stock skins vs. after market skins on the bottom side of toms and snare?
how much of a difference does everybody feel that this makes in sound and tune?

Depends on the kit you buy...(oh brother, here I go on another DW rant)....a lot of the top-end kits come with good, brand-name heads on them.....take DW, for example...(heh)...the heads on all new DW kits are specially made for DW by Remo....they're basically clear Ambassadors on the bottoms, but with the DW logo emblazoned on them....and the batter heads are also clear Ambassadors, but with a strip of brush coating around the edge of the head....BUT.....I actually prefer my DWs with a straight set of clear Ambassadors with no coating....but if your drums have cheap resonant heads on them, putting good heads (i.e., Remo, Evans, et al) on them will make a huge difference.

This man knows what he's on about. The Pearl Pro-Tone heads on my kit aren't the greatest stock heads, and I'm looking forward to replacing them after purchasing certain new equipment.

HB58

This man knows what he's on about. The Pearl Pro-Tone heads on my kit aren't the greatest stock heads, and I'm looking forward to replacing them after purchasing certain new equipment.

HB58
First thing I did when I got most recent Pearl kit was change skins. Made it sound like a completely different kit. It's definitely worth it.

Depends on the kit you buy...(oh brother, here I go on another DW rant)....a lot of the top-end kits come with good, brand-name heads on them.....take DW, for example...(heh)...the heads on all new DW kits are specially made for DW by Remo....they're basically clear Ambassadors on the bottoms, but with the DW logo emblazoned on them....and the batter heads are also clear Ambassadors, but with a strip of brush coating around the edge of the head....BUT.....I actually prefer my DWs with a straight set of clear Ambassadors with no coating....but if your drums have cheap resonant heads on them, putting good heads (i.e., Remo, Evans, et al) on them will make a huge difference.

BTW, buddies, check BTG's set in his thread "Old Band Pics" and you'll see the set-up he's just described!

The idea here is no different than replacing the stock (to-a-price) tires on a new car with better-performing tires...a few bucks can make a huge difference...

This one's for you BB!

http://store.drumbum.com/media/sticker-drums-bongos.jpg

I have a set of Remo Pinstripes on my kit right now, but I will soon be going back to the single-ply Ambassadors......the kit just plain sounds better with single-ply heads. I used Pinstripes in the days of the Metallica tribute band because they are a two-ply head and a lot more durable than the straight Ambassadors, and they could take the extra pounding associated with heavier music.....I am no longer in that band, so I will be changing back soon.

I've got pinstripes, and thinking of shifting to something coated (Attack heads maybe).

Any suggestions for resonant heads? I suppose I should really get something decent, but no ideas.

I play predominantly metal and punk, but I love my toms to be open and sing (hence when I've got cash, I'll change over from pinstripes).

remo clear diplomat for resonance on toms and hazy diplomat for snare side

and i use coated pinstripes on top of toms with fibre skin on my snare

good heads for toms would be evans EC2 or G2, and Remo Emperors. i, preferably, like the sound of 2-ply heads on my toms and single-ply on my snare (and bass drum)

how are the evans hydrolic heads?

Depends on what you start out with. I think all the higher end drums have good heads on them, just without the normal names printed on them. The Mapex UT heads are nice, but if you get a Mapex kit with the UX heads then trash them and get better aftermarket heads. Same goes for any manufacturer.

I have the stock reso's on all my toms and snare, they are G1's clears. They project nicely on the Catalina Birch.

I have never changed the stock reso heads on my kit either, never really say a need too. They are 2 mil clear mylar and they don't wear out as far as I can tell. Can't see wasting money for no gain!