I'd try a different style head and get a new reso first. I have a brass Leedy that I couldn't get to sound right with the typical Remo coated Ambassador/hazy reso combo.

Sounds to me like the snare side head has gone flat.I've had crappy snare heads ruin the sound of a good drum.Maybe an Evans hazy?

It probably is the resonant head. It was definitely old. I'm also wrapping the lugs with felt. I have a new Hazy 300 for the snare side and I'm probably going to get an Evans Power Center Reverse Dot for the batter side. I put this combination on a 60's Gretsch RB wooden 8 lug snare with the Wide 42 wires and it sounded really good.

-Tim

I got the drum cleaned and back together. I re-installed the Ambassador, used the new Hazy 300 and some Puresound 24's. It's still pretty "tingy". I adjusted the Tone Control up a bit and it really calmed down. I then backed off the Tone Control and tried an Evans e-ring and I got the same results. I'm pretty confident I'll be changing the Ambassador head to something else. It's just not the sound I'm looking for.

Other than getting the right heads installed, this drum is really cool and I'm glad I purchased it.

Thanks,

Tim

Here are some pics after cleaning.

The drum is in pretty good condition, but the camera makes it look really sharp. It has the typical small scratches and very very small spots on the shell. It will be an awesome player's drum and really compliment the Blue Glass Glitter kit it was purchased for.

- Tim

hi, i have a 4165 i'm trying to work on but there seems to be a prob.

i was trying to remove the strainer tension-adjuster (is there a better term for that?) - butt side - by unscrewing the tensioner all the way but it stops unscrewing (at the end?) and i can't remove the outer part. i haven't worked on it for a long time but i don't remember it not coming off. does yours stop or come off?

it's also very hard to tighten/loosen. something might be bent inside. any suggestions before i remove it from the drum to look at it?

tnx

It's also know as the "fishtail". I think I remember mine coming apart and it was also difficult to turn the further I unscrewed the adjustment/top piece. Probably from the years of dirt and grime that built up. After I cleaned it up, I used some white lithium grease on the threads. It moves a lot easier now.

Update on changing the batter head. I installed an Evans Power Center Reverse Dot and now it sounds awesome. I also installed some Puresound Super 30's. Depending on the location of stick strike, it can have a nice pronounced, but low resonant pop or that "cuts through anything" metallic crack.

One thing's for sure, it's one really loud snare. :eek:

Good luck on your resto.

- Tim

thanks for the reply. yup, i took it off and cleaned it. almost as soon as i applied some lug lube all was well. :o:rolleyes: after a few more dabs and a few spins the screw came out. doesn't look like anything's bent and now it's like new. really wasn't expecting such a simple recovery. tnx again.