My last diplomat failed within three weeks tuned to dynasonic specs. I put an Ambassador back on that one. First one Ive ever seen do that. Stretched and stretched and .... didnt break but got to the point the bottom rim was almost flush with the bearing edge. It would not hold tension. Took it off and it was twice as deep as it should have been.

So Ploughman, what are you saying, neither the Diplomat nor Ambassador worked as a Dyna snare side head?? Also, do you know anything about these remo Vintage A heads? Opinion one way or the other?

Ambassador is a good snare side head for the Dynasonic. Thats what is on most of mine. I think theres two that have a diplomat snare side. But either head is good for that. My above mentioned problem was limited to just one single snare head. It was probably defective, but ......... it would look silly dragging a stretched out diplomat back to the store.

So, is it mostly true that the thinnest head is usually better for the snare side? Or is it dependent on the type of drum/snares? Here, again, it's a Dyna-S. Thanks again for your expert advice. I'm so lame, been away from drumming since about 1976.

Chuck,

The bottom head for a snare drum is made to be extra-thin -specifically to enhance the snare sensitivity and compensate for the muting effect of the wire-set. They are called "snare side heads" and they usually are only a few mil. thick. They are NOT meant as batter heads and will easily dent/tear if they are used for batter heads.

The batter heads are different. They are meant to be played upon (obviously).

Make it easy on yourself and stick to the basic formula for most snare drums:

Batter head - Get a coated Remo Ambassador

Snare side - Get a Remo Ambassador (or Diplomat) weight SNARE side head

Those two types of heads are available almost anywhere and are commonly accepted as being standards in the industry.

Ok, I'm a pain in the ass! What's the difference between an Ambassedor and Diplomat snare side head? My thinking is one has to be better than the other (for this particular use).

Diplomats are thinner and will give you more sensitivity and a brighter tone.

Chuck,

I googled the subject and found this on the Pearl website:

"Thickness

Another true story: Not long ago, we (Pearl) received a snare drum from a drummer who claimed that it sounded "bad." Upon inspection, we discovered that he put an Ambassador batter head on the snare side. It turned out that the store guy (probably a guitar player*) sold him the wrong type of Ambassador. *Guitar players aren't the only ones who make this type of mistake, violin players are especially notorious."

So, seems like a Diplomat snare side Remo may be the best application. Or, am I still a dope? I mean, I suppose different snare drums warrant different heads. Or am I just being too complicated and/or anal? I guess a Dyna-Sonic snare may work best with one head (for ex., a Diplomat), and another snare may work best with another (lika an Ambassador). One thing is likely sure, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference!! I'm just trying to match this particular vintage snare drum with the best head, that's all.