Thanks for your support of both Pro-Mark and Evans. We're experimenting with a variation of the Onyx head. I'll let you know how that works out. Rick
Message from EvansPrez
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Thanks for your support of both Pro-Mark and Evans. We're experimenting with a variation of the Onyx head. I'll let you know how that works out. Rick
Stroman
Diamond Member
That's why I use the Benny Greb model - it has the perfect taper, in my opinion, creating a perfectly balanced stick with a great fulcrum point.
Thanks for your comments. I'll check the diameters of the Regal Tip 2BX, 5BX and 7B to how they compare to our planned models in the future. Re: your problems with the Evans coating, how long ago did that occur? If you would please shoot me an email [email protected] so we can talk further about the problem you experienced.
Rick
Maybe, there is a small market for a stick like that but I bet some of the Latin percussion players would like that as well.
TheIronCobr4
Senior Member
I'm so happy to see that this thread was started. First off I want to say how much I love Evans drum heads and how much I look forward to the improvements to this amazing catalog. I had a horrible experience with Remo a few years ago where I broke a head at my band's practice, bought a new one, and broke it as soon as I got back to practice! I went in and bought an Evans snare head and it never broke on me. Since then I made the complete switch to Evans and have yet to have any problem like that. Now having said that, recently I bought an Evans Resonant drum head. I run it in combination with a 22" Coated EMAD. Is the combination of EMAD reso and batter always so dead? I'm personally looking into buying a different reso head without a port in hopes that the drum will regain the deep sound it had. I guess the port would be great for playing live or recording. Its not a bad product, I just need to look into a different resonant head.
As for Pro-Mark, I recently made the switch back. I used Vic Firth until the only stick I could play of theirs that I could break was the 2B size, and that isn't right. I went to Pro-Mark but at the time I didn't understand the sizing system as opposed to Vic Firth so the sticks I got often broke, and the nylon would always crack. Then I went to Vater. They are hands down the most reliable brand to compare sticks to. I have yet to break a Vater stick in the 5B and 5A sizes. So when I found out Billy Ward switched to Pro-Mark and had his own signature stick I wanted to try it since it had the "bulb" on it. Not only does that bulb make the stick feel great to play, but its just as unbreakable as the Vater sticks that I'm used to. The combination of my technique getting better and these products durability increase has meant for me way less money on sticks, and I'll follow Pro-Mark as long as this pattern continues.
As for Pro-Mark, I recently made the switch back. I used Vic Firth until the only stick I could play of theirs that I could break was the 2B size, and that isn't right. I went to Pro-Mark but at the time I didn't understand the sizing system as opposed to Vic Firth so the sticks I got often broke, and the nylon would always crack. Then I went to Vater. They are hands down the most reliable brand to compare sticks to. I have yet to break a Vater stick in the 5B and 5A sizes. So when I found out Billy Ward switched to Pro-Mark and had his own signature stick I wanted to try it since it had the "bulb" on it. Not only does that bulb make the stick feel great to play, but its just as unbreakable as the Vater sticks that I'm used to. The combination of my technique getting better and these products durability increase has meant for me way less money on sticks, and I'll follow Pro-Mark as long as this pattern continues.
KarlCrafton
Platinum Member
Thanks for joining the forum Rick!
Mark me down for another vote for a white film coated head!!
Bring back the UNO58 please (!!!) it was great sounding head.
...and if it's not too much to ask, a non-muffled 26" head (please).
Mark me down for another vote for a white film coated head!!
Bring back the UNO58 please (!!!) it was great sounding head.
...and if it's not too much to ask, a non-muffled 26" head (please).
cdrums21
Gold Member
Really? Hmmm....well, I thought it was the same stuff that coated ambassadors are made of, or smooth white emperors. Is that Melanex? I know that emperors and G2's are made of 7 mil thickness clear film. The coated emperors were 7 mil thick, only white film years ago and sounded better IMO. Remo currently offers vintage emperors which are the white film but 7.5 ml thick. Is this the melanex you're referring to as well? They sound very good, I currently use them on my toms for the reason I mentioned about the coating coming off and looking bad on clear film heads. I see some other drummers giving the thumbs up to coated white film heads. I guess we'll see what happens.
I just checked the Remo website and I apparently stand corrected. Remo apparently changed their material to Mylar and mil thickness on the Emperors from the time that I was there. Anyway, I will talk with our team about your request. Thanks, Rick
EvansSpecialist
Silver Member
The Pro Mark Rock Knocker (TXRKW) is a dowel-type stick with similar dimensions (.551" diameter vs. .5625") and 16" length out of hickory.
DrumEatDrum
Platinum Member
Hi Rick,
As someone who has worked (on and off) on the retail side of the drum industry going back to 1988, I have to congratulate you on the superb job of turning Evans around since D'Addario purchased the company.
In my first job (Drum World in San Francisco), Evans was maybe 1% of our drum head inventory. Other than selling hydraulics here and there, it was Remo, Remo, Remo.
10 years later at West LA Music, Evans was significant percentage of drum head sales.
Now, I walk into the average drum shop, and Evans appears to be 50-60% of what is in stock. The boost to quality control and innovation has made a huge impact.
I imagine you will have a similar affect on Promark. While Promark has always been a big name, and I have nothing but respect for Pat Brown, in terms of counter sales, they were always in last place at every place I worked. And it came down to quality control, or lack of. Every box would have more warped sticks than not, and it would just erode interest in the brand from the customer base.
In the short time since D'Addario has taken over, I have already heard through the grapevine that quality is up.
As someone who has worked (on and off) on the retail side of the drum industry going back to 1988, I have to congratulate you on the superb job of turning Evans around since D'Addario purchased the company.
In my first job (Drum World in San Francisco), Evans was maybe 1% of our drum head inventory. Other than selling hydraulics here and there, it was Remo, Remo, Remo.
10 years later at West LA Music, Evans was significant percentage of drum head sales.
Now, I walk into the average drum shop, and Evans appears to be 50-60% of what is in stock. The boost to quality control and innovation has made a huge impact.
I imagine you will have a similar affect on Promark. While Promark has always been a big name, and I have nothing but respect for Pat Brown, in terms of counter sales, they were always in last place at every place I worked. And it came down to quality control, or lack of. Every box would have more warped sticks than not, and it would just erode interest in the brand from the customer base.
In the short time since D'Addario has taken over, I have already heard through the grapevine that quality is up.
The coating on the EMAD is going to take out some resonance from the head. Anytime you add mass, in this case coating to the head, your going to restrict some of the vibrations. Also, which Resonant head did you select, EQ1 Resonant, EQ3 Resonant or just plain Resonant. The plain Resonant does not have a port hole or ring so that will provide you with the livest sound. If your looking for a deeper but more resonant sound, I would suggest going with the clear EMAD in either the single or double ply.
I'm glad the Billy Ward stick is working for you. Thanks, Rick
Thanks for your observations and comments. We are working hard to improve the quality of Pro-Mark and have already made a number of significant positive changes but honestly, we haven't scratched the surface of what we will be doing in the next few months. We know the competition is tough but we also know that we can bring better quality and better product selections as we improve. Rick
Drumolator
Platinum Member
I almost always use Evans heads, and I have bought some Pro Mark drumsticks in the last year, although I usually use Vater "seconds" (Pulse). I never found a Pro Mark stick that felt great in my hands. I really like the EC Reverse Dot as a batter head for snares, and EC2 over EC Resonants on toms. The EQ3 is my bass drum batter head. Peace and goodwill.
LukeSnyder
Gold Member
Rick, this is a fantastic thread, its always very meaningful to me when people in your position come and communicate directly with their customers! I think that kind of thing has great benefits for both sides.
I just did a short video review the other day on the Evans SB14MHG Hybrid head, I have it on my drumset. Right now, it is my favorite snare batter. I just played it in an unmic'd gig last Saturday; it sounded amazing and cut through everything beautifully! I was complimented on the sound. Even though it is intended for marching, the attack and durability of the head are so phenomenal that I couldn't resist. Of course, I have it on a snare that can handle the tension without warping, its a custom steel snare.
I just did a short video review the other day on the Evans SB14MHG Hybrid head, I have it on my drumset. Right now, it is my favorite snare batter. I just played it in an unmic'd gig last Saturday; it sounded amazing and cut through everything beautifully! I was complimented on the sound. Even though it is intended for marching, the attack and durability of the head are so phenomenal that I couldn't resist. Of course, I have it on a snare that can handle the tension without warping, its a custom steel snare.
TheIronCobr4
Senior Member
The resonant head I have is the EMAD resonant. Can I get any coated resonant bass drum heads without a port?
BertTheDrummer
Gold Member
+1 and more. Sometimes I look at my gear and amazed by how much of it is D'addario and Co. D'addario strings on Guitar and Bass, Planet Waves cables and accessories, Rico reeds on my Tenor Sax (A++ and many kudos for the quality and consistency improvements on Rico reeds once D'addario took them over), Evans drum heads, and I recently switched over to Pro Mark as well.
Great products, keep up the good work.
Evilbagua
Silver Member
I've been using evans heads for toms/snares for 7+ years. g1,g2, ec1, ec2 are the the 4 heads I mix and match on all my toms. All my 15 or so snare drums have a g1 or an ST batter and a evans reso and I love them.
However I don't like any evans bass drum heads. I always go back to using a Remo PS3 for live use or an Aquarian Superkick2 for recording. I find no evans equivalent to them in sound. I also dislike how the foam rings attach to the emad with the plastic hunk always on the drum ( or atleast the one I had a year ago and quickly changed). Also there is no 28 inch love, seriously gotta use Aquarian or Remo's on that bad boy no matter what as I have never seen an Evans head of that Diameter thats not specifically a "marching head". Minor gripe as thats a non standard size.
As far as pro mark sticks I just have never liked them. I recently picked up 10 pairs of Vater super jazz and 10 pairs of regal tip Jazz. There lengthy, feel quick in my hands and are durable enough for me. Perhaps it's the high mositure content of the vater sticks that makes me pick those first, but between all the stick makers being honest I'd go Vater, Vicfirth/regal tip, then promark. I've tried a few different weights of the Pro-mark Oak sticks and found they cracked just as quick as hickory and just weighed a lot more for no gain on my end. Anyway I hope I don't sound like a jerk, just being honest. I do love evans for most stuff and am curious as to what the new pro-mark stuff will be like. It's also cool to see you post on a forum like this, so thanks.
However I don't like any evans bass drum heads. I always go back to using a Remo PS3 for live use or an Aquarian Superkick2 for recording. I find no evans equivalent to them in sound. I also dislike how the foam rings attach to the emad with the plastic hunk always on the drum ( or atleast the one I had a year ago and quickly changed). Also there is no 28 inch love, seriously gotta use Aquarian or Remo's on that bad boy no matter what as I have never seen an Evans head of that Diameter thats not specifically a "marching head". Minor gripe as thats a non standard size.
As far as pro mark sticks I just have never liked them. I recently picked up 10 pairs of Vater super jazz and 10 pairs of regal tip Jazz. There lengthy, feel quick in my hands and are durable enough for me. Perhaps it's the high mositure content of the vater sticks that makes me pick those first, but between all the stick makers being honest I'd go Vater, Vicfirth/regal tip, then promark. I've tried a few different weights of the Pro-mark Oak sticks and found they cracked just as quick as hickory and just weighed a lot more for no gain on my end. Anyway I hope I don't sound like a jerk, just being honest. I do love evans for most stuff and am curious as to what the new pro-mark stuff will be like. It's also cool to see you post on a forum like this, so thanks.
alparrott
Diamond Member
I'm very happy to see this thread and the info passed along within it... between EvansSpecialist and now EvansPrez, I feel like I have real input into the products I use. I recently put a brand new set of coated G2s on my kit and they sound like the drums I hear in my dreams. I've used Pro-Mark for some time, I'm very glad to hear you're using the merger as a springboard to product improvement in that respect.
I would like very much to see an expanded line of maple sticks with the same sort of market penetration that Vic Firth has had; when I've looked for a much lighter-weight stick on short notice, the stores carry Vic's SD line, and a few store clerks have not even known Pro-Mark even makes them.
As far as the heads, keep on keeping on! You're setting the industry standard with your innovation and quality... thanks much.
I would like very much to see an expanded line of maple sticks with the same sort of market penetration that Vic Firth has had; when I've looked for a much lighter-weight stick on short notice, the stores carry Vic's SD line, and a few store clerks have not even known Pro-Mark even makes them.
As far as the heads, keep on keeping on! You're setting the industry standard with your innovation and quality... thanks much.