I'm using a 12x9 Premier Artist Birch tom. Currently it has Evans G1 coated on top and Evans Resonant on the bottom side. The problem is that I find the sound too bright for my liking - I suppose that birch drums should sound bright but I really miss that warm punch and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on heads which would help to make the sound darker. I'm thinking Evans EC2?








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

I've used EC2s on my birch kits, and they sound amazing! Think a pinstripe with more tone and sustain, it's really focused with a nice low fundamental. Bear in mind, I tune low... I have also loved using coated G2's, they are really my favorite, but they reflect the lights too much to use all the time live. Also there are now coated EC2's which are the BOMB. You will totally dig these, I promise...








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Taye Drums Endorser
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thanks for the feedback. Do you think I should also change the bottom head to something thicker?








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

thin resonants work well with a thicker top head; otherwise, I'd worry about it sounding kind of flat, but I've never tried it.








_________________
___________________
Ganesh Giri Jaya
www.ganeshgiri.com
www.metalsome.net

Taye Drums Endorser
Paiste
Evans
Vic Firth
Boom Boom Percussion
www.boomboompercussion.com

another option I got from a friend of mine was to go with a G2 on top and G1 on bottom, but I think I'll check out that EC2 when some cash arrives








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

that's a good combo. I found the clear G2s to be vastly different than the coated ones, the latter being much more live. I used both combos on my pearl birch kit this year, and the coated rocked, the clear sounded closer to the hydraulic, kind of dead... hope this helps...








_________________
___________________
Ganesh Giri Jaya
www.ganeshgiri.com
www.metalsome.net

Taye Drums Endorser
Paiste
Evans
Vic Firth
Boom Boom Percussion
www.boomboompercussion.com

thanks although I still didn't make up my mind








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

Another vote here for EC2's.

I'm using EC2's on top, and G2 clears on bottom. The EC2 / G1 combo was good, but I'm playing hard rock & I like a lot of punch, but still a good amount of sustain on my kit.

Oh yeah.....the kit is Yamaha Recording Custom.

I have a 1987 Yamaha Recording Custom (yes, Birch). Power Toms.

Although I have the set of 5 toms, I only use two, the 10" and 12" (as rack and floor toms).

On those I use Aquarian Studio-X heads. After years of using pin stripes, then coated Ambassadors, I switched to the Aquarians. They are VERY DURABLE and hold their tone for a long time. No easy feat when you play hard.

And for recording they are great. I've gotten the best tom tones I ever had.

I like Aquarians or Remo (Power Stroke 3) on the Kick (a 22"). My snares (a 13" tama Birdseye & 14 x 5.5" Yamaha) always get a Remo Amabssador. It just works and gives me no issues.

Hmmm... I've been using Pinstipes on mine and they sound great!








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I use G2s on top and G1 resonants on the bottoms of my birch kit...and they sound huge when miked, and just as good unmiked. They project well when tuned high, and thunder when tuned lower. I used EC2s on mine, but there wasn't enough 'secondary' resonance for my taste. This resonance I'm talking about is when you hit one tom and then the rest ring, all as an entire set.

Like I said, I'd recommend G2s with G1 resonants on the bottom.








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Gretsch Catalina-5 toms
Ludwig Supraphonic
Zildjian A, A Custom, and K

I used Aquarian Coated Double Thin heads on my toms forever, butthey have since discontinued the line. This was a popular head for metal drummers overs the years. I am actaully more of a versatile drummer, playing funk, r&b, country, rock, etc... and these heads were the best thing I had heard in a long time. Since I can't buy them anymore I talked to the guys at Aquarian and they gave me some newer stuff to try. I have found that the Response 2 coated is as close to the double thin as I can get. That is of course, without going to Evans for a replacement. I just like the way Aquarian builds their heads and the fact that they do hold a tune longer and are more durable than other brands. I also use a coated Super Kick II on my kick and Studio X on all my snare drums. Good Luck!

thanks for all the sugestions. I know that I don't want pinstripes because they kill the sound too much IMO and that is the reason why I'm so sceptical about the EC2... some say they're way better than pinstripes but some say they're just the same

what do you think about those: http://attackdrumheads.com/thin2ply.htm ?








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

First of all, what d you play, stlye of course? What king of drums? In my opinion, after playing for 19 years and weling drums for a few years at Guitar Center in Atlanta, GA., don't waiste your time with attack. They sound horrible, unless you play very hard, but then they don't hold up to the beating. Some people love them in the drumming community, but look into them as artist and see what they do. Evans G2 Coated and Aquarian Response 2 Coated are by far the best 2-ply coated heads on the market. Always use a single ply clear head on the bottom tom, but it really doesn't matter which one. Obviously the match to your top head brand is the best, but it really doesn't make a difference if you know how to tune.

I play a mixture of reggae/funk/hip-hop the drum is a 12x9 Premier Artisti Birch.
What's wrong with Remo Emperor?








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

You know, it's really a personal choice. I have never liked Remo heads, simply for the fact that they are weak and they don't last when you are out on the road traveling. Now, on the other hand, if you are on the road and you need an emergency replacement, chances are, you will only be able to find Remo products. The way they glue their heads into the ring is what really bothers me. Aquarian actually builds the head into the rim, so it is locked and there is no need for stretching to break a seal. Like I said though, it's a personal choice. If the emperor sounds and plays the way you want it, then get after it. The only time a choice in heads really matters is when you are endorsing a specific product. Some people find something they like and stick to it. It's just like the question posted about sticks that people use. Like I said also, if you know how to tune, it doesn't matter what heads you are using. When you hit that sweet spot, you'll know.

Qbs wrote:

I'm using a 12x9 Premier Artist Birch tom. Currently it has Evans G1 coated on top and Evans Resonant on the bottom side. The problem is that I find the sound too bright for my liking - I suppose that birch drums should sound bright but I really miss that warm punch and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on heads which would help to make the sound darker. I'm thinking Evans EC2?

I see your plea ...try an Evans G2 it's thicker more focused and if you need help? www.evansdrums.com go to drumkits and find the g2 it will have grid for sound scroll over the g2 icon and that should help.I own a recording custom and a hip gig jr and both have them on it . And I have tryed others but for the bang? G2 coated for studio and G2 clear for live good luck


Grant therhythmest

I say if you want a warm punch with not tomuch ring get the Evans hydraulics. just got a set for my birch kit the sound is great.








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It's like stupid in stereo.

I have just sold my Premier Artist Birch heritage jazz kit,m which I used for both jazz and light rock with various heads.

Remo Everplay for the jazz, and swapped to Pinstripes for soft rock.

The Everplay heads sung beautifully and with a great tone. But the punch the Birch shells had with Pinstripes was incredible! (It was only a small be-bop kit)

As for resonants, i kept the Everplay heads on for both styles.








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TheRhythmest wrote:

I see your plea ...try an Evans G2 it's thicker more focused and if you need help? www.evansdrums.com go to drumkits and find the g2 it will have grid for sound scroll over the g2 icon and that should help.

exactly I've used that grid to get my G1 according to the grid the Hydraulics would be perfect in terms of the "warmnes" but than again the J1 are the most "open"








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

I've strugled with trying to get a birch kit to sound warmer for years. I finally settled on using Remo clear Emperors on top and clear Ambassodors on the bottom. You have to tune the top head lower than the bottom.

I tune my drums this way always - top lower then the bottom for me it's the best way of gettin a drum to really "sing"
thanks for the head advice








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

currently for my birch kit im using G2's top g1's bottom and i still havent found a sound im happy with. been giving a hint to match both top and bottoms heads ie G1 t/b gives your toms the best sound. but i prefere 2ply on batter. i dunno im just happy i suppose to experiment as much as possible.

heard instead of using 7mil sng ply on the bottom for resonant head to use a 10milply any boday ever done this ?? whats your views??








_________________
Mapex Saturn Series Drums
Sabian Cymbals
Eliminator Pedals
Pearl Rack
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www.myspace.com/whywalter
www.johnshellyandthecreatures.com

this just in I may come to an alternative solution - there is a sligh possiblity that I will change my crappy Artist Birch tom to a Pearl Session DX tom I'm soo looking forward to it








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

Qbs wrote:

this just in I may come to an alternative solution - there is a sligh possiblity that I will change my crappy Artist Birch tom to a Pearl Session DX tom I'm soo looking forward to it

I too got sick of trying to get a warmer/rounder sound out of my Pearl drums and I couldn't swing the money for the DWs I wanted so after some research I got a Maple Pacific kit and they sound great. I've gotten A LOT of feed back that they sound great also.

I personaly don't like DW - they sound too bright for my taste








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

Qbs wrote:

I personaly don't like DW - they sound too bright for my taste

Now, I say this with the most respect possible but ARE YOU HIGH?!?!? The reason DW drums have become so respected and wanted is because of their warm, round, full sound. I can't think of a deeper sounding set of drums other than a custom set with extra deep shells.

Have you tried mapex Saturn Pro? I've played a collectors maple kit and my set (same sizes) has more warmth, more air and bottom end.








_________________
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racefan33 wrote:

Qbs wrote:

I personaly don't like DW - they sound too bright for my taste

Now, I say this with the most respect possible but ARE YOU HIGH?!?!? The reason DW drums have become so respected and wanted is because of their warm, round, full sound. I can't think of a deeper sounding set of drums other than a custom set with extra deep shells.

no I'm not as far as warmness etc. goes my choice is Pearl MMX. I don't mean that DW sound as bright as lets say some birch drums do but to my ears they're brighter than pearl masters - a matter of personal taste I believe...








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

racefan33 wrote:

Qbs wrote:

I personaly don't like DW - they sound too bright for my taste

Now, I say this with the most respect possible but ARE YOU HIGH?!?!? The reason DW drums have become so respected and wanted is because of their warm, round, full sound. I can't think of a deeper sounding set of drums other than a custom set with extra deep shells.

It's all a matter of opinion and taste. Personally, I am not interested in DW at all. I actually think they are the most overated drums of the past 30 years. I will say their public relations and advertising departments are great. The advertising and the hype they generate is incredible.

As for heads for birch drums? If warmth is required, I'd recomend coated emperors with ambassador reso's.








_________________
I don't know what I'm talking about!

"Don't play FOR people. Play WITH people."
- Papa Jo Jones

Dale wrote:

It's all a matter of opinion and taste. Personally, I am not interested in DW at all. I actually think they are the most overated drums of the past 30 years. I will say their public relations and advertising departments are great. The advertising and the hype they generate is incredible.

As for heads for birch drums? If warmth is required, I'd recomend coated emperors with ambassador reso's.

There's a strange thing that happens with success, some people are always skeptical and some just plain choose to dislike it.

I've got no problem with Pearl, heck I was always a Pearl guy from the start, Peter Criss played them so they were the first kit I always wanted to have. I got my Pearl Pro Series DLX Birch Kit, I got a second one later. Up until their latest change to their cymbal arms I have always thought that they have had the best hardware also (except pedals, though the Eliminator is very good). I always thought I would want a Pearl Maple kit also. Until I played DW's. I know it's a personal preference but in my experience the DW kits have always had just a fundamentally lower, deeper tone to them. So noticeable that in my opinion the even Pacific Maple drums sound better than the Pearl Masters, Tama Artstars and Gretch, at least better than the kits I had a chance to play. Just my story and my opinion.

The only other drums I have heard that compare are Pork Pie drums.

By the way, one of the ways I got my Birch drums to sound so good (noticed by bandmates and sound engineers, one of whom worked with Jeff Porcaro. Mind, I am only saying the drum sound, I would never think that my playing sounded as good as Porcaro RIP) was I'm lucky enough to live close to the guy who runs Pork Pie and I had him re-cut the bearing edges to my whole kit to the round-over cut (that DW also uses). It made a huge difference in the sound and they tune easier. Check out the Pork Pie drums website for info on getting your drums done. It's worth it.

Sorry for the novel.

that's just one of the great things about drumming - everybody perceives sounds differently thus likes different drums








_________________
Rhytm is a way to transmit a description of experience
in an emotional and not abstract way.
It is more than a metaphor:
It is a physical experience as real as any other.

Qbs wrote:

I'm using a 12x9 Premier Artist Birch tom. Currently it has Evans G1 coated on top and Evans Resonant on the bottom side. The problem is that I find the sound too bright for my liking - I suppose that birch drums should sound bright but I really miss that warm punch and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on heads which would help to make the sound darker. I'm thinking Evans EC2?

I have a Sonor birch kit and the first thing I did was buy pinstripes for all the toms straight away. It sounds amazing.

Remo Fiberskyn really warms up your drums.. I use them for jazz stuff








_________________
Dw drums
Zildjian K/A Custom Cymbals
Vic Firth sticks/brushs
Porkpie Throne
Pearl Snares

ganeshgiri wrote:

I've used EC2s on my birch kits, and they sound amazing! Think a pinstripe with more tone and sustain, it's really focused with a nice low fundamental. Bear in mind, I tune low... I have also loved using coated G2's, they are really my favorite, but they reflect the lights too much to use all the time live. Also there are now coated EC2's which are the BOMB. You will totally dig these, I promise...

true dat. i have ec3 coated on my birtch kit right now and they R warmer than i expected. i still prefer my pinstrip ebony. and for the kick either the aquarian superkick II or evans emad II. haven't had a chance to try out the remo powersonic.

EC2s all the way my friend.. got them on my yamaha and they sound awesome!!!!








_________________
time to get funky, like a bow legged monkey

I found something cool to share...

I play on a 1987 Yamaha recording Custom (yes, Birch shells), and have used Remo Heads for years!

Recently, I began using the Aquarian Studio-X (coated) heads. These babies are bitchin! Lots of tone, and waaaaay durable).

They sound great on records too!

I was using a coated ambassador on the snare, but also just tried the Aquarian High Energy snare head!

Holy crap, this head kicks ass! I haven't had a snare sound come out so good on a recording, and we're not even near mixing!

I had a friend come down to assist engineering (John Ewing, a true master - he just enegineered the last Slayer record). We mic'd the snare from top and bottom w/SM57's. So there wasn't a lot of mysetery, just straight up sound.

The toms were mic'd with 421's, about 1.5 inches from the head. Man they sound HUGE!.

I did use a Remo Powerstroke on the kick. Cool, but I am going right back to the Aquarian Super Kick a.s.a.p. I only changed to the Remo because I had a new one in the head pile, just sitting there...

At2500 on the kick (condenser+dynamic mic).

We used some 4050's for overheads, but they were super dark. So we went back to using a matched pair of cheap AT 2020's. They did pretty good, but what I wouldn't do for some 414's...

we even put a B56 on the hi hat...

After this session, I am sold. For me, it's Aquarian all the way. Remo is great, but these new aquarian products surpass what I've been able to get with any other head.

I fully recommend them to all of you.

Ive been using pinstrips on the batters, and ebony ebassdors on the other side.

Good luck








_________________
LUDWIG
CS Custom eltite, Amber, 10,12,13,16,Toms
18x22 bass, speed King.
14 AA Med Hats, AA 10 splash, AAX 12 splash, Xs20 Med 20 ride, 16 Xs20 Crash, 16 B8 pro crash, AA 18 Fash china.
Remo
Sabain
Vater
Roc & Soc

IN works Octobans.

Wow, I'm shocked no one has mentioned this resonant head yet: Evans Hazy 300. People tend to ignore the resonant head on a snare and focus on the top head. The Hazy 300 is the most versatile snare resonant head I've come across. It's tuning capability and range is amazing. I have this one on my reference snare (14-ply maple + 6-ply birch) and it works well. Another resonant head of not (slightly thicker than the 300) is the Aquarian classic clears. Works well too. For the top head based on what you said I'd use a 2-ply. Maybe a Studio-X coated with a power dot? Or the genera head (not the G1) with the ring?

I use Coated G2's over Resonant Glass, it's pretty warm and deep if you tune low so if you want a warmer sound go with a G1 on the reso or even a coated G1.

Remo ambasador clear are my drumheads of choice. I'd say go with those. They have a nice bright, full tone. No matter if they're on maple, birch, mahogany or whatever else.

There isn't really a head that will work better on a particular type of wood. Most of what you hear is produced by the heads themselves, so there shouldnt be much of a change between say, a maple drum and birch drum. So if you hear a head that sounds nice on a maple, it will most likely sound nice on a birch as well.








_________________
The only thing that can prevent you from acheving even the furthest goal, is doubt. Stay dedicated.

I had the same exact kit that you have, the Premier Artist Birch! Wnderful drums. I used both the G2 clear and coated heads. For my style I like the clears better. I like the penetrating attack of the clear rather than the coated. Also, the coating wears off, and the heads have to be changed. I can play the clears awhile longer than the coated.