Emperors finally broken-in...

Jax · 22nd July 2011

It took much longer that I expected for my set of clear Emperors on toms to break in and start sounding good. For a few weeks, even with fairly consistent practice and a gig or two, they sounded plasticky and cold. I was about to change them out for anything else when they finally started to open up and carry a warm note. I mean, there's a whole lot of stick marks on all of them. Any other heads I've used didn't take this long, including coated Emps.

What's the deal? It makes me hesitate to buy them again.

Gamelan · 23rd July 2011

One guy's "broken in" is another guy's "worn out."

Emps aren't a very warm sounding head to begin with, but maybe you got a set that was on the warehouse shelf for a while. Mylar changes quite a bit with age.

Jax · 23rd July 2011

I'm considering Evans EC2's next, although I'm not a big fan of Evans. They always seem to start out sounding great and then go dead too soon. Maybe something has changed since the last time I tried them 15 years ago. If not, then either Pinstripes or Powerstrokes.

surfspank · 23rd July 2011

Have you been using coated heads, then switched? I play coated (for years) and have always found when I play a kit with clears it's always a big difference to my ears...especially with plastic tipped sticks.

Jax · 24th July 2011

Yep, it was coated Emperor heads previously and now clear with plastic tipped sticks. The coated heads were on my older kit and the clear on my newer one. Chronologically, I went to plastic tips a little while before getting the clear Emperors. I play a lot of hard rock and wood tips were not holding up long enough. However, sonically I still prefer wood tips.

Coated Emperors seemed a little too dead sounding on the newer kit. Clear have more attack and clarity, but less warmth and low end, so I'll be trying to find a good middle ground with the next set of heads.

It turns out I have moon gels on two of the toms, so heads with dampening rings (pinstripes, PS, EC2) are a good bet, I think. Although, weirdly I think the 10" tom will sound best with a coated Ambassador top and a thin, coated snare side head on the bottom, like a Diplomat or something slightly heavier. It wants to sing out more than it can with a two ply head.

I tell you, this Oak kit is a little weird. Maple is far more predictable.

Pawel · 24th July 2011

I tried lots of heads on my Oak kit and the best result so far is with classic coated Ambassadors on top and clear Ambassadors on bottom. If you want double ply I suggest you try the Suede Emperors: more durable and with more attack than Ambassadors, but warmer than clear Emperors, very nice tone and maybe the middle ground you're looking for. Usually a very small piece of Moongel does the trick, 1/4 or 1/8 of a normal patch is enough to cut unwanted overtones without choking the drum.
With coated ambassadors I don't use them at all, the sound is full and organic, especially when recording.

surfspank · 26th July 2011

I must be rare because I seldom see any love thrown to these skins. I really like Aquarian Super 2 coated for 2 ply. They seat well and tune up easily on my drums. Tried EC2's, not exactly for my regular kit. So I threw them on my fiberglass back up/sharing/outdoor gig kit. They do a really nice job on that. For 1 ply it's coated Ambassadors, no dampening ever, but I'm on Maple, play volume, and economize my heavy hits.
I couldn't even begin to tell you the best skins for Oak. Drastic change in characteristics from Maple. I'd say the Super 2 is worth a demo, at least on one head if you haven't tried them. Just to build up your own mental encyclopedia and or the ability to ridicule me for liking such a crappy head.

22nd July 2011	#1
Jax Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,779 Thread Starter	Emperors finally broken-in... It took much longer that I expected for my set of clear Emperors on toms to break in and start sounding good. For a few weeks, even with fairly consistent practice and a gig or two, they sounded plasticky and cold. I was about to change them out for anything else when they finally started to open up and carry a warm note. I mean, there's a whole lot of stick marks on all of them. Any other heads I've used didn't take this long, including coated Emps. What's the deal? It makes me hesitate to buy them again.

23rd July 2011	#4
surfspank Gear addict Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Sooke, BC. Posts: 340	Have you been using coated heads, then switched? I play coated (for years) and have always found when I play a kit with clears it's always a big difference to my ears...especially with plastic tipped sticks. __________________ "Chaos is the score upon which reality is written." — Henry Miller

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23rd July 2011	#2
Gamelan Gear addict Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 390	One guy's "broken in" is another guy's "worn out." Emps aren't a very warm sounding head to begin with, but maybe you got a set that was on the warehouse shelf for a while. Mylar changes quite a bit with age.

24th July 2011	#5
Jax Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,779 Thread Starter	Yep, it was coated Emperor heads previously and now clear with plastic tipped sticks. The coated heads were on my older kit and the clear on my newer one. Chronologically, I went to plastic tips a little while before getting the clear Emperors. I play a lot of hard rock and wood tips were not holding up long enough. However, sonically I still prefer wood tips. Coated Emperors seemed a little too dead sounding on the newer kit. Clear have more attack and clarity, but less warmth and low end, so I'll be trying to find a good middle ground with the next set of heads. It turns out I have moon gels on two of the toms, so heads with dampening rings (pinstripes, PS, EC2) are a good bet, I think. Although, weirdly I think the 10" tom will sound best with a coated Ambassador top and a thin, coated snare side head on the bottom, like a Diplomat or something slightly heavier. It wants to sing out more than it can with a two ply head. I tell you, this Oak kit is a little weird. Maple is far more predictable.

24th July 2011	#6
Pawel Gear nut Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 106	I tried lots of heads on my Oak kit and the best result so far is with classic coated Ambassadors on top and clear Ambassadors on bottom. If you want double ply I suggest you try the Suede Emperors: more durable and with more attack than Ambassadors, but warmer than clear Emperors, very nice tone and maybe the middle ground you're looking for. Usually a very small piece of Moongel does the trick, 1/4 or 1/8 of a normal patch is enough to cut unwanted overtones without choking the drum. With coated ambassadors I don't use them at all, the sound is full and organic, especially when recording.

26th July 2011	#7
surfspank Gear addict Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Sooke, BC. Posts: 340	I must be rare because I seldom see any love thrown to these skins. I really like Aquarian Super 2 coated for 2 ply. They seat well and tune up easily on my drums. Tried EC2's, not exactly for my regular kit. So I threw them on my fiberglass back up/sharing/outdoor gig kit. They do a really nice job on that. For 1 ply it's coated Ambassadors, no dampening ever, but I'm on Maple, play volume, and economize my heavy hits. I couldn't even begin to tell you the best skins for Oak. Drastic change in characteristics from Maple. I'd say the Super 2 is worth a demo, at least on one head if you haven't tried them. Just to build up your own mental encyclopedia and or the ability to ridicule me for liking such a crappy head.