worn snare head

[lynyrd]

Even though it goes against all my instincts I have always had the best success recording my drums with a really worn batter head on the snare Every thing else (kik and tom heads, tubes, strings, even sticks) new is better, but that snare just sounds best to be with an old head. Better crack, better tone. Any body else find the same thing or am I just nuts?

[Jaques Beraques]

Maybe a worn head gives you the kind of tone YOU like.

[joeq]

I always prefer a new head, but that doesn't mean you are nuts

You might want to experiment with different thickness heads and uncoated heads.

Maybe you really do like the sound of worn heads, but on the other hand, you might be responding to the relative 'thinness' of a worn head or the lack of coating.

Or perhaps it's the uneven thickness - a worn head is thinner in some places than others. That could change the tone.

I think some of the pseudo-calfskin heads have variable thickness to better replicate the sound of a real skin.

[nickynicknick]

Don't knock it boys...against MY instincts (which tell me NOT to use a new snare head) I put on a new skin to start an album project....I fought with that snare drum for three days before it started sounding right...my advice...go with your instincts....I was lucky three wasted days didn't really kill me as we spent a couple months recording....but it could have.

Nick

[drmmrboy]

We have an old Slingerland with a very worn head. (though not pitted) Throw it up and it just sounds great!

We also have a pearl maple free floater that I'm afraid to change the head on..

[lynyrd]

I read somewhere that the late great John Bonham wasn't too fond of new snare heads as it took him a week to get it tuned the way he liked it. I thought maybe that was the issue but it takes me longer than a week to get a snare to really crack the way I like. Maybe it has to do with an older head being thinner and stretched not giving me as many unwanted overtones as a new one. I know I like new tom heads but thats another story. Cheers fellas!

[HeavyG]

There really is no right answer...I think sometimes a new head can be more of a placebo (you think it sounds better because it is "fresh")...but I am a believer in new heads. I have some snare drums with old heads that sound great...so you can make an argument for both.