Wow...thats a nice looking Bass drum!! Get some old WMP shells and make a nice Retro kit. Good stuff!

I have a few heads like that. When they were made, the person tucking the head tucked it too tight most likey.

I've found advice via an old orchestral drum method book that you can remove the head, soak JUST the area where the bearing edge touches the skin, put it back on the drum, and tighten fairly tight so as to stretch the head at create a "collar". This MAY work. it didn't work super well on one of my heads but i'm pretty sure thats just because the head (which is a modern calf bass head) is so thick. a thinner head will stretch better. If "stretch" is really the right word

also, with a troublsome overly tight bass head, you should keep the head fairly cranked when your storing it or not using it...this will maintain the "collor". The thing you want to aviod most is a head that barelty curves over the bearing edges....the problem will only worsen then during the winter humidity.

hope this helps,

Best,

Nick

Thanks for the replies and thanks for the advice, Nick. I actually bought an Aquarian American Vintage head for this thing hoping it would fit but it won't fit over the wrap on the drum. I guess I'll have to try and loosen the skin by trying your method. Thanks again. I'll let you know if I have any success.

Aaron

Hey Nick,

I tried your trick and it actually did help! I just wasn't sure if one should wet a calf skin head or not. Thanks for the tip!

The very best way to do it would be to soak it off the hoop and retuck it. That way you get exactly what you want......and the grand experience of tucking the head. I've retucked a few of my drums and it works just fine. I find the larger the drum the easier it is.....that's just me - I can't speak for others though.