I'm sure this has already been a topic of discussion, but I couldn't find it specifically in a search.
What heads are your preference for vintage American toms?
If coated Remo, do you like Ambassador on top and Emperor on bottom, vice versa, or do you like Diplomats in there somewhere?
And why is your preference what it is?
Thanks in advance for your response!
For my 3-ply Slingerlands, I use coated Emperors on top and clear Diplomats on the bottom.
I use Emperors because I also like a relatively heavy stick (VF Bozzio Phase 2) and that combination works very well for me. Emperors give me enough natural muffling to play the toms wide open.
I usually am not mic'ed, but I had a large club gig with a soundman a month ago and we didn't have to do any muffling.
3ply Slingerlands or Ludwigs, Coated Emperor on top for the 9x13",16x16",& 16x18", coated Ambassador reso for the 13 and 16 and a coated Diplomat for the 18" reso... works for me. I recently sold a set of 1973 L.A. Era Camco's 24",14",16,18", & 6.5x14" that sounded better with coated Ambassadors on both top and bottom with the exception of the 16x18", again it needed the coated diplomat on bottom.
For my 1950's Slingerlands, I use Aquarian American Vintage heads. Medium on top, thin on bottom.
My options are limited by the size of my older shells. American Vintage heads, which are oversized to fit old drums, may be the only mass-produced plastic heads that'll fit.
I use coated ambassadors on the batter and clear ambassadors on reso sides of my 12" and 16" toms. I am really happy with the feel and sound of the toms with these heads, but I am also curious about switching to emperors for the batters at some point....just to try it out.
James
I've grown to really appreciate the Ludwig Med coated heads on the reso side. They are thinner and really allow the tom to sing.
For my 1950's Slingerlands, I use Aquarian American Vintage heads. Medium on top, thin on bottom.My options are limited by the size of my older shells. American Vintage heads, which are oversized to fit old drums, may be the only mass-produced plastic heads that'll fit.
I've got Aquarian American Vintage on my '65/'66 Ludwigs, and I love them. Medium weight on top and bottom. They give a nice, warm, natural sound -- like a warmer, rounder Ambassador. And the off-white coating looks nice. As has been pointed out elsewhere, if you need an oversized head to accommodate larger vintage shells, make sure you get the American Vintage series. Aquarian also makes a series called Modern Vintage, which are not oversized.
I've heard that Ludwig heads may also accommodate oversized vintage shells, and have the added advantage of being pretty inexpensive, but I haven't tried them.
Coated emp's on top clear or coated ambass. on bottom unless I am playing a larger venue then I like pinstripes with clear ammbass. on bottom
3ply Slingerlands or Ludwigs, Coated Emperor on top for the 9x13",16x16",& 16x18", coated Ambassador reso for the 13 and 16 and a coated Diplomat for the 18" reso... works for me. I recently sold a set of 1973 L.A. Era Camco's 24",14",16,18", & 6.5x14" that sounded better with coated Ambassadors on both top and bottom with the exception of the 16x18", again it needed the coated diplomat on bottom.
I'm curious... What were the qualities you wanted more or less of on the 18" drum that led you to use a thinner reso head? Brighter tone? Less sustain?
