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Author Topic: Tuning & Head Suggestions for Entry Level Kits  (Read 440 times)
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Jeff
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« on: August 03, 2002, 06:06 PM »

I'm currently using a standard issue imported entry level kit.  Currently I have an Aquarian Texture Coated Power Dot head on the snare batter, and a Remo Ambassador Hazy on the snare side.  I have Aquarian Texture Coated Studio-Xs on my 12" and 16" tom batters.  I haven't yet replaced the resonant heads, or either of the bass heads.

I have them tuned up alright, but I think they could be better.  What I'm wondering is, what have you found to be the best head combo and tuning strategy on an entry level kit.

Any help would be appreciated, I'm really not a good tuner. Smiley

-Jeff
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Stefanos
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« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2002, 04:49 AM »

I'm not a good tuner myself, but I own the Yamaha stage customs (entry-level, like yours) and I've come up up with a pretty good sound for these drums. I suppose it makes no difference if the kit is entry-level or professional. All kits deserve the best heads. I have only used Remo heads, just because not many models from other manufacturers are available in my country, Greece. I put clear Pinstripes on tops of toms and front of bass drum, with clear ambassadors on the bottoms of toms and an ebony ambassador with a large centered hole on the back of the bass drum. My snare also gets a clear ambassador on the bottom side, but although it is 3.5" in depth I put a clear Emperor on top, so that it doesn't break easily. I suppose that all manufacturers offer drumheads of very good quality. To achieve some nice results, try using heavier heads on tops of snares, toms and the front of the bass drum(when I say "front" of the bass drum I mean the head the beater touches, it may be the other way round). Also, tune bottom heads tighter than the heads on top. If you do it the opposite way, the sound is going to be pretty dry. Try to use heads from the same manufacturer (I can't really explain why, but I think it is better) and experiment with tuning. The best thing I ever did was buying a TAMA tuner, witch allows me to tune everything exactly the same, without the "ear" experience usually required. It is a bit expensive, though, and won't work with die-cast hoops. (But I think that no drum company uses such hoops on entry-level kits). Also, check an article by John Riley at www.remo.com about tuning.
Hope this was helpful!  
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Jeff
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« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2002, 04:27 PM »

*bump*
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Andrew
Guest
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2002, 09:14 AM »

I have a Stage Custom, too.

I use those white coated Evans heads on the tops. For the resonance heads, I left the bottom heads that the kit shipped with on, except the bass drum's which I replaced with a thin Evans resonant head. They sound fine to me, and they've sounded good at gigs, so there. The toms are tuned on top to feel good and on the bottom to pitches I like (lot of bottom on the floor, a nice cutting tone on the top tom).
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