Karl,
Do you find the Vintage Emps to be a bit more resonant vs.the "modern" ones?
Thanks!
-Ryan
I don't know if they are more 'resonant' but the overall sound seems smoother, and the stick sound is less 'clicky'...I guess the attack is a bit warmer and not as sharp, but you still have attack.
The lows stand out more and last longer than on a regular Emp.
AWESOME KIT jodgey4!
Very cool, and I really dig the 20x24.
I have a few 26's, and I'm deciding on weather to go down to a 24 (20x24).
I used to play a 14x24 (for a
long time), now my son plays it, and it sounds really great.
For the last 20 years I've played 26's and 28's, and now that 24 has caught my ear again.
After you play it a while, give an update on how you like it.
Here's my advice, take it or leave it as you choose....
If you mic at shows, I'd put a mic HOLZ in the kick.
I know, I know. I fought it for years, but it WILL tighten up the sound of the kick drum and the bass player. And you won't
sound like you're off through a PA, even if you're NOT off.
The depth gives you lots of body to the sound, but it also takes longer for the sound waves to get to the mic (those pesky milliseconds!).
A 4" hole doesn't make that noticeable difference on a 20" deep shell, and not that much sound difference either.
For micing, if you still want the rounder "less click" more vintage tone, put the mic AT, or just slightly inside the hole and point it more toward the shell and away from the beater.
IMO, stay away from Pre-Muffled heads on a deep shell. They work well on 14"-16" deep, but the longer shells get the 'inside a basketball' sound going.
I've tried a crap load of heads, and the "regular" head has worked the best on the longer drums.
A felt strip works, but I use a rolled up towel between the posts and the head on the outside. The felt (to me) gets kind of a flat sound and I get a rounder, full sound of the head (highs, mids, lows) without the overtones you don't want, but the tones you
do want are left alone.
This method is quick and easy, and you can adjust things from the seat (instead of getting up, sticking your hand in the hole..) if you need too. Muffling this way has been around for ages, but everyone wants a new way to do it...
It's been perfect for me, and sound guy's NEVER have a problem micing my drum (20x26) and it always sounds great--even Simon Philips loved the sound of it (got the pics to prove it!).
For the impact pad, I use a piece of the same head material so it sounds like no patch (= natural bass drum sound).
AND I have found that since I can change the patch when I want (since it's taped on), I get a new head feel, but since the head is played in, the tone is nice and full and comfortable.
Heads last YEARS for me doing this (6 years and counting on one Coated Amb--pretty good!).
Long winded, and giving out my secrets, but maybe it'll save you some time and $$$.
Have fun with that kit!!