If I paint my bass drum head white, will it affect the sound?

6 Comments

1. Josh H says:

   February 11, 2012 at 12:25 pm

   It shouldn’t. I see bands doing it all the time, plus the ones I use are painted white. I would suggest getting a white head for it instead though, just to be safe.
2. Daniel says:

   February 11, 2012 at 1:13 pm

   Slightly..but not in a bad way. Just don’t lather it…I have done this before and it was pretty cool…
3. Rev. John Kelly says:

   February 11, 2012 at 1:19 pm

   Yes. It will create more low and make it kinda dull sounding because you are covering up the natural acoustics the head provides on its own.
4. Silver* Rose Wolf says:

   February 11, 2012 at 1:20 pm

   I think it partially depends on what sort of paint you use, as to how it reacts with the skin.

   I’ve seen people suggest acrylic paint or watercolours for natural skin, and spray paint for synthetic skin. Make sure your paint is *thin* not thick and heavy.

   Have a look here :
   http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30493
5. TommyMc says:

   February 11, 2012 at 2:00 pm

   Everything you do to an instrument will have *some* effect. While painting the head might have a minor effect, I doubt you’ll hear the difference. People have been painting band logos on bass drums for years. I’ve played with drummers who take the outer head off entirely, and others who throw a blanket inside to muffle it. Compared to that, I don’t think a little paint is going to matter.
6. ddrum says:

   February 11, 2012 at 2:01 pm

   No, painting the resonant head won’t change the sound, but painting the batter head would.