I've got an old set of Slingerlands that were rewrapped and are rather oversized as a result. The American Vintage heads fit a lot easier but they certainly don't spin freely or even drop clean over the shell. Tuning them is a different process to any other drums as normal tuning methods just don't work. I get the head on with my hands as best I can then start working around the hoop with small increments, maybe a half turn, steadily forcing the head into the shell. I aim to tune high initially, with even distances between the lugs and hoop for each tension rod, then I start adjusting for both pitch and tension to get it as even as possible. After that I start detaining in very small increments, maybe 1/8 of a turn, using my hand to 'seat' the head after each lap of the hoop. The collar is so tight on the shell that it doesn't back off completely the way you'd normally expect a from a head so the pressure in the centre of the head keeps the collar and hoop in contact as they should be. It's a funny/frustrating process but I've found I get the best results with it. It's a lot easier to start by tuning the drum high, jazz/bebop range, then gradually bring it back down. I put coated G2s (with the AVs on the bottom) on my RKs yesterday before rehearsal and it did take me a good 30 minutes to get them 'right' but they're now med-low, lots of thump and a nice warm, clean note that has a comfortable level of sustain with a piece of folder gaffer on the top head of both toms.
I am considering trimming the wrap back a bit to see if it makes it all easier and gives me a lower tuning range. I can cut the head collar and that makes it a little easier but it's a slow process with the Dremel and I'd rather not use an angle grinder as I reckon I'd accidentally ruin a few heads before I got it right. This is the thing I REALLY miss about my old '80 superstars, they tuned up so easily every time.
