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Kent Drum Kit - What to do

Posts: 28 Threads: 11

New member, longtime lurker. I just picked up this Kent kit (12/16/20). I was going to flip it, but after I got it cleaned up and put some old heads I had laying around on it, it has surprisingly good tone. Especially the 16" floor tom.

What heads should I put on it? I do a lot of low volume and bluesy gigs, so I am leaning toward Aquarian vintage. On the other hand, these drums aren't really from the calfskin era, so another part of me says put something like a coated ambassador on them.

As far as the kick, I'm pretty sure I don't want to go vintage as I like mine more rock than jazz, so maybe a SuperKick there?

I just don't know about the snare. Maybe a vintage MIJ, or maybe go Levon Helm and put an old Ludwig or similar old school wooden snare with it?

Thoughts?

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Posted on 8 years ago
#1
Posts: 3089 Threads: 326

Some of the others may be able to give a better identity, but it looks as if the only part that is Kent is the front bass drum head. The balance appears to be MIJ. Regardless, if it sounds good, it is good. Are the bearing edges rounded, 45 or somewhat flat? That may have a good deal of effect on what heads would work best.

Attached are photos of a couple of Kent kits. You can see the more chiseled look of the lugs and the identity badges. It was also typical of Kent to use a single centered lug on the mounted tom-tom.

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Posted on 8 years ago
#2
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

They had a good look to them! I'd play whatever you already put on them that sounds good. Coated Ambassadors are always a good choice in my book. Enjoy them. I think a good 6 lug wooden snare would go well and not break the wallet.

Mike

Posted on 8 years ago
#3
Posts: 2433 Threads: 483

Yup...coated Ambs on toms and bass drum. General all purpose heads, you cant go wrong with them, and they give off great resonance....Maybe a PS-3 on the bass drum batter side.

Hit like you mean it!!
Posted on 8 years ago
#4
Posts: 28 Threads: 11

From Dan Boucher

Some of the others may be able to give a better identity, but it looks as if the only part that is Kent is the front bass drum head. The balance appears to be MIJ. Regardless, if it sounds good, it is good. Are the bearing edges rounded, 45 or somewhat flat? That may have a good deal of effect on what heads would work best. Attached are photos of a couple of Kent kits. You can see the more chiseled look of the lugs and the identity badges. It was also typical of Kent to use a single centered lug on the mounted tom-tom.

Thanks for that info!! They were covered with decades of dust when I bought them and I assumed they were MIJ until I saw the kick head. I'm happy either way. I am at work but I believe the bearing edges were rounded.

Posted on 8 years ago
#5
Posts: 28 Threads: 11

From mlayton

They had a good look to them! I'd play whatever you already put on them that sounds good. Coated Ambassadors are always a good choice in my book. Enjoy them. I think a good 6 lug wooden snare would go well and not break the wallet.Mike

Thanks for the info! Looking for one of those snares right now, lol.

Posted on 8 years ago
#6
Posts: 28 Threads: 11

From wayne

Yup...coated Ambs on toms and bass drum. General all purpose heads, you cant go wrong with them, and they give off great resonance....Maybe a PS-3 on the bass drum batter side.

Thanks! That is not a bad idea about the PS rather than the SK. Hmmm

Posted on 8 years ago
#7
Posts: 3089 Threads: 326

As I recall it, Ludwig issued their drums with relatively thin heads when their bearing edges were round in the 60's. You might consider Remo diplomats that are a bit thinner than an Ambassador. In any event, let us know how it eventually works out.

Posted on 8 years ago
#8
Posts: 2413 Threads: 336

That kit is made by Pearl. I have alot of MIJ kits. The question is, what shells do you have? Are they the thinner shells with reinforcement rings or the thicker shells with no rings? The thin shells tune a bit lower & have more lowend.

I use coated Amb on top & clear Amb as reso. I go with the single ply Superkick I (on all my kicks) & the result is amazing....hard to believe it's a little 20in BD (20s are all I play).

I always tune both heads to the shell, use EQ rings & they sound amazing.

Congrats on your score & welcome to the club....like our little cult/political party trying to convince the fools who dismiss vintage MIJ.

I had a great day! Instead of sleeping in and wasting the day, I got up at 8 and I had all my slacking done by noon!

2Timothy1:7
Posted on 8 years ago
#9
Posts: 28 Threads: 11

From Drummerjohn333

That kit is made by Pearl. I have alot of MIJ kits. The question is, what shells do you have? Are they the thinner shells with reinforcement rings or the thicker shells with no rings? The thin shells tune a bit lower & have more lowend. I use coated Amb on top & clear Amb as reso. I go with the single ply Superkick I (on all my kicks) & the result is amazing....hard to believe it's a little 20in BD (20s are all I play).I always tune both heads to the shell, use EQ rings & they sound amazing.Congrats on your score & welcome to the club....like our little cult/political party trying to convince the fools who dismiss vintage MIJ.

Thanks for the ID! That is awesome. I have the thinner shells with rings and I'm going to use coated over clear amb on them. With an SK. I can't wait!! There is tone in there, I tell you, tone! I am happy to be part of the club! D' Drummer

Posted on 8 years ago
#10
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