A front head will add resonance and body to the sound. (It also looks cooler.) People started taking the front heads off in the 70s to get that dry, dead feel that first showed up on Abbey Road and later became part of the 70s LA studio sound.

People port (i.e. cut a small hole in) their reso heads for a couple of reasons: one, it takes a bit of the boominess out of the sound and makes it a bit more manageable; and two, it allows sound engineers to get a mic into the drum. Porting is so common these days that many engineers don't know how to mic a bass drum without sticking a mic inside.

I like a big, open sound on my BD. I have a reso head with a small port on my 22" Gretsch. On my 20" Ludwig, I have a reso head, no port, and just a felt strip on the batter head to control the tone. It sings beautifully.

Heck yes, put one on... absolutely. You'll bring the house down with that 24. Besides, you can always deaden it if you need to.

I used to play 2 24" Slingerland BD's, before a double pedal was an option.

First question I'd ask is what kind of music do you play? An intact front head might make too boomy a sound in some situations.

I've both recorded and played live with a full front head, a ported head, and front heads so cut open I doubt that it made much sonic difference.

To me, a ported head gives you the best of both worlds: some of that legato oomph with some control. And, I love being able to stick my hand inside the drum and adjust the muffling, adding or subtracting. This is especially a godsend when under the gun in the studio or seconds from going on live.

Almost all my setups feature a ported front head.

On the other side of the spectrum, sometimes the sharp, attacky focus of a single head cuts through a mix better. It's all what you like, and what you're going for musically. And, if you're not concerned about a period-correct logo, there are some great options for front heads(An Evans EQ3 Resonant or simple coated Ambassador).

Dan

Good advice, Dan.

As for adding a period-correct logo: I had the drum store cut the port hole on my coated Ambassador reso in just the right spot to remove the Remo logo. I put a Gretsch logo sticker on, and voila! Instant vintage logo head.

I've heard that nailpolish remover will take the logo off of a smooth head, but I've never tried it. I'd test that theory out on an old head before putting anything on a shiny new BD reso.

thanks! I wasn't doing a lot of drumming back then, but remember the front heads coming off, so like I said, didn't think nothing of it when I picked up this kit. I have always kept some soft stuff in the drum - have a small blanket & pillow in there now.

I play mostly old country - so not a lot of booming needed - but I know from the past that that bad boy can push a boom out. I just read a primer on tuning and think I have my BD tuned too tight/high - in part 'cause I can't really get my floor tom in line with my mounted toms to the BD.

All the comments here made me wonder about what the different types of heads there are to choose from. I think I'm going to continue my pursuit of parts to get the front head back on, bit by bit as the pennies flow in - so now need to learn about the types. I see the value in the ported head - but are there any other thoughts on types?

thanks

There are lots of different types of heads with built-in muffling systems and so forth, but my personal favourite is a simple white Ambassador on the reso side. You can get vintage logo stickers that complete the look.

Or you can buy a reso head with a port already cut in, which is a good idea if you want a port. A Holz grommet to protect the port hole is a good idea if you're going to gig with it.

If you happen to like the sound of a drum with no reso head, I'd suggest using either a mesh reso or a reso with a big ol' center hole. Drums without a reso, particularly if they have thin shells and/or mounted toms, have a tendency to go out of round. The presence of a resonant head and hoop also protects the drum's bearing edge, which is obviously super important if you ever plan to use a reso head.

my hitting head has a large black "target" in the middle - I think it's a Remo. Today I saw some clear heads at a shop for $50. I'll keep searching for my parts - hopefully a fella I met on here has the bolts & claws that match my drum, then to find a hoop. Looks like I'm heading in the direction of getting it put back together with a front head with a hole in it. thanks again for all the help on this - been really enjoying my new learning.

A Remo CS, maybe?

You'll want to be picker about heads than "clear". There are a whole bunch of great heads on the market nowadays, which makes it easier than ever to get the sound you want from your bass drum. Do a little homework and ask around to figure out which one(s) you really want. What kind of music are you going to play? What kind of sound are you aiming for? Whose bass drum sound do you like?

Check around online to check out the variety and to comparison shop and make yourself aware of pricing. I don't want to take any business away from your local shop, but I don't want you to overpay and spend $50 per $35 bass drum head, either.