Replacing Heads and Snares

This is my band issue drum.
Pretty basic stuff, Premier 200.

The band bought several of them at a second hand sale. Don't think they make these any more, but you see a lot of them in starter bands like the ones I'm in.

Collect the items you need:

	wide drum key; need torque power!
	14" top head [Remo Tendura]
	14" bottom head [Remo Ambassador]
	top snare (short one) [Premier #0678]
	bottom snare [Andante part#750A]

Single malt optional...I suppose.

Removing the old head:

	Release the tension on the top snare.
	Lower the top snare.
	Loosen all the bolts holding the top head.
	Unscrew the bolts the rest of the way.
	The bolts will probably have grease on them so set them on a piece of paper.
	The bolts have triangular metal washers, don't loose them.
	The head and rim should lift right off, however the head may be stuck in the rim.

If the head is stuck in the rim:

	Hold the rim/head upside down.
	Grasp the rim firmly...
	Slam it down squarely over a bucket;
	...don't bend the rim.
	Apply single malt.
	Repeat as needed.

The top snare should slide off to the left or right. You may need to loosen the tension a bit more.

With the head and snare off, give your drum a good inspection and cleaning. Look for signs of wear and rust. If you find rust, sand and paint.

Slide the new top snare in its place and tighten up the tension enough to make sure it does not move while you install the new top head.

Put the new top head on.

If you don't center the drum head logo WRT to your carrying harness, you will hate yourself later.

	Line up the rim with the drum bolt mounts.
	Get all the bolts started.
	Spin 'em all down until you get some resistance.
	Get a quarter and use that as a spacer between the rim and the bolt mounts.

Get it tight enough to get a reasonable sound, but be careful to not over tighten, because you need to 'tune' with the other snare drums in your group.
...but that's another lesson.

Tighten the tension on the snare and raise it into position.

Flip the drum over.

Bottoms up.

Spin the knobs on the lower snare until you can lift the snare off the traction pins on each side.

Loosen the bolts for the bottom head. Most likely you will hear some cracking and creaking.

Remove the bolts the rest of the way and place them on a piece of paper.. greasy again.

As with the top head, now is a good time to inspect and clean your drum.

	Put the new head on.
	When you put the rim on, be sure to align the flat gaps with the snare mounts.

	Start all the bolts.
	Spin up the bolts till you get some resistance.
	Tighten to a reasonable setting. Remember tuning is a group effort so don't over do it.

The rim will probably sit higher than it was since the old head was stretched. You may need to adjust the snare mounts up a bit. If you do, make sure it is even on both sides (easier to tell after you put the snare in place).

Put the snare in place and look at how it sits on the drum head. It should be taught with only a paper thin gap between the snare and drum head.

Over the next few days monitor these bottom bolts closely. They will need some tightening as the head settles in. If you are not mindful, the bolts vibrate out while you are on parade.

That's my best guess at how to do it.

Cheers!

Patrick