Jazz heads

[lukesplat12]

Well, I'm considering transforming my breakbeats by questlove into a jazz kit. I would basically just get new heads and sharpen the edges, but I'm curious what guys think about heads for high tuning. I'm set on aquarian modern vintage 10 mil for the top but I am not certain about the resos. Clear single ply, coated? more modern vintages?

Love to hear any thoughts you have, thanks in advance...

[N2Bluz]

I don't think I'd mess with the bearing edges at first. At least not until you try different heads first and see if a head change will get you the sound you want. I haven't tried those particular Aquarian heads, however, I've had Remo Fiberskyn heads and they sound fantastic. I'd probably start with Fiberskyns on all the batters and on the bass reso, then go from there.

[crispycritters]

When you wrote 'sharpen the edges' do you mean re-profile the bearing edges? Personally I would leave the bearing edges alone unless they are damaged. A change of heads and retune should be sufficient.

I cant give any recommendations about tom reso heads, I know what Jazz is but, unfortunately, I'm not even qualified to listen to it......

[Zawinul]

Big difference when you have the bearing edges corrected, my drums sounded good before the correction and now sound better very easy to tune, I have a double 45 degree bearing edge on my drums 8 ply maple shells from 1979 Rogers drums one owner. I use silent stroke because I live in a condo remo heads on the batter and Evans resonate, I also use a drum dial, check your bearing edges first and go from there, good luck.

[lukesplat12]

I won't reprofile the edges entirely. Currently they are 45 degree roundovers, and I'm just gonna sand along the inside to make them a bit sharper.

My other thought is that the bearing edges are kind of soft and porous (the shells are poplar) I might want to use something like oil or wax to get a harder sharper edge. But I'm not at all certain about that.

[crispycritters]

If you feel that the edges are relatively soft due to the wood type used, if you reduce them to almost a sharp 'pointy' edge is there a danger that the edges may fold in once you fit the heads?

I've probably got this wrong but isn't this a set you bought new quite recently? If that is the case I would accept a compromise, leave the edges as they are and rely on different heads and tuning to make the difference. Its one thing to rework the edges of damaged drums or if you are cobbling together a set from no value orphan shells with different profiles - I'm not too sure if there will be any noticeable benefit of re-profiling yours if they are already in good condition.

[8beat]

I thought Breakbeats were - or could be used as a jazz kit. Questlove plays jazz festivals.

[lukesplat12]

well, just went down and set up the breakbeats and tuned em up real tight. The heads I had on there which I had selected for rock (two plys on the toms and even a pinstripe for reso on the floor) did surprisingly well. Makes me think that all I'll need for these is new batters, and a different reso for the floor. thanks for all the input guys.

[lukesplat12]

p.s. I think the reason this worked so well is that because the drums are so small, I didn't have to crank the heads to tight to get a nice high pitch

[kay-gee]

Coated diplomats are really nice for jazz as well but they will absolutely NOT hold up to heavy hitting.

all the best...

[jazzkat]

starting with a basic 10mil coated head on each side will give you nice tone. Coated ambassadors and the like. I like Remo. Coated single ply heads have worked for decades. I know plenty of jazzers that like coated emperors or G2s as batters just as much.

[jazzkat]

rounded edges. sharp edges. for jazz it won't matter as much because they are both popular edge types. It is more important to focus on your tuning and playing, and using the colors you have available as much as you can with your touch. all the best

[lukesplat12]

Thanks for your input, jazzkat. I'm probably gonna use aquarian vintage 10 mil over the same thing.

[Jackie]

Fiberskin heads on snare and toms batter side, thinnest single ply heads on reso side and 16 inch eMac on bass with single ply front head, medium tight to a little tighter batter heads and little loose medium reso side. Don't bother with drum edges, play what you got.

[JohnnySticks]

Late to the dance but I have Modern Vintage on the top and Classic clear on the bottom on my Rogers kit and I love it. I play a lot of jazz.