I'm looking for some new heads

ringo starr · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 05:39 PM

I'm looking for something new for my toms that is warm and not to muffled without a ton of sustain. the heads should have a pretty broad tuning range that has a nice low end but won't choke in the higher tensions. My set is a Ludwig accent combo with 12" 13" and 16" toms. Right now I'm playing pinstripes on the toms and i still have the stock resonant heads. If upgrading the resonant heads changes the sound enough to warrant new ones than i would be willing to buy them. MY snare sounds fine (evans genera dry with stock reso.) and i've already decided on an aquarian superkick II for the bass. Im considering some coated ambassadors or something from evans or aquarian. I would prefer the feel of a single ply head but if they sound good 2 ply is fine. Thanks in advance!

Infero Exicution · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 06:13 PM

Ambassador reso heads do change the sound pretty well.
I put them on my toms and snare and I'm pretty well
off.
I use pinstrips on my toms as the batter side.
how old are they?

ringo starr · #3 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 06:45 PM

I think they are about a year and 3 months give or take

**Tainojim** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 08:29 AM

Coated heads will allow less resonance while clear heads give more ring. Also the more you you tighten the heads the less ring you get out of them and they will sound muffled. Try tuning the pinstripes lower.

I believe the sound your looking for is on the clear heads. Don't get coated or ply heads.

You are trying to make a low end kit sound like a high end kit. I've had the same kit 6 years ago. I installed some after market internal mufflers on all the drums (except the bass) on the batter and resonance side as well, to get a wider range on the sound. That also worked for me and got good results. No matter what heads I used on the drums I knew I had control over them. There is quite a bit of work to install them but it's worth it.

rycherocker · #5 (**permalink**) 06-24-2009, 12:26 PM

Go with the "Attack" drum heads... you cant go wrong... IMO!

**Tainojim** · #6 (**permalink**) 06-24-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rycherocker

Go with the "Attack" drum heads... you cant go wrong... IMO!

You got a Ludwig accent combo? You do however sound reassured about this. I haven't tried "Attack" drum heads, but I am talking from experience. How do they sound on this kit?

Just wondering...

rycherocker · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:11 AM

Not really sure of your response meaning there. Do you mean on my kit or yours???
Attack heads are a very tough head, and two ply. Not oil filled. They have a built in outer ring for sound dampening.
If these heads are good enough for some of the worlds best touring drummers, they are good enough for me. I don't pretend to know the best head for your situation... but I think it is at least worth a try. The heads are very nice to tune, and .... they stay tuned once broke in. Also you can buy top and bottom heads that match.
Look into them and just see for yourself. I personally do not like the Aquarian heads. I have torn so many of those, I could have bought a house! I have NEVER tore one of these heads.

**Tainojim** · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rycherocker

Not really sure of your response meaning there. Do you mean on my kit or yours???
Attack heads are a very tough head, and two ply. Not oil filled. They have a built in outer ring for sound dampening.
If these heads are good enough for some of the worlds best touring drummers, they are good enough for me. I don't pretend to know the best head for your situation... but I think it is at least worth a try. The heads are very nice to tune, and .... they stay tuned once broke in. Also you can buy top and bottom heads that match.
Look into them and just see for yourself. I personally do not like the Aquarian heads. I have torn so many of those, I could have bought a house! I have NEVER tore one of these heads.

Don't get so defensive bro calm down. I was simply asking you if you tried these heads on a Ludwig accent combo? That's all. This kit is not made "for some of the worlds best touring drummers". It's is a beginners kit.
Now that you mentioned it why do the if the attack heads need to be broken in, how can they stay in tune. I was simply telling Mr. ringo starr about my experience with this kit and asking you if you had the same kit. Also that I've not tried the attack heads on the kit when I had it. The kit was for my son when he was interest in drumming and I improvised because he also had the same problem.
So the attacks are your preference and mine is a completely different avenue than yours. I have never put down any drums or heads in my 50+ years of drumming and you'll see that if you check all of my Threads and posts. And if you find one please, then put me in my place.

Right Mr. Der

As for my kit here you go: Flickr: tainojim's Photostream

Now you got me curious about your kit. What kit do you have?

**Der Trommler** · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:56 AM

Jim doesn't put anyone down, just says what he feels will help.

I have heard good things about Attack heads but have never tried them so I can't speak intelligently about them myself. They are a 2 ply, no oil, sound dampening head? If so they would be worth a try to control overtone.

rycherocker · #10 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:58 AM

I was not worked up... no way. Sorry if I came off untame. I just did not understand your q at first.
OK... I HAVE owned that kit before, and YES I have put on Attack heads. Try going into a good drum store, and spending some time there swapping heads... if they have a box of used ones in the back room. THIS will really be the only way of deciding your head of choice for sure. I have done this with keys, headphones,vibes,various other percussion instruments of the like. You have to compare them apples to apples to find what suits you, without dropping a dime doing it.

Again, sorry if I came off wrong to you. I appologize.