New heads for a Stage Custom Advantage

PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

Hi there,

I have a new Stage Custom Advantage kit and have found the stock heads to be a little disappointing, especially on the toms - they are Remo UT Ambassadors on the batter side and U2 Ambassadors on the resonant side.

There is way too much of a "doink" sound and no matter how much I tweak the tuning, I can't get a sound that I like. From searching the 'net, I have found quite a few comments regarding the low quality of the stock heads, so at least I know it's not just my ears.

I'm looking for a more solid sound without the "doinky" overtones, but I know almost nothing about what type of new head I should be looking for.

Can someone provide some helpful tips Question

-Peter

Finch · Pit Bull Joined: 31 Aug 2003 Posts: 362 Location: Fife

try remo pinstripes
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Zildjian! · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 6:07 pm Post subject:

First of all, as you have noticed, the stock heads for the Stage Custom are pretty awful. Almost anything will sound better than them, but I would specifically recommend:

Remo Pinstripes
Remo Emperors
Aquarian StudioX's
Evans G2's

Any of these heads should give you a warmer, more solid sound with less overtones.

As far as tuning is concerned, most of these heads sound best if you tune them until you start feeling SOME (but not a lot) of resistance from the lugs. Then adjust to your taste.

Hope this helps! Very Happy

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Jonesie67 · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject:

Evans G2 coated.
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bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5306 Location: Kansas

Aquarian Studio-Xs are fantastic heads. Coated or clear -- it doesn't really matter which. Just personal preference. They're great.

Lionheartilly · Puppy Joined: 17 Aug 2003 Posts: 217

I like the performance II's but I think the sound's too dead....
I think i'd prefer teh studio X's better.

Lion

Zildjian! · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2004 6:59 am Post subject:

I agree. I tried Performance II's a while ago and, while they were very good quality heads, I just didn't like them too much. Aquarian is a good company though.
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PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

Many thanks, everyone. I'm hoping to get out to my local drum store this week to have a look at what's available.

AHAMAY081 · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject:

I didn' like the stock heads either, REMO or not, so i put some Smooth White emperors on the batter and actually left the resonants alone and they sound much better than i expected. if i had 60$, would i spend it on new resonance heads? faster than lightning, but the stocks do alright on the backside, as long as you have some good ones on front to make the note with.

MilkmanZ14 · Pit Bull Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 352

to me, i'd say save your money and spend it on something different, resonance might make a difference, but not a $60 difference
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PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

I put some Emperors on the toms and the sound is much better, especially on the 10" tom. The 12" is not bad, but the 14" still sucks. I spend about an hour last night tuning and re-tuning it but could not get a sound I liked out of it.

Should I put a Pinstripe or a Hydraulic on this tom?

Jonesie67 · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject:

PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55

Last night I bought some Remo Ambassadors for the 10 & 12" toms and put them on the resonant side. Another big improvement in sound - still a little over-ring but I think it's just a matter of fine tuning now.

On the 14" tom. I took a gamble and put an Evans Hydraulic on the top and moved the Emperor to the bottom. The sound is much better than before, although different than the other two toms - guess that's to be expected!

I like the sound, but my guess is that Emperors top and bottom might have given a more uniform result, or maybe an Ambassador on the bottom. The search continues...

AHAMAY081 · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:38 pm Post subject:

that's got to be a pretty dead sound. oil kills sustain and a double ply head on the bottom shortens the sustain a bit.

PeterW · Goldfish Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Posts: 55