Remo coated Ambassadors would be my choice for that type of music. If you want a warmer and more controlled sound, go with coated Emperors. You may try going to your local music store and trying some kits on display which may have different head types on them. good luck!!

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the reply.

I am definitely considering the traditional coated ambassador top and bottom for the toms as well as the bass drum, but was just wondering if people had other suggestions too. I have been playing for a long time and have used countless heads, but you never know what other drummers have come up with so I figured I would give it a shot on the forum.

Anyone else have suggestions?

You have a ton of ways to go, as already mentioned coated Ambassadors or Emperors, I would go with this combo emperor top ambassador on the bottom, Remo coated PS3 for the bass drum and Coated ambassador for the front head,

Another good combo is emperor smooth ebony heads for the top and smooth ambassadors for the bottom,

another is fiberskins top with clear ambassadors on the bottom.

Hey vintagemore2000,

Thanks for your input. I thought about the Boham set-up too (coated Emp top and coated Amb bottom). I will most likely go this route.

I have never tried a coated PS3. I'm not a fan of the clear version, but I'm willing to give coated a try.

What would you suggest for muffling on the kick (felt strip with full front head)?

Thanks.

Sean, yes a PS3 coated and an ambassador front with a felt strip on the front head, or moongel is also great stuff.

If you want something in between Ambassador and Emperor there is the somewhat new Ambassador X which is a single ply that is 20% thicker than a standard Amb. at 12 mil and there is also the Remo X14 that is a single ply 14 mil. Right now I'm using the coated Amb. X with clear ambs. on the reso on 2 sets and love them. Nice open sound but with a longer life span. I have an X 14 on one snare and I like it but it feels quite a bit different from a std. Amb and takes a bit of getting used to when switching from an Amb. According to the Remo site the X14 is only avail in 13" and 14" but the Amb X's are avail in most sizes. Just a thought for you if you didn't know about them yet and an alternative to 2 ply heads.

Vintage A on top is worth to try

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input!

Happy drumming.

I play in a similar situation, singer songwriter, that has a similar feel to Amos Lee, and I record with him often. I also play with a jazz quartet, classic rock cover band, an indy rock band, and a rotating member jazz fusion thing with elements of latin. I believe strongly that each situation requires a different sound from the drummer. Although I find that it's more about the instruments you choose, the implement you use, tuning, and playing style than about the heads.

I mean don't get me wrong, some heads just don't work in certain situations.

So with the singer guy I use some hand drums incorporated with the kit. On one tune I added jingles on a 16" djembe and played it with plastic brushes, taped to be firm, in place of the snare.

I also believe that certain drums sound best (very subjective) with certain heads. So I buy drums/sets with the gig in mind and then use the heads and tuning which sounds best (subjective) for that situation.

All that said, I use a Rogers Powertone kit with the singer guy with Remo Fiberskyn 3 Ambassadors on top and bottom of the the rogers toms, tuned exactly the same with a small moon jell on the top. I use an Aquarian Super Kick II batter and black Evans Resonant on the bass drum. Sometimes I play the snare with the snares off and use wire brushes in place of sticks as well.

Don't know if that helps but just wanted to weigh in.