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Reso Tom Heads—Smooth White or Coated?

Posts: 297 Threads: 79

Hi all,

I am looking to swap out the reso tom heads on my Clubdate and Classic Ludwig kits. Currently they both have clear Remo Ambassadors for reso heads and I am happy with the sound but feel the cosmetics could use improvement. I would like to replace the clear heads with either a smooth white or coated head to mask the inside of the drum shells. Currently, the batters are Ludwig Weather Master coated mediums and I am happy with those plus they are a little cheaper than Remo and I think they fit better IMO. Would I be okay weight and sound-wise by replacing the reso’s with Weather Master coated mediums or should I go with smooth white? To me the coated would be warmer? Are Ludwig medium weight heads basically the equivalents to Remo Ambassadors? Feedback please and thank you…

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 1118 Threads: 30

The Ludwigs and Remos DON'T sound the same. You get a little more "oomph" from the Remos, and a little more "boing" from the Ludwigs. It just depends on the sound you're going for. Same with the smooth vs. coated. The coated heads muffle/attenuate some of the high frequencies which makes them sound "warmer". Smooth heads will usually project a little better. Personally, I like the coated over clear Ambassador combo...the coated batter takes the edge off the articulation at medium to low volumes, and the reso head projects the sound no matter the volume. I used coated reso heads for a while, but I had to dig into the drums a bit more to be heard, but it did sound extremely nice in most situations. With the variety of gigs I do, from rock and blues to jazz and world music, I find the clear Ambassador resonant head to be better suited for ALL of them.

1970 Ludwig Downbeat
1965 Ludwig Hollywood
1970 Ludwig Jazzette
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 1625 Threads: 294

I agree completely! Clear ambassador resos unless it's an 18 inch drum or bigger...then I do coated ambassador.

-Adam

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 297 Threads: 79

Wouldn't smooth white Remo Ambassadors and clear Ambassadors be the exact same thing expect for color? The color certainly wouldn't affect sound, would it?

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 103 Threads: 1

From superclassic

Wouldn't smooth white Remo Ambassadors and clear Ambassadors be the exact same thing expect for color? The color certainly wouldn't affect sound, would it?

On the smooth white heads, the coating is on the underside of the head. However, it is not textured like a batter head.

Personally, I'd go smooth white on the bottom. It's a vintage look and a vintage sound. I'm going to do that combination on a big chrome over wood Slingerland kit I have. I too, don't like clear heads on a vintage kit. The only way I want to see the inner shells is by peeking though the vent holes.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 1597 Threads: 96

Coated Both sides emperors on top ambassadors on bottom the classic setup smooth came into vogue in the 70's you will love the sound and the tuning possibilities.. all of my 60's sets Rogers and Ludwig were setup with coated on both sides from the dealer...

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 1625 Threads: 294

I like the looks of the coated ambassador on the bottom too...but I prefer the sound of the clears. Don't get me wrong...I like the sound of the coated ones too, but I just find the clears to be so much more versatile. ALWAYS coated 2 ply on top for me.

-Adam

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
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