Hi there, any information about heads that will fit an old Ajax kit? I've tried a few different types, but they're just too small.
it's a 12", 16", 20" outfit from the 40's / 50's with the tall oval badge. The original calf heads are wrecked.
Thanks for any help.
Which ones did you try?
Have you tried the new Remo "Classic Fit" heads that are their answer to the Aquarian American Vintage heads?
Is it possible that the shells might be metric sized?
Kentville Drums - Steele makes kangaroo hide drum heads to any size you like, if you don't mind sending over to Oz.
Worth checking out his site:
Those are probably metric sized heads, and finding replacements today is difficult. The idea of using kangaroo hide heads is actually a bit bizarre, no offense to the previous poster. If this is not an option, I believe Remo will make custom heads for you in metric sizes, although you will have to wait for them, and I'm sure they're not cheap. I'm pretty sure Evans will not, and you might luck out with Aquarian.
Remo still makes them as a stock head, no special order needed. Same price as regular heads. Ambassador stock #s are BA-0112-PR and BA-0116-PR. Other heads are available, usually just the regular stock number with the "PR" added to the end.
Thank you all for the replies. I tried Remo, Evans and Aquarian, but none worked. I haven't tried the Remo Classic fit or the Aquarian American Vintage.
I found a 12" "Thunder" drum head that fit the tom. Obviously I'm not going to use that. It seems to work because the flesh hoop is narrower.
I just examined the bass drum calf skins and they're intact so I'll just keep them on the drum. The bass drum is a 21" oddball with 7 lugs per side.
I hope to get it up and running. Why do heads have to be so expensive? I have to pay shipping on these and I need 2 x 16" and 2 x 12" and I never buy anything new other than sticks.
2 x 12" + 2 x 16" Reno Classic Fit +€15 postage on Thomann = €94.20.
Yikes!
This the reason I would never buy an old Euro set. Finding heads is a PITA.
I know, Bob. They're not very practical with the oversized heads and the slotted tension rods. I'm also not a fan of the sizes. 20, 12, 16 doesn't work for me.
I know, Bob. They're not very practical with the oversized heads and the slotted tension rods. I'm also not a fan of the sizes. 20, 12, 16 doesn't work for me.
I came really close to buying a turquoise sparkle Ajax set this summer from a guy in Ireland, but with the high shipping cost, it wasn't worth it. He assured me the drums would take modern heads, and the photo showed them with Evans and Remo heads on there, so that wasn't an issue. I loved the color, and the drums would have been a real attention grabber on my gigs. I have been quietly looking for an Ajax set since, mainly because nobody around here uses them, but they'd have to accept today's heads, as I refuse to go crazy hunting for heads that fit.
