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Thread: Does anyone seat their heads??

  1. #1

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    Default Does anyone seat their heads??

    Just wondering how many of you guys seat your heads and what your experiences have been with it. I've been playing for 15 years and have never had to seat a head for it to sound great. I've actually tried seating heads different ways through out the years and never really saw any significant improvement. In fact I've had less than stellar results with the whole "seating" thing. I know back in the day they had to seat heads for the calfskin to break in but things are a bit different today. Thoughts????

  2. #2

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    I do it a little but always wonder if it does anything at all, and without a comparison I really don't know.
    guess I figured it would warp the rim ever so slightly for more even head contact, but really that happens when you clamp it down anyhow. I will say a post tune palm press a few inches from the rim does seem to get me to a slightly lower more stable fundamental pitch, especially with larger drums and lower tunings.
    Last edited by onegourd; 03-04-2014 at 06:34 PM.
    don't put off till tomorrow what you can put off today

  3. #3

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    I do it out of habit. I was trained that way so I just do it automatically. It doesn't take that much extra time. When I hear it crack and pop, I just feel like it's going to perform better - but I can't prove it.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by drummer View Post
    I do it out of habit. I was trained that way so I just do it automatically. It doesn't take that much extra time. When I hear it crack and pop, I just feel like it's going to perform better - but I can't prove it.
    This

  5. #5

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    Always I truly believe my heads stay in tune better when it is done. Plus I love the crack sound lol

  6. #6

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    I'm with Tom & NR on this. Been doing it for decades.

  7. #7

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    As with Tom, NR and Rick, its something Ive done since I started playing and continue doing today, as I also clean the drum hoop and the bearing edge before I inspect the bearing edge and when I put on a head, I tighten it using the star pattern, regardless if its a new head or good used one.
    Yamaha Oak Custom 22x17 with Brass Kick Port, Brass Hoop Claws,10-12-14 racks, 16 Floor and all toms have Brass Hoops and a Tama Starclassic Bubinga Elite 14x6.5 snare in Quilted Mocha Burst and Black Nickel hardware. All hi-end Zildjian Cymbals - K Dark Thin crashes & splashes, a Zildjian A crash & a Meinl 16" crash, Avedis Zildjian 1964 ride, K Custom hats plus New Beat hats on Closed X-Hat.


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  8. #8

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    You ever wax your bearing edges?

  9. #9

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    Absolutely!
    "The problem with information on the Internet is that you can not validate it's authenticity. " -Abraham Lincoln

    SILVERFOX DRUMSTICKS & SOULTONE CYMBALS Endorsing Artist.

  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Northern Redneck View Post
    You ever wax your bearing edges?
    Was that a euphemism, or do you actually wax the bearing edges?

    I've always tried to seat the heads when fitting, as much for the satisfying crackling noises as the (assumed) practical benefit. It's like drum bubble wrap.

    Seriously though, what are the advantages of waxing the edge? To aid friction between the drum and the head?
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  11. #11

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    I use Remo on my snares, I always seat then, I use Evans on my toms, never have with the Evans
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  12. #12

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    I always wipe down both the bearing edge and the inside rim on the head. I then smear a very light film of wax around the bearing edge. I lay the head on the shell and spin it until I find the position that is lays the best and has an even distance between the metal ring and the shell all the way around. When I tighten the rods I get them snug, then apply pressure in the middle of the head with my palm as I tighten. I do this several times during the process. The wax does help the head slide over the bearing edge as you tighten it. I've found it makes tuning much easier and I get more consistent tension around the shell.
    -Brian

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  13. #13

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    I agree with N2Bluz, I wax the bearing edge, it does seem to aid in tuning. The theory is that the head will slide over the edge smoother. As for stretching the heads, yes, I am guilty! Do it every head change.
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  14. #14

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    Wow! 40+ years of drumming...never heard of any of this.

    all the best...

  15. #15

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    Seems like more ritual than anything else... and I cant see anything wrong in that. except when seating a thin snare reso, I once left palm print in the center, though I did remedy it with a pass over my oven burner.

    wax? interesting... I would think it might create more uniform head contact in the event there were any slight imperfections on the edge.
    don't put off till tomorrow what you can put off today

  16. #16

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    I had a post with sound files comparison of FT seating vs non-seating while tuning....somewhere on this forum.
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  17. #17

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    Interesting...

    Will definitely be trying that next head change. What kind of wax do you use N2Bluz/Tamashane?
    Premier Genista Maple - 22x18, 10x7, 12x8, 14x12, 16x16
    Tama 14x6.5 SLP Studio Maple Snare w/ Wood Hoops
    Mapex 10x5.5 Black Panther 'The Stinger' Snare

    Zildjian Z Custom 19 Projection Crash
    Zildjian A Custom 18 EFX Crash
    Zildjian A Custom 6 Splash
    Sabian B8 Pro 18 Ozone Crash
    Sabian AAX 18 Stage Crash
    Sabian AAX 13 Fusion Hi Hats
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  18. #18

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    I literally have an old candle I just rub along the bearing edge. Not a thick coating, just one light pass.

  19. #19

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    I used a floor tom for a throne once.

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by Northern Redneck View Post
    I literally have an old candle I just rub along the bearing edge. Not a thick coating, just one light pass.
    I do the same thing.....but I melt it first and talk kinky to my drums when I do it.
    "The problem with information on the Internet is that you can not validate it's authenticity. " -Abraham Lincoln

    SILVERFOX DRUMSTICKS & SOULTONE CYMBALS Endorsing Artist.

  21. #21

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    Okay guys, I'm stupid. Can you explain exactly what 'seating' means? Is it pressing down in the center of the head to give it an initial 'stretch', then tune it to pitch? If so, I'd liken it to a few good tugs on a set of new guitar strings to get them to tune more consistently when they are new, but not overdoing it.
    Now, just a tiny bit less than an absolute drum newbie
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  22. #22

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    seating makes perfect sense. You may even back it off a couple notches, give it another press and start the process all over again. It's really no different than a periodic tune now and then.....Except for the initial impact of " setting the head on the rim " thing. My guess is each shell is different and that said, each drummer is in tune to their own shells and will...even at the expense of controversy....do their own thing. In the end, it needs to be done.
    Most definitely. As a matter of fact, there will be "NO LIMIT"... just an unending quagmire of musical genius.

  23. #23

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    Simon Phillips seating a kick about half way thru video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wGA1...e_gdata_player
    SONOR 6 pc Special Edition 3007's red maple, old Pearl Brass 14x6 FF snare, Yamaha Tour Custom maple 8 pc., Tama 4 pc., honey amber B/B, Ludwig Supralite chrome 14x6.5 steel snare, Paiste, Saluda & Zildjian
    Loaned out Slingerland upgraded 4 pc 1963 black, wrapped maple + 14" Pearl birch FT
    The Almighty Speed King pedal, Speed Cobra, Sonor Single

    http://www.screaminmelinas.com
    http://www.facebook.com/DerailedRockers/

  24. #24

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    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    I'm with Tom & NR on this. Been doing it for decades.
    Wow thanks

  25. #25

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    Quote Originally Posted by Warren Wright View Post
    As with Tom, NR and Rick, its something Ive done since I started playing and continue doing today, as I also clean the drum hoop and the bearing edge before I inspect the bearing edge and when I put on a head, I tighten it using the star pattern, regardless if its a new head or good used one.
    Thanks

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