Have just done my dep gig with local big band and am pleased to say it went ok and might have a regular rehearsal fortnightly. (I hope) I used my 40 s RK, it has coated amb on it (sounded great in that room). I suddenly feel it in my bones to try calfskin heads on it. Well maybe sometime in the nearish future . So I'd just like to hear what peoples experience is as compared to say standard Mylar heads is. Iam concerned though about the issues with changes of temperature etc. is that realy that much of an issue? I don't know much about ' doing it the ' real' way' tucking etc but know there's info on here on that and other. I was looking online at (as ya do) at these earth tone heads - what do people think about these?. What is the best option here. What do you wonderfull people think about the sound, temperature issues, and compared to say regular coated ambadsdor and Mylar heads in general?flowers2
Calfskin heads Last viewed: 4 hours ago
I love the Earthtone calf but temperature and humidity is a concern. Can't beat the sound though! I can get by with coated Ambassadors, but most other non calf heads sound to plastic to my ears! I have them on my toms right now but it's pretty much a controlled environment, but if I turn the heat down in that room they will get wonky!
That's just what I was worried about, fluctuating temperature, yes I agree standard Mylar heads can sound plasticy. After listening to a few drums on YouTube etc with calf heads I think the sound is great, I bet they have a better feel under the sticks too. What a frustrating predicament!!
Darn it, although I get to play a bit of big band stuff the gigs for the tribute band I'm in have (for this year) gone from about 50 a year to about 16! This is damn bad for me. Just had to get this of my chest. I know it's probably an old subject but I'd love to hear more opinions on using calfskin heads (I'm only thinking about using one on the snare batter).
The calf heads will vary in pitch. How much depends on the temperature and humidity. If you are transporting the drums out of and into different kinds of environments you are going to get a considerable amount of change like when going from non-air conditioning to air condition. Here in the northeast the winters are tough. Drums will be very loose when in the cold then tighten up high in the heat. Most people who use them are in controlled environments like concert halls or schools. If you use them for regular gigs you need to use heating pads, light bulbs and wet clothes to help regulate the pitch.
I went through a period a couple of years ago of using a calfskin head on the front of my Gretsch bass drum. A marriage made in heaven. The Powerstroke batter took the punishment and calfskin provided a wonderful low end rumble. I don't use hardly any muffling in my bass drums you see.
Yes it was very temperamental and would change massively due to the temperature. But it was worth it.
HOWEVER. I've removed it from my drum now and replaced it with a Fyberskyn. That does a great job also. Why? Well its twofold really. A, I didn't want to wreck that vintage calfskin, and B, I got into a conversation one evening with a punter about my kit. He raved at it's sound and wonderered what kit it was. Oh an old Gretsch I beamed. Things were going well. I then pointed out the Calfskin head, me thinking that would be interesting. He went mental at me. He was a vegetarian (or maybe a vegan)and found it highly offensive i should be playing animal skin. I tried to counter him with the fact it was a vintage from my RB kit from back in the 60's, but to no avail. He tore me a new backside and then he stomped off.
So be careful!
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O dear, yes well that did cross my mind too. A few years ago I put tried a fiberskin head on an Omar hakim snare I had at the time (don't care for that drum realy) and on my bass drum but I didn't like the sound at all. Although my my tastes have changed. I defo wouldn't use these again though. If I never try calf heads while playing and gigging, I definitely would when the drum was 'retired' from this (just sitting in the house). And by the way does anyone know if leaving a snare drum on its side could eventually cause it to go out of round? I can't find enough room to lay my snare collection flat.
The more I'm thinking about it I'm feeling a bit guilty about thinking of trying them! I don't want to dis calf heads either way. Don't want to start a thread like that at all( moral rights and wrongs) .
The calf, or no calf decision is simple; are you willing to re-tune/fuss with, your drums every time you play them? If the answer is no, then calf heads are not for you. If you have the patience and determination to use them because you want 'that sound' badly enough and because that's the price you have to pay, then re-tuning/tweaking the drums every time you play them just becomes part of the routine. Totally your call. Calf demands a commitment. A commitment of funds (they are expensive,) and a commitment of time, (they are a pure b-i-t-c-h to keep in-tune.)
John
Ok thanks. I don't think ile be trying these anytime soon, I freak out badly when tuning is difficult even as they are now, and I'm happy enough now with it anyway, I've too much time on my hands should be thinking just what matters! Still interesting though.
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