Earthtone 14" Calf Skin Drum Head

I have just received this head and must admit that it is everything I had read and maybe a little more. First of all, the quality of the calfskin appears to be excellent and it a little thick if anything. It does require the full use of tension rods on the 1920's Ludwig snare I have it on. I even had to change two rods for longer ones, as two were not long enough to reach the tube lug. I think this is a good thing as previously, with a regular head, I had to crank the head too much, in my opinion, and if this head does break in with a little "give", I'll still be alright. I plays like a calf skin head, and the rebound from the head just has the "feel" of real skin and not the typical mylar feel. The sound is excellent. It does diminish the high frequency ringing typical of plastic heads, but still leaves a more natural sounding tone. I can compare it to a Fiberskyn...if you imagine its' best qualities multiplied...if that makes any sense. I have not put an Earthtone on the snare side but I am very tempted to, and I'd love to hear them on a full kit, but for me the cost would just be too much...The company who executed on this idea deserves a medal. It gives you the best of both worlds...calfskin and mylar...and aluminum vs fleshoops all in one package. If you are on the fence, and want to experience a natural head I would go for it...I can't wait to put some mileage on the head to see how it holds up. I understand they last forever so we shall see. It is everything I expected and a little more. I am surprised I hadn't heard of this product before now....I hope the word gets out because I think a lot of people would love this product. It is a one of a kind item....maybe drummers are keeping it secret on purpose..

If you play brushes or low volume music these heads are a game changer. That said, the March 18, 2013 review nails the key characteristics and factors. Heed those.What I love is the aluminum 'flesh hoop' that maintains an even tension on the hear itself and allows it to seat the way a plastic head does. Of course you will not be able to retuck the head with this hoop, but at the price of these heads - less than forty bucks for the head at the time of this review - you don't need to.The way a brush sounds when you are doing quarter note patterns with a circle or back-and-forth swish is the main reason I purchased this head. Do be aware that these will project significantly less than a plastic head, so it's definitely not for heavily amplified music.The caveats: First, when the temperature and/or humidity changes, so does the head. Left under hot stage lights they can tighten to the point that your snare drum sounds like a bongo. In humid settings it will expand and sound like a 'thap' instead of a crisp, snare sound. In other words frequent tuning will become a way of life. I will say that due to the construction and the aluminum hoop this head is a little less finicky than those on my first drum kit in 1964. However, if you have never played real skin heads you need to know that there is work involved in owning and playing calf (or any other skin type.)Bottom line. If you play jazz or any style of acoustic music where dynamics are essential, or brushes often, this head is like a dream come true. The extra work required is well worth it.

I like it great sound!

Not great