Best Aquarian SM12 12" Super-Mesh Head Alternatives

Based on 7 reviews

As a recording engineer, I sometimes struggle with getting toms right in the recording process. Now tuning is an issue for many people. These resonant heads are much easier to tune than anything I have used in the past. It seems that the head is already perfectly seated when you put it on for the first time. I'm still strechting them in but this is clearly different from other heads (and brands) I had in the past. Then again, even with a head perfectly tuned, you might get unwanted resonances. What I like about these heads is that they seem to shorten the sustain of the tom a bit and also cut out a little of those overtones. This makes getting a nice tom sound much easier. Especially when recording heavy rock and metal music I usually don't want the toms to ring eternally but rather...

Based on 4 reviews

Remo Vintage Emperor is my favourite head for toms. It gives a good attack, a very mellow and warm sound, more controlled than a regular Emperor which tends to be very plastic-sounding sometimes. Very easy to tune and it stays in tune quite good. If you like 60/70s sound it will take you there, definitely. Regular Emperors tend to be not so good when played softly and great when they're beaten hard. Vintage Emperor deliver a full and detailed sound even with the lightest touch. If you beat them hard they sound pretty bonhamesque, though. It's the kind of head you'd love to let sing, because it has got a wonderful decay. Very musical, not too long or ringy, but it's nothing like choked or muffled. Anyway Vintage Emperor react quite well to reasonable amounts of muffling too, still...

Based on 2 reviews

I put these on a white drum for contrast. I'm an Emperor fan on toms, but using white (regular) Emperors would have been a bad idea, so just because the looks, I bought these. Sound-wise, these are very similar to the regular Emperors, maybe with slightly more sharpness. Sustains and the rest sound pretty much the same to my ears, and they can take the beating too. What I don't like is the stickmarks. They are quite visible, quite fast. Wheather it bothers you or not, it is up to you, but I would have preferred if the marks would not appear this fast. Not a big deal, just would have been better. Still, looks awesome on the kit!

Based on 2 reviews

I have a set of the Evans Calftone drumheads, and I can honestly say these are among the best heads I have ever played! They definitely don't feel hugely durable, like the Hydraulic range, but they are by no means "weaker" than the G1 heads. They offer a delightfully warm tone that sounds great with or without dampening. I used the Evans e-rings to test that (I don't own any moongel or anything of the sort). If you aren't too much of a heavy hitter and are looking for a classic sound then these are for you!

Based on 2 reviews

This is the best head i've found for replicating those great sounds of the sixties. I find it works best on vintage drums and really brings out the tonal qualities of the shell, and due to being slightly oversized, has a much better fit on those older drums. The only slight downside i've found is with durability. Dont get me wrong, these things will take an absolute battering, but compared with your emperors and pinstripes, they will fold a little quicker. Overall, a highly recommended product!!

Based on 1 reviews

The Aquarian Vintage (Modern and Deep models) drumheads are the way to bring the old standards back to life. Since the "new" trend in recording pop-rock music requires a bit dull, short, mellow and warm sounding drums, the vintage coating heads are the way to go. I prefer the Modern Vintage to the Texture coated, since the Vintage models has a bit less attack, but extended warmth and mellow feel. I even preffer the Modern Vintage as resonant heads on toms as well. This is the way to controll the sustain of the toms even better. The coating itself is indestructible - I still record regullary on Modern Vintage heads bought 3 years back with no traces of use. The Deep Vintage heads shorten the sustain, but they're not "dead" heads as you may expect being so thick (10+10...

Based on 1 reviews

This was purchased to replace the standard heads on our drummers relatively modest Yamaha (great value for what you pay) kit. To be fair to those original heads, they weren't at all bad... just old and well used. The drummer was after black drum heads and after a lot of reading, these were chosen. So, the top film is clear over black, no transfer of colour off of these, so a plus point there. What the film does however, is give the head a slightly off-black (deep grey/anthracite) hue with a bit of oily rainbow effect, depending upon the lighting and angle. Don't worry about this though, it is not something that is particularly noticeable or distracting when playing. What about when played, you may ask? Well, simply put, quite astounding! Without changing the bottom drum heads or any...

Based on 1 reviews

If you're Remo heads fan and tired of Ambassador coated domination then it is really worth to set up time machine and try the sound of Vintage A head on your toms. This head is modelled on first Remo mylar head manufactured in late 50's which dethroned calf skin heads. This is two ply head. Means that definition is slightly less opened, but different coating and thickness then emperor gives this head a very good attack. The mellow resonance is a sound to die for. Especially if you put it on vintage 3-ply drum. The head gives a warm response in the mid frequency range. This is the vintage feel drummers are looking for nowadays in many musical situations. Usually it takes week, two for head to give a full tonal response. Be patient. It's worth it.

Based on 18 reviews

I play rock music, so I was looking for Tom sounds that were loud, boomy and clear. This isn't the easiest of combinations, but the Remo 12" Pinstripe was perfect for me. The sound quality is was you expected from a company of this stature, they are used worldwide for a reason. The difference this made compared to my old heads was incredible, I just wanted to keep playing and playing songs that had good tom fills! The quality was fantastic, they do mark quite easily but that is only on the surface, I have no concerns about the skin breaking any time soon! In the studio I used Moon Gel to tighten up the sound, as to not overload the mix, and some sound guys have asked for this live too. It all depends on the sound you are after

Based on 11 reviews

I used to use coated emperors for pretty much everything! But I've come to accept that they just aren't suitable for live playing. They don't have the same durability and reliability of tuning as some of the competitor's products, particularly in the Evans line. So they have been replaced as my live head of choice for most applications. Having said that though, they are still my favourite drumhead, particularly for jazz and swing. Yes, they are double ply heads and are a little bit heavier than most people like to use for jazz playing. But I love the tonal qualities of these heads, both on snare, kick and toms. They have a really warm and dark tone with lovely sustain and great attack for accents. Really beautiful drumhead. I don't use them live any more, but I won't use anything...