Bum Drummers Are Bummers

Let's be honest. If you're a drummer, you're constantly replacing the most gear out of everyone in your band. After all, you are beating your drums, rims, and cymbals with wooden sticks. Pretty primitive if you ask me. Take a breather, read this article and let's help you start investing in your future instead of blowing your paycheck on unnecessary crap.

If you're in the world of basement and VFW hall shows, you probably subscribe to the "louder is better" mantra. I did forever and seemed to be breaking everything while trying to constantly compete with the rest of my band in a volume battle. I had to make a compromise for durability and tone which saved my drumming and wallet.

Small dimension/thinner/cheaper cymbals will most likely break much sooner than big dimension/thicker/denser cymbals. Obviously there are exceptions, but as a hard-hitting drummer, I subscribe to this. There are cymbals like Zildjian A Customs or Sabian AAXplosions that sound AWESOME and are phenomenal for studio settings, but if you're going on tour eight months out of the year you'll probably be cracking the suckers in no time. I started playing Sabian AA cymbals (19" crashes, 21" ride) in natural finish which tends to prevent cracking, has a nice warm tone so it doesn't pierce sound guys' ears and overall helped me create my own setup and sound.

Not many people realize how important the angle of each cymbal really is. If you have your cymbals completely flat they're more prone to taking too much attack on concentrated pressure points. Tilt them down slightly and you'll notice a bit of a difference in the longevity of your untracked cymbal.

DRILLING A HOLE AT THE END OF A CRACK IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. You're better off just taking off one of your crashes until you get a replacement instead of trying to alter your already dying cymbal. Maybe you'll get a show of life out of it, but then the crack will spread even worse.

Cymbal companies offer warranties as well as music stores like Guitar Center offering Pro Coverage (covers accidental damage, you're welcome for the plug) which I suggest you get. A little bit now saves you a lot later.

What kind of drummer are you? Are you a basher? Do you caress your sticks along the heads like Bob Ross painting a secret waterfall paradise? You should be aware of your playing style because all of your gear should reflect it.

Jazzier drummers can play 7A sticks which are some of the thinnest and made for light drumming. Bashers like me need something bigger that can endure the torture we put them through. I use Vater Power 5B, which is a longer/thicker stick to not only give me extra power, but the taper (middle to tip of stick) is thicker and takes a beating. I rarely use the tip of the stick (refrain from jokes) and use the taper where I play all the cymbals, hi-hats and even when hitting the snare I'll be doing a rimshot along with my normal hit. That's always the first section to chip away and only when my stick is splitting or feels like it's about to snap is when I'll throw it and grab for another. Make them last if you can!

Check out OAK sticks if you're looking for a denser/heavier wood instead of the standard hickory or maple. 5B and 5A are always a good starting point, but if you feel like you're going through too many you know it's time to find a thicker stick. Obviously make sure you're comfortable with the weight and length before you commit to anything. Also, years ago I made the switch from nylon tip to wood tip and it's helped immensely.

Common sense would suggest that a thicker head would last longer than a thinner one. Heads come in several plies (thickness) and varieties and it's up to you to find your ideal sound. For this article, we're simply looking at what will save you money when shopping for gear.

If you want your snare head to last a long time I suggest you start with at least a two-ply head. Remember, this is the drum you will be hitting the most and it will either die, dent, or bust before the rest of your heads. Thanks to the recommendation of my friend Ryan, I've been playing the Remo Emperor X snare head exclusively for years. It's a two-ply head with an additional "dot" in the center which is just an added layer of durability (think 2.5 plies). You can crank it up for a crack or low to get a fat smack. I just went a month using it on my kit and the tone stayed intact. If it seems too constricted for you, you can simply move down to the standard two ply head, and if that's too much check out the single ply heads with a power center or "dot" on them.

For toms, you will have more durability with coated heads. I used to be against this due to the immature "louder is better" mentality until I recorded an album using all Remo Emperors on my toms and it changed my life. It's a classic tone, it has more attack and they're durable as hell. Again for longevity I suggest two ply heads. Each company has their own versions and variants, but the classics will always have my heart and serve their purpose. If it aint broke, don't fix it unless it's a saying based on terrible grammar.

Kick drum heads can sound better and preserve their durability by being tuned a bit above finger tight on each tension rod. You're kicking the head with a felt or plastic beater on your pedal and the first thing you need to do is protect it with a bass drum patch. This is the small pad that sticks to your batter kick drum head right where you make contact with the pedal beater. Without it, you will bust directly through the head in no time, like I did when borrowing a kit recently. There's nothing more awkward than completely freezing during a song and asking through the PA if you can borrow the biggest drum in someone's arsenal.

If you're wondering why you keep replacing everything and you're broke as hell, I hope this helps you save a couple bucks. Sometimes you have to change a few things or even your whole setup until you find what works. Embrace change and not only save money, but become a better drummer or get a job, you waste of life.

Jonathan Diener is the drummer of The Swellers and would like to borrow your bass drum please. Follow him on Twitter - @jonodiener