Bass Marching Drumheads

EVANS has three options to choose from. MS1 is a single-ply 10mil drumhead without any additional damping or tone control, for the most wide-open bass drum sound. MX1 is the same as MS1—a single ply, 10mil marching bass drumhead—but with the added feature of an internal overtone control ring that can be adjusted with the included felt arcs. The felt arcs can be added or removed depending on how much tone control you prefer. Meanwhile, MX2 is a two-ply version of MX1, which also includes the overtone control ring and felt arcs. 

EVANS offers marching bass head in sizes ranging from 14” to 32”, in increments of two inches, to accommodate the different drums within a bass line. Always make sure to verify the diameter of your bass drum before making your purchase.

There’s no universal schedule, because how quickly your head wears depends on how often you play, your specific technique, the drumhead tuning, and rehearsal conditions. When you start to notice significant wear, damage, or a decline in tone and tuning stability, it’s time to swap out the head.

Players often tune their marching bass drums according to how much sustain they prefer, and the style of marching music they play. Some drumlines will tune their marching bass drums a bit lower for more sustain, while other drumlines tune them higher for clearer articulation. Regardless of which tuning range you choose, always make sure to tighten the tension rods evenly all the way around the drum on both sides.

Absolutely. The EVANS Custom Marching Bass Drumheads designer lets you add your school logo, band name, mascot, or just about any other custom design using our high-resolution printing system. Artwork is printed directly onto the film for photo-quality results. Custom heads are available in MS1, MX1, and MX2 configurations in sizes from 14" to 32", and feature an extra 3mil clear ply to protect the artwork.