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Pricing and availability

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Description

Aquarian Vintage Heads are designed for drummers who crave the authentic sound and feel of classic drum kits. These drumheads bring a timeless warmth and resonance to your setup, ideal for genres ranging from jazz to rock and everything in between. Crafted with a focus on durability and tonal precision, they are made using a special two-ply construction that enhances their longevity while maintaining a natural, open sound. The coating delivers a smooth response, perfect for both live performances and studio recordings.

These heads not only evoke the charm of vintage drums but also integrate seamlessly into modern drum kits, offering a versatile choice for drummers looking to explore a wide range of musical styles. Whether you're aiming for that retro vibe or seeking to expand your sound palette, Aquarian Vintage Heads provide an excellent balance of tone and playability.

Key Features:

  • Two-ply construction for increased durability
  • Coated surface for smooth response and enhanced sound
  • Versatile design suitable for various music genres
  • Ideal for both live and studio settings
  • Offers a blend of vintage warmth and modern performance
DRUM! Magazine

DRUM! Magazine

Aquarian Vintage II Heads

Video thumbnail for Aquarian Vintage II Heads by DRUM! Magazine

Aquarian Vintage II Heads

DRUM! Magazine

DRUM! Magazine

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Aquarian Vintage Heads.

Comparisons

  • Aquarian Vintage heads sound between G1 and G2, offering a balance of warmth and weight without the synthetic calf feel of Fiberskyns and Calftones.

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  • Similar to Aquarian's Force 10 heads but with a slightly thicker and rougher texture coating, providing a unique tonal quality.

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  • Aquarian Response 2 heads offer a beefier sound compared to Evans G2, likened to the difference between a Big Mac and a Double Quarter Pounder.

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User experience

  • Owners praise Aquarian's durable coating, noting the off-white finish looks classy and withstands wear over time.

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  • Some users find Aquarian Vintage heads to be their favorite among the "vintage" offerings, appreciating their balance between modern and vintage sounds.

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  • Owners appreciate the open sound and playing feel, especially when used with the Super Kick model featuring an internal mounted ring.

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  • Aquarian heads impress with ease of tuning and maintaining tone, staying on kits for over a year without needing replacement.

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Features and functionality

  • Aquarian American Vintage heads fit both oversized vintage and regular modern drums, providing versatility in drum fitting.

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  • The Aquarian Deep Vintage II heads are thicker than regular coatings, using two 10-mil plies with a Modern Vintage coating for a dark, beefy sound.

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  • Aquarian Hi-Energy snare heads provide exceptional tone and durability, especially noted as cost-effective for budget setups.

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Use cases and applications

  • These heads are recommended for heavy hitters who prioritize a deep sound over responsiveness, with a tendency to sound lifeless at lower tunings.

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  • The Aquarian Hi-Velocity and Hi-Performance Snare Side heads deliver excellent performance when highly tensioned, especially on small snare drums.

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Value and pricing

  • Some potential buyers find the heads pricey and note limited availability in local stores, influencing purchasing decisions.

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Build quality

  • Aquarian heads are praised for superior quality right out of the box, with hoops and coating adhering excellently to rims.

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Other

  • Aquarian's founder, Roy Burns, is remembered for the brand's emphasis on sound quality and durability, appealing to metal drummers in the 1980s.

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Critic Reviews

Aquarian: Modern & Deep Vintage - DRUM! Magazine

drummagazine.com

Aquarian's Modern and Deep Vintage II drumheads have successfully blended durability with the elusive sound of calfskin, making them a compelling choice for drummers seeking that vintage warmth. The new formulation enhances tone and clarity, delivering rich, dynamic sound across various playing styles. However, the fit on some vintage kits can be tricky, requiring longer tension rods for installation. While the Modern series excels in versatility, the Deep variants shine in louder settings, producing a powerful, fat sound. Overall, Aquarian has crafted heads that closely mimic traditional skins while offering modern reliability—definitely worth a try for any serious drummer.

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Aquarian Modern Vintage Medium Review - Drumhead Authority

drumheadauthority.com

While the Aquarian Modern Vintage Medium drumheads offer a warm tone and excellent responsiveness, particularly for lower volumes and studio settings, they fall short in durability compared to other options. Musicians will love the rich midrange and low-end emphasis, but the single-ply design may not withstand aggressive play styles. Ideal for sensitive touch and brush work, these heads shine when tuned correctly, but players seeking robust drumheads for louder environments might want to consider alternatives. Overall, they provide a nuanced sound but at the cost of longevity.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stella Mozgawa uses Aquarian Vintage Heads

Stella Mozgawa

Drummer

The Desert Sessions

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Verified via Modern Drummer Magazine

She plays Istanbul Agop cymbals (“I’ve kept relatively the same setup since joining Warpaint—two 16? Agop crashes as hi-hats, a 24? Turk ride, and a 22? Agop ride used as a crash”), Promark 5A Japanese oak sticks, and Remo Vintage heads (“or the Aquarian vintage equivalents, which match well with the drier tone that I’m fond of”).

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Aquarian Vintage Heads, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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