The Complete Handbook of Drum Heads

As a session drummer, I thought I knew most of this, but the chapter on collar geometry really opened my eyes. The book is thorough, maybe too thorough in places, and the business chapters didn't interest me much since I don't run a shop. But the technical info is solid. I just wish they had included more photos or diagrams, because a lot of the parts descriptions are easier to understand visually. It's a good reference to have on the desk, though I probably won't read it cover to cover again.

I bought this to help me choose heads for a studio rebuild I was doing, and the first chapter alone was worth it. The explanation of why a coated head sounds darker than a clear one was the clearest I've read. But I felt the chapter on choosing heads was too general, and it kept referring to 'genre typical' setups that didn't match my experience. It's a solid handbook, but it's a bit dry and could use a better index. Decent value for the technical parts, but it left me wanting more concrete examples.

Finally, a reference that doesn't assume you're an engineer but also doesn't talk down to you. I fix and sell drums part-time, and the maintenance chapter alone has saved me from a couple of headaches with seating stubborn heads. The troubleshooting flowchart for de-lamination was spot on. I appreciate that it stays neutral about brands, giving you the facts to decide yourself. My only real gripe is that the Future Trends chapter felt a bit thin and speculative. Overall, a great addition to my workshop shelf.

I run a small music shop and I bought this for myself and one for my main repair guy. It's helpful having a single source to point to when customers argue about why a head works a certain way. The business chapter was useful, though it skimmed over some of the financial realities of wholesale volumes. The installation chapter is clear enough that we've adopted its steps as a standard in our shop. It's not a thrilling read, but it's accurate and well-organized. I'll keep it where I can grab it quickly.

The physics part in the beginning was interesting, but it got a bit heavy for me. I was hoping for more direct 'this head is good for that drum' type of advice. As a gigging player, I found the troubleshooting section helpful for a recurring buzzing issue I had with my snare. But the tone is strictly academic, and I missed any sense of the author's own preferences. It's a good book to have, but not the one I'd recommend to a beginner who just wants to know what to buy.

It does what it says: it's a complete handbook. I'm a weekend enthusiast and I found the glossary in the back to be the most useful part at first, and then I went back to read the sections on maintenance and tuning. The instructions are very precise, which is good, but it means you have to be in the mood to read carefully. The book is well-bound and the print is clear, but it's not a quick read. I keep it in my drum room and refer to the troubleshooting guides often.

This is the book I wish I had when I started teaching drum lessons a decade ago. The section on understanding why different plies behave the way they do has completely changed how I set up my students' kits. The chapter on installation is genuinely step-by-step and I've used it to fix several kits that were impossible to tune. It's not just information; it's a working manual. As a serious hobbyist who's turned into a semi-pro teacher, I find it indispensable. I've already bought a second copy to have at the studio.