Hey, guys!
What kind of head would you recommend for brush work? I play with a late seventies Supra. Recently, we have added a couple of songs requiring brush work and my slippery red Evan's Hydraulic batter head just doesn't cut it. It looks cool, but...I realize that coated might be the best choice, but what kind? I'd still like to play 90% without brushes. Thanks very much!
Brian
Coated Remo Ambassador is ground Zero
Aquarian comparable would be good too(don't know model name)
..Joe
I can second either of those choices. I have some Aquarian Modern Vintage (or American Vintage, I can't remember which) and they work great for both stick and brush response. Good luck and save that Evans for when disco comes back around (Stayin Alive, Staying Alive, etc.)
Hi Brian!
As stated above, a coated Remo Ambassador is "ground Zero"! I've used Aquarian TC (Texture Coated) heads and they are fantastic for brush work! Aquarian uses a coating process that stays on incredibly longer than Remo and Evans! My suggestion, if you're willing to experiment, is to try both a Remo and an Aquarian. The Aquarian uses a slightly different Mylar film, so you might notice a difference in overall "feel". The only way to know which is best for you is to try each one.
-Mark
Thanks guys! Advice well taken!
Well, OP, there's really no ideal "in-between" head that will do what that red Evans Hydrolic will do and be able to best facilitate brushwork at the same time. The Remo Ambassador and the Evans Hydrolic are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
That being said, if I were you, I'd just have a second snare drum set up with a coated Ambassador for the few tunes that require you to use brushes.
I dunno...I suppose you could try a coated Emperor and see what that does.
-2 cents
Well, OP, there's really no ideal "in-between" head that will do what that red Evans Hydrolic will do and be able to best facilitate brushwork at the same time. The Remo Ambassador and the Evans Hydrolic are at opposite ends of the spectrum. That being said, if I were you, I'd just have a second snare drum set up with a coated Ambassador for the few tunes that require you to use brushes.I dunno...I suppose you could try a coated Emperor and see what that does.-2 cents
I think you are 100% right, O-Lugs! The two heads are at opposite ends of the spectrum. I've just installed the Coated and it sounds great for both kinds of tunes. It doesn't look as pretty, but it sounds like it should. The Hydraulic, when tuned properly delivered quite a punch, but for brush work, it just did not deliver. Way too "slippery". We play all original songs and if the new ones weren't good, I'd just scrap them. They are good tunes however, and deserve a chance. Thanks very much for your input, sir!
Brian
Evans sells the Red Hydraulic UV coated head for 14” now. Not certain how textured this is though for a good brush sound. The regular Evans UV1 coated are supposed to be great for brush work and durability. The heads mentioned above are great too.
I think original Ludwig orchestra batter from the sixties are the best !
a head full of long hair is best for brushes, as long as it is dry. my mom, a beautician of 30+ yrs, always said not to use a brush on a wet head, it will damage the hair. lol.
