The ambassador is a single ply head. It could be a combination of things. If the head is not tuned tight enough, it could would be easier to dent. Mainly, it probably comes down to how hard you are hitting the drum. Try tightening the head (not overly tight) and see how that goes.

It could be that you are playing too hard for a standard ambassador. If that is the case, you could try a coated CS head which is more durable, and adds a bit of control over the overtones. That is my go to head of choice for rental kits as they work well, are durable and most drummers are accustomed to seeing them. It may not be their first choice for a snare head, but it is one that generally works for most drummers.

It coud also be a technique issue, for instance, you may be striking the head at an unusually steep angle which would be quite punishing to any head. You see that kind of thing with guys that angle their snare drums back toward themselves at more than a slight angle.

Of course, it coud be a defective head, but I would doubt that.

This really old school...if you smoke (if not find someone who does) & pass a lit cigarette over top the pocks, not to close. After a few seconds, you'll see the pock pulling back out. Essentially your using a very small heat shrink gun. Just take your time & make sure you don't get it to close to the head. After you get the pocks pulled out crank that sucker a little tighter, get rid of the marching sticks & try using a little restraint. No matter how hard you hit it, it's only going to make X amount of volume/sound...if you need more, put a mic on it. It's a lot cheaper buying a couple half-ass mics than buying heads after every-other performance.

Just my 2 cents.

Dan

well i dont angle the snare like that but these were remo heads priced at 12 dollars they were in a plastic bag instead of the box. but i like the feel of the coated ambassadors over a heavier head.also i need to have better control of my hands when playing hard and soft. i play in a black sabbath tribute act. thanks guys!

This......

I'm guessin' there was a "death grip moment".

You can play as hard as you want on an Ambassador (for a while, anyway) BUT if you tighten up your grip ONE TIME as you come down, that single-ply mylar's gonna be more likely to dent up.

Even more likely if you use nylon tip sticks. Even moreso if you use big ol' rock-n-roll, ball-type beaded sticks. (If you're using those, what the hell are you doin' with an Amdassador on your snare, anyway?) Wood tips DO compress slightly on impact so they'll not as likely dent the head early on. Personally, I hate 'em, however, because a chip on the tip renders an otherwise brand new stick worthless on a ride cymbal.

Just my own experience, mind you. All learned the hard way.

And oh yeah, you'll only wreck an Ambassador when you either don't have the money to replace it OR you're someplace where you can't get to one.

Coated Emperors (and cheesecake) are proof that God loves us!:-)

Use a heavier head or a much lighter touch and stick.

7a's all the way

5A n's crank that head up and use the rim for more volume not the middle of the head should work fine I am a extremely hard hitter and i use these heads exclusively on all my drum and i do not dent them but you can if they are a tad loose