Interesting drums and interesting idea to enlarge a head hoop.

If that head is under tension then (... and snare heads need much tension): doesn't the head crack forward to the middle? I'm just wondering ...

Ralf

Wow, yeah... me too! What a great idea and I sure hope it works. Not only for that particular snare, but others as well.

I put an MIJ early 60's wood snare back in round by using a clothes steamer and web strapping. That was a major pain, but it worked. This sounds MUCH better!

One of the best trick's on making heads fit the drum..Roy Hearte of Drum City in Hollywood,ca showed me that 20 years ago...Mikey

I've got a 26" Ludwig Stainless Steel Marching BD that is slightly out-of-round... I'm going to try that, too. Thanks!

As for grossly out-of-round shells (football shaped), I had one this past summer. I got a lot of "ideas" off this forum, mostly involving steam, etc. It was a Ludwig 3-ply with re-rings. Our local HS wood shop teacher had a "dry" suggestion, I tried it, and it worked.

We used a standard pipe-clamp at its worst point. Also wrapped a standard strap clamp around it, as close to the bearing edges as possible. Our intent was to tighten the clamps gradually until we heard the slightest crack, then let it set for a few days. Well, when we started tightening, it NEVER cracked. We tightened them up until it was round, and then just left it alone for a couple of weeks.

To make a long story short, that didn't do it... but 2 more weeks did. The head and rim then fit fine...

I don't think this would work on the multiply drums, but it sure did on the 3-ply w/ re-rings. I won't hesitate to do it again...

Did you try a modern 15 inch head??

I'm curious----how out of round is it?-----you mentioned that an American Vintage head was "still not a good fit". Did you get it on at all?----but have it snug at one point and a big gap at another?

I finally managed to get a head to fit on the batter-side (see pic). I've also ordered an Aquarian American Vintage clear snare side head (VCC-SN14) for the bottom. Hopefully I'll have this one "up and running" within a week or so.

Thanks to all of you for your time, your feedback and your suggestions!