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Hmmm. I thought it sounded pretty good tuned up in my basement (tight, boppy) but it wasn't cutting through in a rock out context. All overtone, no attack. I'll try a fresh clear Emperor first though.

Redline wrote:then take hairdryer and get the head super hot at each tension pointThat's a hot tip.FYP.

154 wrote:Bought DFTR's 'Charlie' kit that I had been eyeballing for 5 years. Kick and floor sound amazing, but I might have to switch the rack to flanged hoops. (didn't sound a whole lot different with a RIMS mount, and I wasn't a fan of the bouncing)The snare hiding in there is the same C&C 'Black Beauty' I've had for 7 years.OH MAN, I meant to tell you.... Don't give up on that rack tom until you've really fucked with tuning it some. It's finicky, and right when you think "This thing is fucked up," you turn a corner and it's dialed and sounds amazing. Don't spend money on hoops until you've messed around with it some. I'm sorry I forgot to mention that. I haven't played that kit regularly in so long, I honestly had forgotten how long it takes a rack tom head to seat properly on it. Two things I might suggest: 1. completely detune the batter head and take each tension rod up in small increments, alternating sides, so that the head seats perfectly flat as it goes into tune. The super thin bearing edges on that thing are quick to offset the head just slightly. If you're using Emperors (or some other two ply head), for some reason that can make it sound dead. 2. If you want to take a shortcut through that process, get it tuned evenly at each lug, then take hairdryer and get the head super hot at each tension point. This will cause the head to conform to the bearing edge more completely. That'll open that drum right up. The five lug Gretsch 12" rack tom is always a challenge, and that one is especially cranky, but once it's in, man, that drum sounds good. I'd suggest monkeying with it before spending money!!

then take hairdryer and get the head super hot at each tension pointThat's a dynamite tip.

154 wrote:Hmmm. I thought it sounded pretty good tuned up in my basement (tight, boppy) but it wasn't cutting through in a rock out context. All overtone, no attack. I'll try a fresh clear Emperor first though.What's on there now?My first instinct would be to try a new coated ambassador.

Just buy an 18" UFIP Natural China Crash and get it over with...

Is this a Gretsch kit with the slightly oversize shells, which makes fitting new heads on a little challenging?

Redline wrote:Just buy an 18" UFIP Natural China Crash and get it over with...I'll skip the china 'crash' and flat ride and go straight to old and disinterested looking.

The $200 '66 Ludwig kit set up in the studio:

Now I kinda want a china cymbal. Funny how everyone used to have one, then they became super out of fashion.