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REMO Head Durability? Last viewed: 12 hours ago

Posts: 91 Threads: 23

Hey Guys,

I've bought several REMO CS Black Dot heads, as well as a few Ambassador-X heads over the last year. I used the black dots for a Vistalite snare, Roto-Toms, and some Tama concert toms. I used the Ambassador-Xs for my Slingerland toms.

I've noticed what seems to be a common theme for me. The heads don't seem to last very long at all. The Slingerlands probably have about 20 hours of playing, most of which was very gentle in a church. When the heads were new, they sounded nice. I've noticed I have to re-tune the two toms every time I come in now, because they've gone flat, and even when they're tuned up, they sound flat and dull, like the old heads I replaced (also Ambassadors).

The Roto-Toms only had a few hours on them at all. The 6" head was defective out of the box and sounded like a cardboard box. The rest sounded okay for a few hours of play, but today they totally went south, and wouldn't stay tuned up for more than a minute.

I will admit that before these purchases, I've had no experience with new Remo heads. My Vistalites came with Evans EC2s, and my Keystones came with G2s, both of which are still holding tune perfectly and sound fantastic.

I know Remo has started making some of their heads in China, which shocked me. Has anyone else experienced this decline in durability, or am I just mistaken? Sorry to rant; I guess I'm just kinda irritated, and needed to vent.

I've heard good things about the Aquarian American Vintage heads, and am considering putting those on the Slingerlands next.

-Jon

Early 70's Slingerland 4 piece
1978/76 Ludwig Vistalite 6 piece "Pro-Beat" Clear
Modern Ludwig Keystone 4 piece - Psychedelic Red
Early 80s Tama Imperialstar 6 piece- **Snare Wanted!**
Late 60's / Early 70's Zildjians
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

The china made heads will have that stated on the box and are for mfg drum companies. I have had the coating wear out in just an hour of playing on the emperor coated heads. But not any shorter life problems as you are reporting.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 731 Threads: 59

I put some coated ambassadors on kit recently and the coating started coming off after just a few plays.

I was surprised. :(

www.macdrums.com
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

When Remo produces a bad batch/run of heads, it's probably more economical to 'put them out there' in the marketplace and deal with whoever bothers to ask for a refund, or replacement, than it is to recall, or trash the entire lot. Bottom line is; the end-users (us,) get screwed and end up absorbing the cost of -their- mistake.

It's not like the auto industry, there are no public safety concerns with drum heads. There are no consumer protections in place, or laws requiring the company to recall defective or sub-par products. They just go, 'Oops!', and then put it out anyway. Maybe one in five guys takes the time to contact the company and demand that they replace the faulty, or sub-par drum heads. That means that they get away with selling maybe 4 out of every 5 heads from a bad run to people who will not take the next step and complain to the company.

There is no 'punishment' for screwing people out of their hard-earned money, so the practice will likely continue. Expect that every once in awhile, you're going to buy a clinker and end up eating the loss unless you demand replacement. PITA!

Shouldn't be that way. People should get what they pay for.

Rant over.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 207 Threads: 26

Studios change heads after several hours of use.The mics hear everything and judge when it's time to throw in the towel.Mostly the bottom heads will loose their resiliency much sooner.And yes,Remo quality has taken a dive for several years.They do have to be "seated" to avoid going out of tune, and shouldn't be confused with being defective in which case you could never get the head to sound right in the first place.Which reminds me of anotherr story from a busy studio.Using the repeated same brand/model Remo head on the SAME tom had resulted in MANY different overtones,and many heads tuning differently which points to inconsistancy in manufacturing quality control..

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
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