Best all around drumheads

[lumpy]

I've used them all. A drumhead has to sound good, be durable, have a wide tuning range, and be versitile. I'm going to stick to batter heads in this discussion.

Snare - Evans Power Center Reverse Coated. Loose or tight, brushes or sticks sounds sweet. Only negative is coating chips around the center.

Toms - Aquarian Double Thin Coated. Unfortunately this drumhead has been discontinued but there are enough of them around to last for a few years. Very durable AND resonant.

Bass - Aquarian Super Kick II - Deep thump and good projection.

I don't like the new generation of Remo heads and I used Remo for years. The tone and durability seem to be lacking. I like Evans, but Aquarian seem to last longer and be a little cheaper. I used an Attack single ply on my snare once and it fell apart after one use. That was several years ago and they may have improved their process.

Lump

[brandondrury]

Great post, dude. I'll have to remember that myself.

I'd like to see some drummers respond.

Brandon

[snoopy]

Toms: I seem to have drifted toward the Remo pinstripe stuff over the years for the toms. Ever though alot of folks say the sound is to muted and a flash back to the 70's "dead sound" I like the control and you still get good attack....and control is good if you are playing small clubs in bigger situations the toms will get lost if not miked. I have a pinstripe on my snare right now also.....

Snare: My favorite head for the sanre has to be a Remo coated with the black dot on the back side...still rings but good decay. Right now I have a pinstripe on the snare right now as stated above.....I'm not sure why...I think it came with the tom heads as a set. Not a bad sound but can get lost in big venues without a mic....and if your lead guitar player has three 4-12 cabs!!!!!

Kick: I pretty much have always had a white ambassabor type head on the batter side. The tone for recording sucks, but it loud and boomy live to cut through the guitar amps. A pinstripe with a good mic works great live ONLY if you have killer subs in the PA. For years no one used subs and kick drums were lost if the drum didn't just slam on it's own.

As most of you know, I have moved to using Electronics full time with the Roving Gigolos. So I havn't bought heads in a while.

Peace

[DogpitStudios]

Pinstriped can be good for attack, but I hate them if you don't have ambassadors on the reso. I've found that no remo's of mine really hold up for that long, but I'm a very heavy player. My favorite heads were actually my aquarian studio-x's for batter with the stock tama heads on the reso. Yes a powerdot does suit pretty much everyone well on the snare. As for kick, I still stand by on an EQ3 for batter, but im a metal drummer so that just suits me really well.

BTW, don't those remo pinstripe packs usually come with powerstroke heads for kick and snare, not just pinstripes?

Ben

[snoopy]

the pack I got didn't have a kick and no Powerstoke snare.... I don't remember wear I picked it up....maybe in STL somewhere

[lumpy]

Snoopy,
It's funny how many "professional" drummers dis Remo Pinstripes yet they are the top selling drumhead year after year. I used them for years but seems like 5 - 6 years ago Remo changed their process. Until I weaned myself off the Remo I would prowl eBay for decent used older Remo's. Anybody out there using Attack?
Lump

[snoopy]

Originally Posted by lumpy

Snoopy,
It's funny how many "professional" drummers dis Remo Pinstripes yet they are the top selling drumhead year after year. I used them for years but seems like 5 - 6 years ago Remo changed their process. Until I weaned myself off the Remo I would prowl eBay for decent used older Remo's. Anybody out there using Attack?
Lump

I think that is the thing that is happening to all consumer goods.....to sell it cheaper they have to make it cheaper. ...and the consumer doesn't always win. I have always been diehard Remo products, but I may give something else a try someday. Got a couple old but new heads around here somewhere that came from a auction 15 years ago.........

[randy]

I used to always be partial to Remo, until one day I thought to myself "I've used nothing but Remo's"....why not try something new? (The same way with Zildjian cymbals- I now use Sabians exclusively). So each time I needed a new head, I'd try something new. Of course it always depends on the player, but I've found that I like the Aquarian Focus X snare head the best. Actually, I like all the Aquarian models, but find this one to best suit my style of drumming. Nice clean, crisp response that resonates nicely. Not too poppy, but not too cracky either. They also have lasted much longer than most of the previous heads, which is very important to someone who does play as hard as me. Of course, I'm not hitting heads as hard as I used to. I've learned to hit them more appropriately, so to speak, (or lack of a better word) as opposed to just banging the hell out of them.

For toms, I do usually use Remo's. My opinion, Aquarian just doesn't make great tom heads, but that's just me. Lump, you've been playing longer than me I suppose, so go figure.

I haven't used Attack heads, but I'd love to some time. I believe that's what Lars Ulrich uses. I could be wrong though.

But to tell you the honest truth, I usually end up getting whatever the damn music store has at the time..because I'm too fuken lazy to pre-order the sunamabitches.
;D

[lumpy]

Randy,
I'm just the opposite. I like Aquarian heads for toms but prefer Evans for my snare. If your playing metal give an Aqaurian Super Kick II a try on your bass. Midwest Percussion has the best prices on Aquarian heads. Not an endorcement, just the truth.

Another problem I've had with Remo is that they fit too tight. Granted I play a vintage kit, but other brands seem to fit fine.
Lump

[DogpitStudios]

Originally Posted by randy

I believe that's what Lars Ulrich uses.

Someone wanna tell me why the fuck that matters?

Sorry I hate Lars.

Ben