Ambassador heads are CLASSIC. They are simple but the BEST sounding. Double-ply had it's day. Back to the basics. Coated single-ply heads have a crack and bark you will never get out of thick heads. double-ply's "last" longer, but they go dead just as quickly. If you want the optimum sound from your drums Ambassodor. Save your money. Ambassors will CUT through the bass guitar and you will hear the clarity of each tom. Forget thick black bass drum heads with holes... Plain old amassadors on both sides of a bass THE BOMB. I have found that playing live, thin heads really "bounce" and I don't have to fight to keep agressive beats under control. I have also found that a double-ply head will be drowned out by the bass guitar ESP WHEN MIC'D! Double-ply's should be saved for the studio by request of an engineer. You just can't lose with Ambassadors.