Thanks sorry for the input. I will certainly try the Novus and see how that goes.

As for the hopps, one is brown and one painted black - the same black as the inside of the shells. They both actually "goes " with the current color of the wrap:D.

The kit came with rather heavy bottom heads for the toms and the batters are Remo Clear Pinstripes. Quite thick as well. The shells are rather thick with rounded bearing edges and I found the tom sounds to be rather dull. My thinking is lighter reso heads and the old trusted coated Ambassadors as batters - for a livelier sound.

Which heads do you guys recommend to get the most out of these shells?

Regards and cheers

Erik

Head preference depends on the sound you want to achieve, but I'll assume you want a nice, open, warm, vintage tone. In that case, you can go wrong with coat Ambassadors, top and bottom.

Have you checked the shells to see if they're in round? If not, or you're unsure how to check, you remove the rims/heads, and measure across from lug to lug. It's not uncommon for old shells to be a little out of round, but the more out of round, the more likely the shell will deaden in sound, be hard to tune, etc. A little isn't a big issue though.

I personally have the edges re-cut on all my vintage MIJ shells, and have the shells squared up as well. I've done before and after on all my kits, and it makes a big difference, imo. I've rarely had a vintage MIJ shell that was square, having that done helps as well.

Another thing that might help with the "dull" sound, adding some type of treatment to the interiors of the shells. Many have applied poly to their shells, and state it adds more liveliness to the sound, more projection. Some don't like poly, as it seals the shell up, versus oils, like Danish, etc. Depends on what you're trying to achieve. Poly should help get the sound you're after though.

Cheers.