If you haven't already considered calfhide that's an option.

The unglued wood hoops are cheap - the calfhide of course is not. But, you can fit the unglued fleshoops to your drum and then tuck your heads. I had to do that for my late 50's Gretsch 14 tom. The only head that would fit without wrestling it on is an Aquarian Vintage (they fit a little bigger - I think they're made because of this very problem). Maybe send Aquarian an email to see if their heads will fit your drum - it's worth a shot.

There are a few retailers of top quality, bleached (over-priced) calf hide heads out there, I have found these to be just as good, just not as "pretty". But when you are talking a 26" drum, the "pretty" can cost a pretty chunk of change!

http://www.drumfactorydirect.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=328

You can get used ones on eBay sometimes - I got a really nice 50's Ludwig with the Ludwig calfhide stamp still on it reasonable price. I cut it down and use it on my 58 Gretsch 20" reso. If you keep a lookout on the Bay or the List sometimes old calfhide heads in good condition can be had. You can retuck them too. What you can do is soak em - remove the flesh-hoop and carefully take the hoop apart - fit it to your bd (making sure to use some cardboard shims = you don't want the flesh-hoop to fit tight around your drum because after you tuck the calfhide it will be too tight) and retuck the hide. Sometimes there is not enought natural glue to stick to the wood hoop but with patience and some creative tucking it will work.

At 26 1/4" you will probably need to make 4 more cuts at equal distance. Also make sure that the collar hoop is cut all the WAY so that it opens up when placing on the drum. Be careful not to tear the head in those spots as that will now become a weak point in the plastic. Good luck!

Calfhide is not an option because I play rock and need something that will really project. Will the American Vintage project enough?

Aquarian American Vintage is enough to me.

You've already ruined any value the heads had by cutting into them (I can't imagine anyone buying a head with cut up hoop), so you may as well do as DolFan suggests to see if you can make them usable before you chuck them and buy new ones. Let us know if it works - I've never cut the metal hoop, but I've been frustrated enough to want to do it a couple times!

i have had this issue with some old radio kings. american vintage heads were even a tight fit. and i didn't want to send the drums somewhere to get fitted for calf heads. so i cut the metal hoop on some earthtone heads, at 4 places around the head, and voila, they fit fine. i tried grinding the inside of the metal hoop to make it larger, but it wasn't enough. if you're careful not to cut the head, it should be fine.

i'm not totally sure about this but i think the remo vintage a's might be a bit oversized too. maybe someone else can confirm that. i WAY prefer the sound of those over the aquarians.

adam