Reccomend for me some bass heads
I want to improve my bass drum sound. I've been trying out a PS3 which I'm not very happy with, before which I used an EMAD which was pretty ok. I've played around with the stock Gretsch reso head (1ply w/ Mylar dampening ring) and a fiberskyn as a reso, but again, not inspired by any of the combos.
I have an 18"x14" Gretsch mahogany kick. Looking for ideas of what you'd try on it. Goal is a versatile, punchy sound. I know I'm limited somewhat by the smaller kick size but I want to do the best I can with what I got. As such my ideal heads would dampen just enough to be able to keep the drum empty (I.e. no pillows/blankets). Also I'm leaning towards coated heads this time. Saw a black suede ps3 at the store which piqued my interest but I decided not to impulse buy. Also thinking i should maybe go simple with a coated Emp/Amb combo... anywho, all thoughts appreciated. Also, I've never ported, as it seems wrong on an 18". Any experience to the contrary? Edit: I play mostly in the blues, rock realm. Some jazz, some folk. I don't use double kicks, but I do hit pretty hard. |
The Powerstroke is a great bass drum head
Have you tried looser than usual tunings on it? Taking it down to just above finger tight on the batter side with a tighter resonate side would facilitate a lot of punch out of a smaller kick like that. If you like a tighter head and rebound play, you could use some very minimal muffling within the drum. A rolled up towel against the batter head to get you a lot more attack. All of the other heads you can buy are either 1 or 2 ply with some sort of plastic ring or foam on it. If you play around with the Powerstroke you should be able to get a great sound out of it. As far as porting on an 18" I don't see any problem with that. Make a small port 4" would do just fine off center. That increases the attack and snap quite a bit! |
I have had experience with PS3 and 4's, and ambassadors. Powerstrokes are my favorite bass heads for sure.
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I use an Evans EQ3 over a coated G2. Gives me a lot of punch and not much attack on my 22". No muffling at all
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My problem with the ps3 stems mostly from the fact that it doesn't seat well on my bass drum. The glue joint is just barely too wide (by which I mean my hoops are just barely too narrow), resulting in a gap between the collar and the bass hoop, which makes tuning a bitch (I'll get it all tuned up and then the head shifts as I play). My drum guy has the same issue, I even got a free replacement before I asked him about it, same thing. Apparently this is a problem only with the ps3.
If it's as good a head as all that, I did talk to someone who had shaved 1/16" off the inside of his batter BD hoop. I just didn't think it was worth the trouble, but maybe I was wrong? |
Also, do you guys PS3 both sides/is there a reso version?
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I have tried many different combos over the years but I always seem to go back to the SK1 and Regulator combo, even on my Pearl Masters, Yamaha MCA and Tama Rockstars I could not find anything I liked any better.
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I wanted to try a SK but can't source them locally..
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Does your reso head seat on your drum properly? If its not fitting right you're never going to get a good sound of it
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Reso head is fine, the fiberskyn, the EMAD and the stock head all seated fine, only the ps3 is problematic.
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Maybe its just a dud head or a slightly bent rim on it.
If one side is resting higher than the other that's sign of it. |
[QUOTE=Steffanwolf;18968030]I wanted to try a SK but can't source them locally..[/QUOTE]
Long & McQuade, not sure about the store near you but Moncton and Halifax keep them in stock. I actually used to get L&M in Toronto to send them to me before they bought out the Music Stop locations. BTW if you get one you should get the regulator front to, I know some guys that hated the SK till they mated it with a regulator then loved it. Price wise its only a couple more bucks for the pair of them compared to what most people are use to paying for just a batter. |
[QUOTE=Jeffs Carrot;18968042]Maybe its just a dud head or a slightly bent rim on it.
If one side is resting higher than the other that's sign of it.[/QUOTE] Nope, as stated I got a replacement, same issue. |
On my Sonors, I have PS4 on both ends, on my sparkly Pearls I have PS3 on batter and Amb on reso.
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[QUOTE=Steffanwolf;18968048]Nope, as stated I got a replacement, same issue.[/QUOTE]
Maybe a bad batch then. I've always used PS3s and never had any seating issue or bent issue with any of mine. |
Clear Pin or Clear Emp for me! CS Dot is funky fun too
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Pinstripes a great kick head
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Never tried a Pin on my bass before. Up until recently, I was madly in love with my clear PS3 over a coated PS4. Thunderous.
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Hmm, I hadn't considered cs dot on the bass... but I do love em! What do you reso on those Jos?
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The CS dot is a classic
Think old Tony Williams tone for an idea of how they sound |
CS Dots on toms are amazing. Mine have been on for almost two years and still rock. Should probably try it for bass sometime, although they are hard to find.
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[QUOTE=Jeffs Carrot;18968619]The CS dot is a classic
Think old Tony Williams tone for an idea of how they sound[/QUOTE] Tony Williams liked CS dots you say? Can you confirm this? Oh wait... [URL]http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/tonywilliamsnewyork1.html[/URL] Yupp, I'd say he liked cs dots.. Welp, I'm thinking a CS dot it will be. |
He favored them 99% of the time
Nothing else sounds like them |
So I'm thinking about a Clear CS batter with a coated amb reso.
Also, Tony Williams, what a guy. |
Can't beat that combo man
It'll sound really amazing since your drum is a bit smaller. You'll get that classic thump and tub like sound out of it with the CS on there. Strong fundamentals on an 18" |
I just use a ebony or white Amb. With at least 1 port in it. Depends on the band/gig.
I like to run things wide open and then just be able to adjust dampening from inside. |
I'll play with it a couple weeks before I port, if I port. I never have before on this kit, but ambs are cheap. Maybe I'll get a coated and a smooth white to experiment with.
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It's all about the sound you are going for. 100% of the gigs I play are closed mic'd, so the port is always necessary. Though I'm looking into some of the kick mic internal suspension options.
I have a 18x16 kick that is pretty fun for jazz shit, I like a coated emp and clear amb on that. With a big fluffy beater. |
[url]http://vater.com/products/product.cfm?M=281[/url]
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I always use a ported head, I find its not only easier for positioning the mic but I like to be able to bury the beater sometimes and I find with a non ported head the beater will bounce.
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