What Heads for the Brightest Bebop Sound?

RobertM

Platinum Member
What combination would provide for the best open, bright bebop sounding drums (especially the toms)?

Some of my ideas:
  • Remo Clear Diplomat on reso / Remo Coated Ambassador on batter
  • Remo Clear Diplomat on reso / Aquarian thin or medium Coated Modern Vintage
  • Remo Clear Ambassador on reso (or Aquarian Clear Classic) / Remo Coated Ambassador on batter
  • Remo Clear Ambassador on reso (or Aquarian Clear Classic) / Aquarian thin or medium Coated Modern Vintage
  • Remo Clear Diplomat on reso / Remo Clear Ambassador on batter

Any other thoughts?
 
The last combo threw me. Clear Ambassador batter for bebop? It may be brighter than coated but on snare, brushwork is required in bebop playing and clear will be so not what you want - unless you are ultra ultra quiet. Still doesn't work for me though. Maybe on toms only but I've never seen any jazz artist go this way. Maybe Steve Smith but he still crosses over into many different jazz areas at his concerts including fusion.

The brightest batter on the list is a Remo Coated Ambassador but I love Aquarian Satin Texture Coated for longevity and sound. Aquarian TC's are just a hair darker than Ambassadors but will last so much longer. You could keep a bit more high end with the coated Ambassador but you'd need to replace the head more often to keep the brush texture happening (except for toms).

I've only used the Modern Vintage Mediums but the thins might be a good choice. The Medium MV's are definitely darker but still a very nice sounding head. More like calfskin and not as choked as traditional coated when tuned higher.

You didn't mention using a Remo coated Diplomat batter. That's a favored choice among some Remo fans who are jazzers.Not very sturdy though. More Jimmy Cobb than Elvin Jones.

Also the Fiberskyn Diplomats might be nice but I've never played one. I also gave up on Fiberskyns because of the delamination problem that hasn't been solved yet. You may want to try the newest Remo calfskin imitator Skyntones. Similar but a bit more bright. I tried one but didn't care for it. Others have raved about it.

As far as resonant heads, I'm not that picky. I have used Evans, Aquarian and Remo snare side clear heads and none seemed to have a huge difference on my drums (YMMV). Toms can be brighter with clear single ply vs. coated single ply. I've enjoyed both.

Lotsa' choices. Let us know how it goes.

Jim






What combination would provide for the best open, bright bebop sounding drums (especially the toms)?

Some of my ideas:
  • Remo Clear Diplomat on reso / Remo Coated Ambassador on batter
  • Remo Clear Diplomat on reso / Aquarian thin or medium Coated Modern Vintage
  • Remo Clear Ambassador on reso (or Aquarian Clear Classic) / Remo Coated Ambassador on batter
  • Remo Clear Ambassador on reso (or Aquarian Clear Classic) / Aquarian thin or medium Coated Modern Vintage
  • Remo Clear Diplomat on reso / Remo Clear Ambassador on batter

Any other thoughts?
 
I don't know if they provide the brightest sound, but Evans J1's are great. J1 over J1, G1 or Remo Ambassador clear are all nice combos. I also like Remo Vintage A over any one of those clear heads. Vintage A's because they're 2 plys, are a bit more focused, but sound killer tuned up for jazz. They have a nice soft feel too.
 
Back
Top