Aquarian

Drumhead Tips

THE TAP TEST™ SOUND CHARACTERISTICS DRUMHEAD GUIDE
COMPARISON CHART TUNING SHEETS

THE TAP TEST™

The Tap Test™ confirms that the collar height is even all around the head. Tuning is fast and easy because you don't have to spend extra time compensating for an uneven head. It also demonstrates that the head is level within the hoop. This also makes tuning easier. The Tap Test™ is the only way to test a drumhead before it goes on the drum. It means that you have a way, at last, to test for tone quality and consistency in drumheads.

SOUND CHARACTERISTICS

SINGLE PLY MEDIUM WEIGHT DRUMHEADS

	Clear single ply heads have an open sustained tone with a bright attack. There are full frequencies from top to bottom.
	Coated single ply heads are slightly dryer with a focused attack. They sound warmer than single ply clear heads.

SINGLE PLY THIN WEIGHT DRUMHEADS

	Clear single ply thin weight heads have an open sustained tone with a brighter response. They produce more high frequencies.
	Coated single ply thin weight heads are slightly dryer with a bright, focused attack. They sound warmer than the thin clear.

TWO PLY DRUMHEADS

	Two ply drumheads have a deeper tone, moderate sustain and a punchy attack. Low frequencies are more predominant than in single ply heads.
	Coated two ply drumheads are more focused and produce a warmer sound.
	Two ply heads that are glued at the perimeter bring out the lower frequencies from the head. They eliminate the high frequencies and overtones.

MUFFLING

Muffling of any type, whether designed into the head or attached to the top surface, is more effective when place near the edge where the higher frequencies are.

DRUMHEAD GUIDE

CLASSIC ROCK
SNARE DRUMS
Batter Head = Hi-Energy
A patented head designed for exceptional durability, toughness and a powerful sound.

Resonant Head = Classic Clear Snare Side
Our most resonant and popular snare side drumhead.

TOM TOMS
Batter Head = Performance II
Designed for "loose" tuning and a deep, punchy sound with very little "after-ring". Lot's of depth!

Resonant Head = Classic Clear
Our most popular bottom tom tom head.

BASS DRUMS
Batter Head = Super Kick II
A Patented two ply head with a focused, forceful sound and floating muffling ring. Very durable when used with AQUARIAN'S Kick Pads.

Resonant Head = Regulator with small hole
Our most popular patented audience side head. No muffling needed with this popular combination of heads.

HARD ROCK
SNARE DRUMS
Batter Head = Hi-Energy or Texture Coated with Power Dot™

Resonant Head = Classic Clear Snare Side Head
Our most resonant and popular snare side drumhead.

TOM TOMS
Batter Head = Response II
A two ply head that "snaps" with attack and cuts through. Can be tuned tight, medium or loose.

Resonant Head = Classic Clear
Our most popular bottom tom tom head.

BASS DRUMS
Batter Head = Force I
A single ply head with special "vented" muffling ring. A very loud, powerful and punchy sound that really projects. Patent Pending

Resonant Head = Force II
A single ply head with special "vented" muffling ring. May be used with or without a hole. Available in Black or White. Our most aggressive combination. Patent pending.

POP/MAINSTREAM
SNARE DRUMS
Batter Head = Texture Coated with Power Dot™ underneath or Texture Coated Response II is also a favorite.

Resonant Head = Classic Clear Snare Side
Our most popular snare side drumhead.

TOM TOMS
Batter Head = Double Thin
A thinner, more responsive two ply head for moderately hard playing. A very versatile, warm sounding head.

Resonant Head = Classic Clear
Our most popular bottom tom tom head.

BASS DRUMS Batter Head = Force I
A single ply head with special "vented" Muffling ring. A very loud, powerful and punchy sound that really projects. Patent pending.

Resonant Head = Force II
A single ply head with special "vented" muffling ring. May be used with or without a hole. Available in Black or White. Our most aggressive combination. Patent pending.

JAZZ
SNARE DRUMS
Batter Head = Modern Vintage or Jack DeJohnette
A warm sounding head very much like calf skin. Great for brushes and sticks. Jack DeJohnette's head is excellent for jazz and fusion with a defined and full attack.

Resonant Head = Classic Clear Snare Side
Our most popular snare side drumhead.

TOM TOMS
Batter Head = Modern Vintage or Jack DeJohnette
Both heads are full, responsive and articulate. Vintage heads are a little mellow. DeJohnette heads have more attack.

Resonant Head = Classic Clear
Our most popular bottom tom tom head.

BASS DRUMS
Batter Head = Modern Vintage with Felt Strip
A felt strip mounted on the head for that great traditional sound. Can be used on both batter and audience side. Jack DeJonette drumheads can be used for that open jazz sound.

Resonant = Modern Vintage for an open more contemporary sound. Jack DeJohnette for a wide-open sound.

ALL AROUND

SNARE DRUMS Batter Head = Texture Coated The coating lasts and lasts. Does not "chip off". Texture coated with Power Dot™ underneath is also great. Both heads are very versatile. Resonant Head = Classic Clear Snare Side Our most resonant and popular snare side drumhead.	TOM TOMS Batter Head = Texture Coated A traditional warm tom tom sound with good attack. Resonant Head = Classic Clear Our most popular bottom tom tom head.	BASS DRUMS Batter Head = Super Kick I A patented single ply head with floating muffling ring. Very durable when used with AQUARIAN'S Kick Pads. Lot's of punch and low end. Resonant Head = Regulator with small hole Our most popular patented audience side head. No muffling needed with this great combination of heads.

COMPARISON CHART
Aquarian	Remo	Evanss
TEXTURE COATED WITH SATIN FINISH AQUARIAN'S Satin Finish outlasts all other coatings and will not "chip" off. A great traditional single ply coated head.	COATED AMBASSADOR	G1 COATED
RESPONSE 2 SERIES These two ply heads snap with great attack and a full sound. They can be tuned tight or loose. The coated version has a "dry" and powerfull sound on the snare drum and toms.	PINSTRIPE/EMPEROR CLEAR OR COATED	G2 COATED/CLEAR
POWER THIN SERIES A clear, single ply, medium weight head that features an ultra thin layer of our Power Dot material on top.	NONE	NONE
PERFORMANCE II SERIES This drumhead is sealed around the edge to create that really deep sound on tom toms. The Performance II is designed to be tuned loose for depth and punch with little over-ring.	NONE	NONE
CLASSIC CLEAR SERIES A great clear single ply drumhead. Perfect for the tops or bottoms of tom toms.	CLEAR AMBASSADOR	G1 CLEAR
CLASSIC CLEAR IN VIDEO GLOSS COLORS These single ply heads are available in smooth white or black. Recommended for the bottom of tom toms.	EBONY SERIES/ SMOOTH WHITE	RESONANT BLACK
CLASSIC CLEAR WITH POWER DOT This clear single ply head features AQUARIAN'S patented Power Dot on top.	CS BLACK DOT	POWER CENTER FOR SNARE DRUMS
HI-ENERGY SNARE DRUMHEAD A patented specialty snare head that features our unique Power Dot material for hard playing.	NONE	NONE
TEXTURE COATED WITH POWER DOT UNDERNEATH A single ply coated snare head that features our Power Dot.	COATED AMBASSADOR W/BLACK DOT UNDERNEATH	POWER CENTER REVERSE DOT
NEW ORLEANS SPECIAL Specialty snare head that features our unique Power Dot material for second line drumming.	NONE	NONE
CLASSIC CLEAR SNARE SIDE A very sensitive snare side head.	AMBASSADOR SNARE SIDE	GENERA SNARE SIDE
HI-PERFORMANCE SNARE SIDE A very sensitive snare side head that features a special laminate material on either side of the head by the snare beds.	NONE	NONE
VINTAGE SERIES This series has the look, sound and feel of calfskin drumheads.	RENAISSANCE	NONE
STUDIO-X SERIES These single ply heads are available in clear, coated, and Power Dot versions. All versions feature a light weight muffle ring adhered to the underside of the head.	NONE	NONE
HI-FREQUENCY SERIES This is a thin, single ply head that is great for the resonant side of tom toms.	DIPLOMAT COATED/ CLEAR	RESONANT GLASS
SUPER-KICK SERIES The patented Super-Kick heads feature a narrow muffle ring that is adhered to the backside of the head.	NONE	NONE
IMPACT SERIES The patented Impact heads feature a wide muffle ring that is adhered to the backside of the head.	NONE	NONE
REGULATOR SERIES Regulator is a front bass drumhead that features a small floating muffle ring in the center of the head. Perfect companions for our Super-Kick and Impact series bass drumheads.	NONE	NONE
PORTED SERIES The ported series front bass drumheads are available with a small hole off center or a large hole in the center.	AMBASSADOR WITH 10" HOLE	NONE
SIGNATURE SERIES Jack DeJohnette and Carmine Appice heads comprise the signature line.	NONE	NONE
FULL FORCE SERIES The Force I batter bass heads feature an acoustically vented muffling ring that is tucked into the hoop on the backside of the head.	POWERSTROKE 3	EQ1
FORCE II These resonant side bass drumheads feature the same vented muffle ring and are available in Video Gloss Black or White. They come with a Port-Hole that gives drummers the option to place the hole where they choose.	POWERSTROKE 3 EBONY	EQ1 RESONANT BLACK
ARTICULATOR A marching bass drumhead that features our unique "Floating Muffling System". This head is available in Video Gloss White or Black with or without Power Dot. Features Aquarian's new Power-Play™ film.	NONE	MX BASS
POWERTONE A traditional marching bass drumhead that features our new Power-Play™ film. Available in Video Gloss White or Black.	AMBASSADOR SMOOTH WHITE	NONE
PRECISION PARADE A special two ply marching head that features our new Power-Play™ film. Available in White or Black.	POWERSTROKE 77	NONE
SUPREME SNARE SIDE A durable, yet sensitive marching snare side head.	SA SERIES CLEAR	NONE
CHIEFTAIN™ The Chieftain is a marching drumhead that is made of a special lamination of Kevlar® and Aquarian's new Power-Play™ film. Available in White or Black.	FALAMS K-SERIES NEUTRAL WITH DOT	NONE
CHIEFTAIN™ SNARE SIDE A snare side Kelvar® head for marching snare drums.	FALAMS K-SERIES SNARE SIDE	MX SNARE SIDE
PROJECTOR A patented single ply marching tom tom head that features our Power Dot material and new Power-Play™ drumhead film.	NONE	NONE
IMPERIAL II A special two ply marching tom tom head available in White or Black.	EMPEROR SMOOTH WHITE/MARCHING PINSTRIPE	NONE

TUNING SHEETS

Download tuning sheets.

Performance II -- 2 Ply Drumheads
Snare Drumheads
Response 2 -- 2 Ply Drumheads
Bass Drumheads

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