It seems odd to me that so many posts about older drums with calf heads refer to those heads as "original" calf heads. I was one of the last drummers in the area where I lived who bugged the local music stores for calf heads. I kept using them until I gave up trying, and switched over to plastic drum heads. The point that I'm getting to is that calf heads wore out or got broken all the time. It seems highly unlikely to me that a well-worn drum from the 1960s or earlier has the "original" calf heads from when the drum was new. A drum with very little evidence of wear might, indeed, have its original heads. I'm making no big deal out of this-----just questioning the over-use of the term "original calf heads" rather than something like period-correct calf heads.
"Original" Calf Heads Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Then you would be disputing the original owners of the drums then. I have bought three kits with calfskin heads from the 1st owners, One kit had a lot of patches on the heads, the other was worn very well, the 3rd was played hardly at all due to a car wreck that left him unable to play,
I'm disputing no one. Nor, am I calling anyone a liar. I'm stating something that I think is quite likely. I think that the drum sets you bought are exceptions that you have found. My mid 50s Gretsch drum set had calf heads on it when I got it. I think that the only "original" head on the three drums was the bass drum reso head. However, the snare drum and mounted tom (no floor tom) had calf heads which were replacements for the heads that were on those drums when I got the drum set second hand. Were the tom and snare heads "original" or period-correct calf heads when I traded them in for a new 1961 Rogers drum set? This is the question I posed, and gave my own response. I'm interested in reading responses from you and other members about all of the old drums listed as having "original calf heads".
I've got a 12x18 RB Gretsch BD with both of the original calf heads. It's a well played drum based on it's over all condition so someone really liked that calf feel and sound!
[RIGHT]The Band[/RIGHT]
I'm interested in reading responses from you and other members about all of the old drums listed as having "original calf heads".
Yes I think, for the reasons you cite, "original calf heads" is often an inaccurate descriptor. An understandable oversight certainly, but inaccurate nonetheless.
Mitch
Drums were really not made to be used with plastic. The advantage of the plastic is weather and the constant tuning and detuning required by calf heads. But overall calf head will give you a better sound over all. I am one that prefers calf over plastic.
leedy - you are absolutely correct... it is a misleading term to use. Now try and convince everyone to go along with it... Mind Blowi
John
leedy - you are absolutely correct... it is a misleading term to use. Now try and convince everyone to go along with it... Mind BlowiJohn
Like trying to convince people that not every single kit ever made with a 26" bass drum is a "Bonham kit" and that every Ludwig in BDP isn't necessarily a "Ringo kit". Also that late 90's Pearl's aren't considered 'vintage', even by the automotive '30 year' rule.
I wrote "original calf heads" in my last thread about a Universal Model Ludwig snare drum. "Originally" these old drums left the factory with calf skin heads so if you see one with calf skin heads that are "Original" to the drum then surely it's understood when you say it's got the "original" calf skin heads on it. Like if you find a snare without the hoops and replace them with the original hoops you could say it's got the original hoops on it. Maybe they're not the exact hoops that were on the drum when it left the factory, but they are original to the drum and therefore the "original" hoops.
Leedy, I think you make a good point
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