LP Aspires- last chance!

[MichaelB]

Wood Aspires=terrible sound...well, they were cheap.....

Just before I give up.....anyone found a good new solution for their sound?....yes, I have seen old threads.....

Original heads were bad....followed some forum advice...put Remo Nuskyns on both....just as bad

Anyone tried varnishing the insides as they do for drumsets, to increase resonance? Mule heads worth the $$$?

thanks,
Michael

[Firebrand]

Give Remo FIBERSKYn a try...that might help. They helped my LP classics sound great. Remo Fyberskyn's a louder than NuSkyns. They're designed to let the drum resonate to its full extent (NuSkyn's are more controlled in their sound, and better for studio work, where controlling out-of-control frequencies is desired). I hated Evans Tri-Dot Heads because they dampened the sound too much, but Fiberskyn's are the best I've heard of the synthetics. Will never go back to anything else.

However, LP Aspire are the lower model of LP. They're tone and resonance is naturally dampened, in comparison to more professional models.

I have LP Aspire Fiberglass (red models) for my students at school, and I was surprised at their quality. Definitely better than LP Wood Aspires.

They could do a gig as a backup, but I definitely wouldn't think Aspires are professional worthy. They lack the depth, strong highs, and resonance of the fancier models.

That being said, Remo Fiberskyn heads have unlocked higher overtones and loudness on my congas. You could also try Mule Skins, if you hate synthetics.



Edited By Firebrand on 1182170751

[fed]

Mule skins helped for my Aspires, specially tumba. But if you are serious about your congas you might want to save and get higher end drums. You will want to anyway, and if you are feeling dissatisfied already you should consider it.

When I got my mule skins I was just looking into getting lessons (I already had the drums for a year or so) so I wasn't sure I would stick to it, and certainly wasn't picky about the sound, since I wasn't sure how they should sound. So the first lesson I had the instructor (local conguero) told me that the drums would be just fine but the skins are not good. So $100 for skins vs at least $400 for new drums was an easy decision at the time.

I am finally getting 2 LP classics (as soon as Dario gets my check and sends them to me ) after about 4 years of sticking to it . I bought 2 weird drums along the way for $300 which was a mistake impulse buy but they actually sound kind of good and will give me nice 4 piece set with the classics (after I am done with refinishing). As much as I wanted JCR or Moperc or some other custom maker drums I just couldn't see spending that kind of money. LP Classics are respected pro drums that should last me for the rest of my life.

This was a little longer then I intended but I thought I would give you some background on my decision making process since I was in similar situation.

cheers



Edited By fed on 1182175811

[MichaelB]

[quote="Firebrand"][/quote]
Hi,

I actually ordered 1 Nuskyn and 1 Fiberskyn, waited for 6 months for my local drum dept of a major chain here in Canada...they brought in the 2 Nuskyns...I was so frustrated I kept them...also didn't know how they would sound until I put them on....

How about the part with the varnish?...ideas?

Can't figure how the Siam Oak can produce such a dull sound....same principle as drums I guess....cheap set + good heads =decent....good set+cheap heads=not decent

Are there any mules preformed for these models?

[MichaelB]

Mule skins helped for my Aspires, specially tumba. But if you are serious about your congas you might want to save and get higher end drums. You will want to anyway, and if you are feeling dissatisfied already you should consider it.

When I got my mule skins I was just looking into getting lessons (I already had the drums for a year or so) so I wasn't sure I would stick to it, and certainly wasn't picky about the sound, since I wasn't sure how they should sound.

s

Did you find preformed mule skins for the Aspires?

[Derbeno]

As they say, why put your money on a losing horse?

It is cheaper in the long run to buy wisely once!

[fed]

Did you find preformed mule skins for the Aspires?

I bought mule skins from Isaac who is a rep for JCR and frequent on this forum. He also is a fellow percussionist.
Here is his ebay store link http://stores.ebay.com/Funky-Tradition

I bought flat skins and mounted myself. Great experience and really not that difficult if you follow instructions. Search this forum for threads on this. Let me know if you can't find it.

The mule skins went up in price a bit since I bought them.

Also moperc.com is a reputable source for good Cow skins. I bought 2 skins from him but not mounted them yet. So can't say. They are cheaper then mule but also highly regarded.

You might have an issue with tuning. Try to tune them up and down a bit to experiment. I am still learning sometimes I just go by the sound and sometimes I tune conga to middle C and tumba to G. When I do that the conga does get chocked a little and gets the sound gets thinner. But the slaps are crisper. So somewhere there is a middle ground between a good open tone OOh sound but skin is tight enough to make a good slap.

Anyway take it with a grain of salt ofcourse. I am just wondering how do you know your sound is so bad? Did you try other drums? Did someone told you?

cheers



Edited By fed on 1182220668

[MichaelB]

Did you find preformed mule skins for the Aspires?

I bought mule skins from Isaac who is a rep for JCR and frequent on this forum. He also is a fellow percussionist.
Here is his ebay store link http://stores.ebay.com/Funky-Tradition

I bought flat skins and mounted myself. Great experience and really not that difficult if you follow instructions. Search this forum for threads on this. Let me know if you can't find it.

The mule skins went up in price a bit since I bought them.

Also moperc.com is a reputable source for good Cow skins. I bought 2 skins from him but not mounted them yet. So can't say. They are cheaper then mule but also highly regarded.

You might have an issue with tuning. Try to tune them up and down a bit to experiment. I am still learning sometimes I just go by the sound and sometimes I tune conga to middle C and tumba to G. When I do that the conga does get chocked a little and gets the sound gets thinner. But the slaps are crisper. So somewhere there is a middle ground between a good open tone OOh sound but skin is tight enough to make a good slap.

Anyway take it with a grain of salt ofcourse. I am just wondering how do you know your sound is so bad? Did you try other drums? Did someone told you?

cheers

Good suggestions..thanks! It's true, I'm trying to tune them up to make up for lack of technique.....

However...I have tried Matador, Galaxy, Palladium....big difference!