Timpani Head Size Guide
Shop for Timpani Heads.
When purchasing a replacement head for your 23" timpano, singular for timpani, logic would indicate you need a 23" head, right? Timpani, unlike a Snare Drum or Concert Tom, use a different method to determine the size head that is needed for any particular drum. Timpani heads actually extend beyond the edge of the bowl, thus needing a larger diameter head than the actual size of the drum itself. The crucial piece of information needed to determine the proper head needed is how far the head extends beyond the bowl. Please check the Evans Timpani Head Chart (click for PDF) or the Remo Timpani Head Chart (click for PDF) first to see if your timpani model is included.
If there appears to be little to no space between the lip of the bowl (also known as the bearing edge) and the counter hoop ( or rim), then you have what is commonly referred to as a drum with a regular collar (See diagram 1). These drums are generally made before 1978 and include older Ludwig, Slingerland or Leedy drums. Determining the actual size of the drum itself can be tricky. Before 1978, manufacturers such as Ludwig made drums in many different sizes. (i.e. 20", 23", 25", 26", 27", 28", 29", 30") A good rule of thumb for pre-1978 drums is to add 1" to the drum size to obtain the actual head size that is needed. The exception is for older 23" drums. These drums need a 24 1/4" head.
Diagram 1
If your drums were made after 1978, manufacturers began to standardize sizes and your method of determining correct head sizes is much easier. You will notice that there appears to be a 1"-2" space between the lip of the bowl and the counter hoop (See diagram 2). This is what is commonly referred to as an extended collar. This means you will add 2" on to the size of the drums. After 1978 the manufacturers standardized most of their drum sizes to 20", 23", 26", 29", and 32". This means you will buy heads that are 22", 25", 28", 31", and 34" respectively. The exceptions to this rule are the top of the line drums such as Adams Philharmonic, Walter Lights or the Yamaha 9000 series drums. While Premier drums are also exceptions to the rule, in general, post 1978 Ludwig, Yamaha, or Adams, the 2" rule will apply.
Diagram 2
In the end, the best way to determine the correct size head you need is to take the head off the drum and measure the outside diameter of the head. Outside diameter means from one side of the metal ring to the other. You will hear all sorts of tricks that allow you to find the head size without taking the head off of the drum. The most common being measure across the top of the drum and subtract 1/2". Due to the fact that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, we do not recommend this method for purchasing the correct head needed.
Once you have purchased the correct heads for your drums, write the model number and size on each head with a permanent marker (just big enough to see but not so big that parents see it from the back row of the Auditorium) so next time you need timpani heads for that set of drums, the process of ordering will be effortless.
Everyone here at Steve Weiss Music, Inc. is committed to helping our customers order the correct Timpani heads the first time. Shipping costs for sending incorrectly ordered Timpani heads back and forth can be costly and is the sole responsibility of the customer. If you still have any questions regarding the correct sizing of your particular Timpani, we suggest you contact our sales department prior to ordering.
Shop for Timpani Heads.
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Jeremy Kane
FYI - Ludwig timp key will fit Yamaha timps just fine. Ludwig key is actually slightly larger but is snug enough to do tuning adjustments, spring tension, and clutch without a problem.
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Donna Bradley
Hi - I have two timpani that I need heads for. Here is all the info on the current head: Ludwig Weather Master Pat. RE26, 415 T-29-Timpani: DB-75O Ludwig Weather Master Pat. RE26, 415 T-26 -Timpani: DB-75O
Steve Weiss Music Response:
Ludwig prints the size of the bowl, not the head in the stamp. If your drums are extended collar, you would need to order a 28" and 31" head. If you wanted to order the same Ludwig heads, you can purchase them on our site by searching for "Ludwig Extended Collar Timpani Head" and selecting the LUD-C8226 and LUD-C8229. You can also use any of the timpani heads from Evans or Remo.
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Natalie
Hi, I have a Set of 4 (23/26/29/32) - Ludwig Professional Series Polished Copper Timpani w/Gauge set. What size and brand name timpani heads should I purchase? Thank you Steve Weiss Music for your help.
Steve Weiss Music Response:
Timpani heads from Ludwig, Remo or Evans would all work on your drums.
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Antonio Herrera
Hi, I have a Yamaha 7300 series set. What size of timpani heads do I need on them? Remo Reniassance Hazy and Evans Strata. Thanks
Steve Weiss Music Response:
Yamaha currently ships 3300, 4300, 6300, 7300 and 8300 timpani with Remo Renaissance Clear Heads with Aluminum Insert. To get the correct size, you should add 2 inches to the size of the bowl. A 20" timpano would take a 2200 head, 23" timpano = 2500, 24" timpano = 2600, 26" drum = 2800, 27" timpano = 2900, 29" timpano = 3100 and 32" timpano = 3400.
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Mike Wood
Hi, I have a Yamaha 23" and 32" 3300 series and Ludwig Universal 26" and 29" I want to replace the Ludwig heads with the same type/colour of the Yamahas which are a cream colour. Can you recommend Remo or Evans equivalents? Thanks for your help. Mike
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James Williams
I have two old Leedy pedal timpani. I need new heads for these two drums. They measure 26 and 29 but one set of heads I bought did not fit. I am looking for the correct fitting heads. May I send you the exact bowl measurement and knowing the age of the drums find the correct sizes? I am sure these are pre-1950's. Thanks so much for your continued help. James Williams "Have drums, will Travel"
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Craig Fattey
Hi - I'm looking to get replacement heads for our Ludwig Standard Fiberglass Timpani. The timp sizes are as follows: 23", 26" 29" 32". These timpani were purchased between 1993 and 1999. Could you please tell me what size heads to order. Right now I'm leaning toward the Evans Strata or Evans Orchestral. Thanks
Steve Weiss Music Response:
Hi Craig, according to the Evans timpani head chart you would to add the standard 2" to the bowl size to get your head size. You would want to order ET2500, ET2800, ET3100, and ET3400. If you went with Evans Strata it would be EST2500, EST2800, EST3100 and EST3400. Give us a call if you have any additional questions.
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todd stansfield
I have a Rogers timpani and need a new head. The bowl is 23" and looks like drum head rim to rim is 24 1/2". What exactly do I need?
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Dana Scaglione
Question: Will my Yamaha timpani key fit Ludwig timps? I am pretty sure a Ludwig key won't fit Yamaha (Ludwig key too small). I was surprised to see this question not yet answered when I googled it.
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Hans Sageng
"The flesh hoop, (metal ring around the perimeter of the head) ... measure the outside diameter of the head. Outside diameter means from one side of the metal ring to the other." -- This is not clear about whether to measure from the inside edge of the metal ring, or from the outside edge of the ring. Is the flesh hoop around, surrounding, the perimeter of the head, or does it form the perimeter around the head? -- And why don't your IT guys help display answers here? What good are the questions?
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Al Hobbs
What kind of lubricant is best for plastic timp heads to keep them from creaking while being tuned. I always used a hard stick type wax called "Door Ease" on calf heads (on the rim of the bowl) but I was wondering what is best for plastic. Thanks
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Zubin
I just bought a used 28" slingerland timpano. The counter hoop extends 2" beyond the bearing edge. The head that came with it is a regular collar 29" slingerland head. Since it's a regular collar head, and the counter hoop extends 2" past the bearing edge of the bowl, it's obviously impossible to put the head on and tune it since the counter hoop can't pull the head down (the head wasn't on the drum when I got it. It came separately.) Do I need a 29" head with an extended collar, or a 31" head with a regular collar? Or will either one work? Thanks!
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Kyle
I just purchased a 1920's Leedy 29" bass drum and in need of a proper drum head. Would a 29" Timpano head work? The shell is exactly 29", outside to outside diameter. I hope to hear from somebody soon, thanks! - Kyle
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Steven King
I have come across a "Ringer Ludwig Timpani" with a serial #5861. Could you tell me by this # what the age would be? I looked up through the Ludwig Serial # index, and it says that # would be 1963. But I have doubts about this being correct. I thought Ludwig didn't buy the patent from Ringer until 1969. Did they have a different Serial # index for the "Ringer Ludwig Timpani" for finding out the manufacturing date? Could you tell me the age of this Timpani with the Serial #5861 , I have been told that the 58 in this # may be the head size 58cm, and the 61 could be the 61st made in this size. This seems to make sense, but I would like to know the correct information. Any clarification would be helpful, and any info you can add as to where i might be able to offer this for sale would be greatly appreciated. It is just the one Ringer Ludwig Timpani Thanks, Steven King
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Ed Stello
"The exceptions to this rule are the top of the line drums such as Adams Philharmonic, Walter Lights or the Yamaha 9000 series drums. While Premier drums are also exceptions to the rule, in general, post 1978 Ludwig, Yamaha, or Adams, the 2" rule will apply." The second sentence here seems a bit confusing. (it may just be to me) Could you try that one again?
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John Gerling
Would be helpful to mention something about inserts, their purpose and whether or not needed on certain drums.
