Tired of EMAD Ring Breaking Off - Please Suggest Another Head

[eightill]

Hey guys. I LOVE the EMAD bass heads. I've using them on reso & batter side of bass for quite a while and love the sound.... however, I'm super sick of having to replace the batter-side because the plastic ring that holds the muffling ring keeps breaking away from the head. I'm not a super hard hitter or anything. Is this happening to anyone else? I've replaced it 3 times and though I know that replacing heads is inevitable, I don't want to do it as much as I have been. $40 is $40 after all.

I've been lurking around here for a long time and I've read great reviews of the Aquarian Superkick and Aquarian in general. The last thing I want to do is start another four page about bassdrum heads but I do have to ask a few questions anyway:

1. I seek the same deep, chest-pounding, round, fat bass sound alot of rock drummers do. What batter head would you suggest to me other than the EMAD. Another Evans? Aquarian? Is the Superkick the one or is there another Aquarian that's better? I know how ppl feel about Pinstripes and I agree but I keep seing photos of pro w/ them on their batter side... or what about this new Powersonic head from Remo?

2. I almost don't want to admit this one but here I go. I'm usually not a person who does things for asthetic reasons (for instance, I'll use Sabians and Zildjians... or Evans and Remo on a kit.. I don't care... I just listen to my ear) but I have been wanting to put a coated white reso head on my bass for the way it looks... and hoping that it adds warmth. Clear/batter for attack... coated/reso for warmth. Is there flaw in my theory? Any suggestions? What coated head would give me similar sound to EMAD/reso. Is the Evans EQ4 Coated TRULY white coated or is it frosted like the EC2 Coated? Remos PS4?

3. What are your opinions on a single ply to 2 ply head for bass reso?

Thank you for reading... this has been bugging me lately.

[wolfmoon]

Try an Aquarian Super Kick with an Aquarian Regulator on the front. I use this combo and I love it. I use the single ply version. So far, it's the best head that I have ever tried. I get that low deep thump that you can actually feel without any pillows inside the drum.

[masonni]

Aquraian Super Kick II batter, with anything on the front sounds good!

[eightill]

Thanks Wolf for the reply. I just read on Aquarian site about the Impact. That's supposed to be thicker... have you tried that? Also, the regulator comes in slick white I think right? I could try that... but any opinions about coated resos? Thanks.

[wolfmoon]

I have never tried the Impact heads. They will be the next on my list to try. As far as a coated reso goes, I have never tried one. I suppose if I were to try one, I would go with a Remo Power Stroke 3. Also, like Nick said the Super Kick 2 is an excellent head. I think the 1 ply version has more volume and that is why I prefer it over the 2 ply one. The Regulators do come in gloss white.

The Smooth White™ Powerstroke® 3 features a thin underlay at the outer edge of the head to subtly dampen high frequency overtones. This creates a perfect balance of mid range, response and tone control that has quickly made Powerstroke 3 one of Remo’s most preferred drumheads. Smooth White P3’s are best known for batter and resonant bass drum applications.

[mikeybbdrummin]

I have used single ply and two ply bass heads. Right now I have the EMAD w/a kick pad because its a single ply head. I think the pad loses some of the sound. But who wants to break a bass head in the middle of a gig? I think I will switch back to a two ply for the durability. I use to use coated emperors on ALL batter heads and I like them alot. I may try a clear next time around. I think the super kick two is a two ply and have heard great things about them.

[emmerson]

maybe an EQ4 if you want to stick to evans, just muffle it a bit

[wy yung]

How many heads have broken like this eightill?

[eightill]

How many heads have broken like this eightill?

I'm on my 3rd EMAD Reso. Keep in mind though, it's the plastic ring breaking (or coming off the head).

[masonni]

I'm on my 3rd EMAD Reso. Keep in mind though, it's the plastic ring breaking (or coming off the head).

Same thing happend to me when I tried the EMAD. After the first head I went o P3's and now settled on Super Kicks.

[eightill]

Same thing happend to me when I tried the EMAD. After the first head I went o P3's and now settled on Super Kicks.

So the superkick does it for you, eh? I think that's I'm about to try. Love the EMAD sound but Evans should really remedy that problem.

[mind_drummer]

Thanks Wolf for the reply. I just read on Aquarian site about the Impact. That's supposed to be thicker... have you tried that? Also, the regulator comes in slick white I think right? I could try that... but any opinions about coated resos? Thanks.

Here's pics to answer your question...

The Batter !

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/Kit%20Pics%20Update/kick_beater.jpg

The Reso !

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/mind-drummer/DRUM_KIT/Kit%20Pics%20Update/new_bass_reso.jpg

That combo sound awesome, real canon right there... BOOM BOOM BOOM !

[masonni]

DUDE! I just picked up a Fiberskin last night to try with my Superkick. I have yet to try it, what can I expect it to sound like?

[katman]

If that Fiberskyn sounds half as good as it looks, it will be killer for sure.

[mind_drummer]

DUDE! I just picked up a Fiberskin last night to try with my Superkick. I have yet to try it, what can I expect it to sound like?


What you'll notice first is that the Fiberskyn need to be stretched and tightened enough to sound good. Mine is an Ambassador weight and it's not like standard reso that you leave loose to get a nice thump. When crank it up, you'll get obviously a louder, deeper boom which in my case was what I was looking for. I asked the question on other forums too about this combo and every single one told me that the fiberskyn needed to be tight in order to get a good sound. Sound really good for jazz manner.

No thump... Only cannon BOOM !

[2bsticks]

I too had the same issue with the EMAD plastic. I was informed that thy have corrected this issue so I am giving them another shot. I love the sound I get on my bass drums using this head. I prefer the single ply version.

I set up and tear down my kit many times so I am trying to be aware and keep my fingers away from the plastic ring.

As for Aquarian, I have used the SK2 on a set of Pearl Masters maple 18x22 with nothing inside and it sounded great. On my Yamaha maple or Yamaha oak it was very dead sounding. You may want to try it first or consider the SK1.

I am also hearing great things about the Evans EMAD coated head.. That may be next.

[randomhero243]

try the new GMAD. its just like the Emad but it has a thicker ply (12 instead of 10) and is deeper and lower sounding.

best of all it has the new improved ring so it wont break off



and have you tried calling evans to get it replaced?

[joshisaces]

On my Tama Rockstar DX 22x18 bd, the SKI sounds pretty good. I can't compare it to other drum kits because non of the ones I've played had a SKI.

[DrewTheShoe]

try the new GMAD. its just like the Emad but it has a thicker ply (12 instead of 10) and is deeper and lower sounding.

best of all it has the new improved ring so it wont break off



and have you tried calling evans to get it replaced?

I would agree with random here, give the GMAD a try. A different sound, a new ring, and if it doesn't work you can then go to the SK.
Personally I would go with the SK1, because you'll get more projection along with a less dead sound.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

I got rid of my Emad and bought an Evans EQ3. Sound better to me with no ring rattle.

[TheArchitect]

I got rid of my Emad and bought an Evans EQ3. Sound better to me with no ring rattle.


EQ3 or Powerstroke 3 would be my choices as well

[Les Ismore]

[QUOTE=eightill;26799 I just read on Aquarian site about the Impact. That's supposed to be thicker... have you tried that? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

The Impact is the same thickness as the Super kick. They're both the same head, the Impact has a larger, felt-ring arrestor.

The Super Kick's felt is too small IMO. Keep in mind you can always trim the felt if its too much on the Impact. If you like a good feeling, non ringy batter, get Impact. Impact also comes 1 or 2 ply.