Remo Tuning Day: Some of Jeff Davenport’s Tuning Tips

Posted on 5 August 2025
By GRD
Posted in Masterclass, REMO
0

Key drum tuning takeaways from Remo Tuning Day with Jeff Davenport at Graham Russell Drums. Practical head choices and setup tips.

Remo Tuning Day: Jeff Davenport’s top tuning takeaways

Remo Tuning Day brought a full house to Graham Russell Drums, with lots of customers dropping by our massive showroom for hands-on tuning advice. This recap captures our favourite lessons from Jeff Davenport, so drummers can dial in reliable, musical results at home or before a gig. Jeff's lessons include simple starting points, why different Remo heads behave the way they do, and how shell design affects your drum sound.

Finding the resonant “home” (Remo Tuning Day)

Start with both heads finger-tight, applying even pressure on the hoop at each lug. Once every lug is seated on both sides, you’ve reached the lowest resonance that drum can offer with that head. From this base:

For a light, lively jazz voice, add ½–1 turn per lug on each side.

Expect the lowest workable pitch to change by head type and thickness: the 1-ply Ambassadors sit higher and want more tension; 2-ply Emperors are thicker and settle lower.

Aim for balanced intervals around the drum; use small turns and re-tap frequently as you go.

Jeff’s memorable line sums up the relationship between parts: “The head is the potato; the shell is the flavour.” Each Remo head model has a different contact profile with the bearing edge, so the shell’s character comes through differently from head to head.

Our Favourite Tips From Jeff: Energy transfer, shells, and predictable tone

Think of a drum as variables working together: lugs, shell material and thickness, hoops, bearing edge, ply count, and the head itself.

Denser snare shells (stave builds, dense woods, or metal) transfer energy faster and sound snappier.

Thicker shells cause higher pitch sounds; thinner shells sit lower in similar tensions.

For floor toms that need body and control, two-ply heads (e.g., Emperors) give a thuddy, rich response and tame unwanted over-ring.

Pitch bend (that downward “wow”) happens when the resonant head is tuned lower than the batter. Use it intentionally for vibe, or match heads closer for a more stable note.

Treat tuning snares like tuning toms, but with a much thinner resonant head; treat it gently and in smaller increments.

A final artistic note: Remo artists choose the heads they prefer. There’s no single “correct” recipe - only the sound that serves their signature style.

Product spotlight: Remo heads

Explore Remo's proven options from Graham Russell Drums. Swap in the exact sizes you need and add to your basket—Next Day UK shipping available, or try them in our Fareham showroom.

Prefer to browse? See our extensive Remo drum head range for all types and sizes.

Why Graham Russell Drums?

Attendees commented on the hands-on, educational format and the chance to compare heads side by side. Graham Russell Drums offers in-house expertise all year round from professional drummers (not just at these occasional events), vast Remo stock, and advice tailored to your needs. Our massive showroom lets players leave with a setup that suits their needs and budget.

Conclusion

Our Remo Tuning Day was a great success. If you’re ready to refine your sound, explore the Remo products on our website or visit our showroom in Fareham for friendly expert guidance from Graham Russell Drums.