I bought them for my Gretsch drums but have not put them on yet, so I can't speak to the sound.
I have replied to your post though as I thought the price at Interstate Music was pretty good for the heads.
And also, unlike Aquarian's standard heads which to me are as ugly as they come, these are very nice looking, with a milky calfskin color.
And also, unlike Aquarian's standard heads which to me are as ugly as they come, these are very nice looking, with a milky calfskin color.
Hmm....what do you consider their "standard" heads? The Texture Coated heads are as plain as can be...this is what I would consider as "standard" heads.....much like Remo's Coated Ambassador heads.....
I used the heads on a session I did with Pat Travers (blues rock). The heads were warm and smooth. As I've stated before I am an Aquarian guy and this was my first time using them.
I only used on the batters with clear single ply underneath. The kit was a 20/12/16 Ludwig in waterfall bubinga. The heads sounded AMAZING! In fact I think I will order some for My 60's Club Date.
[IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Cx_uylE6FGI/SH1qEkrxKjI/AAAAAAAAADQ/rQNy-8apXPU/s320/DSCN2356.JPG[/IMG]
As far as heads go, don't let cosmetics dictate what your drums end up sounding like. I did the Fiberskyn heads on my Ludwigs, and a week after putting them on, realized I made a mistake. The look was very cool, but the sound was average at best.
If you like the way a single ply coated head sounds (remo ambass. evans g1, etc) then just use that head. My two cents!
However, I am ALL for experimentation. I have a friend with a 60's Gretsch. He tried all sorts of heads on it, and now will ONLY use Emperor Clears on it. I must say, the kit sounds incredible!
-Kevin
This isn't about looks for me at all.
I agree FS heads look cool, but imo they sound like crap for the kind of music I play..especially the thicker ones. Maybe a thinner one as a bass drum reso head...but thats about it for me.
NOW...thats not to say they don't work/sound great for some people so please spare me the "FS are the best heads ever! I use them on all my kits, you're an idiot" speech.
The reason I am considering these AV heads is due to their (supposed) larger diameter/collar which (again supposedly) works better on pre-1960 size shells. The drum I am looking to put the heads on is a mid-50's Radio King. I just didn't want a calf-emulating head.
I am glad to hear they are close to a coated ambassador...because if I didn't get these AV heads...I would either go with a coated amb or emperor. Just thought I would see what people thought of them so as to get a feel for if I should give em a shot.
Either way...I think I am going to try em out. $25(ish) for both heads from Cascio is a good deal (imo) and so why not check em out. I have a coated emperor on my late 30's/40's Radio King and though it fits tight...it still fits. So I am not worried about it. Just wanted to see if these AV heads are worth trying. I think they are!
-Adam
I used Fiberskyns on my Leedy kit and they sounded great....but they did have the rounded bearing edges and larger sizes....plus I tuned them higher and wide open....I was planning on using them for a Big Band project that never came about.....perfect sound for that, not much else though.....have yet to try Aquarian's Vintage series heads, but maybe soon....
I use them on all my kits, you're an idiot- juuuuuuuust kiddin. Chewie: I`m bored
[COLOR="DarkRed"]Wanna chime in here - don't particularly like these heads much from a player's perspective & and only use them out of necessity - when circumstances force me to & they are all that fit- also think the comparison to coated Ambassadors is innacurate (they are much heaver and different feeling under the stick and much less open on sound - much closer to coated Emperors in my book)[/COLOR]
Hmm....what do you consider their "standard" heads? The Texture Coated heads are as plain as can be...this is what I would consider as "standard" heads.....much like Remo's Coated Ambassador heads.....
I stand corrected on my choice of language. I was referring to the only Aquarian head I had ever seen prior to buying the American Vintage for my Gretsch. This:
http://www.pulseonline.com/aquarian/superkick2.jpg
From poking around their website it looks less they have less uglified this design.
I would add that Jaye makes an important point. I would only use ambassadors on everything if I could as they work great *for me* and they are on my Club Dates and Downbeat Ludwig kits.
But I won't be able to try to rehead my Gretsch RB set till they get to me in Europe, a place where I can't buy stuff and take it back if it doesn't fit. So I bought the Aquarians as an insurance policy based on what I always read about Gretsch when I was last in USA.
That said, especially with the prices from Interstate (Cascio) certainly go for it and I hope you like them!
