What is the diameter of this drumhead?

This specific DW Ebony bass drum head has a diameter of 16 inches, making it suitable for compact bass drums or converted floor toms.

How many plies does the DW Ebony 16" have?

It is a single-ply drumhead, which helps in maintaining sensitivity and a resonant, open tone.

What is the purpose of the six vents?

The six 1/2-inch vents allow air to escape the drum, which helps project the tone and ensures optimal resonance without losing low-end frequencies.

Can I use this as a batter head?

While it is primarily designed as a resonant (front) head due to its venting and logo placement, it is technically possible to mount, though its sound is optimized for the resonant side.

What material is the hoop made of?

The head features a glued-channel crimped aluminium hoop designed to enhance vibration transfer to the drum shell.

Does this head come with a pre-cut port hole?

It features six small 1/2-inch vents rather than one large port hole, providing a different style of air pressure release and resonance.

What color is the DW 16" Ebony head?

The head features a black 'Ebony' finish, providing a sleek, professional aesthetic for the front of the bass drum.

Is this head compatible with non-DW drums?

Yes, it is designed to fit any standard 16-inch bass drum regardless of the manufacturer.

How does the crimped hoop affect the sound?

The crimped aluminium hoop is designed to facilitate better contact with the drum shell, which enhances the overall resonance and low-end tone.

What is the typical price for this head?

The typical price for the DW Bass drumhead Ebony 16" is approximately GBP 45.

How does this compare to the DW Coated Clear series?

The Ebony series provides a different visual look and a slightly different tonal focus compared to the Coated Clear or AA Coated versions, which are often used as batter heads.

Does the venting reduce the bass response?

No, the specific design of the six 1/2-inch vents is intended to project tone without reducing the low-end performance of the bass drum.

Gear article

DW Drums Ebony 16" Bass Drum Head

The DW Drums Ebony 16" is a single-ply resonant bass drumhead designed specifically for 16-inch bass drums. It features a unique vented design and a crimped aluminium hoop to balance tonal projection with low-end resonance.

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Overview

The DW Bass drumhead Ebony 16" is a specialized resonant head manufactured by Drum Workshop (DW). It is engineered to fit 16-inch bass drums, which are frequently used in compact kits, bop kits, or converted floor tom setups. The head is distinguished by its ebony finish and a proprietary venting system designed to manage air displacement within the drum.

Key Features and Construction

This drumhead utilizes a single-ply construction that provides a sensitive response. A primary feature is the inclusion of six 1/2-inch vents positioned around the perimeter. These vents are designed to allow the drum to project its natural tone and release air pressure without compromising the low-frequency response.

The head is built with a glued-channel crimped aluminium hoop. This construction method is intended to improve vibration transfer from the head to the shell, which further enhances the resonance and depth of the drum's sound.

Tonal Character

The Ebony 16" head is designed to provide a deep, resonant tone despite its smaller diameter. The ebony material typically offers a slightly darker sonic profile compared to clear heads. Because of the specific venting system, the head maintains a significant low-end presence while ensuring the strike of the beater is audible and the drum does not feel 'choked' by internal air pressure.

Target Audience

This head is primarily suited for drummers using small-form-factor bass drums. It is an ideal choice for jazz drummers using 16-inch bass drums or street performers using portable kits. It also serves as a high-quality replacement for owners of DW kits who wish to maintain the original factory resonance and aesthetic of their equipment.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to other small-diameter heads like the Remo Silentstroke 16", the DW Ebony is a standard resonant head intended for full-volume performance rather than volume reduction. In contrast to the Evans 56 Calftone series, which focuses on a vintage aesthetic and warm, 'calf-like' textures, the DW Ebony is a more modern resonant solution focused on projection and low-end clarity through its ported design.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the diameter of this drumhead?: This specific DW Ebony bass drum head has a diameter of 16 inches, making it suitable for compact bass drums or converted floor toms.
How many plies does the DW Ebony 16" have?: It is a single-ply drumhead, which helps in maintaining sensitivity and a resonant, open tone.
What is the purpose of the six vents?: The six 1/2-inch vents allow air to escape the drum, which helps project the tone and ensures optimal resonance without losing low-end frequencies.
Can I use this as a batter head?: While it is primarily designed as a resonant (front) head due to its venting and logo placement, it is technically possible to mount, though its sound is optimized for the resonant side.
What material is the hoop made of?: The head features a glued-channel crimped aluminium hoop designed to enhance vibration transfer to the drum shell.
Does this head come with a pre-cut port hole?: It features six small 1/2-inch vents rather than one large port hole, providing a different style of air pressure release and resonance.
What color is the DW 16" Ebony head?: The head features a black 'Ebony' finish, providing a sleek, professional aesthetic for the front of the bass drum.
Is this head compatible with non-DW drums?: Yes, it is designed to fit any standard 16-inch bass drum regardless of the manufacturer.
How does the crimped hoop affect the sound?: The crimped aluminium hoop is designed to facilitate better contact with the drum shell, which enhances the overall resonance and low-end tone.
What is the typical price for this head?: The typical price for the DW Bass drumhead Ebony 16" is approximately GBP 45.
How does this compare to the DW Coated Clear series?: The Ebony series provides a different visual look and a slightly different tonal focus compared to the Coated Clear or AA Coated versions, which are often used as batter heads.
Does the venting reduce the bass response?: No, the specific design of the six 1/2-inch vents is intended to project tone without reducing the low-end performance of the bass drum.