New Owner Question

[markatrain]

Hi guys,

My name is Mark and I am the proud owner of a Masterworks Artisan kit. I think (cos I bought it from the shop rather than ordered it) it is a maple/mohogany mix with Bubinga outer. It's finished in blue scuba with black hardware - I will post a pic soon.

My question is quite simple, but needs a long background story, so sorry! I used to own a DW collectors and before that a Noble and Cooley kit and before that a Tama Starclassic maple. (I love drums, btw)
I am not sure how much better this kit can sound, but have only had it for a short while and haven't really gotten to grips with it. I have tried the Remo ambassadors that came with it but am really unconvinced by them. I have ordered some Evans G2s with the EQ3 Kick set. I have never used these heads but thought I should try them as they are probably the only mainstream heads I have never used.
I really like Aquarian, but they are expensive and difficult to get here in the UK. I have also had QC problems with them in the past.

So, questions - any tuning tips?And also, how good should/can these drums sound. I know it is relative and everyone has there fav drums, but at the moment, I am a bit dissapointed.
I use a Drumdial but the recommended tension doesn't always match the tuning range or "sweet spot" of the drum. Also, any fav head recommendations to used with the maple/mahogony mix?

Thanks,

Mark
PS - yes, I bought these cos they looked awesome - the Masterworks reputation meant that the sound should be without question.

[ID]

I probably shouldn't comment here, I don't own Masterworks. However I have seen a lot of happy people with the Ambassadors. Since you don't like them, you will probably be happy with the Evans.

The Drumdial you speak of is for the tension rod torque, right? I do not believe in those due to the fact that you will not get the same head tension consistantly TR by TR. You should try the head tension meter, similar to a dial indicatior, only in torque readings instead of some measurement of length. I have heard of many different tunig methods, but try tuning the top and bottom heads to the same pitch, see of it resonoates more. It has worked for me before. (Not on the snare though, the bottom would probably be better a full step lower than the top)

I am afraid to spend the kind of cash Masterworks cost. This is simply because I am afraid I will be disappointed in the results for 6-7k. Oh well, I hope it works out for you.
My 2p.

[elmo]

i too own a MW kit with maple mahogany shells. what exactly are the specs on ur kit?

i use Evans G1 coated on top of toms and snare. Evans g1 clears for resonant. it gives the drum a full bodied sound. the coated heads give it a little more articulation and helps somewhat with the durability. for the snare side i use a Evans glass reso 300.
for my kick drum i use EMAD on the batter head and stock reso head. i use a jungle gig type bass drum (brx) and i use Evans Genera dry batter side and a Evans dry w/ vents reso side.

hope this helps...