UK 70's Aluminium Snare

[Chromeo]

Hi all. This drum was on eBay. I got it for a decent price. It's in excellent condition, but has a design flaw. The drum is exactly 14" in diameter, but the resonance side is a bit larger than 14". I can't get a modern reso head on the bottom side of the drum which is hugely disappointing. The shell seems to splay out in the areas where they crimped the snare beds. I'm guessing they didn't think it through. The head on the bottom is the one that came with it. Maybe they realised their mistake and had to have special heads made to fit the oversized shell. I accepted a partial refund on it. I thought I could maybe fix it somehow. I've tried tapping the shell with a mallet where the crimped snare beds are, but I just cannot get a head on the bottom side of this drum.
Anyway, here are some photos. Nice drum, but I can't even play it.
Any ideas on what I should do with it?
I think it's a Rose Morris snare. There's no badge, but that's what it is.
What a pity it won't take a reso head.

[grantro]

I have a thought...Try putting the drum in the fridge to see if the metal contracts enough to put a reso head on...I`ve never tried this before, but, it might work??

Cheers

[Chromeo]

Originally Posted by grantro

I have a thought...Try putting the drum in the fridge to see if the metal contracts enough to put a reso head on...I`ve never tried this before, but, it might work??

Cheers

I'll try anything at this stage.
Thanks.

[Chromeo]

Also, the reso head that was on it is actually a coated batter head. It's called a "head-master". Never seen one of those heads until I got this drum.

[Father-42]

Originally Posted by Chromeo

a coated batter head. It's called a "head-master"

Mystery...
Never heard any similar...

Cheers,
George.

[green glass drum]

I think I heard that Purdie Shuffle cut the head rim in a few places to get them to fit on oversized shells. Apparently it works.

[delboydrums]

Originally Posted by Chromeo

Also, the reso head that was on it is actually a coated batter head. It's called a "head-master". Never seen one of those heads until I got this drum.

I believe these were Rose Morris own brand of heads (1970s)

[JimmySticks]

So if this snare came with a resonant head on it, why can't you use it? Most res heads last like forever. Do you just want to change it, or is there a need to change it?

[kdg]

Sounds as if your drum is torqued, somewhat. usually due to being dropped or subjected to unusual pressure. I would try a head like Remo's "Classic Fit" which features a narrower flesh hoop for older (wood shell) drums that have gone slightly out of round or where manufacturing tolerances may not have been as precise (during the calf head era) as they are today.

[vintage drum bug]

I have a Rose Morris Aluminum shell snare drum but the lugs are different. Ill try to post a picture soon.