I have a set of 57 Slingerlands that I have been struggling with getting a good sound from the 13 and 16 toms. I have tried coated and smooth Ambassadors at all different tunings and even used a drum dial to make sure everything was a close as possible. I think they sound ringy and dissonnant. I keep reading about coated Ambassadors being THE head for vintage kits, the industry standard for decades used on all those old recordings, this had led me to avoid heads like coated pinstripes or similar (I have tried coated Emperors, they don't sound that good to me either) I got thinking that the coated Ambassador has probably been the industry standard for a long time and was used on alot of early recordings but then I got thinking....how many drummers put tape all over them or taped wallets to them, draped blankets over them etc to kill the ring and tame them down??? I also hear that ring is good if you play live without being mic'd but I think I am going to break conventional wisdom and try some coated pinstripes or equiv, has anybody else experienced this with coated ambassadors on their toms or am I just expecting a different type of sound and being unrealistic? Is there some magic I am missing with the coated Ambassadors or something different I should try with them?
Remo Ambassadors Last viewed: 3 days ago
First, I would love me some 57 Slingys. That being said ... There are several very nice coated single ply heads available. Personally, for that kit, I would use nice new calf.
Aquarian American Vintage medium weight heads are sounding good on my '58 Slingerland toms (still tweeking the tuning and muffling of the American Vintage heads on my bass drum...they are pretty ringy on the kick). You may want to try those. But, they are basically Aquarian's version of the Ambassador, except with a light, yellow-brown tint to resemble old calf heads and with a larger collar to fit over vintage shells a little better.
Psalm 150:5
1945 Slingerland RK sparkling gold pearl 26/13/14/16/early 50s 5.5x14 Krupa RK
1967 Slingerland green glass glitter 20/12/14/Hollywood Ace
60s Slingerland 24/13/16/7x14 project
24/13/16/7x14 project RKs
60s 5 & 6.5 Sound Kings
1942 7x14 WMP Krupa RK
1930s Slingerland Universal
1967 Ludwig Hollywood sparkling blue pearl 22/12/13/16
1967 Ludwig Supraphonic 400 & 402
1965 Ludwig Jazz Fest sparkling blue pearl
1923 Ludwig 5x14 NOB
I play wide open and unmuffled most all the time.
Bottom tuned higher than the top.
A little moongel to tame some ring if I have to, and possibly some cotton balls in a big floor tom if I must.
Someone told me once, "If you don't want a drum to ring, then don't hit it".
This and a buck seventy-five will get you a Non-Fair Trade Cup 'O Joe at your local convenience store.
:)
I use Aquarian coated.
However, if you want a more muffled studio sound, try some moon gel for that vintage studio sound at home. Then if you play out or have a jam at home, peel the moon gel off for maximum ring. Then put it back on when they leave.
You could also buy or make a couple zero-rings.
I play wide open and unmuffled most all the time.Bottom tuned higher than the top.A little moongel to tame some ring if I have to, and possibly some cotton balls in a big floor tom if I must.Someone told me once, "If you don't want a drum to ring, then don't hit it".This and a buck seventy-five will get you a Non-Fair Trade Cup 'O Joe at your local convenience store. :)
Right on, sir!
Psalm 150:5
1945 Slingerland RK sparkling gold pearl 26/13/14/16/early 50s 5.5x14 Krupa RK
1967 Slingerland green glass glitter 20/12/14/Hollywood Ace
60s Slingerland 24/13/16/7x14 project
24/13/16/7x14 project RKs
60s 5 & 6.5 Sound Kings
1942 7x14 WMP Krupa RK
1930s Slingerland Universal
1967 Ludwig Hollywood sparkling blue pearl 22/12/13/16
1967 Ludwig Supraphonic 400 & 402
1965 Ludwig Jazz Fest sparkling blue pearl
1923 Ludwig 5x14 NOB
I have a similar year slingerland kit and I found that using a piece of moongel right over the remo logo works perfect. I have also found that using a emperor beater/ambassador reso combo cuts the ringing just enough to make me happy. Start with the moongels. they're cheap and reusable.
I have a similar year slingerland kit and I found that using a piece of moongel right over the remo logo works perfect. I have also found that using a emperor beater/ambassador reso combo cuts the ringing just enough to make me happy. Start with the moongels. they're cheap and reusable.
Yep, that's where I stick em too, or sometimes lean em against the rim right there if full contact isn't needed.....
I have a similar year slingerland kit and I found that using a piece of moongel right over the remo logo works perfect. I have also found that using a emperor beater/ambassador reso combo cuts the ringing just enough to make me happy. Start with the moongels. they're cheap and reusable.
That is the correct combo, it simply rocks....
What should be mentioned here is the importance of paying close action to the tuning of the bottom heads. No matter how well the top head is tuned, if the bottom is wacked, the drum will never sound good. Even tension and a working pitch relationship with the top head is mandatory.
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