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As for "treating" the head, I think you would be acting wisely by taking the least "invasive" approach - that is, using a little water to adjust the drumskin's tightness. In our flyer "About our tunable drum" we note: There are many creative, and as many misguided, ideas about "treating" drum skins. Again, we recommend that you use only water to moisten the skin. As you have found, the head responds dynamically to the humidity condition; once you oil or treat the head, you will have limited its ability to respond dynamically. Sometimes we are tempted to think of the skins as we do our own living skin – when it’s dry we use lotions to moisturize. But drumheads are not living and the logic of using lotions may be inappropriate. All skins for drums must be processed in some way – otherwise they will rot. Although the skins are "processed" there are oils remaining; this leaves the skin somewhat pliable and responsive. Many over the counter lotions contain some alcohol which actually dry out the processed skins. We've replaced heads on drums that actually seemed dried out and stiff even though the surface has been oiled or treated - the skin seemed almost dry rotted. It is possible that the treatments, oils, lotions, etc. interact with the chemicals that were used to process the skin. |
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