How to Choose the Right Drum Heads
Drum heads are one of the most impactful and most overlooked upgrades a drummer can make. The right heads can transform the sound of an average kit; the wrong ones can make even a great kit sound dull, choked, or uncontrolled. Yet many drummers spend years playing on the heads that came with their kit without ever exploring what a change could do for their sound.
This guide covers everything you need to know to choose the right drum heads - from understanding ply counts and coatings to matching heads to your playing style and genre. We stock Evans, Remo, and Attack drum heads at Into Music Store, with UK next day delivery as standard.
Batter Heads vs Resonant Heads - What's the Difference?
Every drum has two heads - a batter head (the top head you hit) and a resonant head (the bottom head that vibrates in sympathy). Both affect your sound, but in different ways.
The batter head has the biggest impact on attack, feel, and overall tone. This is where most of the sound-shaping happens and where you'll spend most of your budget. The resonant head affects sustain, projection, and the overall depth of the drum's tone. Thinner resonant heads generally produce more sustain and resonance; thicker ones give a more controlled, focused sound.
As a general rule, replace your batter heads more frequently than your resonant heads - batter heads wear out faster from being struck.
Single Ply vs Double Ply Drum Heads
Single ply heads are made from one layer of film, typically 7mil or 10mil thick. They produce an open, resonant, sensitive tone with a wide dynamic range - ideal for jazz, acoustic music, and any style where sensitivity and sustain are important. They respond well at low volumes and bring out the natural character of the drum.
Double ply heads use two layers of film bonded together, typically two 7mil plies. They produce a warmer, more controlled tone with reduced overtones and greater durability. They're the go-to choice for rock, pop, and heavier styles where a focused, punchy sound and resistance to heavy hitting are priorities.
Coated vs Clear Drum Heads
Coated heads have a textured surface that produces a warmer, drier tone with slightly reduced sustain. The coating also affects brush response - if you play with brushes, a coated head is essential. Coated heads are popular across jazz, blues, country, and any style where a warm, vintage character is desirable.
Clear heads have no coating and produce a brighter, more open tone with greater sustain and attack. They're a popular choice for rock and pop drumming where projection and brightness are priorities.
Evans Drum Heads
Evans are one of the world's leading drum head manufacturers, known for their innovative designs and consistent quality. Key Evans ranges include:
- Evans G1 - Single ply clear or coated. Open, resonant, and sensitive. A versatile all-rounder for jazz, acoustic, and lighter styles.
- Evans G2 - Double ply clear or coated. Warm, controlled, and durable. One of the most popular batter heads for rock and pop.
- Evans EC2 - Double ply with Evans' Edge Control ring for reduced overtones. A focused, punchy sound with minimal ring - ideal for studio recording and live work where a controlled tone is needed.
- Evans EMAD - Single ply bass drum head with an adjustable muffle ring. Delivers a punchy, focused kick drum sound with variable muffling - a favourite for rock and metal bass drum.
- Evans Hydraulic - Double ply with a thin oil layer between the plies for a very dark, controlled, low-sustain tone. Popular for studio recording and funk.
Remo Drum Heads
Remo invented the synthetic drum head in 1957 and remain one of the most trusted names in the industry. Key Remo ranges include:
- Remo Ambassador - Single ply clear or coated. The industry standard for resonant heads and a versatile batter head for jazz and lighter styles. Warm, open, and responsive.
- Remo Emperor - Double ply clear or coated. Warmer and more controlled than the Ambassador, with greater durability. A popular choice for rock and heavier playing.
- Remo Pinstripe - Double ply with a thin dampening ring between the plies. Produces a warm, focused tone with reduced sustain - one of the most popular heads for live rock and pop drumming.
- Remo Powerstroke - Available in several variants with built-in muffling for bass drum and toms. Delivers a focused, punchy tone with controlled sustain.
- Remo Silentstroke - Mesh heads for silent practice. Dramatically reduced volume while maintaining a realistic playing feel.
Attack Drum Heads
Attack are a respected drum head brand known for offering excellent quality at a competitive price point. Key Attack ranges include:
- Attack 1-Ply Thin Skin - Single ply for an open, resonant tone. A great value alternative to the Evans G1 or Remo Ambassador.
- Attack 2-Ply Medium - Double ply for a warmer, more controlled sound. Durable and well-suited to rock and pop playing.
- Attack Coated - Warm, dry tone with excellent brush response. A popular choice for jazz and acoustic drumming.
Which Drum Heads Are Right for Your Style?
Here's a quick guide to matching heads to genre:
- Jazz & Acoustic - Single ply coated batter heads (Evans G1 Coated, Remo Ambassador Coated, Attack Thin Skin Coated). Thin single ply resonant heads for maximum resonance.
- Rock & Pop - Double ply batter heads (Evans G2, Remo Emperor, Remo Pinstripe). Medium resonant heads for a balanced tone.
- Metal - Double ply or hydraulic batter heads for durability and controlled tone. Evans EMAD or Remo Powerstroke for bass drum.
- Studio Recording - Evans EC2 or Remo Pinstripe for controlled, focused tones with minimal ring. Hydraulic heads for very dry, close-mic'd sounds.
- Practice - Remo Silentstroke mesh heads for silent practice at home.
How Often Should You Change Drum Heads?
There's no fixed rule, but as a general guide: batter heads on snare and toms should be changed every 6-12 months for regular players, or sooner if you notice dents, dullness, or loss of tuning stability. Bass drum batter heads last longer but should be inspected regularly for wear around the beater impact point. Resonant heads last significantly longer and may only need changing every few years.
Fresh heads make a bigger difference than most drummers expect - if your kit sounds dull or won't tune properly, new heads are almost always the first thing to try before anything else.
Shop Drum Heads at Into Music Store
Into Music Store stocks a full range of drum heads from Evans, Remo, and Attack with UK next day delivery as standard. Whether you're looking for a drum shop UK with expert advice or want to order online, our team are on hand to help you find the right heads for your kit, style, and budget. Visit us in store in Horncastle, Lincolnshire or shop online at intomusicstore.com.