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Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Dive into the heart of rhythm with the Remo Emperor Vintage Coated drumhead, a masterpiece blending the legendary tones of the past with the resilience required by the modern drummer. This carefully crafted drumhead, featuring a coated surface, is your ticket to achieving that sought-after vintage sound without sacrificing durability or performance. Perfect for drummers who appreciate the nuances of classic rock, blues, and jazz, the Remo Emperor Vintage Coated offers a rich, warm tone that's both punchy and controlled.

At the core of this drumhead's design are two plies of 7.5-mil polyester film, a modern twist on the original Mylar construction, providing an unparalleled blend of sensitivity and strength. The coated surface not only enhances the drumhead's durability but also shapes the drum tone, emphasizing the midrange frequencies that cut through the mix with precision. This results in a focused articulation and a balanced tone, giving you the power to control your sound with ease. Whether you're laying down grooves in the studio or powering through sets on stage, this drumhead offers consistent performance and a timeless sound that will elevate your drumming.

Key Features:

  • Two plies of 7.5-mil polyester film for durability and a warm tone
  • Coated surface for enhanced durability and controlled sound
  • Emphasizes midrange frequencies for a punchy, balanced tone
  • Ideal for classic rock, blues, and jazz
  • Perfect for drummers seeking a vintage sound with modern reliability

Product specs

Batter/Resonant Batter
Size 15"
Material Mylar
Clear/Coated Coated
Thickness 15mil (2 x 7.5mil)

FAQs

What sound characteristics can I expect from the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead?

The Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead provides a warm, focused tone with enhanced midrange and low-end frequencies, making it ideal for genres requiring a controlled sound.

Is the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead is well-suited for jazz due to its warm tone and controlled sustain, which complements the dynamic range and subtlety often required in jazz drumming.

How does the coating on the Remo Vintage Emperor affect its sound?

The coating on the Remo Vintage Emperor Drumhead adds warmth and reduces sustain, providing a more controlled and focused sound compared to clear drumheads.

What is the thickness of the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead, and how does it affect durability?

The Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead is 15 mil thick, made from two 7.5 mil Mylar plies, offering enhanced durability and a robust sound suitable for various playing styles.

Can the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead be used as a resonant head?

The Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead is designed primarily as a batter head, providing a warm, controlled tone when used on the top side of your drum.

Remo Inc.

Remo Inc.

Emperor Vintage Coated Drumhead | Remo

Video thumbnail for Emperor Vintage Coated Drumhead | Remo by Remo Inc.

Emperor Vintage Coated Drumhead | Remo

Remo Inc.

Remo Inc.

Video thumbnail for Remo Drumheads Demo| Smooth White Emperor vs Vintage Emperor Coated by Hannes Lehmann

Remo Drumheads Demo| Smooth White Emperor vs Vintage Emperor Coated

Hannes Lehmann

Hannes Lehmann

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers warm, vintage sound with powerful projection

  • Excellent versatility for live and studio settings

  • Coating doesn't peel off easily, unlike some competitors

  • Great tuning stability and ease of tuning

  • Offers a balanced mix of attack and resonance

  • Durable enough to withstand hard playing

  • Complements a wide range of music genres, especially pop/rock

  • Retains sound quality even as coating wears

  • Adds character and vintage aesthetic to drum kits

  • Ideal for larger diameter shell drums and floor toms

CONS

  • Coating may start to wear quickly with heavy use

  • Glue in the collar not evenly distributed in some batches

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead.

Setup and maintenance

  • A coated Emperor drumhead, at 14 mils thick, is too thick for snare reso use; standard reso heads are typically 3 to 5 mils for proper snare wire activation.

    Source
  • No noted tuning differences between Colortone and clear Emperor heads, providing ease of use across the variants.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that thicker reso heads like the Emperor can produce a "boxy" and "basketball pingy" sound, which may not translate well when playing live.

    Source
  • Clear Emperor heads are noted for their bright sound, making them suitable for those seeking a strong attack in their bass drum sound.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Single-ply reso heads are recommended for better tonal response compared to thicker heads; Emperors are often compared to Ambassadors for achieving a classic 60s/70s sound.

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  • Colortone heads are purely an aesthetic variant of clear heads, with colored film but no sonic difference from regular clears.

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Features and functionality

  • Moongel dampening may improve or worsen sound depending on the drum; effective on rack toms but potentially negative for floor toms.

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  • Coated Emperor heads offer a punchier and warmer sound due to the coating, which slightly muffles high frequencies and lowers the natural frequency.

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  • Emperor heads offer a slightly shorter sustain compared to single-ply heads, providing a balance between attack and resonance.

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Use cases and applications

  • Remo Emperor heads can be used as bass drum batter heads, but applying an impact patch is recommended for added durability and attack.

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  • Despite lacking built-in muffling, Emperor heads can achieve impressive sounds with careful dampening adjustments, ideal for those wanting a customizable tone.

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Mods and upgrades

  • For optimal sound, users suggest experimenting with external dampening or muffling techniques since Emperor heads lack built-in dampening.

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Critic Reviews

Remo Vintage Emperor review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead is a masterstroke in blending nostalgia with modern reliability. This drumhead brings the warm, full-bodied tone reminiscent of the 60s and 70s, adored by legends like John Bonham. Its enhanced low-frequency response and durability make it a standout choice for drummers seeking rich, evocative sounds. With a broad tuning range, these heads cater to a variety of musical settings, offering a distinctive, warm tone without harsh overtones. The review notes no significant downsides, making it a highly recommended choice for those seeking a classic sound with contemporary performance.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

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heads

highest quality drum heads for great sound bonham used them

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Travis Barker uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Travis Barker

Drummer, Music Producer

Blink-182

...
Verified via YouTube

Travis used Coated Vintage Emperor on his first kit toms (the kit he uses from the start of the show until the drum solo) during the Enema of the State 20th Anniversary Tour

See how Ilan Rubin uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Ilan Rubin

Guitarist, Drummer

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Remo Inc. video titled "Ilan Rubin - Drum Solo | Remo," Ilan Rubin is shown using Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumheads on his snare and toms. The video, which features Rubin performing a drum solo at Studio 606 in Los Angeles, confirms the use of these drumheads.

See how Mitch Mitchell uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Mitch Mitchell

Drummer

The Jimi Hendrix Experience

...
Verified via Bonhams

Mitch Mitchell is associated with using Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumheads, as evidenced by a listing on Bonhams, which features a Ludwig snare drum from the 1920-30 era linked to him.

See how Atom Willard uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Atom Willard

Drummer

The Offspring

...
Verified via YouTube

At an interview with Remo, Atom, at the 1:04 mark, states he uses Remo Vintage Emperors for his toms during recording.

See how feezo uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

feezo

Guitarist, Drummer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "Feezo's Studio Tour 2025," Feezo, a guitarist, drummer, and music producer, is seen at the 10:25 mark showcasing a Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead used on his custom snare drum.

See how Ryan Meyer uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Ryan Meyer

Singer, Drummer

Highly Suspect

...
Verified via YouTube

5:35 "For heads I use these new oldline of vintage Emperors by Remo..."

See how John Blackwell uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

John Blackwell

Drummer

The New Power Generation

...
Verified via Photo

John Blackwell is confirmed to use the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead, as listed in the July 2012 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine.

See how Jesse Bivona uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Jesse Bivona

Drummer

Sugar Ray

...
Verified via Photo

Jesse Bivona uses the Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead on his Toms and Timbale, as confirmed by his Instagram post where he detailed his tour setup and expressed gratitude to his supporters.

See how Caleb Crosby uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead

Caleb Crosby

Drummer

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video by Modern Drummer Official, it is confirmed that Caleb Crosby uses Remo Vintage Emperor Coated drumheads on his toms, as clearly shown at the 2:42 mark.

Album Usage

The Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead has been featured on the following albums:

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 Remo Vintage Emperor Coated Drumhead, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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