Greetings, all -

(PREFACE:  This might be taken by some to sound like a looking-down-one's-nose post either damning Remo heads, or guys who use thicker snare-side heads, but it's not meant that way at all.  Just want to make sure my intentions aren't misconstrued.)

I just picked up a snare drum on eBay (I know, "Jim bought another snare drum, what a shock"), and it arrived with a Remo Emperor snare side head on it.

Now, I've never used one before - Ambassadors si, Emperors no.  Granted, my background is more in the classical/jazz side of things, but my desired snare drum sound has usually worked with thinner snare side heads.

I'm wondering if anyone here uses Emperor snare-side heads (or some other brand's equivalent thick snare-side heads), and if so, what is the purpose served?  Is it for certain types of snare drums?  High-volume, heavy-hitting situations?

Again, I'm not aiming to bash or indulge in snobbery with these questions - if I can get some use out of this drum head, I'd rather do that than just toss it in the trash or use it to hold nuts and bolts on my workbench.  Just looking to expand my horizons a bit.

TIA,

JW

Ive never used an Emperor snare side, but have used an Ambassador batter as a snare side.   Which is definitely heavy for a snare side.  Why did I?  ... accident.  I was getting new heads for a 10x4 snare and accidentally got a batter instead of snare side.  It actually sounded pretty good.  Added some thickness (low mids?) to the sound.   Just like a heavier reso on a tom would.   It was significantly less sensitive though.   I've since gotten a proper snare side for that drum, and it opened the drum up quite a bit.  

I can see using a heavy snare side if youre a heavy player.  Otherwise it will just hinder your snare activity.  If you play hard, its just as usefull as any other snare side.

I can't begin to imagine the weight of the guys top heads if he was using Emperors as bottoms...

Seriously though, that must add some serious fatness to your snare sound. Think 80's Heavy Metal... actually I'd be willing to try that.

First I use Remo and I have never heard of them making a Emporer snare side.Does it say " snare side " on the head.If it does then they make them,if it doesn't then its a clear batter head.But I tend to go for the thinner snare side heads myself and have only broken one.But it was 3 years old and had been tuned as much as possible.Then again to it was a tama head that was origionally on the drum and wasn't a very good head.But my final word is if you like the sound that the emporer gives you on the snare side then why not use it.If the shoe fits,put it on...

(...picking snare drum up off of stand and setting it batter side down on the throne...)


Yep, it's an Emperor snare side - and FWIW, I do vaguely remember hearing of them many years ago.

I've got to get ahold of another set of 42s before I make a final judgement on this head/drum combination.  At the very least, it sounds good enough as is to continue experimenting with it.