Source
r/drums•
mruttan

Snare Tuning! Tell me why I don't like the sound of my new snare head.

Replaced the batter head on my generic snare last night and I can not get it to sound nearly as good as the worn out, super smooth head I removed.

It feels, and sounds like the tension is correct, but there are some serious overtones that I am not ok with. The head I installed was this.

I've got it to the point where it sounds alright if I strike it in the middle, on top of the dampening pad, but I tend to play in more then one spot on the snare. This is the second time I've ever changed a skin, so I'm pretty certain the problem is me.

Does it need to stretch out over a day before I tighten it up again like a guitar string? Or should it be ready to roll right away?

http://i.imgur.com/7p3BbZy.jpg

Posted Aug 26, 2014, 12:52 PM UTC

713
milkymanchester•

Its usually a thing with new heads, they need at least a few days to stretch out and a couple hours of use until they get "warmed up". Also during this time, you'll have to re-tune the head frequently. You can somewhat speed up the process while tuning the head by pressing down on the center of the head with the heel of your hand (like you're doing CPR) to stretch it out. Don't be bashful, really dig in there, you won't pop the head. If after a week or so you're still having unwanted overtones, use a dampener, I'm a big fan of the Moongels http://amzn.com/B00F2PKRJW

7
mruttanOP•

Thanks man. This was driving me nuts last night. I'll retune tonight, and keep stretching that sumbitch.

1
LeoKhenir•

It's much the same as with guitar strings. When I change strings, I tune the guitar half a note higher than I want to play at, leave it overnight, play some, tune again, and leave it again. This of course only applies to an instrument you don't play much.

1
Velocicrappper•

I wish I had read this comment two weeks ago when I did all my tom batter heads. After much struggling I finally got them sounding just OK. Then I played them two days later and holy crap they sounded SOOOOoo much better. I didn't know they had to sort of "break in." Now they seem to sound even better each time I play them.

1
theothernameplate•

Try getting a head that doesnt have a reinforcement patch, this way the whole head will have generally the same tone at different pitches.

3
TheOtherNick•

Agreed - patches sacrifice tone for bashy-ness.

3
mruttanOP•

Follow up dumb question. I can put any skin on the snare? Or should I look for a snare head without a basher patch?

1
theothernameplate•

You can try anything you want, but keep in mind how thick the head and its plies are.

2
JollyTamale•

Your sound is your preference in the end my man.

1
TheOtherNick•

You can use whatever you like, but you'll most likely want to use a batter head. A Remo Ambassador (or comparable) is generally considered the basic / median batter head.

1
[deleted]•

I use an Evans HD Dry http://www.evansdrumheads.com/EvProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3567&productid=423&productname=HD_Dry&sid=ff73d142-d3c1-4808-be29-4c7dd4e0869b and it completely changed the soundscape of my snare. the overtones are barely there and it sounds super dry

1
nahmsayin87•

Agreed with all below. Personally, I find that my new snare heads really don't sound how I want them to until about 2 weeks of playing on them. I never really enjoy how any of my drums sound with a brand new head.

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
DarkNostril•

Heads can take up to 2 weeks to completely stretch. The guitar string analogy isn't far off.

You can speed up the process by pre-stretching it. Press down on the head with both hands (CPR-style) several times. Don't be afraid to really push, I promise you won't break it, especially a head that beefy.

Or you can also just crank it way past where you would normally have it and leave it there for a day or two, then slowly bring it down again to where you want it.

1