HEADS

[matricks]

[img]cool.gif[/img] ...bliss... [img]cool.gif[/img]

[mja61]

I've been using Remo Coated Ambassadors on my toms for a couple of years. They last way longer than Clear Ambassadors/Emporers. The sound doesn't really change much from when they're new. The clear Remos have a certain clarity and richness when you first put them on, but that fades quickly. This effect is not as dramatic on the coated heads.

Also, the coated Remo heads have a certain feel that I realy like...kind of like when you use a crepe mousepad as a practice pad. It gives at first, but then it responds back.

The Evans G2 coated were also nice, but I'm more into single-ply heads these days. (I put one on my snare [just a regular tom head...no pinholes or muffling ring] and it sounded great)

The clear Evans heads sound "artificial" or "plasticky" to my ears. The single ply coated seem to dent rather easily. The EQ3 bass head made my bass drum sound like a Rubbermaid garbage can (no offense to the fine folks at Rubbermaid). Although, in the interest of equal time, I still use the EQ3 front head, and it sounds great with a clear Emporer on the batter side.

The construction of Evans heads seems to be the best, but there is a certain character and richness of a Remo that I have yet to find in another brand. I also heard Remo has been using a newer form of Mylar film that lasts longer.

I tried the Terry Bozzio Attack heads (coated, single-ply) and they seemed rather lifeless. They kind of felt like paper heads when I played them. Plus, Attack heads are harder to find.

[Rhythmatist]

LMFAO!
Fidel is demonstrating his head-first slide into second on a stollen base attempt.

Remo rules! OK, I've been using them all my life. I flip flop between the coated Ambassadors and clear Emperors depending on the size of the group. With smaller bands where there's not as much going on all at once I'll use the coated Ambassadors as they have an airy quality about them that seems to fill the sonic gaps nicely. When you start having 5, 6 + people on stage I like to have a little more punch and definition so I'll choose Emperors. Also, sound reinforcement or lack of same can also dictate that choice as well. You can get a lot more oomph out of the Ambassadors when there are no mics without having to hit harder. Snare drums ALWAYS have coated Ambassadors.

[img]wink.gif[/img] Alright, raise your hands. How many of you went out and outfitted your toms with blue hydraulic heads when Mr. Gadd did it, then went "Huh, why do my drums sound so crappy? How does he get that great sound?" [img]confused.gif[/img]

[FuseU1]

Originally posted by Rhythmatist:
Alright, raise your hands. How many of you went out and outfitted your toms with blue hydraulic heads when Mr. Gadd did it, then went "Huh, why do my drums sound so crappy? How does he get that great sound?"

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">DOHH!
Early 80s, when i 1st picked up the sticks. Tag. Nailed. Busted. Ya got me. [img]redface.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Those heads su**ed. But ya had to take a pair of gardeng shears to em to break em. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

I'll have you know that i NEVER went through that ridiculous "Tape the snot outta the toms because that's what they did in the [70s] studio" [anything: napkins, womens fem prods, cardboard...oh, oh, wait; that'd be the SOUND of em]...never mind the $half-a-mil EQ & FX rig they had to "fix" that cr*ppy sound... [img]graemlins/sure.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 24, 2004 09:47 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[PocketPlayer]

Yeah, that Castro pic should make everyone serve up a listen to The Babys "Head First" for a little Tony Brock and the boys!

I have Evans G1 & G2 combo. They do last longer than Remo's, but also have that plastic sound someone mentioned. The audience you're playing to is everything. They might sound blah to me, but if they record well or sound good Live, cool! If I'm just practicing, I want the drums to sound good to me. I'm going back to coated heads. Lastly, the Aquarian snare head I bought (HI-ENERGY) will last through several World Wars--seriously, this thing was made for a lifetime of abuse. Perfect head for the new drummer in 4th grade--it will last until high school graduation and beyond!

[CLWarunki]

If you want longevity: I had an Aquarian of some sort on my snare for a freakin' YEAR AND A HALF! This thing was made of KEVLAR, which is what they use on bulletproof vests. I was shocked... and it never tore, I changed it cause it was getting ridiculous, I could have had the thing on my snare for a decade!

I like evans cause they don't crackle as much as remos when the heads are setting. Plus i think remo is a but over-done, you know.

Anyone use the FIBERSKYN heads? I love the look of those, wonder how they sound!

[Greaseleg]

I played an 18x18 bass drum with a really loud funk/rock band for a while and it sounded great with a REMO Pinstripe on it with an Evans hourglass shaped muffler in it...for what its worth.

[royerin]

I prefer Evans personally. I use G2s on the toms which sound great and last longer than G1s, either a Reverse Power Centre or an HD Dry on the snare, and an EMAD on the kick. EMAD heads (IMO) give the kick an unbelievable sound. The only problem is the plastic sleeve that holds the muffling ring in place has a tendency to crack, and will buzz when you play the drum....of course, this is easily remedied with some trusty duct-tape...

[mja61]

[img]graemlins/hmmm.gif[/img]

I'm interested in hearing if any of you have done an A/B comparison on the following "debate":

Aquarian: Heads must be "pre-tensioned" to get a good sound. How can you expect a head to give you a good sound on a drum when it does not give you a good sound out of the box? (In other words, they believe the head should have a tone when you tap it right out of the box).

Bozzio: By pre-tensioning a head, you compromise the purpose of the bearing edge. My new signature heads are completely dead and slack out of the box. The hoop is more like a bongo-head style, and all the tensioning is provided against the bearing edge. You wouldn't buy a guitar string with a "kink" in it, so why buy a drum head that's pre-tensioned?

I've tried the Bozzio signature tom head (but I wasn't able to determine if it had this new hoop design). I wasn't all that impressed with the results. I've got a 10" tom that sounds kind of wimpy compared to the others, so I'm always on the lookout for something that might help (RIMS didn't quite do the trick [img]frown.gif[/img] )

Just wondering if any of you have tried both and heard a notable difference.

[pastor4all]

I love the warmth and feel of Remo's Fiberskyn 3 heads. To my ears they have a more "musical" tone that just sings out with a nice-round sustain. And when I added clear ambassadors as resonant heads on my toms, they sang out all the more. I don't think the Fiberskyns have the volume and projection of alot of the heads out there, but if you are playing a low to moderate volume level they are wonderful. And if you play miked...they sound great live or in the studio. Plus, I like them simply because not that many drummers use them. I think it gives my drumming a "distinctive" sound. And I've had numerous drummers ask me to help them tune their drums simply because they liked the sound of mine. [It's always a real compliment when drummers out in the audience love the way your drums sound].

P.S. I don't like Fiberskyn as a snare batter. A tad too dark for my tastes, and the action feels a little sluggish. But on the toms they sound and feel great!