Calf for batter...for sure!

Ive got a coated ambassador on my 40s 5.5, it's sounding great now you. However I like to experiment a bit and I'm 'still' waiting for an aquarian American vintage to come, place I ordered it from had non in stock-it's 3 weeks already....A guy demonstrates these on YouTube it's worth seeing, it's called ' restoring the kings'. They sound nice and warm but still bright on there. As I'm still waiting for them I haven't actually tried them yet so looking forward. Another reason is the ambassador is a very tight fit and the aquarian AV are supposed to fit better. If its for a better fit only the one I've said is the one- the 'modern vintage' head isn't any bigger. By the way it realy is all about tuning the drum well. Ive had to try quite hard at that that but now there right in the zone and sound amazing. Now on the 60s RK I have , just last week I put an Evans strata 1000 batter on it and it's like finding the missing link its realy brought out the woodyness of the drum and has a great 'pop'. Ile still have to see how it is in a couple of different settings though. Being reading up on remo skyntone 8mil heads as well, will probably try these at some point. I actually wanted real calfskin but can't be donr with the tuning hassle. One things for sure - I just love Radio king snare drums. Apologies for being long winded but apart from supras it's the only thing I've now a bit of experience of in vintage drums.

Didn't mean to say 'now you' -spelling mistake!!Laughing H

Remo Empeor coated on top, Ambassador on the bottom

I'm almost leaning towards calf. Seems like that would be the most authentic sound given the era.

Cool drum though!

That's what I've got. Emperor coated on the batter, smooth white Ambassador on snare side.

I've never tried the emperor.

I have to admit that in the past I would never think of a coated emperor on a snare, but they do work for for the older RKs and Leedys.

However, I have calf on the top and bottom of my 7x14 and it just sounds so damned good!!!

Powertone, can I ask you about the emperor, I would have thought a 2 ply head wouldnt be good on a 'radio king'?. Snare. Mine are 5 or 5.5, what is it that it does for these snares? And do you still have good snare sensitivity ETC?. I 'dont think' I realy want to just have a realy fat sound , I enjoy the nice tone of these drums but still want to keep a bright sound as well..