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US Mercury kit with the pointy Sonor style lugs...

if they were mine, i'd go with coated ambassadors and leave the interiors as they are.

mike

On my kit I didn't touch the interiors but I read from many who did and they are happy with the results for increased projection or for added strength to their shells. I happily use coated ambassadors and I have thought about trying Vintage ambassadors.

In terms of tuning, I think I've read that 3 plies sound better tuned low. Any argument for higher tuning?

And what's the rule of thumb for tension on the top and bottom heads? Both tuned the same, or one higher or lower?

I have used clear Ambassadors for years. Then I bought a 3ply MIJ kit with coated Ambassadors and have left them on there because they sound good (just a little different kind of good) I must clarify - for me, it might be a bit irrelevant, as I use Studio Rings on my toms.

Point is, when I get around to replacing these heads, I might just go with the coated instead of the clears. Yes, that's right - coated WITH the Studio Rings on there too. Some would say that is overkill, but I just don't like toms without the Studio Rings and I like the durability of the Coated heads. ...and no, not interested in 2 ply heads as I don't want too much slap and want the maximum resonance before the Studio Rings. Which brings me to my next point........

The way I approach toms (including these 3 ply) is by using timbre-pitching. You remember! This was one of John Good's (sp?) contribution to the drumming community - DW taught many of us about timbre-pitching - and I have been tuning my toms that way ever since.

Strip those shell like you already have there, hang them on your finger (from inside the shell) and punch the shell to resonate (use the padded side of your fist by your pinky) and it will resonate at a particular note. That is your pitch/note. Mark the shell on the inside and then you will have it for reference forever. Note: I am not sure what your A is on there - but I suspect it just has something to do with their production - like batch A or that it gets a wrap or something like that....that's what I recall reading on here.

Tune both heads to that note and it will sing like crazy! From there muffle as you wish (like I have said many times - I prefer Studio Rings).

Let me know if you have any other questions - but if you follow that, you will be golden. I believe those shells will have timbre-pitched that are plenty low already. Your tone will be rich and full. I think these 3 ply thinner shells resonate a bit more than the thicker shells, but I have certainly had great success with those thicker shells as well (with the same method).

Forgot to add - I would run clears on the bottoms. The only other thing for me to add, is that you might want to consider trying the new Evans G1s as they are all Level 360 now and have heard that they sound great and last long and are just great!

Oh yeah - if your two 12s have different timbre-pitches, that answers your question. If they sing the same, I would indeed tune one higher and one lower - but not sure who gets tuned where - you are going to have to experiment a bit on that. But to clarify again - tune the top and bottom the same (to the shell's timbre-pitch. I say 'tune to the shell'.

Those will be beautiful and delightful to play for sure! Are they that lighter orangy or are they actually red (like the Rogers Red Agate Pearls)?

After much research and discussion - I have learned for the BD that Aquarian SKI on the batter side and an Evans EQ3 or Eq4 on front is best. I actually had a prominent drum collector guess the BD heads I use right over the phone. Yeah, he knew what he was talking about for sure. But I must also say - I have used regular smooth white Ambassadors on the front/reso with success - but always with a port hole and when using the Ambassadors (that have no ring built into it) I use white weather stripping on the inside for some muffling (see pic).

After this head combination is used, NO INTERNAL MUFFLING is needed (no pillows or anything else inside there). Wait! as seen in my pic - when using the Ambassadors - a piece of carpet might be needed. - Just make your call on that. That carpet is in there to absorb a bit of the resonance - not touching either head.

Don't want to muddy the water - but feel I should share.

My Dixie BD there is the thicker ply - Pearl made from 72-74. I had the edges re-cut.....not entirely happy with the sound I got out of it....especially as compared to another Laun BD I had. SO.....I rounded the batter side edge into a round-over thus creating more head/shell contact on the batter side - and it made a significant difference. It gave it alot more punch. I was trying to duplicate the other BD I had which I was very happy with.

Wood BD hoops also make a significant difference. Once I bought an MIJ Stencil kit (exactly same as yours - 3 ply with re-rings) that had wood hoops on it, I was hooked and have gone with wood hoops on everything since. Sure enough, when I researched it, I read here on the forums that indeed wood hoops make a significant difference.

Have not yet had to go this route - but HB Drums (They are in Huntington Beach, CA - not sure where their website is right now) offers these for really cheap - and they are already lacquered. Not sure if they would cut inlays into them but I will be asking them next time I need some wood hoops.

Thanks for the info drummerjohn. That tuning method sounds familiar and the wooden hoops are something to consider, but for another kit. This kit has metal hoops with the matching inlay and they are so mint, I wouldn't dare mess with them.

I may try some Studio Rings for sure. I have Aquarians on this 3 ply now but I just can't get a decent sound. Too much ringing. Maybe I go with Ambassadors next time as well. I have Aquarians on a 5ply Star kit and I like the sound they make.

And this wrap was officially called Gold Agate Pearl. Camera flash doesn't do it justice...it's a nice deep orange/gold color.

Forgot to mention that I use moongel on my toms, one on each. I have coated ambassadors on the reso side of toms so I have a nice round tone.