20" bass drum help

[Funky Drummer 9294]

Hello.I have a 20x14" ludwig classic maple bass drum.and I'm trying to get a sound that would work with any type of music.right now I have a remo coated powerstroke 3 on the batter and the ludwig stock head on the reso.I play in a blues funk soul jazz and classic rock band. what heads would you chose.thanks peace

[Xoferif09]

What's wrong with that combo?

[wolvie56]

Yeah. That combo sounds pretty darn good to me as well. Maybe check out some tuning video's on You Tube if your having troubles. Welcome to DC.

[MrB]

That would be ideal to me as well. I have that bass drum in a 22"x16", but opted to try an Evans EQ4 after using the Powerstroke 3 for years.

What gremlins are we dealing with?

[PHROGGE]

Funky,,,,

my pearl rhythm traveller bass drum is 20"x 8"
i get called out for all kinds of sounds,,,,
what works for me is this:
Aquarian super kick ii on batter head
and standard pearl logo head on reso...
No muffling except a strip of felt
underside of reso head,,,no hole in reso hhead either,,,
i also use a vator "lambswool" beater,,,,
for everything except hard drivin rock,,,
then its my standard dw beater,,,,

this is my preference cos it sounds like
a marching band bass drum & very round almost boooom
fills wif bass players sound....almost subliminal
when ya hear it on tape,,,,,

in the end,,,,
what sounds & feels best to you....
Never be afraid to experiment but,,,,listen
have someone else play while you stand in front
in different spots....
What you hear behind da kit
is not da real deal....

Good luck on yer "journey "
let us know how it goes for ya.....

[Russ]

Unless the powerstroke3 is old or too damaged, the most i'd do is change the reso to an Aquarian regulator. Seems fine the way it is. Welcome to drumchat!

[Olimpass]

I have an Evans Emad bass batter and a Remo Ambassador with a felt strip for the reso on my 20" Ludwig Downbeat Bass drum.

[marko138]

My 20x18 sounds best tuned up a little higher than you might typically tune a larger kick drum.

[doctor dirt]

Stopped using PS 3 when Aquarian developed the Supr Kick heads. I use the Aq. SK "one" on all my different bass drums because it produces more bottom end the PS 3!!! The thinner millimeter head offers more bottom and more tuning ability than the heavier PS 3 does. Its as durable and I never use more than a flattened hour shaped pillow that only touches the reso head as a dampener. Get your batter medium tight and if the tuning on the reso is weak use an Aq. regulator or the evans offering.
Do you know how to find the most tunable rods (lugs) on the reso??? Theres usually 2 to 4 rods that will make a difference and atleast one will be the "sweet spot" to gain the most bottom and/or fullness.
The remo is a good head but the Aq. offers more tuning and definetly more bottom and thats what I like out of my kick. I played Blues drums for my entire life and the kick/snare/HH's is the meat of the kit and a deep bottom and crispy to fat back snare and cutting hats is the essentials for playing Blues music.
Are you porting or using a solid reso head? Doc

[jafo]

You have to realise the venue your playing in also has an affect on overal sound. Playing in a smaller room will produce a different sound than larger rooms. You have to tune accordingly. I've ran into this recently.

[dropdtune]

Ditto above what everybody said. Your head choices are fine. You might wanna try a 3 inch felt strip 3rd way over on your reso. It cuts the ringy or plastic tubby sound of a thin reso.

The different types of music you list might have different tunings too. Jazz bass drums often high, and the others lower, meatier.
Also if you've just switched from a 22 inch kick, maybe thats affectign yoru judgment. Takes time to get used to the wonders of a 14 x 20....definitely not the same volume, but great defined punch and a solid note.
Also, try no padding inside...let it resonate and maximize the volume of the smaller kick!
Experiment...find what *you* like.

[23CanberraDrummer]

I'm a big fan of the Emads for Bass drums.

[SouthChicagoRay]

I have 2 kits that both have a 20 bass drum. They are birch kits, a Tama Starclassic and Yamaha Stage Custom. I play in rocks bands, nothing overly heavy but heavy enought that I want some projection and can't sacrifice that by stuffing my kick with pillows. I've had amazing results with an Emad clear or coated and and clear ambassodor in the front. Good luck

[Scooterdavis]

I would definately ditch the stock Reso. I currently use an emad / emad II for the batter and emad reso, ported. I do want to do some experimentation with kick heads though, so I'll try out some Remos.

-Scott