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Drums

Our range of drum equipment covers heads, sticks and beaters, hardware and complete kits, for practice rooms, stages and studios. Heads and sticks are consumables rather than accessories, so having the right ones to hand is what keeps a kit sounding as it should. Found it cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price.

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Choosing drum heads

Head choice changes a kit more than almost anything else. Single ply heads are brighter, more open and more responsive, which suits jazz and lighter playing but dents sooner. Twin ply heads are more durable, warmer and shorter in sustain, which is why they dominate rock and live use. Coated heads sound warmer and drier than clear ones and take brush work better. Match the head size to the drum in inches exactly, measuring the shell rather than the old head, since a batter head one size out will not seat.

Batter and resonant heads

Every drum has two heads and they do different jobs. The batter head is the one you strike and sets attack and feel. The resonant head underneath controls sustain and pitch, and is thinner. Replacing only the batter is normal, but if a drum sounds dead after a new batter head, the resonant head has probably been ignored for years and is the actual problem.

Sticks: size, tip and material

Stick sizes run on a number and letter system, where 7A is light and thin, 5A is the general purpose standard, and 5B or 2B are heavier for louder playing. Wood tips sound warmer, nylon tips are brighter on cymbals and last longer. Hickory is the usual material, absorbing shock well at moderate weight, while maple is lighter for faster playing and oak is denser and more durable. Buy a couple of pairs of one size rather than single pairs of several, so a broken stick does not change your feel mid set.

Tuning a kit so it actually sounds good

Most kits that sound poor are simply untuned. Tighten lugs in a star pattern rather than around the circle, bringing the head up evenly, and tap near each lug to hear the pitch match. Aim for even tension across the head first, then set overall pitch: tighter for a higher, tighter sound, looser for a deeper one. Detune the resonant head slightly from the batter for a controlled note, or match them for maximum sustain.

Hardware and stands

Double braced stands are the practical choice for anything gigged or played hard, since single braced legs are lighter but flex. Check clamp design as much as weight rating, because a poor clamp creeps under vibration even on a strong stand. Felt washers and plastic sleeves on cymbal stands are consumables, and playing without them cracks cymbals around the hole, which is expensive and entirely avoidable.

Practice, volume and hearing

An acoustic kit is loud enough to damage hearing over time, and drummers are among the most affected musicians. Mesh heads and practice pads cut the volume dramatically for home use, and proper hearing protection or in-ear monitors should be treated as standard equipment rather than optional. Ringing ears after a rehearsal is a warning sign, not a normal outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Single ply or twin ply drum heads?
Single ply is brighter, more open and more responsive, suiting jazz and lighter playing, but dents sooner. Twin ply is more durable and warmer with shorter sustain, which is why rock and live players favour it.

How do I know what size head to buy?
Measure the drum shell diameter in inches rather than the old head, and match it exactly. A head even one size out will not seat properly on the bearing edge.

Do I need to replace both heads?
Not usually. The batter head you strike wears fastest and is replaced most often. However, if a drum still sounds dead after a new batter head, the resonant head underneath is likely long overdue and is the real cause.

Which drum sticks should I buy?
5A is the general purpose standard, 7A is lighter and thinner, and 5B or 2B are heavier for louder playing. Wood tips sound warmer, nylon is brighter on cymbals and lasts longer. Hickory is the usual material.

Why does my kit sound bad even though it is new?
Almost always tuning. Tighten lugs in a star pattern to get even tension across the head, tapping near each lug to match the pitch, then set the overall pitch. Even tension matters more than how tight it is.

How can I practise without disturbing everyone?
Mesh heads and practice pads reduce the volume dramatically while keeping the feel. Acoustic kits are loud enough to damage hearing over time, so hearing protection should be considered standard rather than optional.

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