply drum heads produce more overtones and give the drummer more versatility when it comes to altering the resonance and attack. On the sound spectrum ranging from bright to warm, the sounds of bass drum heads are usually somewhere in the middle, so it’s balanced. Double-ply bass drum heads, however, produce more of a lower-end response. So on the spectrum, these types of heads most likely lean towards warm tones.
Durability
Generally, bass drum heads are very durable. We should also point out that double-ply drum heads will be more durable than single-ply heads, simply because of the extra layer of film. However, it can also depend on how frequently you play your drums and how hard you hit the pedal.
If you hear that your bass drum head no longer has that lively and bright sound, this might be the sign to get a new one. Still, there are some players who don’t switch their bass drum heads, but we don’t recommend doing that. The dull and flat sound might ruin your musical experience, so try to make the replacement when needed.
Extra features
While extra features are nice to have when it comes to buying a bass drum head, you really shouldn’t rush your decision with that. They definitely can provide you more value, but you should look for the overall quality.
For example, you can find two interchangeable foam rings that come with the Evans REMAD Resonant Bass Drum Head. These rings can be helpful when it comes to reducing the drum head’s vibration by letting the foam absorb most of it. Another interesting add-on can be found with the Evans EMAD2 Clear Bass Drum Head. This one has a level 360 collar around it, which makes it easier to tune and provides the drummer with a wider tonal range. Apart from that, you can find models that are suitable for recording.
Prices
Price can be a massive consideration for some shoppers, but we’re glad to let you know that the best bass drum heads are incredibly affordable, so you can easily find a bass drum head within your price range. The products we have reviewed are all within the same range, offering awesome cost-effective solutions.
Let’s start with our best value selection, the Aquarian Drumheads Super Kick II Drumhead Pack. You can get this fantastic bass drum head that is a great option for beginners for just $38! At the same time, our most expensive option, the Evans REMAD Resonant Bass Drum Head, is an excellent drum head with a really enhanced attack sound. This one goes for just $48.99! Lastly, if you want to opt for premium quality, the Remo Ambassador Coated Bass Drum Head, it will only cost you about $40.
Given the bass drum heads’ price, you shouldn’t ignore replacing them if they wear out, as the sound gets worse.
