What Coated Head Do You Use For Your Snare?

[drummerdoug86]

I'm getting ready to replace all of my drum heads and I have everything picked out except the top of the snare. This will be the first time replacing heads on my new set, and I was just wondering what head you use for the top of the snare. I want to get an idea of what you guys think sounds the best. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[theletterq]

The good ol' standard coated ambassador works best for me. Good attack and just the right amount of ring.

[rushfan33]

RF

[matty_boy]

Third

[Barometer]

sloppy fourths, eeewwww.

[vaughn]

I'd say 5th's on that but I bought an evans g1 coated batter head this time. they're more durable IMHO and the coating lasts longer with brushes.

what did you put on your toms? don't say pinstripes ;-)

peace~

[detuned6]

remo coated pinstripe.

[pratt]

The 'ole Remo coated ambassador has been my standard for many years....however - as of late I've been experimenting a bit and currently have an Evans Coated Dry on my main snare (it has a built in muffling ring and small holes along the outside of the head)....I like the head alot - but only in certain acoustical situations. at home, my kit is in a finished attic space that is wood paneling and carpeted - in that room the snare sounds fantastic. I've been jamming with these guys lately in one of the guys' basement......concrete floor, concrete walls, etc. - and the snare sounds AWFUL!!

I've recently purchased an Evans coated G1 to see how that sounds...

one of my auxilliary snares has a coated ambassador...the other has a coated Attack head (which I like, but not as much as the ambassador - it's a bit to heavyweight)

[drummerdoug86]

Originally posted by vaughn
I'd say 5th's on that but I bought an evans g1 coated batter head this time. they're more durable IMHO and the coating lasts longer with brushes.

what did you put on your toms? don't say pinstripes ;-)

peace~

I am probably going to put Remo Ebony skins on there, I've never tried them. (right now I am still using the Pearl skins I got with the set.) I want to experiment a little, I also thought about putting some Evans on there. I am not really sure yet. The reason I want to put the Ebony's on is because my set it white, so I thought it would look cool . I have no idea how they sound though. Do any of you use Remo Ebony's?

[vaughn]

Originally posted by drummerdoug86


The reason I want to put the Ebony's on is because my set it white, so I thought it would look cool . I have no idea how they sound though. Do any of you use Remo Ebony's?

I have not used remo ebonies or any ebonies for that matter. I sure wouldn't be opposed to it. I prefer aquarians. they make pretty much anything you could want in black. they have black with a white power dot too. I think black batter heads look good on some kits - a white kit would be pretty cool. I use coated studio X series on my toms, I don't play real hard though - I don't even have dents in my tom heads. hey, we have to like the way our kits look too! we can't let the guitarists have all the fun ;-)..

peace~

[mikeh]

1st choice - Evans Coated Dry Vent
2nd choice - Remo Coated Ambassador

[theletterq]

Mike,

You don't find the dry too controlled? On the one I used, I ended up tearing off the muffling ring inside. Still proved too dry for me.

[fenderlikingood]

this is what im using now. i think pratt summed it up well, dry head needs a"live"room and vice versa. i switched to an evans dry head, because i have a really ringy metal snare, and the dry head compliments it well.

[SirPsychoSexy]

Yup, count me in on the ol' Coated Embassador

However, I'm looking at Evans now, and trying to figure out which will give me relatively the same sound and ring, because I have also heard they are more durable. Durability is key in the music I play. :-)

I'm sure something will pop up, because I am gaining a lot of faith in Evans, especially after sticking a pair of EMADs on my bass drums. I don't even need pillows anymore!!

[drummerdoug86]

Originally posted by vaughn


I have not used remo ebonies or any ebonies for that matter. I sure wouldn't be opposed to it. I prefer aquarians. they make pretty much anything you could want in black. they have black with a white power dot too. I think black batter heads look good on some kits - a white kit would be pretty cool. I use coated studio X series on my toms, I don't play real hard though - I don't even have dents in my tom heads. hey, we have to like the way our kits look too! we can't let the guitarists have all the fun ;-)..

peace~

I did a little more browsing and I think I'll go with the coated ambassador for the snare. But for the toms it's a toss up. I am deciding between the Remo Ebonies, and Evans Hydraulics. Have any of you played with these two kinds? Our band plays rock, and I hit my drums pretty hard. Can someone suggest one or the other?

[Emeric]

I like the Evans G1 or G2 coated, the remo's are pretty much standard and sound great to.

drummerdoug86, stay clear of Evans hydraulic heads. Very dull/dead sounding heads. Last forever though..

The Evans G1 or G2's work well for toms, coated or clear all depending on what your after. Pinstripes are common as well and sound great.

All these heads work just fine and can work (except the hydraulics, some like them though), but the real result is in the effort put into tuning them and the way they are hit.

[mikeh]

In response to theleterq,

I prefer the controlled sound of the Dry Vents. My main snare is a 3x13 Maple and I get a tight cutting sound with the Dry Vents. I've also used them with a 6x14 Maple and a 5 1/2x 14 Birch with good results.

I would think the would work very well with steel snares - although I haven't played any of my steel snares in a few years - so I've never tried the Dry Vent on them.

To drummerdoug,

The Hydraulics suck all the life out of drums - and well as a fair amount of projection. I've used them live and in the studio - and while I think they may be more suited to studio use - I still think they suck the life and personality out of a drum.