What is the thickness of the Remo Emperor Vintage Clear 8"?

The head is constructed from two plies of 7.5-mil clear film, resulting in a total thickness of 15-mil. This is slightly thicker than the standard 14-mil Emperor series.

Is this drum head suitable for heavy hitters?

Yes, Remo describes these as the strongest and most durable 2-ply clear heads on the market. The dual 7.5-mil construction is specifically designed to withstand aggressive playing styles.

What frequencies does this drum head emphasise?

The Vintage Emperor Clear is designed to enhance mid-to-low frequencies. This helps smaller 8-inch drums sound fuller and deeper than they might with thinner heads.

How does the sound differ from a coated drum head?

Being a clear head, it offers more attack and 'snap' compared to a coated head. It provides powerful projection while the two plies keep the sustain controlled.

Can I use this on a snare drum?

While it is an 8-inch head, it can be used on 8-inch auxiliary snare drums. However, it is primarily designed as a batter head for rack toms.

What makes it a 'Vintage' model?

The 'Vintage' designation refers to the 7.5-mil ply thickness, which replicates the original construction of Emperor heads from the 1960s and 70s. This provides a specific feel and resonance associated with classic drum recordings.

Is the Remo Vintage Emperor Clear 8" sold in packs?

While Remo offers various sizes, this specific item refers to a single 8-inch drum head. It allows drummers to select individual sizes to suit their specific kit configuration.

What is the typical price for this head?

In the UK market, this drum head typically retails for approximately £20.00. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and shipping costs.

How does this compare to the Evans MS3 Clear Marching head?

The Evans MS3 is a specialized 14-inch marching snare side head, whereas the Remo Vintage Emperor is a versatile 8-inch batter head for standard kits. They serve entirely different musical purposes.

Does this head come with any accessories like sticks?

No, this is a spare part consisting only of the drum head. Items like Gear4Music 5A Maple sticks or Tama beaters must be purchased separately.

Will this fit any 8-inch drum?

It is designed to fit standard 8-inch diameter acoustic drums. It is compatible with most major drum brands, including Tama, Pearl, and Gretsch, provided the drum is a standard size.

Does the clear film affect the projection?

Yes, the high-quality clear design is engineered for powerful projection. It allows the drum to be heard clearly in loud live environments compared to dampened or coated heads.

Gear article

Remo Emperor Vintage Clear 8" Drum Head

The Remo Emperor Vintage Clear 8" is a high-performance drum head constructed from two plies of 7.5-mil clear film. Designed to provide a balance of modern durability and vintage tonal characteristics, it is engineered for enhanced mid-to-low frequencies and powerful projection.

See live prices

Overview and Construction

The Remo Emperor Vintage Clear 8" drum head is a robust component designed for smaller toms. It is distinguished by its heavy-duty construction, utilising two layers of 7.5-mil clear film. This configuration makes it one of the most durable 2-ply clear heads available on the market, offering significantly more resilience than standard thin-ply alternatives.

The clear design ensures a direct and punchy response, while the increased thickness of the 'Vintage' specification provides a different feel and resonance compared to the standard 7-mil Emperor series. The 8-inch diameter is specifically tailored for rack toms, auxiliary percussion, or mini-snare applications.

Sound Profile and Performance

Characterised by a focus on mid-to-low frequency response, the Vintage Emperor Clear provides a warmer, more controlled sound than single-ply heads. Despite this warmth, the clear film maintains a sharp attack and powerful projection, ensuring the drum cuts through dense musical arrangements.

Key sonic attributes include: * Enhanced low-end resonance for small drum diameters. * Pronounced projection suitable for live performance. * Controlled overtones due to the dual-ply dampening effect.

Applications

This drum head is particularly suited for drummers who require high durability without sacrificing the classic 'vintage' tone associated with older records. Because of its 8-inch size, it is most frequently used as a batter head for small rack toms in rock, pop, and fusion setups. Its strength makes it an ideal choice for heavy hitters who frequently break thinner heads, yet it remains versatile enough for studio recording where tonal control is paramount.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to standard Remo Emperor heads (which typically use 7-mil plies), the Vintage Emperor is slightly thicker at 7.5-mil per ply, resulting in a darker tone and increased longevity. Compared to single-ply heads like the Remo Ambassador, the Vintage Emperor offers less sustain but significantly more durability and a deeper fundamental pitch. While products like the Evans MS3 Clear Marching Snare Side head are designed for specific high-tension marching applications, the Vintage Emperor is intended for standard kit drumming and general-purpose musical projection.

Related gear

Frequently asked questions

What is the thickness of the Remo Emperor Vintage Clear 8"?: The head is constructed from two plies of 7.5-mil clear film, resulting in a total thickness of 15-mil. This is slightly thicker than the standard 14-mil Emperor series.
Is this drum head suitable for heavy hitters?: Yes, Remo describes these as the strongest and most durable 2-ply clear heads on the market. The dual 7.5-mil construction is specifically designed to withstand aggressive playing styles.
What frequencies does this drum head emphasise?: The Vintage Emperor Clear is designed to enhance mid-to-low frequencies. This helps smaller 8-inch drums sound fuller and deeper than they might with thinner heads.
How does the sound differ from a coated drum head?: Being a clear head, it offers more attack and 'snap' compared to a coated head. It provides powerful projection while the two plies keep the sustain controlled.
Can I use this on a snare drum?: While it is an 8-inch head, it can be used on 8-inch auxiliary snare drums. However, it is primarily designed as a batter head for rack toms.
What makes it a 'Vintage' model?: The 'Vintage' designation refers to the 7.5-mil ply thickness, which replicates the original construction of Emperor heads from the 1960s and 70s. This provides a specific feel and resonance associated with classic drum recordings.
Is the Remo Vintage Emperor Clear 8" sold in packs?: While Remo offers various sizes, this specific item refers to a single 8-inch drum head. It allows drummers to select individual sizes to suit their specific kit configuration.
What is the typical price for this head?: In the UK market, this drum head typically retails for approximately £20.00. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and shipping costs.
How does this compare to the Evans MS3 Clear Marching head?: The Evans MS3 is a specialized 14-inch marching snare side head, whereas the Remo Vintage Emperor is a versatile 8-inch batter head for standard kits. They serve entirely different musical purposes.
Does this head come with any accessories like sticks?: No, this is a spare part consisting only of the drum head. Items like Gear4Music 5A Maple sticks or Tama beaters must be purchased separately.
Will this fit any 8-inch drum?: It is designed to fit standard 8-inch diameter acoustic drums. It is compatible with most major drum brands, including Tama, Pearl, and Gretsch, provided the drum is a standard size.
Does the clear film affect the projection?: Yes, the high-quality clear design is engineered for powerful projection. It allows the drum to be heard clearly in loud live environments compared to dampened or coated heads.