I use a coated black hydraulic on my 5 1/2" Supra. Sounds great.

I got a set of blue and black in 10, 12 13,16 slightly used in a auction lot for 20 dollars. Tried them on some different sets and found that they sound ok it tuned mid to high but they sound dead when tuned low. They can take a beating so if you play hard then these might work for you.

I think they make most conventional drums sound dead. I remember when Evans released the blue hydraulic heads back in the 70's. My friend had a blue Vistalite 5-piece kit and he had to have them. They actually sounded "good" (for the time) when used with the Vistalite shells, but I don't think wood drums benefit from them.

Anyway, the only application that I really ever used one was in a Brazilian band where I played a big surdo-like fiberglass bass drum. It sounded good for that. Bass drums may be the only way I could see using them. I like the open sound, mostly, though.

Thanks very much for the input, guys! Your opinions are always appreciated.

Brian

I use them because they give that "studio recording" sound.

I agree that you do need to tune them up a bit or they are only a "thud sound"

Thank you, sir. That seems to be the general consensus. Maybe I'll try one out simply because I like experimenting. A red one might be pretty cool! Thanks again.

Brian

I used them in the 70's on my full set (except snare) and found sound guys to LOVE them due to little ring to deal with. I haven't used them since the 90's as technology has improved and the sound guys we use easily deal with whatever tuning I like. They do easily mute unwanted ring and sustain.

I mentioned it earlier, but to stress the point, I suggest trying the 14" coated black on a snare. If you don't like it the worst you are out is 20 bucks.

Hi Salty,

I have the red on one of my live setups and like them a lot.

Then again I also mic the whole kit but I still think they have plenty of sustain.

Wayne