Hi guys,
I need some help with drum heads Help2. I'm looking for a new reso head for my super Gene Krupa snare and want to pick up a Remo ambassador. Is it ok to use the 10 mm thick clear ambassador or is it more appropriate to use the hazy ambassador or snare side ambassador (3mm) instead? I had no idea I had so many ambassador options!
Thanks for any guidance!
James
Hi guys,I need some help with drum heads Help2. I'm looking for a new reso head for my super Gene Krupa snare and want to pick up a Remo ambassador. Is it ok to use the 10 mm thick clear ambassador or is it more appropriate to use the hazy ambassador or snare side ambassador (3mm) instead? I had no idea I had so many ambassador options!Thanks for any guidance!James
Which everone you want to!! I like emperor myself!!
Don't use a regular clear batter head....make sure you use a SNARE SIDE head or you will have a very choked sound to the drum. Hazy or clear makes no real difference, as long as it is a snare side head.
Snare side heads are their own animal, sized separately from batter heads. They need to be super thin to allow for snare response. Here are some general thicknesses, although it might vary a bit for specific model heads:
Batter heads:
Diplomat = single ply, 7.5 mil (mil = thousandths of an inch)
Ambassador = single ply, 10 mil
Emperor = two ply
Snare side heads:
Diplomat = single ply, 2 mil
Ambassador = single ply, 3 mil
Emperor = single ply, 4 or 5 mil
If you put a batter head on the bottom of your snare, the head's thickness will completely choke your snare response.
...and since you specified a "Super Gene Krupa", I'll mention that standard present-day Remo heads fit really snug on my late 50s Radio King. I've got some Aquarian American Vintage heads on order since they're sized for slightly larger older drums to keep the heads from binding against the shell.
Use the proper head for the snare side which are the "Hazy", every company has their own version of the snare side head, using a batter head will choke, dampen and hinder your snares response.
If you really want it to be authentic "Gene Krupa", calfskin heads. If your snare is older then the mid 1950's then calfskin would have been used, on both batter and snare sides (batter thicker (med to thick) vellum or slunk, snare side a very thin vellum or fishskin).
If it's later than say 1955, a single ply head, coated (Ambassador or Diplomat weight) for the batter and any hazy type head for the snare side.
ps: Mylar heads were not made until the mid 50's
"In 1956, Chick Evans invented the plastic drumhead. Plastic drumheads made from polyester are cheaper, more durable, and less sensitive to weather than animal skin . In 1957, Remo Belli and Sam Muchnick together developed a plastic head (also known as Mylar) leading to the development of the Remo drumhead company."
On my older RK's I'm using Aquarian American Vintage - Med Batter - Standard Reso.
On my newer RK's 50's (Late 50's) up I'm using Ambassador Hazy. I personally think the Diplomats are too thin on these. Just my opinion.
Well, since there's no batter head labeled "hazy", that's a pretty safe piece of advice. He definitely wouldn't pick up a batter head by mistake.
...but are you implying my drums have improper heads since most of 'em have clear snare sides? ;)
Well, since there's no batter head labeled "hazy", that's a pretty safe piece of advice. He definitely wouldn't pick up a batter head by mistake....but are you implying my drums have improper heads since most of 'em have clear snare sides? ;)
I do not believe that was inferred......the original poster did ask if a regular 10mil clear ambassador would work. Clear ambassador snare heads are 3mil not 10mil, so he was asking about using a batter head as a snare side head.
Yes, Ludwig Dude is right - I was originally asking about using the regular ambassador as a snare side head. Thanks for all the replies guys - I appreciate your help. I ended up buying the Aquarium American Vintage batter and the Remo Hazy Ambassador reso head.
Thanks again!
