I've been using Evans heads for the last couple of years on my 72 Rogers kit but decided to go back to Remo's when replacing the batters on all the kit recently, and I found that on every drum they were a little too big for the drums. I actually couldn't get the tom's to tune up properly but got the bass drum just about ok. I used to use Remo's and it wasn't like this before.
Has anyone else has this experience with their vintage drums?
Cheers
Too big in diameter or are the collars too deep?
Compare the profile of your old heads to the new ones. If possible, take a shell to the store and compare fit with different head models.
I have not had this issue with my mid 70's Rogers.
Ambassadors are very tight to fit on to my vintage RK snare. I'd heard that Evans level 360 might fit better but that turned out to be a poor fit also, Although nowhere near as bad as the remo ambassadors. Aquarian vintage went straight on. It's unfortunate. At the moment I'm waiting for the stock to come in for a real calfskin batter, with specially made slightly larger diameter hoops.I'm going to try it ( calf) Next time I want a remo ambassador I'm going to try to get a special order larger one to fit. I'm pretty sure they do this.
Oh sorry I've just realised you said to big! Oh well disregard! Hope you find what you want....
If the heads fit inside their respective hoops I'd make sure that the heads are centered on the shells before tightening the tension rods.
If they don't fit inside your hoops, your hoops are most likely warped. That's the only way I can see how tuning would be different with new heads.
I have had trouble at times with Remo Ambassadors as well. Once you get them on and broken in, they sound great. I have been using Evans coated G1s a lot just because I like the way they fit the shells better.
