After three years of researching and trialling the chemistry and the production techniques associated with the making of natural rawhide drum heads it was obvious that a system classifying the different levels of development be attempted.

The system that has evolved and become Archangel Drum Heads is the most revolutionary approach ever applied to frame drum heads. Musicians can now not only select the species of a head but also the weight of the skin and the level of finish.

Each level correlates with different tonal features and whilst it shortens the playing in time it does not remove the requirement that heads should be 'played in'. The general rule "that the more you do to a head the shorter its life", still holds true; but the very careful and precise techniques used and a process for rejuvenating heads minimizes this risk.

Here is the Archangel info:

 The classification is based on two variables:

• Firstly, the nature of the chemistry in terms of the fats, oils, binders,  fillers and seals employed; and
• Secondly, the different manual processes used, setting, sticking, striking, the degree of staking and the number of  'pre-tensionings' prior to the final fitting of the head

Each head is glued in place with a system that allows the musician to make further adjustments if they want to.

The head of the drum is its heart and soul. Even so, many musicians get bewitched with the finish of the frame and infatuated with features unrelated to the sound that the drum produces. Certainly frames and their finish influence the sound of the drum; cut any sort of hole into the frame, alter the rim, screw in a crossbar, or even have a heavy gloss finish and you will alter the tones that the head produces. Archangel heads with the standardized frames and the interchangeable head drums allow musicians for the first time to explore the different heads available; for the first time musicians can hear the differences between species, weights and levels of preparation and then they can make the most informed choices in their playing careers.

The musician can make up his own mind on what he hears, choose the sound that appeals to him most and not be forced to take what the maker thinks the player should have.

All these issue are resolved with Archangel Drum Heads

The interchangeable-head drums have been in trouble free use for the same period and these allow the serious musician to change the head according to playing demands. These heads are 'fully worked' there is not much more that should be done to them, after a short playing in period they have well developed bottom and top ends and are available in all species and weights.

Currently a completely new, patentable procedure for treating rawhide heads is under development and it will see the head move from raw skin to completed drum head in one operation. This will overcome the initial drying which irreversibly cements the fibers into complex cross linked three dimensional structures which can never be fully wetted back. This drum head will be the most elastic and stable form of natural rawhide head on the market.

Archangel drum heads will be available at all levels of development in vacuum sealed packs ready for immediate fixing to existing drums.