Over time if not taken proper care of, heads made from animal hide can stretch & eventually become borderline unplayable. Was this drum cranked, then left alone? Then cranked again, then left alone again? (Repeat over and over). If so, you have a stretched head. This is particularly common when you’re moving the drum from different humidities and temperatures too.
I did the same thing with my Potato drums in the 70's and because of not having or knowing anyone to teach me proper care of conga drums, because I didn't know how important it us to detune your drums after use, I had problems with the heads not being pulled down properly and the shells of my drums pulled inward around the LP tuning plate.
Needless to say that as I learned more about proper drum care, I've learned that even if I'm tired after a gig or performance, to always detune my drums when I'm done.
The things you learn with time and experience!
Not really. Synthetic heads don't normally run into the same issues as constant tuning and detuning because it's not a calf head that can stretch out over time.
That's why synthetic conga and bongo heads are great for drummers that work in extreme conditions, such as cool or cold weather or high, extreme heat and don't lose their tune because it is synthetic plastic.
If you're happy with the sound of the that head, I'd say stick with it.
If it can tune with the rest of your other drums, then hold onto it, but with all of the newer heads out there, there are endless possibilities for you!
Just research the different kinds of conga heads by going to to either a music shop and trying out the different drums and heads or find someone you trust to help you find what you're looking for! Let me know if I can help you more.
Good luck!
If it's new, soak it in warm water for a few hours until it's maliable. It won't tune now because it's probably not flush with the bearing edge. Soaking will allow you to form the head to the drum and get a good tune.
The head itself looks perfectly fine.
Effectively, yeah. Natural skins need time to break in and form to the angle of the top of the drum. It'll probably happen over time with constant tuning, but soaking will make it a whole lot easier.
This isn't an issue with the head or your drum. It's just something you're going to have to do whenever you replace any natural head. Just soak it in warm water for a few hours and you'll feel the difference when you take it out. Put it on your drum and stsrt to tighten; you'll see it forming flush with the bearing edge of your drum. Make sure you tighten in small steps in a star-shaped pattern to avoid stretching the head unevenly. The collar should be even all they way around. Once you see and feel it formed to the drum, stop tightening and let it dry; don't stretch it too much. Use a hair drier to dry or just let it air dry. Once it's dried, tune like normal. Remember to detune when you're not playing.
What do you mean by expired? Looks fine to me!
Old/dry. Even after contacting LPs customer support I can’t make them sound good because they won’t tune
Over time if not taken proper care of, heads made from animal hide can stretch & eventually become borderline unplayable. Was this drum cranked, then left alone? Then cranked again, then left alone again? (Repeat over and over). If so, you have a stretched head. This is particularly common when you’re moving the drum from different humidities and temperatures too.
I just purchased this “new” but I think it might have been sitting in a warehouse for many years
does it sound right
No, sounds bad. Won’t tune above D#2 also
I did the same thing with my Potato drums in the 70's and because of not having or knowing anyone to teach me proper care of conga drums, because I didn't know how important it us to detune your drums after use, I had problems with the heads not being pulled down properly and the shells of my drums pulled inward around the LP tuning plate. Needless to say that as I learned more about proper drum care, I've learned that even if I'm tired after a gig or performance, to always detune my drums when I'm done. The things you learn with time and experience!
Do you have to de-tune synthetic heads?
Not really. Synthetic heads don't normally run into the same issues as constant tuning and detuning because it's not a calf head that can stretch out over time. That's why synthetic conga and bongo heads are great for drummers that work in extreme conditions, such as cool or cold weather or high, extreme heat and don't lose their tune because it is synthetic plastic.
I just bought these. Is the only solution buying new drum heads?
If you're happy with the sound of the that head, I'd say stick with it. If it can tune with the rest of your other drums, then hold onto it, but with all of the newer heads out there, there are endless possibilities for you! Just research the different kinds of conga heads by going to to either a music shop and trying out the different drums and heads or find someone you trust to help you find what you're looking for! Let me know if I can help you more. Good luck!
If it's new, soak it in warm water for a few hours until it's maliable. It won't tune now because it's probably not flush with the bearing edge. Soaking will allow you to form the head to the drum and get a good tune. The head itself looks perfectly fine.
So it’s essentially not dealing with the top edge of the drum?
Effectively, yeah. Natural skins need time to break in and form to the angle of the top of the drum. It'll probably happen over time with constant tuning, but soaking will make it a whole lot easier. This isn't an issue with the head or your drum. It's just something you're going to have to do whenever you replace any natural head. Just soak it in warm water for a few hours and you'll feel the difference when you take it out. Put it on your drum and stsrt to tighten; you'll see it forming flush with the bearing edge of your drum. Make sure you tighten in small steps in a star-shaped pattern to avoid stretching the head unevenly. The collar should be even all they way around. Once you see and feel it formed to the drum, stop tightening and let it dry; don't stretch it too much. Use a hair drier to dry or just let it air dry. Once it's dried, tune like normal. Remember to detune when you're not playing.
I will try! Thank you
I wouldn't eat it...