Aquarian Super-Kick II review: the John Bonham-style controlled-boom kick batter
An editorial review of the Aquarian Super-Kick II drumhead. Double-ply with felt-strip damping ring, the canonical 70s rock-kick voice that recreates the John Bonham + classic-rock kick character.
Reviewed by the Change Your Strings editorial team ·
The Aquarian Super-Kick II is a double-ply 7+10 mil kick-drum batter with a felt-strip damping ring bonded to the inside of the head near the perimeter. Available in 18 to 26 inch diameters; 22-inch is the canonical rock spec, 26-inch fits Bonham-era large kick configurations. The felt-strip damping is the defining feature: it produces a controlled but resonant kick voice that recreates the 70s rock-kick character, the John Bonham-style controlled boom that producers reach for when they want vintage-rock kick character.
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What it is, in one paragraph
The Aquarian Super-Kick II is a double-ply 7+10 mil kick-drum batter with a felt-strip damping ring bonded to the inside of the head near the perimeter. Available in 18 to 26 inch diameters; 22-inch is the canonical rock spec, 26-inch fits Bonham-era large kick configurations. The felt-strip damping recreates the 70s rock-kick character, the John Bonham-style controlled boom.
Where it sits in the kick-batter lineup
| Aquarian Super-Kick II | Remo Powerstroke 3 Coated | Evans EMAD 2 | Remo Powerstroke Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Double-ply 7+10 with felt-strip damping ring | Single-ply 10 mil with sub-ply damping ring | Double-ply 10+6.5 mil with externally-mounted adjustable damping ring | Single-ply 10 mil with denser sub-ply damping ring |
| Damping behavior | Internal, felt strip (vintage character) | Internal, fixed | External, adjustable (1-inch or 2-inch ring) | Internal, fixed (more damping than P3) |
| Attack character | Vintage Bonham boom | Defined rock attack | Modern metal attack | More focused than P3 |
| Best for | 70s rock, Bonham-style boom recreations | Canonical rock kick | Modern metal, adjustable damping | Slightly more controlled rock kick |
Verdict and the affiliate hook
If you want the 70s rock-kick voice, the Bonham-era controlled boom, the Aquarian Super-Kick II is the canonical answer. The felt-strip damping ring + double-ply construction delivers the vintage character without the room-sized recording techniques that built the original Bonham sound. For modern metal kick, EMAD 2 wins; for canonical 80s-90s rock, Powerstroke 3 wins; for 70s vintage, Super-Kick II is the spec to study.
Super-Kick II 22-inch Kick Batter
Why this one: The 70s controlled-boom kick voice out of the box. Double-ply construction with the felt-strip damping ring delivers the vintage rock kick character without pillows, tape, or room tricks.
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