Most versatile heads for toms/bass drum

OK, you've sold me on the Emperors for tom and bass drum beaters, but what is it about 1 ply reso heads that you like better than 2? Just a better feel? Easier to make ring when you need it?
The purpose of the batter head is to be struck and produce a tone, with a varying amount of overtones. That varying amount is partially defined by the mass of the head. A 2-ply head has more mass. A two-ply dampened head (such as a Pinstripe or Hydraulic) has even more mass.

A resonant head's only function is to resonate. Adding more mass to a resonant head, in my experience, chokes off too many overtones and makes the drum sound pinched. Very few people use 2-ply heads for resonant heads for this reason (although there are always exceptions to the rule).
 
The purpose of the batter head is to be struck and produce a tone, with a varying amount of overtones. That varying amount is partially defined by the mass of the head. A 2-ply head has more mass. A two-ply dampened head (such as a Pinstripe or Hydraulic) has even more mass.

A resonant head's only function is to resonate. Adding more mass to a resonant head, in my experience, chokes off too many overtones and makes the drum sound pinched. Very few people use 2-ply heads for resonant heads for this reason (although there are always exceptions to the rule).
Thanks for the great explanation, Al!
 
You might want to head over to my friend Ben's YouTube channel where he really breaks it down in this two-part "Sounds Like A Drum" episode. Ben (who is on this forum) used to work at Evans, so he knows of what he speaks.

 
I know that you've made a decision, but just in case you haven't bought them yet:

Fiberskyns are prone to flaking and "bubbling". Evans introduced the Calftone a couple of years ago and some members have reported the same problem - don't know if they have improved the durability by now. If you also hit hard, they wouldn't be my first choice.
You might like the Powerstroke 3 (1 ply + ring) or Vintage Ambassador (2 plies, but thinner than an Emperor). But I'll never vote against plain Ambassadors. :)
Yep, definitely saw that happening on the Fiberskyns and that's exactly why I asked about them, and probably why everyone suggested I don't use them.
 
You might want to head over to my friend Ben's YouTube channel where he really breaks it down in this two-part "Sounds Like A Drum" episode. Ben (who is on this forum) used to work at Evans, so he knows of what he speaks.

I've watched a few of his vids and he's really good at demoing gear and heads. Great player, too.
 
My first set of decent drums had calfskins on the toms ......
You're dating yourself;) , and probably the first decent set of drums you had.
So I've been leaning toward Ambassadors and/or Emperors all around because I love the sound of them and they can pretty much do anything if you tweak them out.
Ambassadors and Emperors were pretty much "THE HEADS" when I started drumming. I don't think the Pinstripe can out until around 1974. So ..... if it's versatile you want ...... its either those, or the Evans equivalent.
Never been a specialist in any one style on bass or guitar and I don't plan to on drums, either. I plan on playing any gigs I can get my hands on from light jazz to hard rock and dance music and everything in between. I like pingy and thuddy both and I like whisper soft to as loud as humanly possible. I've also been writing and recording songs for a banjo-driven punk rock video project for fun .....
Probably what kit you finally end up with (sizes, shell type & bearing edge shape) will determine head choice, as well. As I tend towards vintage drums and larger sizes, "pingy" really isn't where a lot of my kits fall. So there's always gonna be a bit of a compromise to be had. That's why I have more than 1 kit. For that more modern sound, I have kits that lean towards 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 sizes ..... and for the more vintage sound .... kits sized more in the 12, 13, 14, 16, 18 end of thing.
 
You're dating yourself;) , and probably the first decent set of drums you had.

Ambassadors and Emperors were pretty much "THE HEADS" when I started drumming. I don't think the Pinstripe can out until around 1974. So ..... if it's versatile you want ...... its either those, or the Evans equivalent.

Probably what kit you finally end up with (sizes, shell type & bearing edge shape) will determine head choice, as well. As I tend towards vintage drums and larger sizes, "pingy" really isn't where a lot of my kits fall. So there's always gonna be a bit of a compromise to be had. That's why I have more than 1 kit. For that more modern sound, I have kits that lean towards 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 sizes ..... and for the more vintage sound .... kits sized more in the 12, 13, 14, 16, 18 end of thing.
Probably going to get a standard 12/13/16" kit, maybe a 14" on the floor tom, not sure yet. A lot depends on availability, too.
 
I have to tell you guys...hanging on Talkbass is cool because I'm kind of a go-to guy for questions about certain topics like technique and gear choices, but hanging on here is doubly cool because on here I'm Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer from that old skit on SNL with Phil Hartman (RIP):

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For versatility, I love the Evans Hydraulics. They tune easily, last forever and control the overtones all day.
 
For versatility, I love the Evans Hydraulics. They tune easily, last forever and control the overtones all day.
I'm a little surprised by this. I knew they do all that stuff, but I never thought of them as all that versatile. Wish they were cheaper, but then I wish I still could get an Ambassador for $5 or $6 :D
 
I'm a little surprised by this. I knew they do all that stuff, but I never thought of them as all that versatile. Wish they were cheaper, but then I wish I still could get an Ambassador for $5 or $6 :D
True.
Cost can be a thing, but I've used them since the 80's & love them. Yeah...I get the ribbing about them "sounding like cardboard boxes", but that's only from the drumhead snobs who can't see beyond their blessed Remo *insert their favorite head here*.
😁
 
i vote aquarian :)


response 2s or super 2s on toms (couple with classic clear resonants)

super kick on bass drum (couple with the regulator resonant head)


its a combo that works in pretty much every genre ive played in so far :)
 
i vote aquarian :)


response 2s or super 2s on toms (couple with classic clear resonants)

super kick on bass drum (couple with the regulator resonant head)


its a combo that works in pretty much every genre ive played in so far :)
Hard vouch!!
 
I'm not a fibreskyn fan.

Why? Live unmiced they don't have the attack I like. On my field recordings, they bring out the worst in my toms.

Unmiced I dig the clear heads. They sound so much punchier on my recordings. The fireskyns sound really dull and flat on my recordings IMO.

The clear ambassdors sound punchy with much better cut than fibreskyns.

To each their own for sure
 
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