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What heads for my 20" inch Gretsch bass?

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I've just started to tinker with the round badge set I picked up earlier in the year. Currently, the BD has old heads marked Ludwig. They are very tight to the shell- so tight that I had to tap them with a rubber mallet to get them off. What heads will fit?

Thanks

jim

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'68 Ludwig Ruby Red Strata
'68 Ludwig Mod Orange
'58 Gretsch Starlight Sparkle
'69 Ludwig Clubdate BDP
'60s Ludwig Clubdate Black Lacquer / Nickel
'67 Trixon Speedfire Red
COB Ludwig Supra
Many projects
Bunch o snares
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
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Aquarian vintage series heads are made a little bigger to accommodate older American drums. They sound and look really nice too. I'd start there.

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
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i am very happy with the remo renaissance heads.

see if they fit yours.

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
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My gretsch 20 sounds great with an Aquarian super kick....but I mostly play Alternative Folk/Indie Rock type stuff.

Not sure what kind of sound you are going for. Personally I hate the American Vintage heads on bass drums. I do have one on the front though....mostly cause it looks really sweet with the gretsch logo. Lame but true.

-Adam

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
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From DaSwans

Aquarian vintage series heads are made a little bigger to accommodate older American drums. They sound and look really nice too. I'd start there.

Make sure it's the Aquarian American Vintage series. Their Modern Vintage series are a tighter fit.

Kits:
1950s Gretsch Name Band in Midnight Blue Pearl (13/16/22/14sn)
1965/66 Ludwig Club Dates rewrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (12/15/20)
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
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The American Vintage are really your only bet here. They are the only head cut bigger to fit the older shells.

They sound great, to me anyway, so you should have no problem. And I love the "calf" color. With my 1959 Gretsch Blue Sparkles, they look AWESOME.

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
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My bass drum doesn't have a problem fitting just about any modern heads. The toms however are TIGHT even with the American Vintage heads top and bottom. That might contribute to the boxy sound....or maybe I just got a bad batch of heads. Who knows.

-Adam

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 1071 Threads: 128
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i sell Aquarian heads and lot's of my ludwig guy's are into the american vintage and come back for more . if you were to use the super kick line i recomend the sk1 that seem to work very well , the sk2 and sk3 might be a bit modern heavy bass thumpin for your taste .

80's 13 pc sonor signature
1979 12 pc ludwig power factory
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
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