Members Sleazy E Posted April 2, 2003 Members Share Posted April 2, 2003 I'm wondering what others would recommend as a stock head replacement for a Rockstar snare. I've asked a few people their opinion and have suggested Ambassador for the batter. However, what do people think of something like Pinstripe, Powerstroke, or Emperor?I've heard for the toms a few suggestions like either Pinstripe (even hydraulic) or Emperor for the batter and Ambassador for the resonant. They've also said stay away from Controlled Sound (dot). Any suggestions/opinions/comments/advice/anything? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Snake Posted April 2, 2003 Members Share Posted April 2, 2003 I have a Rockstar Custom snare and I've tried Aquarian Texture Coated and Hi Energy batters over a Hi Performance snare side - I've been happy with both combos. I wouldn't recommend Pinstripe or Emperor batters because I don't usually like 2 ply snare heads, but that's just my opinion. A coated Ambassador (with or without Power Dot) or Powerstroke 3 would probably serve you well. Evans makes some great snare heads too - Genera Dry, Power Center, ST Dry, etc. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members treb Posted April 2, 2003 Members Share Posted April 2, 2003 On my snare (5X14).........I use a pinstripe for the batter and a emporer for the snare side I seem to get a fat sound from the drum that way... also for the toms and floor and bass batter i use pinstripes as well with emporer resonance.But i hea rthe aquarian studio X heads are good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members P.Sound Posted April 2, 2003 Members Share Posted April 2, 2003 You might give a hint as to the sound you want, what you have, what you like, and what you want to change about the sound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members swdev Posted April 2, 2003 Members Share Posted April 2, 2003 I have a 91 Rockstar Deluxe set and use Powerstroke 3 on the snare and pinstripes on the toms and it sounds great. I've tried the black dot heads and ebony heads and didn't like them much on a snare or tom. I would say it would really depend on what type of music you are playing, in what type of venue and what style you use as to what heads to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sleazy E Posted April 3, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 3, 2003 Originally posted by P.Sound You might give a hint as to the sound you want, what you have, what you like, and what you want to change about the sound? I currently have the Tama Rockstar stock heads (250 hazy on the batter for toms which I assume is equivalent to Emperor, 200 Hazy for the resonant (Ambassador equivalent?), 250 Coated for the Snare batter and a diplomat equivalent for the resonant). I am not in a band yet, but I am trying to get a rock band together (not necessarily heavy rock, definitely not metal). I guess pop/rock mixed with some rap. This would be my first time changing the heads, so I would like some suggestions at to what heads are recommended for different situations. Say there is some heavy synth, would it be better to have a head that's sound can cut through? Same with guitar. I do like that slightly muffled sound on the toms. I also like the slightly muffled sound on the snare, but would like insight if maybe that is not a good idea in certain band situations, for example someone said a muffled snare may sound good by itself, but not while playing jazz. Hopefully this description helps. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members psycht Posted April 3, 2003 Members Share Posted April 3, 2003 Evans G2's. nice sound on my rockstar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rikk Posted April 3, 2003 Members Share Posted April 3, 2003 Originally posted by psycht Evans G2's. nice sound on my rockstar. i always always always use these heads, but ive got the 2 tama swingstar toms. yea they are low end but sound perfect for my style.-rik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members premiumsdrummer Posted April 5, 2003 Members Share Posted April 5, 2003 I have Emperor Batters on my toms, but i don't recommend them. There is way too much ring. Definitely get something with a ring around them, like those aquarian heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members P.Sound Posted April 6, 2003 Members Share Posted April 6, 2003 Originally posted by Sleazy E I currently have the Tama Rockstar stock heads (250 hazy on the batter for toms which I assume is equivalent to Emperor, 200 Hazy for the resonant (Ambassador equivalent?), 250 Coated for the Snare batter and a diplomat equivalent for the resonant). I am not in a band yet, but I am trying to get a rock band together (not necessarily heavy rock, definitely not metal). I guess pop/rock mixed with some rap. This would be my first time changing the heads, so I would like some suggestions at to what heads are recommended for different situations. Say there is some heavy synth, would it be better to have a head that's sound can cut through? Same with guitar. I do like that slightly muffled sound on the toms. I also like the slightly muffled sound on the snare, but would like insight if maybe that is not a good idea in certain band situations, for example someone said a muffled snare may sound good by itself, but not while playing jazz. Hopefully this description helps. Thanks! Will you be using mics? Are the drums too resonant now? Are the overtones too bright for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sleazy E Posted April 6, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 6, 2003 Originally posted by P.Sound Will you be using mics?Are the drums too resonant now?Are the overtones too bright for you? I will not be using mics anytime soon (I don't own any and don't plan on buying any soon). The drums are not too resonant. They have a ring to them but nothing very ringy. The overtones are not too bright. They don't annoy me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members P.Sound Posted April 7, 2003 Members Share Posted April 7, 2003 Originally posted by Sleazy E I'm wondering what others would recommend as a stock head replacement for a Rockstar snare. I've asked a few people their opinion and have suggested Ambassador for the batter. However, what do people think of something like Pinstripe, Powerstroke, or Emperor?I've heard for the toms a few suggestions like either Pinstripe (even hydraulic) or Emperor for the batter and Ambassador for the resonant. They've also said stay away from Controlled Sound (dot).Any suggestions/opinions/comments/advice/anything?Thanks. My response will be based upon what guys in your category seem to want? If you want a different sound, you need to be more descriptive for me to respond. If you want a rather dry sound, almost completley void of ring, cutting pop to the snare, use a Evans Dry Vented Snare batter, coated. Otherwise for a controlled ring (which I recommend) use the "Evans Genera Snare Coated Batter" head (note this is not a G1) For the snare side, I'd try it with your stock head, and if you want it both dryer and brighter, use the Evans Glass30 snare side head, other wise a simple Evans 300 hazy should be fine. For toms; Personally for a general mix of music, I would try a simple coated head top and bottom (i.e Ambassador, G1). This is a direct replacement with a bit of an alteration. If the bit of ring from the current heads doesn't bother you, then these might be fine yet the coating allows the ring to be a tad more under control and brings out more warmth to the sound. Remo Ambassador heads will be much warmer, the Evans heads will be just a bit warmer. The easiest way to get the same sound you have, with controlling some of the higher pitched ring, is to use the Aquarian Studio-X clear batter head, again the coated version will go a bit warmer. This head still give fundemental resonance, but kills higher pitched tones. However, if you want a deep thick muted sound, use the Aquaraian PerformanceII clear as the batter head and any ebony single ply head (i.e Ambassador, G1 or Aquarian Classic) on the resonant side. Keep the resonant side tuned low. See the Drum Tuning Bible as a guide for how to tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sleazy E Posted April 7, 2003 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2003 Thanks P. Sound. The thing is that I really didn't know what I want so wanted suggestions to see what would sound good for the Rockstar. But if I think about I like that muffled sound on the toms and a dry sound on the snare. I wanted to see if you thought that sound isn't as great on these drums and I would be better off using heads that allow them to ring; I wanted suggestions as to what would "bring out" the best character in the drums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members stapes2260 Posted April 7, 2003 Members Share Posted April 7, 2003 i'd recommend a two ply coated head for the snare like the evans G2 snare heads. If you are a beginner, you are going to bust up an ambassador head pretty quick. Besides, most remo coated heads suck to begin with. The coating cracks if you crank them down hard on the snare and the coating comes off about 10 times faster than an evans or aquarian head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members P.Sound Posted April 8, 2003 Members Share Posted April 8, 2003 Originally posted by Sleazy E Thanks P. Sound. The thing is that I really didn't know what I want so wanted suggestions to see what would sound good for the Rockstar. But if I think about I like that muffled sound on the toms and a dry sound on the snare. I wanted to see if you thought that sound isn't as great on these drums and I would be better off using heads that allow them to ring; I wanted suggestions as to what would "bring out" the best character in the drums. Well again, my response listed which I prefer for the range of music you will be playing, and the fact that you do not intend to use mics. I do not share the belief that a 2-ply head is required. 15-20 years ago I played nothing but heavy metal to progressive rock, 5 nights a week. I hit very hard, I never used anything but a single ply head on anything. And on my snare, I used a diplomat snare side head all the time. If you go through heads, you need work on your technique or ergonomics. Today, there are infinatley more choices. I'm not saying someone is wrong to play with a 2-ply head on a snare or a tom, I'm just saying I don't ahare the belief that it is the right head for a snare. But hey, lots of guys use them. And after all, you did ask for my opinion. In my opinion (again), there are three lives as a drummer. Playing live without a mic, playing live with mics, and then the recording process. All 3 require a different choice based upon the end result and the environment you work in. You need to judge your sound from and audience point of view, not yours. A dead drum is just that, dead. And, if its dead to you up close, its void of all life out front and all you hear is a slap without much warmth. Now, if all your stuff has very quick time changes, syncopated typed stuff, lots of other instruments and not much space for a lingering drum sound (or your stuck with that 70s attitude) then drying them up may be just the ticket. But you can also do that with tuning on a single ply head. If you haven't done so, I strongly suggest you have someone else play your kit while you walk around the room, or stage if so be. You will then understand what I'm talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ulank Posted April 8, 2003 Members Share Posted April 8, 2003 My drummer has a Tama Rockstar which I share with him. For a long time we went the "dry" and dark route. Remo Ebony Pinstripes on the batters, *plus* muffling rings. We thought it sounded cool. *yeeeks* Started experimenting with some single ply and, after getting used to tuning it, the drums sounded much better. We tried the Aquarian Studio X's with the muffling ring and they were pretty nice, but we're currently using Aquarian Response 2's on there. They still sound plenty fat for rock but they're not dead sounding. Also, the kick seems to really like the Aquarian Super Kick II head. We always had problems with getting a good bass drum sound until we slapped this head on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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