Hi, I have the Aquarian vintage mediums on my reso and batters. I don’t like them and am looking for more sustain from my 12x8 and 14x14. My question is would leaving the resos Aquarians on and getting remo batter pin strips for hard rock be recommended? Or change the resos out as well. I’m confused after endless reading. I’m looking for a louder sound than the Aquarian vintage mediums. Any advice would be helpful Thanks you.
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Aquarian vintage medium question
- Thread starter MJB
- Start date
I'd change to clear bottoms. I am a Remo guy so clear Ambassadors.
Pedal_Pusher
Well-Known Member
I use the Aquarian Modern vintage medium thickness on my kit and love the sound, especially for brushes. But I think I can relate to your desire for a little more sustain and volume. Years ago when I first started playing I put together a drum set of cheap orphans. I used a 14 by 10 old mahogany marching snare drum for a mounted tom. When I built a proper set at the drum shop where I worked I still used a thin snare side for the bottoms of all of my toms and no internal muffling anywhere. I only play jazz so you might want a different sound, but give it a try on your floor tom and see what you think. I use Earthtone skin heads on my 18 bass drum and an external Gary Chaffe muffler if needed. Good luck.
shuffle
DFO Star
Keep them on,get Clear Emps for batter
High on Stress
DFO Veteran
Clear Emperors over clear Ambassadors would be my suggestion for more sustain yet durability and punch for hard rock. Pinstripes can be a bit thuddy and quieter but would probably also be fine if you are hitting pretty hard. Pinstripes are generally not known for sustain. I definitely would ditch the vintage medium resos for what you are looking for.
^^^ +1 to this. I run clear Emperor or Aquarian Response 2 over clear single ply Ambassadors or Classic Clears. The reso head is going to dampen sustain a little if it’s coated.
Pinstripes will dampen the sound. Less resonance
The suggestion for clear emperors over clear ambassadors for volume is a good one, black dots over clear ambassadors would be good too but I would start with the clear resonants and see if the aquarians are still too quiet first.
Excellent thank you! I’m thinking over those choices. My kit is a 1999 classic maple 9 ply 20x14 12x8 and 14x14. I bought the remo power stroke bass and like it better than the Aquarian super kick 3. I’m just looking to get more volume for gigs. Thank you again
Emporer over Amb clear is very punchy and rumbling
Those Aquarian heads seem very lifeless to me ……
Yes a little lifeless for louder music but for old school jazz tuned high they sound the jazz part.
MustangMick
DFO Veteran
Clear Ambassador or equivalent on the bottom.
Lighter weight reso will help a lot
Mick
Lighter weight reso will help a lot
Mick
What have you tried? When I’ve felt that way about any maker’s heads, it’s been the wrong head for the job. These days for quality, consistency, and tone, Aquarian are my favorite.
Ive played a few with the modern vintage on Tom’s , very lifeless to me .
However I do have a modern vintage Med bass drum batter that is great
pwc1141
DFO Veteran
I only have those on my snare batter. Very durable and great for brushes. Would not dream of having them as reso on anything personally.
rsmittee
Well-Known Member
I'm a recent Aquarian convert. Love everything I've tried from them.
Jazz/bop kit: Vintage Medium batter, Vintage Thin reso
Renowns: Performance II batter, Classic Clear reso
Both configs sound incredible to me. YMMV
Jazz/bop kit: Vintage Medium batter, Vintage Thin reso
Renowns: Performance II batter, Classic Clear reso
Both configs sound incredible to me. YMMV
Phantomlimb777
DFO Veteran
I don’t understand how those heads would sound so dead, unless you have very little tension on them.
I have MV medium over classic clear resos, and I get plenty of sustain.
I have MV medium over classic clear resos, and I get plenty of sustain.
Mine are vintage med bat and res. I can’t say dead it a pleasant tone. Its just a bit softer sounding than any heads I’ve used.
Phantomlimb777
DFO Veteran
Oh yeah. They’re more tone than slap. I run the deep vintage on my big set of toms.
