posted
I am about to rehead both of my drumsets! (hasn't been done in awhile)
I don't know what heads I want to use on them. I am a big fan of remo, that is all I have ever used, but would not be opposed to try Evans or Aquarian. I am also looking for general tuning tips/recommendations too.
Drumset #1 - 1970 4-piece Ludwig Vintage Blue/Green Badge
5.5x14 Snare 14x22 Bass 9x13 Rack Tom 16x16 Floor Tom
Snare is metal, drums are wood. I want this drumset to sound halfway between classic rock and a jazz/mo-town setting. Kind of mitch mitchell/ringo/funk brothers/late 50s early 60s jazz kind of sound. I was thinking coated ambassadors on all batters (even kick!) and clear ambassadors on resos (ebony on bass), with kind of a medium tuning all-around (hazy amb on snare side). I am open to all head and tuning suggestions, but definitely want the snare to have some character.
Drumset #2 - 2001 DW Collector's Series 7-piece
4x14 Snare 18x22 Bass 6x8 Rack Tom 7x10 Rack Tom 8x12 Rack Tom 11x14 Floor Tom 13x16 Floor Tom
All are 5-ply maple I think. I use this for a modern hard-rock and reggae sound. I want the bass drum to sound like something that might be used in a rap song. A short deep, sweet, powerful cannon kind of sound...room shaking. The floor toms I also want to sound thunderous with tons of lows and boom. The top toms I want very punchy, that would still jump out with quick articulate work. The snare is a bit tricky, because it is halfway between a normal and piccolo snare. I definitely want it wail and drive a rock/metal song, but also to pop in a reggae/hip hop setting.
I was thinking of Powerstroke 3's on the kick. I have used them on the beater head, but not the reso. I don't like to use much outside muffling, I like heads that take care of that themselves...with that being said I have used ebony ambassadors as the reso.
For the floor toms, I was thinking of clear emperors, black dots, or powerstroke 3's. For top three toms, I was thinking black dots or pinstripes. I don't know if I should use clear or ebony ambassadors on the bottom, or use something heavier. Maybe something 2 ply like emperors, pinstripes, or powerstroke 3's. To cut out some of the resonance with using zerOrings, moongel, duct tape, or paper towels. I like my drums ring and resonate, just not forever. I have heard good things about Evans ec2's as tops and bottoms but am wary for no good reason except that I fear change of brand.
For the snare, I was thinking of the standard coated ambassador/clear ambassor combo. I am tempted to try something crazy like using black dots on the snare, or even powerstroke 3's (maybe even coated). I think something like a coated emperor would be too heavy on such a thin drum. I want the drum to pop and cut through, but not be too tinny or too dry. I want it to be highish, but not in a standard piccolo range. In a perfect world I would just have two snares, but I digress.
Other random thoughts:
I have used the evans foam ring bass drum heads, and they sounded really good, but eventually the plastic ring that holds them dried out and cracked. I will not use them again. Also, ebony batter heads look amazing, but sound like garbage. Not even worthy for an entry level kit.
Can you guys help me choose my drumming destiny? Thanks!
Posts: 468 | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
It sounds like you pretty much have the head choice in hand. I don't know how you're going to get
" I want the bass drum to sound like something that might be used in a rap song. A short deep, sweet, powerful cannon kind of sound...room shaking."
"Short" and "deep" are pretty much acoustical opposites. Maybe tuning the batter head on the bass kind of tight, and keeping the reso head loose, but I admit my kick drum tuning skilz are not that great.
What interval do you use for tuning the top versus resonating heads on the snares and toms? Have you played around with different intervals?
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
i tuned the top heads on toms based on the rebound response, not the actual note. to where it feels good. i then tune the bottom notes as low as possible of where they sound good from there. start low and work my way up until the bottom sounds good with the top
Posts: 468 | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
What kind of snares are you using on the snare drums? I played on a Clevelander snare once that had some yellow cable snares with a lot of character.
I always recommend using the thinnest heads possible for the resonating side. You can always muffle it if you want, with duct tape. The bass would be the exception, it just gets too boomy for some venues.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick: Towels/pillows can easily remedy that problem.
Yeah, but he said he doesn't like to use external muffling. That said, I keep a pillow in my bass drum most of the time, if I'm playing.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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