What is the thickness of the Aquarian Modern Vintage Medium head?

The head is constructed from a single ply of 10mil medium-weight film. This provides a balanced feel that is sensitive enough for light playing while remaining durable.

What kind of coating does this drum head have?

It features a specialised vintage coating designed to look and feel like traditional calfskin. This coating helps produce a warmer tone and a specific tactile response for the drummer.

Can this head be used on a floor tom?

Yes, this specific model is a 16-inch head designed for 16-inch drums, which is the standard size for most floor toms. It is also available in other sizes to fit a complete kit.

What musical genres is this head best suited for?

It is ideal for jazz, fusion, and classic rock or blues. Any genre that benefits from a warm, vintage-style tone rather than a bright, modern snap will suit this head.

Does this head sound like real calfskin?

It is designed to be the modern equivalent of calfskin, offering a similar warmth and feel. However, it provides the added benefit of modern tuning stability and durability that natural hide lacks.

How does the Modern Vintage Medium compare to the Evans Black Chrome?

The Modern Vintage focuses on warm, classic tones and sensitivity, whereas the Evans Black Chrome is a heavier, modern head designed for high-volume punch and durability. They represent opposite ends of the tonal spectrum.

Is this a two-ply or single-ply head?

The Modern Vintage Medium is a single-ply drum head. This construction allows for more resonance and a more expressive dynamic range compared to two-ply designs.

How much does the Aquarian Modern Vintage 16 Tom Head cost?

The typical price for this head is approximately £29. This puts it in the professional tier of drum head replacements.

Is the coating durable for heavy hitting?

While the head is durable due to modern manufacturing, the vintage coating and 10mil ply are designed more for tone and feel than for extreme heavy metal or hard rock applications. It is best suited for medium-weight play.

Can I use brushes on this drum head?

Yes, the textured vintage coating is excellent for brush work. It provides the necessary friction and surface noise that jazz players require for sweeping patterns.

Does the vintage coating affect the tuning range?

The coating adds a small amount of mass which helps the head stay focused at lower tunings. It remains easy to tune across a wide range, consistent with Aquarian's manufacturing standards.

Is this head available for other drum sizes?

Yes, while this specific model is 16 inches, Aquarian produces the Modern Vintage series in a full range of sizes to allow for a matching set across the entire drum kit.

Gear article

Aquarian Modern Vintage Medium 16 Tom Drum Head

The Aquarian Modern Vintage Medium 16 Tom Drum Head is a single-ply, 10mil drumhead designed to replicate the aesthetic and sonic properties of traditional calfskin. It features a specialised vintage coating that provides a warm, classic tone suitable for jazz and fusion applications. Combining contemporary durability with historical feel, it serves as a modern replacement for drummers seeking an old-school percussive character.

See live prices

Background and Design

The Aquarian Modern Vintage series was developed to bridge the gap between early 20th-century drum manufacturing and modern synthetic reliability. Before the advent of plastic heads, drummers relied on animal hides, which offered a distinct warmth but suffered from tuning instability due to temperature and humidity changes.

This specific 16-inch model is constructed from a single ply of 10mil medium-weight film. The defining feature is its unique vintage coating, which is thicker and more textured than standard white coatings, intended to emulate the look and tactile response of natural calfskin.

Technical Specifications

The head is sized specifically for 16-inch floor toms, though the Modern Vintage range extends to various sizes for full kit integration. The 10mil thickness is a standard medium weight, providing a balance between sensitivity and longevity.

Unlike thinner heads, the 10mil construction offers enough mass to drive the larger shell of a floor tom without losing the 'breath' of the drum. The manufacturing process ensures that despite its retro aesthetic, the head maintains the consistency and durability expected of modern professional gear.

Fender 10-Hole Contemporary Jazz Bass Pickguard 3-Ply Black

Sound and Character

The sonic profile of the Modern Vintage Medium is characterised by a warm, rounded tone with a focused mid-range. The vintage coating effectively dampens harsh high-frequency overtones that are often present in clear or standard coated heads.

Tone: Warm and dark, reminiscent of 1950s and 60s recordings.
Sustain: Controlled decay with a smooth roll-off.
Feel: The textured surface provides a distinct resistance, making it particularly effective for brush work as well as stick play.

Application and Comparison

While it is a versatile head, it is most frequently employed in jazz, fusion, and traditional blues settings where a more organic, 'woody' sound is desired. It contrasts significantly with modern heavy-duty heads like the Evans Black Chrome, which prioritises punch and high-volume durability over nuance.

Compared to a standard single-ply coated head, the Modern Vintage Medium is 'thicker' in sound due to the coating weight, offering a more mature and mellow response that complements vintage drum shells or modern drums intended to sound aged.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the thickness of the Aquarian Modern Vintage Medium head?: The head is constructed from a single ply of 10mil medium-weight film. This provides a balanced feel that is sensitive enough for light playing while remaining durable.
What kind of coating does this drum head have?: It features a specialised vintage coating designed to look and feel like traditional calfskin. This coating helps produce a warmer tone and a specific tactile response for the drummer.
Can this head be used on a floor tom?: Yes, this specific model is a 16-inch head designed for 16-inch drums, which is the standard size for most floor toms. It is also available in other sizes to fit a complete kit.
What musical genres is this head best suited for?: It is ideal for jazz, fusion, and classic rock or blues. Any genre that benefits from a warm, vintage-style tone rather than a bright, modern snap will suit this head.
Does this head sound like real calfskin?: It is designed to be the modern equivalent of calfskin, offering a similar warmth and feel. However, it provides the added benefit of modern tuning stability and durability that natural hide lacks.
How does the Modern Vintage Medium compare to the Evans Black Chrome?: The Modern Vintage focuses on warm, classic tones and sensitivity, whereas the Evans Black Chrome is a heavier, modern head designed for high-volume punch and durability. They represent opposite ends of the tonal spectrum.
Is this a two-ply or single-ply head?: The Modern Vintage Medium is a single-ply drum head. This construction allows for more resonance and a more expressive dynamic range compared to two-ply designs.
How much does the Aquarian Modern Vintage 16 Tom Head cost?: The typical price for this head is approximately £29. This puts it in the professional tier of drum head replacements.
Is the coating durable for heavy hitting?: While the head is durable due to modern manufacturing, the vintage coating and 10mil ply are designed more for tone and feel than for extreme heavy metal or hard rock applications. It is best suited for medium-weight play.
Can I use brushes on this drum head?: Yes, the textured vintage coating is excellent for brush work. It provides the necessary friction and surface noise that jazz players require for sweeping patterns.
Does the vintage coating affect the tuning range?: The coating adds a small amount of mass which helps the head stay focused at lower tunings. It remains easy to tune across a wide range, consistent with Aquarian's manufacturing standards.
Is this head available for other drum sizes?: Yes, while this specific model is 16 inches, Aquarian produces the Modern Vintage series in a full range of sizes to allow for a matching set across the entire drum kit.