Drum Heads: Coated VS Uncoated

[Cujo]

I have a couple of drum sessions in next week, and have been struggling over which type of heads I am in the mood for. The sessions are 2 different bands, same session drummer, he has both a Yamaha and vintage Gretch kit. I am leaning toward the Yamaha, as these sessions will ba a tad more "modern" sounding and the gretch drums are a bit small. Usually I like coated heads, as they seem to sound more earthy or real, but I have been liking a more polished sound lately too and wondered if say pinstripes would be the ticket. What I mean by polished is sort of Supergrass, Wilco (summerteeth) Flaming Lips..but also some Big Star and even Nick Cave,

I am wondering what other people like for drum heads.

[toolskid]

its pretty drum-dependent + what sound you're trying to acheive IMO, if I had to pick one set of heads that I generally use most often its the Jack De Johnette signature heads from aquarian, like slightly thicker ambassadors and black too....

[Cujo]

Oh, I definitley know it's about what sound I am trying to achieve,
I guess I'm trying to decide that with GS users input! I sort have always leanded to the "vintage" sounds (Motown, Ringo, keith Moon, Zep I) I am wondering if I can co a tad more modern and still keep that feel. I want that cool vibey sound, but a bot more deifnition, I was thinking pinstripes will give more "
power" but less over ring. They just may sound to thud ish...ah so hard to describe what is in my head.
What were they using during the late 70's?
As far as sepcific makes of heads the drum tecks I usually use always tell me not to go by brand per se, but use what brand fits the drum the best. Soetimes and Evens will fit better on say a DW, and an aquarian works better on a gretch.

I was thinking more of head styles, coated or non.

Thanks for the reply!

[w2w]

This will open up the flood gates with tons of different replies.There is no better or not better etc,there are SO many variables.Having said that,coated heads are a bit more controlled as far as overtones go,some may say "warmer".A plastic head(non coated) can ring a little more.A lot of drummers,engineers etc can easily tell just by listening if its a coated or non coated head.You can also open the can of worms about nylon tipped sticks vs wood tipped.The room,tuning,drum,maple,birch,blah blah,its endless the combinations.You could achive those sounds of the bands you mentioned with coated or pinstripe etc.I have worked in the studio with Jay Bennett from Wilco & it really does not matter at the end of the day,I have first hand seen those sounds achieved with both.Great drummers & engineers can get great sounds out of a paper bag for a head.If it sounds good......

[guid0]

Recently, we changed the heads on my drummer's kit to coated on the top head and clear on the bottom head of his Obelisk maple shells. They are all remo emperors.

He was used to having Evans G1 clear heads and the difference is mainly in more controlled overtones and the heads don't go flat as quickly.

[Matt Grondin]

IMO, Pinstripes are terrible sounding heads. Remo in general other than snare. For my vintage Gretsch kit, I have a coated Remo ambassdor snare head, Evans G2 clear toms heads, and an Aquarium Super Kick III coated kick head. That is by far the best combination I've heard and it sounds great on my kit, but every kit is different. That would be a good starting point for those Gretsches, but try experimenting. Good luck.

[ImJohn]

Originally Posted by Cujo

I have a couple of drum sessions in next week, and have been struggling over which type of heads I am in the mood for. The sessions are 2 different bands, same session drummer, he has both a Yamaha and vintage Gretch kit. I am leaning toward the Yamaha, as these sessions will ba a tad more "modern" sounding and the gretch drums are a bit small. Usually I like coated heads, as they seem to sound more earthy or real, but I have been liking a more polished sound lately too and wondered if say pinstripes would be the ticket. What I mean by polished is sort of Supergrass, Wilco (summerteeth) Flaming Lips..but also some Big Star and even Nick Cave,

I am wondering what other people like for drum heads.

You must be producing these bands, otherwise I would think instrument choices would be up to the artists.

Instead of Pinstripes you should give Emporers a try. I nornmaly like clear Emporers on top and clear Ambassadors on the bottoms for toms.

For snares lately I've been liking the Evans Genera Dry model.

Also, you might want to give Remo Renaissance heads a try sometime instead of coated (for a more rounded/less bitey tone):
http://www.remo.com/portal/products/...naissance.html


Best of luck!

[Cujo]

Yeah, I am producing,
And I think I can tell the diff on recordings, and I do like both,
I guess I am sort of in the middle right now on which direction to go.
Of course drum sounds are very subjective, I was just getting a feel for what others are liking right now. I used to hang out with Ken Coomer on occasion back in my Nashville days, I'd ask hime directly about the older Wilco stuff, but I have lost his contact info.

Funny I was listening to Zep II a few weeks back and was thinking they sounded like coated heads, except Moby Dick, that sound seems more likely uncoated thick heads.

I would love to know what Topper headon used on London Calling, I have to go watch the DVD tonight.

[junior]

another way to think about it: clear heads sound "gummier" or more like a "bouncing beach-ball" compared to their coated counterparts. to my ears, coated heads have always sounded a bit "drier" with more attack / tone...

also very important is your choice of bottom heads. i've always loved the sound of thin bottom heads on toms (like clear diplomats). try one out and you might be surprised by how much more the drum opens up. good luck...