What is the thickness of the Remo Ambassador Coated head?

The Remo Ambassador Coated head is constructed from a single ply of 10-mil film. This is a medium-weight thickness that balances durability with sensitivity.

Can I use this head on a 12-inch snare drum?

Yes, if your snare drum is 12 inches in diameter, this head can be used as a batter side head. It provides a crisp attack and warm overtones suitable for smaller snare drums.

What is the difference between a coated and clear Ambassador?

The coated version provides a warmer tone and more controlled sustain than the clear version. The texture also makes it the standard choice for playing with brushes.

Is this head suitable for use as a resonant head?

Yes, many drummers use the Ambassador Coated as a resonant head on the bottom of toms. This setup produces a warmer, more focused sound compared to using a clear resonant head.

How does the price of the Remo Ambassador compare to other brands?

The typical price range is approximately £18, which is competitive for a professional-grade 12-inch drum head. It sits in a similar price bracket to other industry-standard models from Evans or Aquarian.

What kind of attack does this drum head produce?

The Remo Ambassador Coated produces a bright attack. This clarity ensures that the initial strike is well-defined even within a dense musical mix.

Is this head durable enough for heavy metal?

While it can be used for any genre, heavy hitters may find that single-ply 10-mil heads wear out faster than dual-ply heads like the Remo Emperor. It is often preferred for its tone rather than extreme durability.

Does this head work well with brushes?

Yes, the coated surface is specifically designed to provide the necessary friction for brush sweeps. It is considered one of the standard heads for jazz and acoustic brush playing.

What size options are available for the Ambassador Coated?

Remo offers the Ambassador Coated in a wide range of sizes. This allows drummers to maintain a consistent tonal character across their entire tom and snare setup.

How would you describe the sustain of the 12-inch Ambassador?

It offers a controlled sustain. While it is more resonant than thick or dampened heads, the coating helps to mellow out harsh overtones for a more musical decay.

Is the coating likely to chip off?

Remo uses a high-quality coating process designed for longevity. While all coatings eventually wear down with heavy use, the Ambassador is known for maintaining its texture for a significant period.

What genre of music is this head best suited for?

The Ambassador Coated is extremely versatile and is a staple in jazz, rock, pop, and blues. Its open and warm tone makes it suitable for almost any recording or live performance environment.

Gear article

Remo Ambassador Coated 12" Drum Head

The Remo Ambassador Coated 12" Drum Head is a industry-standard single-ply drum head constructed from 10-mil Mylar film. It is designed to provide a balanced combination of warm, open tones and bright attack, suitable for both batter and resonant applications.

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History and Background

The Remo Ambassador series represents one of the most significant developments in modern percussion history. Developed by Remo Belli, the Ambassador Coated was the first successful alternative to animal skin heads, offering weather resistance and consistency that revolutionized the drum industry. The 12-inch variant has become the standard choice for rack toms across virtually every genre of music since its inception.

Technical Specifications

The head is constructed from a single ply of 10-mil coated film. This specific thickness is considered the industry baseline for a medium-weight head. The proprietary coating process applies a textured layer to the surface, which provides both a slight dampening effect compared to clear heads and a surface texture suitable for brush work.

Sound and Character

The Ambassador Coated is known for its open, resonant character. Key sonic features include:

Attack: Bright and defined, particularly when struck with wood tip sticks.
Tone: Warm and open, allowing the natural shell resonance of the 12" drum to shine through.
Sustain: Controlled but present, offering more decay than thicker dual-ply heads but more focus than uncoated clear heads.

Performance and Suitability

This drum head is highly versatile and serves multiple purposes. It is commonly used as a batter head for 12" rack toms in jazz, pop, and rock settings where a lively sound is desired. Additionally, it is frequently employed as a resonant (bottom) head to provide a warmer, more controlled decay than a standard clear resonant head.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to thicker heads like the Remo Emperor, the Ambassador offers more sensitivity and a quicker response. While the Evans MS3 14" is a specialised marching snare side head, the Ambassador 12" remains a general-purpose kit head. Unlike clear heads, the coated version of the Ambassador provides a slightly warmer fundamental and more controlled overtones, making it easier to tune for players seeking a classic studio sound.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the thickness of the Remo Ambassador Coated head?: The Remo Ambassador Coated head is constructed from a single ply of 10-mil film. This is a medium-weight thickness that balances durability with sensitivity.
Can I use this head on a 12-inch snare drum?: Yes, if your snare drum is 12 inches in diameter, this head can be used as a batter side head. It provides a crisp attack and warm overtones suitable for smaller snare drums.
What is the difference between a coated and clear Ambassador?: The coated version provides a warmer tone and more controlled sustain than the clear version. The texture also makes it the standard choice for playing with brushes.
Is this head suitable for use as a resonant head?: Yes, many drummers use the Ambassador Coated as a resonant head on the bottom of toms. This setup produces a warmer, more focused sound compared to using a clear resonant head.
How does the price of the Remo Ambassador compare to other brands?: The typical price range is approximately £18, which is competitive for a professional-grade 12-inch drum head. It sits in a similar price bracket to other industry-standard models from Evans or Aquarian.
What kind of attack does this drum head produce?: The Remo Ambassador Coated produces a bright attack. This clarity ensures that the initial strike is well-defined even within a dense musical mix.
Is this head durable enough for heavy metal?: While it can be used for any genre, heavy hitters may find that single-ply 10-mil heads wear out faster than dual-ply heads like the Remo Emperor. It is often preferred for its tone rather than extreme durability.
Does this head work well with brushes?: Yes, the coated surface is specifically designed to provide the necessary friction for brush sweeps. It is considered one of the standard heads for jazz and acoustic brush playing.
What size options are available for the Ambassador Coated?: Remo offers the Ambassador Coated in a wide range of sizes. This allows drummers to maintain a consistent tonal character across their entire tom and snare setup.
How would you describe the sustain of the 12-inch Ambassador?: It offers a controlled sustain. While it is more resonant than thick or dampened heads, the coating helps to mellow out harsh overtones for a more musical decay.
Is the coating likely to chip off?: Remo uses a high-quality coating process designed for longevity. While all coatings eventually wear down with heavy use, the Ambassador is known for maintaining its texture for a significant period.
What genre of music is this head best suited for?: The Ambassador Coated is extremely versatile and is a staple in jazz, rock, pop, and blues. Its open and warm tone makes it suitable for almost any recording or live performance environment.