Coated Ambassadors - A Prodigal Son Returns Home

RVC

RVC

Active Member
I know they have their faults. Inferior coating, sometimes shoddy quality control, garishly large logos now, not durable enough for heavy hitters, blah blah blah. There’s something about the feel and that “twang”, though, that makes me miss ‘em when they’re not on my drums.

As money is getting tighter seemingly by the minute, and I’m transitioning out of my long season of experimentation, I made a decision to hop aboard the coated Amb train again. This time, however, I have no intentions of jumping off. They’re familiar, comfortable, and I know how to manipulate them to get any sound I could possibly want. I’m a light player who rarely even uses sticks, so durability isn’t an issue.

Made a run to Pro Drum today and got what I needed. I know they’re not the right head for many (most?) players anymore, especially given the staggering amount of drumhead options available. They’re home base for me, though, and it feels good to be home.

I’m gonna get them out in music tomorrow night and they’ll probably be dirtier after one gig than my UV2s were after six months of gigs. :ROFLMAO: 🤪

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EDIT - Got the 13 and 16 toms + snare with the new coated Ambs out for the hit tonight. They’re sounding sweet!

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RVC said:
I know they have their faults. Inferior coating, sometimes shoddy quality control, garishly large logos now, not durable enough for heavy hitters, blah blah blah. There’s something about the feel and that “twang”, though, that makes me miss ‘em when they’re not on my drums.

As money is getting tighter seemingly by the minute, and I’m transitioning out of my long season of experimentation, I made a decision to hop aboard the coated Amb train again. This time, however, I have no intentions of jumping off. They’re familiar, comfortable, and I know how to manipulate them to get any sound I could possibly want. I’m a light player who rarely even uses sticks, so durability isn’t an issue.

Made a run to Pro Drum today and got what I needed. I know they’re not the right head for many (most?) players anymore, especially given the staggering amount of drumhead options available. They’re home base for me, though, and it feels good to be home.

I’m gonna get them out in music tomorrow night and they’ll probably be dirtier after one gig than my UV2s were after six months of gigs. :ROFLMAO: 🤪

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My snare head of choice! Enjoy mate! :D 👑(y)
 
They're one of the BEST sounding snare drum heads. I love them on nearly any snare drum. You can let them sing; unmuffled... Or add some muffle and bam! What you want.

I love to experiment with heads, so I'm always trying new heads for subtle sonic changes that float my boat.

Every drummer should give their snare/s a coated Remo Ambassador a run at least 3 times in their drumming life.

👍😁
 
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Probably the first head most people play on. Since we've been on a history kick.
2 of Wikipedia's info.

"In 1926, United States–based DuPont began research on large molecules and synthetic fibers. This early research, headed by Wallace Carothers, centered on what became nylon, which was one of the first synthetic fibers.[28] Carothers was working for DuPont at the time. Carothers' research was incomplete and had not advanced to investigating the polyester formed from mixing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. In 1928 polyester was patented in Britain by the International General Electric company.[29] Carothers' project was revived by British scientists Whinfield and Dickson, who patented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or PETE in 1941. Polyethylene terephthalate forms the basis for synthetic fibers like Dacron, Terylene and polyester. In 1946, DuPont bought all legal rights from Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI).[1]"

"Nathaniel C. Wyeth (October 24, 1911 – July 4, 1990) was an American mechanical engineer and inventor. He is best known for creating a variant of polyethylene terephthalate that could withstand the pressure of carbonated liquids. Made of recyclable PET plastic, lighter than glass and virtually unbreakable, Wyeth's invention is used widely today for both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks."

Another source
"Originally invented in England in the 1940s by Imperial Chemical Industries, polyester film was primarily used as packaging material, insulation for electric motors, and for the manufacturing of recording tape. After World War II, DuPont chemical company acquired the patent rights to produce polyester film in the US, naming their product “Mylar.”
In the early 1950s, a chemical engineer at 3M by the name of Jim Erwin was allegedly the first to build a mylar drumhead. Designed specifically for the drummer Sonny Greer (best known for playing with Duke Ellington), Erwin was able to fasten a sheet of mylar by bending it around the hoop of a calfskin head and tacking it to the hoop. The resulting head was much more uniform and durable."

Interesting the Wikipedia article gives Wyeth honor of inventing PET-which just isn't true PET was invented by British scientists Whinfield and Dickson, who patented polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Just a slight of hand and take all the glory. Apparently there have been several companies that produced mylar under different names-I wonder is it all the same stuff?
Here's to you Whinfield and Dickson.
 
The installation date is a good idea--especially now I can't remember doodle. I started doing that for my fridge filter to help me remember. I use to have no issue of remembering stuff like that. But to be fair I've been married 38 years and yet to remember my wife-or my kids birthdays. I remember social security, phone numbers, stuff I consider more important but BDs never register. I have the month now secure for all (only because embarrassment) but the exact day I'm still guessing between two days. I finally wrote me a note in my phone-duh, It's weird the things your brain will remember and store and the stuff you immediately dump. I register peoples faces forever but their names just fly by until several meetings and I actively remember it-I don't have to actively remember a face. My wife is just the opposite-she remembers names better but she confuses people and actors all the time. Weird facts I use to teach pop up sometimes and I wonder what's up with that and is it still even true LOL. Then other things I have absolutely no memory of it. My kids and I were discussing a John Mayer concert we attended and my wife lamented she had absolutely no memory of it. I was dang baby what ya smoking-stay away from the tainted grape juice. I think she has some memory issues too, but she's just 62. I've noted post-Covid ailments and long Covid ailments in literature have been brain fog and hypertension increased. She suddenly has had both and she also had some vertigo issues-another ailment literature mentions. Makes me wonder what damage the spike protein directly produced and then downstream altered regulation of RAAS- and ACE pathways in various organs has had on population basis?
 
GetAgrippa said:
The installation date is a good idea--especially now I can't remember doodle. I started doing that for my fridge filter to help me remember. I use to have no issue of remembering stuff like that. But to be fair I've been married 38 years and yet to remember my wife-or my kids birthdays. I remember social security, phone numbers, stuff I consider more important but BDs never register. I have the month now secure for all (only because embarrassment) but the exact day I'm still guessing between two days. I finally wrote me a note in my phone-duh, It's weird the things your brain will remember and store and the stuff you immediately dump. I register peoples faces forever but their names just fly by until several meetings and I actively remember it-I don't have to actively remember a face. My wife is just the opposite-she remembers names better but she confuses people and actors all the time. Weird facts I use to teach pop up sometimes and I wonder what's up with that and is it still even true LOL. Then other things I have absolutely no memory of it. My kids and I were discussing a John Mayer concert we attended and my wife lamented she had absolutely no memory of it. I was dang baby what ya smoking-stay away from the tainted grape juice. I think she has some memory issues too, but she's just 62. I've noted post-Covid ailments and long Covid ailments in literature have been brain fog and hypertension increased. She suddenly has had both and she also had some vertigo issues-another ailment literature mentions. Makes me wonder what damage the spike protein directly produced and then downstream altered regulation of RAAS- and ACE pathways in various organs has had on population basis?
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I’m really sorry to hear about that, Art. Hope it can get better for her.

And Ryan, even though I switched to Emps on my toms and a modded SMT on my bass, Ambs still rule and I still have a good set of them ready to go on everything ;)
 
Ludwig superphonic best with Remo amb. Pearl Chad Smith best with Aquarian amb. 5.5x13 Mapex bronze best with fiberskyn amb. 5.5x13 Mapex steel best with either Aquarian or Evans amb. Either way the ambassador is awesome.
 
Bo Eder said:
I like them too and played them for most of my life - but I have to play a 2-ply head. I get a rounder tone and more durability. The last time I played 1-play heads I had to change them out within the month 😕
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Partly why I've just experimented with a light 2 ply head, (Evans HD Coated).

Edit: I really don't give a schnit about brands. I like that I have choice. Thankful for all the produces of drum products.
 
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Bo Eder said:
I like them too and played them for most of my life - but I have to play a 2-ply head. I get a rounder tone and more durability. The last time I played 1-play heads I had to change them out within the month 😕
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Same issue here, love the sound of them on toms, but have to use Emperors as the Ambs don’t last.
 
Al Strange said:
Speaking of “Finding Remo” I was expecting @TheJarvis to chirp on this thread given his recent return to Remo… :unsure: :)(y)
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That's right dob me in.....

Well it's a return so to say just now with no contract with D'addario as the channel is no longer sponsored by them means I can try other brands such as Remo, it's been almost 10 years but yes the coated ambassador on the snare si amazing and I have already installed a few on some snares.

Clear emps going on the toms and clear ambassadors on the reso, PS3 on the kick with a PS3 ebony.
 
RVC said:
I know they have their faults. Inferior coating, sometimes shoddy quality control, garishly large logos now, not durable enough for heavy hitters, blah blah blah. There’s something about the feel and that “twang”, though, that makes me miss ‘em when they’re not on my drums.

As money is getting tighter seemingly by the minute, and I’m transitioning out of my long season of experimentation, I made a decision to hop aboard the coated Amb train again. This time, however, I have no intentions of jumping off. They’re familiar, comfortable, and I know how to manipulate them to get any sound I could possibly want. I’m a light player who rarely even uses sticks, so durability isn’t an issue.

Made a run to Pro Drum today and got what I needed. I know they’re not the right head for many (most?) players anymore, especially given the staggering amount of drumhead options available. They’re home base for me, though, and it feels good to be home.

I’m gonna get them out in music tomorrow night and they’ll probably be dirtier after one gig than my UV2s were after six months of gigs. :ROFLMAO: 🤪

View attachment 148683

EDIT - Got the 13 and 16 toms + snare with the new coated Ambs out for the hit tonight. They’re sounding sweet!

View attachment 148718
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Nice write up! I'm fiercely loyal to Evans but man I'm really wanting to give Remo cs black dots a go again. They have such an incredible tone I've found with no other head and they look super cool.
 
roncadillac said:
Nice write up! I'm fiercely loyal to Evans but man I'm really wanting to give Remo cs black dots a go again. They have such an incredible tone I've found with no other head and they look super cool.
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I had a great tour of duty with Evans over the last couple of years. During that time, I tried and enjoyed Hydraulics, EC2s, EC Resos, EMADS, and UV1&2s. There was certainly nothing wrong with any of the Evans heads I tried - in fact, there was a LOT that was right with them for me. I think that was my third cycle through Evans heads since I began my long season of experimentation over 25 years ago.

As my experimentation season is winding down, I have a desire to get my gear affairs in order and then just stick with what I’ve got. I’ve arrived at all my choices through countless hours of hand-wringing, teeth-gnashing and obsession. at levels I’m hesitant to admit. Found drums that I can live with, found my perfect cymbals, and have now hopped back on with my old trusty drumheads, all after decades of going through the finest gear made.

I have a couple of last loose ends to tie up and then I’ll be ready for my easy decline into drumming oblivion. LOL
 
Yep! Plain vanilla for me too. Coated Ambassadors over Clear Diplomats on all the horizontal(ish) drums; a plain old Powerstroke 3 on the bass (I thinks it's almost 15 years old!) I'm a light hitter too, so the coating probably lasts longer for me. But replacing a snare head once a year or so and a couple tom heads every two years or so, makes drumming a pretty cheap habit.
 
I've said it many times on here, but I'll say it again:

If I have a snare drum that I can't get to sound good with a coated Ambassador (or Evans G1 coated), a Remo (or Evans) snare-side, cheap snare wires, and a Snareweight M80, I get rid of the snare. Along the same lines, if I can't make my toms sound good with coated Ambassadors over clear Ambassadors, I get rid of the kit. If I can't get my kick to sound good with an original Emad, I get rid of the kit as well.

I'm soooo done fighting my gear. I simply don't have the time or patience anymore.
 
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Smoke said:
Yep! Plain vanilla for me too.
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This ^ sums up my entire approach to gear (and playing) now that I’m entering my season of contentment with my drumming. During my season of experimentation, I had a constant desire to try new gear, always searching for something “better”. I believe it was mostly a noble quest, and I had a great time trying out a BUNCH of amazing stuff.

Took me long enough, but I finally realized that I’M the sound, not the gear. Once I got that figured out, the goal has been to use the most vanilla stuff possible. DW drums, reissue Paiste 602s, coated Ambassadors. Nothing exotic or unique, just a blank canvas of basic yet high quality sounds.
 
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