Do Powerstroke3, Superkick II etc. bass heads need muffling?

I currently have a dumb Pinstripe bass head.. It sucks. I've had it. I can't stand it's sound any longer. When I have a light pillow in barely touching the dumb head, It sounds dead. when I remove it, it sounds awfully ringy. I've used light muffling, like kleenex's, I've tried SO many different tunings and positions with the pillow. I've read Prof. Sound's Tuning Bible several times. So I just want to do away with muffling all together, and now, I'm forever turned off by pinstripes.

Now, are there any bass heads tha sound really good with no muffling. From what I've read on these forums, the most loved bass heads are:

Remo Powerstroke 3

Aquarian Superkick II

Evans EMAD

Evans EQ3

Ofcourse some of those come with muffling (duh) any suggestions. I just want a decent bass drum sound. Where there is attack AND some bass. Not just attack, like mine. And dont suggest miking, I already know you can't achieve recorded bass drum sounds without mics. I can only afford one bass head, that's about it. Please help me, my drumming style is going fine, and my double pedaling is progressing; but my tuning is stuck, I am NOT happy with the sound of my toms, bass, nor my snare. I especially hate the sound of my bass drum though. The toms and snare are for another thead, on another day

This guy that plays "metalcore" as he says, that works down at a drum shop near my house, suggested the EMAD to me. But from what I remember, I believe the EMAD is the most expensive one out. And I never trust a guy who works off commission.

If you reply that heads are preference, then tell me what your preference and setup up are, and what resonant head you use etc. Maybe your preference is similar to mine, and you make a fellow drummer happy Thanks

I'm no tuning expert but I have a coated Powerstroke III with just a very small, tightly rolled blanket touching the batter. My front head is stock (Ludwig Rocker, 22") with a 6" offset hole. I can't remember how tight it is, probably medium (1 full turn)? I'm very happy with it, even though at times my tuning isn't always optimum...it still sounds pretty good. One thing I learned is that the tuning of the resonant head has a big influence on the sound.

I'd buy a new head and see what happens. Tuning is the big thing though. Ask for help if you get too frustrated. Maybe say that you'll buy a drumhead from the store but also tell them you need help tuning it. They might do it for free.

Oh, I got a compliment from a bassplayer at my last show about how good the kick sounded. I must be doing something right.

I have a Super Kick II and a Regulator on my 22x16 Rockstar Custom kick with no extra muffling. I love that combo - best one on the market IMO. It doesn't sound dead at all - it rings just enough to cut through the guitars.

I usually describe it with one word: BOOM!

I too use a coated powerstroke III batter (and an ebony front head for looks) with a small hole in the resonant head. I like the head. I have a small pillow that I can adjust to taste on the inside.

I have never been completely satisfied with the tuning on my kick, and I think that I never will. For a long time, I was trying to tune the kick too low and was actually losing some bottom end. Just keep at it. When I hear a really good kick sound, I will try to catch the sound man or drummer to find out what they did. Never stop learning.

When you said 1 full turn of tightness, were you talking about the resonant head. I'm assuming you meant one full turn of tightness after tightening it all the way with your fingers right? Can you explain more about your blanket, because my pillow isn't cutting it. Like how big is it, and how do you have it rolled up? Do you have the blanket running along your batter, of just touching it perpendicularly? thanks for the advice

Well, I have the finger knobby things to tune my kick so finger tight can be exceptionally tight....um, so going off the bottom two lugs that require a drum key I'd say 3/4 a turn after finger tight. That's just a guess though, I'm at work now and can't verify it. It might be 1/4 turn more or less than that.

Basically, tinker with it. I spent about an hour or two after I bought the head tuning it before a show. Back and forth between heads, up and down in tunings. It took a while and a lot of cussing. I don't think there is a set formula for it. Same with the blanket ( it's more like a beach towel size wise, rolled up real tight and put up against the batter head in a parallel position). I could get the same effect with a small pillow, a regular towel, or even a dead cat. I'm always experimenting with this. Next time I'll probably even use less muffling to get more of an open tone out of it. Maybe throw in a t-shirt or something.

Even in different rooms you are gonna get a totally different sounds. In my practice room I get a nice sound but at a venue it'll sound dead...or too open. I like a nice big sound with a bit of ring. The compliment I got was at a show where I was miced.

Now that I think of it, it's probably time to crank that head up a bit because it's been sounding dead lately. Thanks for reminding me in an indirect way.

Basically, you are just gonna have to experiment. It takes time and patience. Be realistic about the sound you want. If you are going for a sound similar to a cd, you probably won't find it. Good luck and have fun.

Yeah, I know I won't be able to find a CD quality sound, I learned that along time ago. But the thing is, is that I've heard some good bass drum sounds on other kits. So i know that a good bass drum sound does exist. I just have to find it. But with a cheap drumset and a piece of pinstripe crap, I can't find it. I think I'm gonna try the powerstroke 3, and maybe use a t-shirt. A Metallica T-shirt Because that pillow is way to much.

P.S. browsin' the forums at work? tisk tisk... *shakes head*

Originally posted by WorshipMetallica So i know that a good bass drum sound does exist. I just have to find it. But with a cheap drumset and a piece of pinstripe crap, I can't find it. P.S. browsin' the forums at work? tisk tisk... *shakes head*

Sounds like you've got two important things against you. Hopefully a new kickdrum head will help.

Hell, it's Friday. I wanna get outta here.

I bought a Powerstroke 3 today for my kick. I like it, it sounds nice, and I need no muffling at all. I just put the PS3 on and then the resonant head and did my normal tuning procedures and I was done. But I tuned the Resonant head too high and it had no low end really, so I dropped it some, and now it sound really good. The low end comes out too because there's no extra muffling. I do have to deal with a little ringing from the stock resonant head. I think I'm might go out and buy a resonant head for it, that's thicker.

Before you do, try loosening the resonant head til its almost flapping. See if that helps.

I have a SuperkickII with the Dw bass drum pillow and a lil blanket and it sounds great.

Originally posted by Snake I have a Super Kick II and a Regulator on my 22x16 Rockstar Custom kick with no extra muffling. I love that combo - best one on the market IMO. It doesn't sound dead at all - it rings just enough to cut through the guitars. I usually describe it with one word: BOOM!

I've got a similar set up, 22x16 Rockstar kick, Super Kick II batter, but I have a ebony powerstroke on the resonant side....6" hole at 2 o'clock. No muffling except what came built into the heads. Exactly the sound you described...BOOOM (one extra O in my Boom).

I used to use a clear powerstroke on the batter head as well, but I like the sound of a double ply head better (actually I have very fond memories of my kick sound on my old kit that used a Pinstripe on the batter, an Ambassador on the front, and a small blanket to muffle both heads). I have an easier time getting a lower pitch with double ply heads.

My Powerstroke III goes BOOM when it's miked. It has more higher end frequencies I think than the Superkick. A bit more initial attack, probably because it's a single ply head.