It's very easy to see the thickness difference between the 1.6mm and 2.3mm hoops, especially at the ears where the tension rods pass through.

What is your current kit? That would help us to know what the original hoops would be. Also, the 1.6mm hoops are more flexible than the 2.3mm, which can be very stiff.

-Mark

Thanks Mark. I'll try that comparison when I go home this weekend. My kit is an HP Custom built in 2004. The builder ordered his parts from Drum Factory or somewhere similar.

You can buy a good digital caliper for fairly cheap. Do you have a Harbor Freight close by? They carry several models, all under $20. Here's an example:

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-composite-digital-caliper-93293.html

That's what I use to tell for sure, especially if I don't have one of each for a "side by side" comparison.

I would also say that 2.3 hoops are not the industry standard. On entry level and mid entry level kits, none that I know of come with 2.3 hoops. There are also many intermediate level kits that don't come with 2.3 hoops, like the Gretsch Catalina Club for example. Several upper mid level to high end kits come with die cast hoops (Tama Starclassic and Pearl Masters, for example). I will say that most replacement "aftermarket" hoops are 2.3. I get mine from drumfactorydirect.com, and their 2.3 hoops are actually cheaper than standard 1.6 hoops.

Hi Zach,

+1 with what vyachelsav has stated. Since you mentioned that the kit was custom built, the chances are excellent that the hoops are 2.3mm. It's actually difficult to find aftermarket 1.6mm hoops. Cannon offers 1.8mm and I've even seen 2.0mm offered. It is true that many of the beginner and intermediate kits are using 1.6mm hoops, but I still believe that your hoops are 2.3mm.

-Mark

If I can't tell for sure by looking at them I'll pick up a cheap caliper. Thanks for that tip, vyacheslav.

I've heard of drummers replacing their batter hoops and leaving the reso unchanged, claiming it wouldn't do much for the sound of the drum. Does anyone have experience with swapping their reso hoops and whether or not it changed the sound?

It's not so much the sound per se, a lot of has to do with more accurate tuning.

It's always been my opinion that, compared to standard hoops, 2.3 hoops offer more consistent tuning, the drum stays in tune longer and doesn't de-tune as frequently, and provides more clarity on rim shots and cross stick "clicks".

They provide more accurate tuning because of their rigidity. Because it's stiffer, it's going to sit on the head more evenly, rather than being easier to flex from an uneven tension spot. It will also help each tension rod hold it's tension because of that. Also, when mounted and ready to be played, 2.3 hoops come down a little further on the shell, pretty much even with the "rim" on the head, which makes it more "one" with the head on the shell, rather than 1.6 hoops, because on those the "rim" of the head sticks out beyond the bottom of the hoop.

They also make the drum heavier. Comparing two identical drums with one having 1.6 hoops and the other having 2.3 hoops, the drum with 2.3 hoops will be heavier and feel beefier and "better built".

Having said that, I use 2.3 hoops on the top and bottoms of my toms and snares. I don't really notice any difference in sound on toms, except that sound a little more "pointed" and beefy". On snares, the rim shots and cross sticks are much more pronounced and the whole drum just sings more. I used to think it wouldn't be necessary on the snare (bottom) side, but it comes in handy when sitting in a snare basket and you tighten up the basket. I know you're not supposed to use a lot of tension on the snare basket (and I don't), but it seems like the basket grips better and with less tension, plus the rigidity of the 2.3 helps hold the tension in place, even when light pressure from the basket is applied to it.

The biggest thing to remember about 2.3 hoops is that they will do the things mentioned above, but won't make any significant changes in the sound of your drums by themselves. Head selection and head tension are still 95% of what makes your drums sound like they are drums. In my opinion, 2.3 hoops are always a good upgrade. I don't see any drawbacks in using them at all.

Just looked through pictures of some of my custom snare drums. Attached are pictures of a snare with a 1.8mm hoop and another with a 3mm hoop. Yes, it is a 3mm! Talk about heavy and rigid. Gives the benefits of a die-cast, but without the expense. They're available from Drumfactorydirect.

-Mark