Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 137.68685%

Evans Hydraulic heads.....

Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

Ok...here goes....I know I might get flamed for this one, since this is against the grain of current thinking about drums being open and full of resonance, etc.....but........is there anyone on the forum that is using Evans Hydraulic heads still? I'm doing some experimenting with heads again, and I'm thinking of trying a set on my 80's Ludwigs (power toms and all) to try and get that 70's studio sound that Mick Fleetwood got out of his Ludwigs (1975 Fleetwood Mac and Rumors album drum sounds...you know?)

I've tried the following heads to try and duplicate the sound without tape or muffling, etc.....Pinstripes, silver dots, and Aquarian Performance IIs...all are too open sounding, although the Performance II's are closer to the sound, I can't use them on this particular kit. (I have had fitment issues with the Aquarians on the toms of this kit, have since day one. No issues with any other brand heads fitting, just Aquarian)

So...am I close with thinking about trying the Hydraulics? I've taken a few off of drums that I've picked up over the years and just tossed them out (most were pretty much all done with tears, oil leaking out, and plies split!) and never tried them for sound.

Ok....go ahead, I know you think I'm nutz to go for the "dead" 70's studio sound, but that is vintage too isn't it? Hmmmm

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 593 Threads: 43

I have one on my 20 inch floor tom, its big, deep and thuddy with almost no resonance. It sounds great honestly but its a very specific sound. I have never used one on a bass drum but have heard them a few times and they sound great on a kick if you are looking for that very muted thump.

1973 Slingerland Phantom 13,16,22
Late 30s Slingerland Radio King- 7x14
SJC Custom Snare Pink Sparkle- 8x14
62 Slingerland COB Radio King- 5x14
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 1273 Threads: 22

I've used Evans Clear hydraulics (with G2 reso's) for years on my 70's Gretsch toms (12, 13, 14 & 18 FT) with pleasant controlled tones; the 18 FT was a chest thumper. I didn't use the internal or any other muffling, even in the studio, and I was very happy with the sound. Much easier to tune and control than the G2 coated heads I'm fooling around with, now. What a difference.

Good luck.

B

Vintage Drum Fan (Not a Guru)
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 1244 Threads: 204

I really like them for concert toms. A friend of mine had three Vistalite toms,13,14,& 15" so I searched eBay & found a 22" Vistalite bass drum and put this one together and really like it. Homemade tom clip mounts and all (flatened out conduit and bolted on a U shaped piece of metal). Used a Tama cymbal stand clamp and a taken apart hoop mounted cowbell assembly for the 15" clip mount. I haven't tried a hydraulic on this bass drum yet. It looks great w/blue heads on these Vista's too. I think they should make colored heads for each Vistalite colors that were made...Amber,Green,Yellow..etc

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 177 Threads: 2

From Olimpass

It looks great w/blue heads on these Vista's too. I think they should make colored heads for each Vistalite colors that were made...Amber,Green,Yellow..etc

I fully agree. That would look slick !

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

Well.....I did some slight "modifications" to the drums in question to get the Aquarian heads to fit.....I had to "shave" the wrap just a bit at the edge to get the heads to slip over the shells. They are tight, but now they fit!

I did try a couple of hydraulics today..........not a big fan...just too dead sounding to my taste....even more dead than the sound I'm after. The Performance II's are the closest I've found so far, so maybe I'll stick with those for now...

Thanks for the replies guys! Clapping Happy2

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 195 Threads: 30

"Dead" as in, not enough sustain? Or too dark?

You should be able to add some sustain with the right reso heads. Heavier heads will sustain longer. Try a 2-ply, like a G2, as a reso head. Try to get the reso head close to the batter pitch.

Current gigging set:
Recent Ludwig Accent 13/16/18/26, (in Silver Sparkle), "updated" 70's Acrolite with cast batter hoop and Trick strainer/butt

Cymbals:
Zildjian K Custom Ride, Dream (Bliss and Contact) crashes and hats, and a Sabian Swish/China.

Other stuff:
60's Ludwig Champagne Sparkle "Traveler's Club Date", under construction. Click Here
70's Acrolite (under RE-construction)
Two 1960's mahogany 32" Ludwig bass drums with Imperial lugs.
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 941 Threads: 51

I love Evans clear hydraulic heads for my Fibes acrylic kit. A controlled sound is essential for lots of kinds of work.

[IMG]http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn87/Osakabop/2010-10-11131359.jpg[/IMG]

For info. & live schedule:
www.EricWiegmanndrums.com
*Odery Drums Japan endorser/ representative
*Japan Distributor of Vruk DrumMaster pedals
*D'Addario Japan Evans/Promark/Puresound
*Amedia Cymbals Japan

It's the journey not the destination.
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

From jonrpick

"Dead" as in, not enough sustain? Or too dark?You should be able to add some sustain with the right reso heads. Heavier heads will sustain longer. Try a 2-ply, like a G2, as a reso head. Try to get the reso head close to the batter pitch.

"Dead" as in both too dark and not enough sustain. I tried it with a G1 as a reso-head, never thought to go as thick as a G2 though....

The Perfrmance IIs are close towhat I'm looking for on these, maybe I'll stick with those, since I already had a set kicking around....

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 5240 Threads: 1231

I prefer Remo black dot heads for a controlled sound, Evans hydraulic heads are like putting a blanket on each drum. BTW, Merry Christmas Ludwig-dude.x-mas3

Posted on 13 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here