Rock/metal drum head choice

[jon]

I need your advice...what heads would you all recommend for the following kit:

24" *birch* bass drum (Pearl Masters Studio)

12" and 14" *maple* rack toms (Pearl Custom Masters)

16" and 18" *birch* floor toms (Pearl Masters Studio)

The drummer in question could be described as a syncopated version of Silverchair meets Slipknot...and he's 14.

Originally posted by jon
I need your advice...what heads would you all recommend for the following kit:

24" *birch* bass drum (Pearl Masters Studio)

Evans EMAD on the batter side, EQ3 Resonant head (alternately an EQ1 if you like a solid front head w/no hole)

- or -

Remo Powerstroke 3 on batter side, ebony Powerstroke w/5" hole on front

12" and 14" *maple* rack toms (Pearl Custom Masters)

Evans G2 coated on top, G1 clear on bottom

- or -

Remo Suede Emperors on top, clear Ambassadors on bottoms

16" and 18" *birch* floor toms (Pearl Masters Studio)

Same as above

Those combos should give you a fat, punchy sound with plenty of tone that can be reduced with judicious muffling as needed.

[Han]

Another vote for Evans EQ on kick.

For birch toms you should try Premier CS heads, although they are a bit fragile, the sound is great.

Needless to say, always resonant heads on bottom!

[Jules]

keep him off the soda pop and e-numbers!

[alphajerk]

im diggin those evans too. especially over the powerstrokes. im doing my whole set in those next week.

The Evans have been my choice for a number of years now, after a long time with Remo. I gave Jon ideas from both as I don't know the availability of either in France, but I agree Alpha, the Evans EQ & EMAD stuff smoke the Powerstrokes on kicks. WAY more bottom end, but with real good attack.

Cheers,

Don

[planet red]

I got to give the evans a try. I've been using powerstoke 3's on my bass drums since i was 12. I'd love to try something new, so off to the music store before tommorrow's session.

Oh off subject I HATE the sound of slipknots drums. I dont own any of their stuff, but some bands have brought the cd in and I thought the entire thing sounded bad, especially the drums.

[jon]

Thanks, guys, for the helpful and specific suggestions. I discussed this thread with the drummer and we'll try the Evans heads that Don mentioned. Tracking starts Friday -- I'll let you know how they work out.

[Dave Martin]

I've got Aquarian Response 2's on my toms here (the drummer's choice); they've been working out just fine.

[alphajerk]

i couldnt find the EMAD head for the kick today. so i ended up with the EQ3 clear for it. i have no head currently on the kick so i needed one like last week... but i shall be on the search for the EMAD

man, it cost me $100 to rehead all the drums. just tops.

[Steve Smith]

Originally posted by alphajerk


man, it cost me $100 to rehead all the drums. just tops.

Those were probablly good prices, I usally have to buy heads for the house kit on stage at our live venue here every six weeks, two sets thats too much money for these drummers.. :(

[alphajerk]

for 5 heads? the kick was the most @ $39. snare $15, tom1 $14 tom2 $14 floor $15 plus tax.

while we are on drums... anyone have any opinions on the Axis pedals and hihat stands? im thinking about ordering the two, my kick pedal is totally ****ed.

The Axis stuff is built like a tank, but to me feels unlike any kick pedal I've ever tried. I don't like 'em. They're too smooth - I like a bit of whip (get yer minds out of the gutter...) as the beater (hey, I said out!) is coming over the top of the stroke (!). I've been the happiest with a Tama Iron Cobra chain-drive, and I've tried DW, Yamaha, Tama Camco, Pearl, and Premier pedals.

I'm not as picky about the hi-hat; I'm using a single-braced DW that's nice and fast. Haven't tried the Axis.

Don

[Steve Smith]

[i]
while we are on drums... anyone have any opinions on the Axis pedals and hihat stands? im thinking about ordering the two, my kick pedal is totally ****ed. [/B]

Drummers either love or hate 'em. they apparently take a long time to get used to ( they feel like air.. wayyy balanced) and I have seen them break, and apparently ( it has been a while since I have dealt with them) Axis customer support sucks....

Bleen,

The last two drummers I recorded have had a TAMA pedal and loved it.

[alphajerk]

so you liked the iron cobra the best? what about the yamama? i have played the cobra, the yamama [top of the line one... pretty well built although the drummer whose it was just snapped it in half], the DW pedal... i have a pearl but its a POS.

i used to record a drummer a long time ago [94?] who used the axis. i thought it was badass at the time [but i still kinda sucked on drums so i dont have that great of a reference to it] he played REALLY hard too and seemed to hold up well, i think he even mentioned they were the only pedal he hadnt broken [i dont know if that is still the case]

im kinda looking for something that "recoils" really well [fast and tight], i want something comfortable i guess. something that doesnt take a lot of effort either. unfortunately there is no axis dealer anywhere near me and i have no way of trying one out.

[Drumsound]

Let's tackle heads first. I like the Evans EQ BD heads OK, but I am completely done with the rest of their heads. They don't sound as good and they don't last for shit. I switched back to Remo about a year and a half ago. My drums sounded ten times better. Better definitions, tone, and sustain. They also didn't go dead in a month like the Evans. I was shocked but I will most likely never buy another Evans head.

Now onto Axis. I picked up a used BD pedal a few years ago. It is as smooth as hell, but not loud enough. I read something about them changing the length of the footboard to correct this. I haven't tried one though. using the one I have gets frustrating, I feel like I'm playing too hard and not getting results. I found a used (for like 2 days) DW that?s pretty cool. It's the Accelerator, way quicker than the turbo. I really like the base. I've been thinking about a strap drive Iron Cobra or Pearl Eliminator, though I'll probably not get one, the DW is nice.

The Yamaha was probably the second best of the bunch; I can't play DW kick pedals at all. Something seems "off" with them for me.

The Iron Cobra does exactly what you say - snaps back quickly (and I have the double pedal version, so this is "doubly" important for me).

See if you can try one out where you are - I think you'll dig it, and it should certainly hold up to whatever is thrown at it.

[jon]

What heads do you guys recommend for rock/metal snare?

We'll be using a 13" x 3 1/4" Tama steel piccolo, a 14" x 5" copper Pearl, and a 14" x 6 1/2" wood Pearl.

[alphajerk]

i just bought a Evans [dry] head for my snare... anxious to try it out. it has tiny holes they run around the edge [maybe 10? in all] that apparently reduces the ring... i have the Evans G2 coated on it right now and it KILLS the powerstroke3's i have been using for years.

Jon,

I would start with a more open sound that can be deadened if needed, so an Evans G1 (single-ply) or G2 (2-ply), both coated, would be a good place to start. You could also try the Evans Power Center, which has a dot impact pad in the center of the head. This adds a little durability without killing the resonance of the whole head.

The Genera Dry head, like Alpha has, are cool, but again, if they are too dry for you to begin with, it will be hard to add that in.

Grab a bunch in case the little tyke's a basher! tut

[jon]

Originally posted by bleen

Grab a bunch in case the little tyke's a basher! tut

He is -- and I will! (BTW he is over six feet tall already at 14 going on 15.)

Thanks!

[Drumsound]

Originally posted by alphajerk
i just bought a Evans [dry] head for my snare... anxious to try it out. it has tiny holes they run around the edge [maybe 10? in all] that apparently reduces the ring... i have the Evans G2 coated on it right now and it KILLS the powerstroke3's i have been using for years.

That thing will kill your tone DEAD! Try a Remo coated Emperor. Use a bit of Moon Gel if it;s to ring-y.

[alphajerk]

Originally posted by Drumsound


That thing will kill your tone DEAD! Try a Remo coated Emperor. Use a bit of Moon Gel if it;s to ring-y.

okay, now i have your number. i know exactly where you are coming from with your drumsound.

typically i cut out an "Oring" from an old head and set that on the snare. i am/are/was looking or a head that i could use and NOT have to put on the Oring. i think the dry is EXACTLY what i am looking for. tomorrow it will go on, no... right now it will go on.

[jon]

Thanks, Tony. I like to have some harmonics on the snare and was going to try a G2 or G1. We'll pick up those and a coated Emperor tomorrow to try out.

I've been using O-rings as well. What's with the gel? Where do you apply it and how does that compare with the O-ring?

[Drumsound]

Moongel is a pack of small gelatinous rectangles about an inch long. The come in a pack of four or six, I can't remember. You apply it to the drumhead to provide some muffling, or if you use a few you have more muffling. They are reusable and can be moved around the head to find the best spot(s). It's pretty cool stuff.

[Drumsound]

Originally posted by alphajerk


okay, now i have your number. i know exactly where you are coming from with your drumsound.

typically i cut out an "Oring" from an old head and set that on the snare. i am/are/was looking or a head that i could use and NOT have to put on the Oring. i think the dry is EXACTLY what i am looking for. tomorrow it will go on, no... right now it will go on.

Whatever works for you brother!

[alphajerk]

man, i gotta say i love it. just crack and spings. works nice on the 5" snare i have. i liked the G2 on it a lot too.

i work with drummers who like the emperor heads and know that "sound" well.

im really digging this Evan EQ3 head too. who knows how long its tone will last but i guess i will find out. its got a much better tone right now than the powerstroke head i had on it before.

my pedal finally broke though. now its time to get a new one... damn, what to get. i need a hihat stand also. im also contemplating getting a new 4 piece kit, any favorite sounding kits among anyone?

[Drumsound]

Originally posted by alphajerk
im also contemplating getting a new 4 piece kit, any favorite sounding kits among anyone? [/B]

Gretsch. They still make the best sounding shells in the biz. They have and American line called the Broadcaster. They have satin finish and "crinkle" finish on the hardware. These things make the drums less expensive, but the shells are the same. they are warm, full, punchy and loud. The die cast hoops tune very easily. Get suspension mounts (the small drums are 5 lugs not 6) and they will sound great for many years to come.

[cajonezzz]

Also check out the Aquarian response2 heads. similar to a clear Emperor but thinner ply's . I've got these on an older gretsch kit and I really like em. they also make a series called "modern vintage" that emulate a calfskin head at it's best (though not quite as "thick" feeling or sounding.
Axis Pedas.....yuk. I've owned'em and in my opinion are way to smooth. It's so efficient that it sticks to the foot. It's the quietest and certainly beautifully constructed, but i always had to work to hard to squeeze out doubles.
If it's for a house kit you can't go wrong with a DW chain, an Iron cobra, and perhaps a strap drive DW. Having all 3 on hand should make visiting players pretty comfy.
Moon gel is great stuff, allows for quick re-positioning to dial in the dampning needed.
I've been really dissapointed with Remo's lack of consistancy in the past, but it's gotten better in the past couple years, so I've gone back to coated ambassadors for snare as the start point for most rock /pop stuff. We change 'em every other trak or so....

craig

[alphajerk]

Originally posted by cajonezzz
Axis Pedas.....yuk. I've owned'em and in my opinion are way to smooth. It's so efficient that it sticks to the foot. It's the quietest and certainly beautifully constructed, but i always had to work to hard to squeeze out doubles.

thanks, you just sold me on them right there. i want it to stick to my foot. and the drummer i record way back who used them [where i first came across them] had no problem hitting doubles on them... then again, i am not mr quick foot with my playing anyway. im just a laid back groove drummer.