thanks Dan believe me I have read all the info that Aquarian offersI really wanted to hear from some folks who had personal experiences with them what type of drums did you use them on ?
I've used them on Rogers drums and snares. Very warm sounding, good tuning range and very durable.
They are made to provide the look, feel and tone of calf heads.
I have them on both sides of two of my kits, an early 50s set of radio kings and an early 50s Leedy and Ludwig and I love them, they are warm and slightly dark, they do remind me of calf heads, they last well too, no flaking, I don't think you'll regret your decision.
the flaking is what has irritated me about Remo as of late
it seems the second I tap these Ambassadors these days I immediately see the mylar under the coating
something that never happens with Evans
Remo quality is questionable these days, I use aquarian on all my drums now, they seem very consistant.
I used Aquarian American Vintage heads for years and loved them. I thought they were the best head made, then a couple years back or so I bought a set and they didn't fit right. I dealt with it but was unhappy. Then I bought a second set and had more problems. There were imperfections in the heads so they would not tune correctly. I bought my third and final set and still had issues. I noticed the logo had changed a couple of years ago and compared it to an older head I had kicking around. There was a noticable difference between new and old heads. One thing was the new ones didn't say "made in the USA". I did a little research and discovered that Aquarian had moved to Mexico.
I hate to say anything negative because I really admire them, but I think there has been a loss in quality. Has anyone else experienced this?
I used Aquarian American Vintage heads for years and loved them. I thought they were the best head made, then a couple years back or so I bought a set and they didn't fit right. I dealt with it but was unhappy. Then I bought a second set and had more problems. There were imperfections in the heads so they would not tune correctly. I bought my third and final set and still had issues. I noticed the logo had changed a couple of years ago and compared it to an older head I had kicking around. There was a noticable difference between new and old heads. One thing was the new ones didn't say "made in the USA". I did a little research and discovered that Aquarian had moved to Mexico.I hate to say anything negative because I really admire them, but I think there has been a loss in quality. Has anyone else experienced this?
wow disheartening to say the least
How long ago did this happen? Aquarian did try having some production in Mexico for a while, but they were not happy with the results. As far as I know they don't produce in Mexico any longer.
How long ago did this happen? Aquarian did try having some production in Mexico for a while, but they were not happy with the results. As far as I know they don't produce in Mexico any longer.
I would guess two years ago, but I can't remember for sure. If this is the case, I would definitely go back to them.
One other disappointment was that they did not produce the American Vintage in 10". I was using them on my Eames kit, which is custom. Tom sizes are 10, 12, 13 floor tom, 18 bass, all 12 ply birch, along with a 14 snare that is 24 ply birch. The Vintage heads sounded phenomenal on them, but I couldn't get a 10".
The Aquarian Modern Vintage heads are very good also, and they come in a variety of sizes. I use them on my circa 2005 kit, which has 8", 10" 12" rack toms and a 14" ft. They're more like old Ambassadors than calf heads, and they have a similar sound. For my older drums, I use Remo Fibreskyn Powerstroke 3 heads, which are closer to calf heads. Real calf heads have problems staying in tune, for me. Calves prefer the Remos as well. :)
Good luck.
Stephen
