Tom Resonant Drumheads

Resonant tom heads (often referred to as “reso heads” for short) are installed opposite the batter heads, on the bottom of the tom drum, where they are not played on with sticks. When tuned in relation to the batter drumhead, resonant heads help to shape the overall tone of the drum by increasing sustain and projection.  

We have a variety of resonant tom options to suit every drummer! A great starting point would be to know the diameter of your drums. Not all EVANS Drumheads come in all sizes, so you’ll want to start there. 

In general, if you prefer a more resonant tom sound with maximum sustain, go with a 10mil clear drumhead, like G1 or Genera Reso. Both are highly versatile and sound excellent when paired with any batter head. If you prefer a darker tone with shorter sustain, try Resonant Black or Reso 7. For something in between: EC Reso and G1 Coated are great options.  

If you’re still unsure, our Drumhead Finder Tool can help you quickly match the right head to your unique sound and style. 

Since resonant tom heads are not played with sticks, they last significantly longer than batter heads. If your drums are used frequently, we recommend changing the reso heads around once per year to maintain optimal tone quality.

It's not standard practice, but some drummers occasionally find a use for 2-ply reso heads on their toms. You might find it easier to achieve a lower tuning range. But due to the added mass of the head, you may also find that a 2-ply resonant tom head sacrifices projection in live concert settings. However, in close-mic’d studio recording sessions, a 2-ply batter head may be a great option to achieve depth and low-end.

Nope! For example, a 14” G1 Clear on the tom reso page is the same product as the 14” G1 Clear on the tom batter page. Note: the item numbers are both TT14G1.

While both heads are 10mil, clear, and are constructed with our patented Level 360 Technology, each head uses a different film.  

All our films go through extensive testing before they’re selected for specific purposes. The film used for G1 is more durable than Genera Reso, making it suitable either as a batter head or a resonant head. While Genera Reso is less durable, acoustically it offers livelier resonance and longer sustain than G1 clear, which makes it a perfect fit for a tom reso head. Both heads are highly versatile and sound excellent when paired with any batter head.  

This extensive testing and careful selection of materials is one of the many reasons why EVANS Drumheads are the most technologically advanced drumheads on Earth.  

Thanks to our patented Level 360 Technology, seating the drumhead is not necessary for EVANS Drumheads.

Yes! All EVANS resonant tom drumheads feature Level 360 Technology.