Clear, white, double-ply, with a central dot, thin, thick, pink or tattooed? What should you really choose when it comes to getting new drumheads? Which model will give you the sound that best matches what you’re looking for, while fitting your playing style and feel? Here are the main options available today…
Single-ply heads
These are the most commonly used drumheads, fitted on the vast majority of new kits. Among them, you’ll find classics like the Remo Ambassador, an essential, the Evans G1, or the Aquarian Classic.
Generally, these drumheads are made from a Mylar film of 10 mil (about 0.25 mm). Thinner versions, 3 or 6 mil, also exist, but they are mostly used as snare side resonant heads.
Double-ply heads
Considered more durable, double-ply heads usually consist of two Mylar films, often 7 mil each, like the Remo Emperor, Evans G2, or Aquarian Reflector.
You can also find combinations of different thicknesses. For example, an Aquarian Reflector has a 7 mil top ply and a 10 mil bottom ply, while the Remo Vintage Ambassador combines a 7.5 mil film with a second 3 mil layer… allowing for a wide range of tones.
Not all whites are the same
Generally, white drumheads are also called coated heads, thanks to their rough surface that acts both as a frequency dampener and an aid for brush playing.
But you’ll also find many completely smooth heads, like clear ones but tinted white, such as the Remo Ambassador Smooth White. These can be used as either batter heads or resonant heads.
Well-equipped
A compromise between single-ply and double-ply models, many drumheads come with a central reinforcement dot, usually 5 mil thick. It strengthens the head while also acting as a tone control, like the Remo Controlled Sound.
Special heads
With their unique look and distinctive construction, special heads are geared towards a specific sound. For instance, the Remo Fiberskyn 3 Ambassador, which boast a vintage appearance reminiscent of natural animal skins, feature a 7.5 mil base film laminated with a 3 mil spun fiber layer.
Evans also offers vintage-style animal-skin replicas with its Calftone series, perfect for achieving warm retro tones.
On another note, Evans Hydraulic heads feature two plies with a thin oil layer in between, designed to shorten sustain and deliver the classic 70s sound.
A fun twist: they are available in clear, blue, red, or black.
Mesh heads
With the growing popularity of acoustic kits converted into electronic setups (hybrid kits), more and more mesh heads are available. These are often made of a tight woven mesh, like the Remo SilentStroke, or the Sparedrum M3W (triple-ply) or M2W (double-ply).
Perfect for practice without ear fatigue!
