BSP Tutorial: Snare Beds and Seating Heads

Yes - snare beds are important, especially for an orchestral snare drum! Here's a brief explanation and tutorial on how to properly seat your snare side head.
Seating the head over a snare bed creates a slight bow in the head, allowing the cable snares to make full contact as they pass over the bearing edge. This increases response, sensitivity and quality of sound.
Trust us, your snare drum will thank you!
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[@JasonWelchMusic]

Of all my years tuning drums... heating the snare head is definitely a first for me.... I won't knock it till I try it... thanks for the tip.

[@BlackSwampPercussion]

Thanks for watching!

[@JasonWelchMusic]

@@BlackSwampPercussion Update: I tried it. It works well.
Thanks again.

[@BlackSwampPercussion]

Glad to hear, and thanks for giving it a shot.

[@sublimemtl1165]

@@BlackSwampPercussion Isnt it a bit dangerous for let's say a steambent snare drum to heat over the wood like this?

[@BlackSwampPercussion]

​@@sublimemtl1165 You shouldn't have any problems, unless you hold the heat source too close (less than 1in or so) or in one spot for too long. Then the snare head will begin to melt and the wood shell may be effected.

[@steveparmley]

I've never heard of this method, but it is intriguing. I have one wood snare. I have heard that the nylon straps are better for metal drums with no snare bed, but that cords are better for a wood drum with a cut-out snare bed. Is that accurate? These are not symphonic snares. I use them for rock/pop/blues. Is the theory that you're melting the head enough to seat on depression of the snare bed? It sounds like once this is done, you're committed to leaving that head on that drum in that exact position until the head is replaced. No problem, just wondering.

[@BlackSwampPercussion]

Hi Steve, thanks for the comment!
We've never heard of a specific mounting material (nylon or chords) making a difference in the tone quality of the snare and always opt for the option that best suits the snare wire/cable in question.
For example; our SoundArt snare drums are mounted with chords to allow flexible tension with each cable, whereas our Concert Maple snare drums use nylon straps.
As for seating the snare side head, yes you are correct. Heating the snare side head allows it to mold more uniformly to the bearing edgers and snare beds which will maximize the snare's response. This does commit the snare side head to a permanent position, but we believe the trade off is worthwhile!