Coated EC2s!

[somedrummer]

I was just surfing around Evan's website, and came across this:


"EVANS EXPANDS WILDLY SUCCESSFUL EC2 LINE


Snare & Coated Versions Now Available

http://www.evansdrumheads.com/Resources/JDCEVA/images/news/EC2_coatedWEB.jpgFARMINGDALE, NY, July 13th, 2006 - The Evans EC series is Evans' most popular new technology, loudly heralded by the drum industry. Denoting "edge control," EC heads incorporate a proprietary design on the underside circumference that tweaks desired overtones and eliminates unwanted ones. Not merely a blanket pre-muffling system, the EC-treated head is fine-tuned to retain a focused fundamental while retaining contemporary ambience, sustain, and sensitivity.
In that light, Evans is proud to introduce the EC Snare series, available in diameters from 10" through 14" and with or without a unique "reverse dot" made with the same 3mil material as the ring. Each head consists of a 7mil top ply and 10mil bottom ply for maximum durability (especially the reverse dot version which totals 20mils thick at its center), each with the sophisticated edge control system that banishes unwanted overtones. A translucent frosted coating lends a unique, attractive look. Despite the head's relative thickness, it has a forgiving feel; ghost notes project tremendously well; rim shots offer a "tweaked" palette of rich overtones; and center-of-the-head strokes yield fat, focused tones. The stress-relieved reverse dot patch has the unique effect of eliminating some mid-range frequencies, yielding a desirable crack at all tuning ranges.
"At its heart," says Evans Product Manager Michael Robinson, "the EC head is not damped. It's treated around the edges to tweak the overtones and response. For snare drums it's particularly effective and yields a pre-EQ'd sound that will please both player and sound engineer."
Also new to the EC2 line of tom heads is a coated version. For each tom diameter, from 6" through 18", we've introduced an EC2 head with a fine, translucent frosted coating. The result is a warm tone and additional focus.
Adds Mike Robinson, "The EC concept is really a contemporary alternative. It's not a haphazard muffling system but a true, targeted tone enhancement. Its twin-ply with 7mil layers makes it the same as our clear EC2 head, but the translucent coating answers a call from drummers for a coated EC2, makes an amazing tonal difference, and simply looks great."
Evans' EC Snare heads retail for between $30.00 and $36.00 (depending on size). Evans' EC2 coated tom heads retail for between $27.00 and $45.00 (depending on size). They will both ship starting August 1.



HOORAY!!!

[Bttl]

hmm still not sure on these heads. I still think that Pinstripes sound just as good for low tuning. I think that being coated it may kill the sound a bit.

[somedrummer]

Yes, but I've been putting off getting new heads until I could get some coated EC2s. I knew it would happen sooner or later, or I guess I would have given in eventually and just gotten some more G2s. But now I can get tham and not have to worry.

That is, once I see some in stores.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I would wait and let someone else Beta test these expensive heads.. I would also wait for a price drop...it will happen.


With that being said, has anybody seen a site selling EC2 coated. Ive been to Midwest, MF, GC??

[somedrummer]

No, I havent seen them in stores either. I expect within another month or 2.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I just spoke with Musicians Friend and they have no expected date for the coated. So I shall order the G2's and give them a test drive.

[somedrummer]

Maybe I'll try to drop Evan's a line, see what's going on.

[somedrummer]

Ok, just sent them an Email, we'll see what happens.

[Jay.B.]

Well here goes my first step in to coated heads :-)will be seeing how available they are and at what price when I come to replace my existing EC2s

[GRUNTERSDAD]

MASSmusic is the only spot I have seen them listed, and they are saying late August.

[Audun_D]

This is what I'm been waiting for. I was thinkin when Evans was going to make the EC2s coated. FINALLY!!! Thanx for the tip!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

This is what I'm been waiting for. I was thinkin when Evans was going to make the EC2s coated. FINALLY!!! Thanx for the tip!

MY PLEASURE...LET ME KNOW HOW YOU L;IKE THEM...UPS JUST DELIVERED MY G2'S TO THE DOOR.

[somedrummer]

MY PLEASURE...LET ME KNOW HOW YOU L;IKE THEM...UPS JUST DELIVERED MY G2'S TO THE DOOR.

Haha, that's too bad.

I'm thinking I should be able to afford some EC2s very soon. And boy, do I need them!

[YAMAHA DRUMMER]

i'm using the EC2 clear and they are the best heads i've ever played on... i hope they'll make the coated EC2 ... i prefer coated heads....some thing in the way it looks make you play different....
thanx for the information .

[fusssion]

My Guitar Center (Canton, MI) has them....picking mine up in a few days....SNARE too!

[aahznightsky]

What a cooincidence! These just might be the heads I'm looking for ... plus I can get Evans at cost, too. This sounds exciting!

[radiofriendlyunitshifter]

What a cooincidence! These just might be the heads I'm looking for ... plus I can get Evans at cost, too. This sounds exciting!

wait, coated ec2's are the heads you're looking for? i thought you were thinking about

buying pinstripes or hydraulics? i need to go read your thread.

edit: no new posts. are you thinking that coated ec2's are going to be as warm as pinstripes or hydraulics?

i hope not.

[aahznightsky]

Well I guess not, I just thought that maybe its another possibility. You'd think maybe that they could be as warm as pinstripes though, maybe? I dunno...

[Jookbox]

i wasn't too crazy about the original clear ec2s. that silver ring makes a creaking noise when i press on it. overall they sound decent but not as good as the less expensive g2.

[Jeff Almeyda]

Well I guess not, I just thought that maybe its another possibility. You'd think maybe that they could be as warm as pinstripes though, maybe? I dunno...

I think they could definitely be as warm as the pins. The are also more versatile. Pins pretty much only sound good one way, low and loose. The Ec2's have a wider tuning range without being "boingy" at higher tunings. Not nearly as dead as the Hydaulics either. Try one of these coated EC2's with a coated reso and you might hit that warm sound you're looking for. (especially on maple drums). I use the clear Ec2's with a clear reso and the attack is very aggressive, the coating should calm that down a bit.

You never know until you try.

[kazzman]

I just re-headed my kit yesterday with these. They sound great. They give a very warm and dark sound. I'd recommend the Coated EC2 w/the reverse dot snare head to any hard rock or metal drummer.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Where are you finding coated EC 2 with a reverse dot??

[somedrummer]

Where are you finding coated EC 2 with a reverse dot??

No, he means the EC2s on toms, and A Power Center Reverse dot for his snare head.

[YAMAHA DRUMMER]

if there is a website that i can see a coated EC2 and buy it , i would love to know about ?
there is no mention of the coated EC2 , even at EVANS DRUM HEADS website...
so, where i can find it ?
thanxx

[somedrummer]

if there is a website that i can see a coated EC2 and buy it , i would love to know about ?
there is no mention of the coated EC2 , even at EVANS DRUM HEADS website...
so, where i can find it ?
thanxx

I only started this thread when I saw the press release on the Evan's site. I'm not sure if they've added it all over the site yet.

Also, I'm not sure which retailers are carrying it. I'm just gonna wait a while.

[YAMAHA DRUMMER]

I only started this thread when I saw the press release on the Evan's site. I'm not sure if they've added it all over the site yet.

Also, I'm not sure which retailers are carrying it. I'm just gonna wait a while.
o.k thanxx ,
i even asked people from drums shops and they didn't know what i was talking about...
i really like the clear one's and coated ( if there are coated...? ) will be great .
thank you man.

[somedrummer]

o.k thanxx ,
i even asked people from drums shops and they didn't know what i was talking about...
i really like the clear one's and coated ( if there are coated...? ) will be great .
thank you man.

Yes, kazzman said up in the thread that he put some on his kit and loves the sound.

I just re-headed my kit yesterday with these. They sound great. They give a very warm and dark sound. I'd recommend the Coated EC2 w/the reverse dot snare head to any hard rock or metal drummer.

[kazzman]

No, he means the EC2s on toms, and A Power Center Reverse dot for his snare head.

No actually there's a coated EC with the reverse dot on it.

And I found the heads at Guitar Center if that answers the previous question.

[somedrummer]

No actually there's a coated EC with the reverse dot on it.

And I found the heads at Guitar Center if that answers the previous question.

No way. Is that true? I don't believe it.

[kazzman]

I'm actually dead serious. I'll try to have a picture of it up within the next few days for you guys.

[chris--byrne]

Mass music have the coated EC2s with the reverse dot on it. I think they will be going fast though!

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Well I'll have to say Im confused..I just searched GC on line and they dont have the EC2 coated, and made no mention of EC2 coated with reverse dot...I also checked MusiciansFriend, which is basically the same company as GC and they dont have them either. Kazzman where do you live...I really want to find these heads.

[drumzac]

Well considering the new snare head isn't an EC2 w/ reverse dot, no wonder you can't find it. Read the actual press release from Evans. The snare head is just EC w/reverse dot, not an EC2. They are similar in construction but considered a different line. They will be lumped in the snare head catagory.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

My exact point, I read it several times and have been to the Evans web site a few times also...and yet someone has them installed on their drums. Just wondering.... thanks.

[kazzman]

Well considering the new snare head isn't an EC2 w/ reverse dot, no wonder you can't find it. Read the actual press release from Evans. The snare head is just EC w/reverse dot, not an EC2. They are similar in construction but considered a different line. They will be lumped in the snare head catagory.

Yeah, when I was typing my initial response out, I accidentally typed EC2 regarding the snare head. Sorry for all the confusion.

anyway,

Well I'll have to say Im confused..I just searched GC on line and they dont have the EC2 coated, and made no mention of EC2 coated with reverse dot...I also checked MusiciansFriend, which is basically the same company as GC and they dont have them either. Kazzman where do you live...I really want to find these heads.

Near Pittsburgh, PA. Both of the GC's in Monroeville, PA and Robinson, PA had them. I'm still a little surprised that GC doesn't have them listed on their inventory online. Of course though, they had just gotten them in the day before I bought them.

[Steady Freddy]

I picked up a coated EC2 for my 14 X 14 and 16 X 16 tonite at GC. I'm thinking the coating may take a little of the growl and rumble out of the bigger toms.

It's late so it'll have to wait until morning to put the sticks to em.

[Steady Freddy]

I mounted the coated EC2 head on my 16 last night and played it today. The head did take a little of the growl and rumble out of the big tom, but there is still plenty of sustain. It's hardly a dead sounding head.

The coating is kind of a frosty translucent color with a rough texture like what is usually found on coated heads. The sound seems slightly more focused than the clear version.

It might be a good option to tame down large drums, and still have plenty of tone and body.

I didn't mess with the tuning range much.

[somedrummer]

I mounted the coated EC2 head on my 16 last night and played it today. The head did take a little of the growl and rumble out of the big tom, but there is still plenty of sustain. It's hardly a dead sounding head.

The coating is kind of a frosty translucent color with a rough texture like what is usually found on coated heads. The sound seems slightly more focused than the clear version.

It might be a good option to tame down large drums, and still have plenty of tone and body.

I didn't mess with the tuning range much.

So, I'm thinking if I add EC2's into Stu's approach to heading toms, I should have:

G1's on 8" and 10"
G2's on 12" and 13"
EC2's on 14" and 16"

...In order to get each drum having similar sustain. Interesting.

[Steady Freddy]

So, I'm thinking if I add EC2's into Stu's approach to heading toms, I should have:

G1's on 8" and 10"
G2's on 12" and 13"
EC2's on 14" and 16"

...In order to get each drum having similar sustain. Interesting.

That approach makes a lot of sense. The smaller toms need to be woken up more than the medium to large ones to balance the volume.

I'm thinking using different reso heads might help to. Glass heads on the small toms to give them a brighter sound.

The Pearl Reference series uses different woods and bearing edges. I think we can create a similar sound by using different head combinations.

[somedrummer]

That approach makes a lot of sense. The smaller toms need to be woken up more than the medium to large ones to balance the volume.

I'm thinking using different reso heads might help to. Glass heads on the small toms to give them a brighter sound.

The Pearl Reference series uses different woods and bearing edges. I think we can create a similar sound by using different head combinations.

Yep. I'm pretty sure the point of the Reference series was to eliminate the need to do this kind of thing. But for those of us without $3000 sitting around, it makes for a pretty good way of getting a good sound.

[superkoolguy6669]

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/9229/drums005jh8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Just picked up some coated EC2's yesterday, I don't know how they sound yet, it was too late to play when i got done putting the heads on

[Nick5]

Dale's Drum Shop has had the EC Coated tom heads for about a month now. They had them installed on a kit upstairs next to another kit with EC2 (clear).
The EC is warmer than the clear similar to a coated vs. clear G2.
I've had the EC2 on my kit now for over a year. They sound fantastic. Maybe I will try the coated next time. They sound better than the Pinstripes in my opinion.
The EC Snare Reverse Dot was a shock to me. I'm not a two ply snare guy. I figured this would be very dry and dead feeling, you know the heavy 2 & 4 backbeat beat the snot out of it head. While I'm sure the durability is not an issue, this drum had more tone and life than I would even imagined.
I put this on a Tama starclassic Performer (Birch) snare drum.
This drum is warm and ringy by nature. This head is actually fun to play on. It has just enough ring with a nice fat tone to it. The dot is not as drastic as the Power Center Reverse Dot. The head is more consistant middle to edge the PC Reverse Dot in terms of feel.
This won't be my main snare head, G1 Coated, Genera or Genera Dry depending, but I was very satisfied with this drum head I bought on a whim. Sometimes you get surprised by something you sure or think may not.

[Jay.B.]

I to had my first encounter with the coated EC2 heads at the weekend, I needed replacement heads for my snare and 14" tom. Both heads really surprised me, especially the one for the snare, I had an HD dry on previously, and was pleased with the sound I got from it, a pretty safe choice of head for a snare, don't think I'll be going back to them now though, the EC2 coated snare gave me goose bumps when I hit it, I wasn't totally sure what to expect from it with it having both the control ring around the edge, and the rather pretty reverse dot in the middle. It was as lively for me in the feel as a single ply head, the sound was crisp and bright with just the right amount of "ring" (maple 14 x 3.5" pearl FFS) just the sound I'vew been searching for.
The tom sound, by comparison was instantly better, having been previously topped with a pinstripe. Although still focussed with great attack, it seemed warmer and slightly more fuller bodied than my 16" which has a clear EC2 on it. Can't wait for the weekend to come round as I'm anxious to try these heads on the 12 & 16 toms, might wait until sunday in london at drummer live, trake a trip to the evans stand and see what I can blag haha

[wooltonboy]

Looking at the pics, they remind me of the J1 Etched in appearance.
The J1's we're very nice, but the only problem I had with them was that they showed every fingerprint, or a "patch" where a piece of Moongel was used. Wherever you pressed into the surface, it left almost a clear spot..in the end the J1's visibly looked like crap, but they did sound good. I'm wondering if these EC2's are "etched" using the same process?
Phil

[Steady Freddy]

I'm eager to try the snare batter. I've been using the Genera dry heads quite a bit, but I'm getting bored with them.

I have a new Brady stave snare in route and I would like to try a few different heads out when it arrives.

I might have to make a trip to GC tonight.

[Steady Freddy]

GC had them in stock so I picked up a couple of 13s and 14s.

They also had one of the new DW acoustic equalizer snares. It was set up with a power stroke three cranked way up and sounded choked. I'd like to hear it with the stock head.

They plan to sell the new snare for $900.00. Yikes!

[Steady Freddy]

I mounted an EC2 snare head today on a 7 X 13 Brady and it sounds pretty good. It has a more open tone than a Genera dry, but isn't too ringy.

It sounds similar to an Evans reverse power dot, but with a little less sustain. This head has the power dot in the center. I'm still messing with it, but it sounds pretty cool. It has a lot of mid and low end.

The Brady had a Remo reverse black dot head on it cranked way up. I like the Evans better so far.

[Stu_Strib]

Looking at the pics, they remind me of the J1 Etched in appearance.
The J1's we're very nice, but the only problem I had with them was that they showed every fingerprint, or a "patch" where a piece of Moongel was used.
Phil

Phil,

All my Evans snare heads do this. You can see where the moon gel was on the G1 and G2 coated as well. I think it is just part of their coating process.

[somedrummer]

Well, I got some new heads for all my toms today (all Evans, of course). And I just finished putting them on and can't play them for fear of waking up grandma. Dang. I want to beat them really hard.
Anyway, I put a lot of thought into this setup, so if anyone has any comments about it, feel free to let me know.
So, the best way to list this... I think this way.
Batters:
8" and 10": Genera G1 Coated
12" and 13": Genera G2 Coated
14" and 16": EC2 Coated
Resonants:
8", 10", 12": Genera Resonant Glass
13", 14", 16": Genera G1 Clear

So the idea behind it is that all the toms should have a similar amount of resonance without any artificial damping. Therefore, smaller drums get thinner heads, bigger drums get thicker heads. I think it sounds pretty good, but I've only tapped them just a bit. We'll see tomorrow how they sound after they've seated for a while.

Also, so far, the EC2's sound brilliant. They are doing just what I wanted them to.

Cheers!

[Guinness]

I figured I would bring this thread back to life with a question that I still haven't quite answered for myself by reading many post on this subject. I screwed up!!....but maybe not...hmmm. I just ordered a new batch of heads to go on my brand new Pearl SMX Sessions kit I ordered. I have always used Genera G2 coated heads, but after adding that kit to my cart I must have gotten a bit giddy and distracted because I ordered Evans EC2 coated instead. They have already shipped and should be arriving Monday along with my kit. The coated G2s from my current kit are not that old and can be re-used if needed. Has anyone actually made the switch between the two and if so, were you happy with the results?

Scott

[somedrummer]

I figured I would bring this thread back to life with a question that I still haven't quite answered for myself by reading many post on this subject. I screwed up!!....but maybe not...hmmm. I just ordered a new batch of heads to go on my brand new Pearl SMX Sessions kit I ordered. I have always used Genera G2 coated heads, but after adding that kit to my cart I must have gotten a bit giddy and distracted because I ordered Evans EC2 coated instead. They have already shipped and should be arriving Monday along with my kit. The coated G2s from my current kit are not that old and can be re-used if needed. Has anyone actually made the switch between the two and if so, were you happy with the results?

Scott

Well, I've used both. I use both at the moment, in fact. G2s on 12 and 13" toms, EC2s on everything lower than that (14, 15, 16, 18"). I can just say that the EC2s are excellent. I've also got Session Customs, and they sound great on them. Definitely no mistake.

[Guinness]

Alright, thanks for the advice. Hey! This thread is your baby. I bet you didn't expect it to pop up out of nowhere like this...lol. I'll give that a try and see how it sounds.

[somedrummer]

Yeah, strange how that works.

You will not regret the EC2s.

[rendezvous_drummer]

i have the coated EC2 on my snare....all I can say about it is that I really don't think they should be on snares. Toms? Maybe, haven't tried it yet, but definite no for snares.

[somedrummer]

i have the coated EC2 on my snare....all I can say about it is that I really don't think they should be on snares. Toms? Maybe, haven't tried it yet, but definite no for snares.

Was it the EC2? OR the EC Snare? The EC2s were not made for snares, but they do make a head in the EC line that is for snares...

[rendezvous_drummer]

Was it the EC2? OR the EC Snare? The EC2s were not made for snares, but they do make a head in the EC line that is for snares...

Yea it was the EC2 haha. At the time I didn't know they had ones specifically for snares.

[Jay.B.]

Yea it was the EC2 haha. At the time I didn't know they had ones specifically for snares.

They're great heads those EC snare heads, got a really nice sharp precise crack out of my snare, helped me get the sound I was after, to me they feel really lively for a 2 ply head, and they look pretty as well :-)

[vedox1024]

so is the EC coated snare head a 1 ply head then?

seems more like a 2 ply with how muffled it is. i just got one (i think i more got suckered into buying it because it looked cool more than anything) and it kind of kills the sound of my snare more than i'd like. not that it's a bad sound, but it's just too dead for my snare that has such a nice sound in the first place, that i'd like to let it ring out a little.