i was thinking about trying a different head on the bottom of my toms to see what difference it would make. of course this "works" with a snare. just want to know if anybody currently does this
Not really sure where you are going with your question but I will answer it the way it should be handled...
The bottom tom head has primary responsibility for the pitch of the tom so it has to be thinner to resonate. 10mil single-ply is the standard resonant head = Remo Ambassador or Evans G1/J-1 Etched or Attack Thin. If it is too thick (more than 10mil) it will choke the drum/deaden the drum. Therefore single-ply heads from 7mil-10mil are recommended.
7mil heads (Remo Diplomats or Evans Resonant Black/Glass or Attack Xtra Thin) have a higher pitched, shortened, thin sound. You get articulation but your mid-range is gone so you drums don't sound full... they sound small/tiny.
If your drums have good bearing edges but are boomy/huge in sound then a 7mil resonant head may be a good alternative to duct/gaffers tape and moon gel or Mufflo and "O" rings slapped on the batter (top) heads. Evans EC Resos are another option being they are 10mil heads with a dampening ring built in. Another option is using a coated Ambassador or G1 as a resonant head to dampen the sound without choking the drum. Coated heads will however warm the sound of the drum note.
Make sure the heads you are currently using are properly tuned to the drum and each other (bottom in tune with the top). If they are in tune but the sound is not right for the drum or music then try changing the top heads first because you have more options. In most cases I would not recommend using something other than a 10mil clear head on the bottom. Remember that resonant/bottom heads should be changed at least once a year in order to maintain a good drum sound.
