I think your batter heads are too thin for those drums. Try Emperors on the bigger toms and bass drum and then clear Ambassadors for the resonant heads all around.

2 cents

Really good suggestions and I appreciate the help trying to get "the sound"

Nobody gave the old db 750's any props so I guess they will come off.

O-Lugs: You are probably right-on about them being too thin. That's probably why they sat in the drum case for so long not being used.

V2k were you suggesting clear or coated ambassadors for the bottom?

And since you have a SS kit, I have to consider that you speak from experience. But are we thinking about the same sound as it is hard to explain.

Tom, I have internal mufflers. It sounds like you too have experience with steel shells. Wish there was a shop that would let me experiment. That could save me a lot of coin.

To the drum shop!

Along with nine months of wood shedding, I have also re-learnt how to tune drums. Now, your mileage may vary, but here's what I have figured out:

1) Annoyingly ringy drums need two ply heads on top, one ply on the bottom. Sometimes you may need to experiment with bottom head weights, as not all reso heads are created equal.

2) Evans Oil-filled heads are a last resort; however, they work GREAT on concert toms. Use only on a hard-to-tune double-headed kit when all else fails!!!

3) Coated heads reduce over-ring.

4) Youtube the Bonham method of tuning by that Ocheltree fellow. This would especially work with your stainless kit.

5) Keep a roll of Gaffer's tape handy. If you end up with more than two inches of Gaffer's tape on a head, it means your top head is way to thin. Move up to the next level of weight when you change heads.

6) Evans Onyx (coated) heads are basically a G2 with a bit heavier coating. I really liked the one I used on a formerly unruly 13" tom.

7) Make certain your tensions are even. Tap near every lug on the edge, and if one is flat or sharp, re-tension until you get a singular tone.

8) Many times, a single ply, medium weight batter ends up being a very good reso head.

If you haven't figured it out, I am an Evans guy. I used to be a Remo guy exclusively, but I like the way that Evans spells out the properties of each series of their heads (i.e. resonance, attack, bright/dark, durability, etc.) on both their website and the back of their packages. I've never seen so many different weights for resonant heads!!!! I think they have a great variety of heads. Their tuning guides work well.

Feel free to deviate from these tips, as they are merely suggestions. Good luck on getting your sound!!!

Thank you bunnyman for suggesting the Bonham tuning video on YT.

It helped me make my decision today.

So today I purchased Emperor for the top and Ambassadors for the bottom.

Now before I get at it, here's the question I have about tuning. Starting with the bottom head, when you start to tighten the t-rods evenly to finger tight and then cross tightening again evenly adding more tension to get to that point of tapping around for an even pitch, what is the pitch that you are trying to achieve? I know that the bottom should be a little tighter than the top (for the Bonham sound) and I can tap around the top side for the sound I am looking for, but how critical is the final pitch (tautness) of the bottom head?

I certainly don't know and the helpful YT never addresses this.

That is very interesting! Thanks for sharing that knowledge!

definitely coated emperors.

I thought the video covered how the bottom should be tuned. It's kinda hard to explain; however, the tighter bottom head controls the ringing if that makes any sense. Good luck in your tuning.

I didn't really say what sound I was trying to get, although secretly, yeah John Bonham's sound would be great to emulate for sure.

So I spent all evening tuning. For the most part, I'm pretty happy with the Emp/amb combo. I still have some fine tuning to do. We'll see if any stretching took place overnight when I play around again tomorrow.

You guys have been great.

I thank you.

How is it sounding?

You know, the Bonham tuning method works with notoriously harsh shells (acrylic, steel) as well as more traditional materials (wood). That is why I pointed you in that direction.

You're welcome. Glad I could be of assistance.