More attack from coated toms?

Goreliscious

Senior Member
I recently saw some patches like you get on Evans Power Centre/Remo Control Sound for sale. If I chucked some of them on my coated tom skins, do you think I'd get a bit more attack out of them or would they just muffle them?

I don't really want to switch back to clear skins cos I like the warmth of coated - but I do want a fraction more attack. I'm trying to think of ways to get a bit more attack out of my skins without killing resonance.
 
A change in tuning could work. If not, then the suede's might work. I haven't heard anything in smooth white heads.
 
Coateds too warm, clears too bright, what is this, the Three Little Bears lol?

I 2nd the smooth whites, they might be just what you crave. They have an inherintly warm sound and since there is no coating, your stick slap is more present. I wish they would make a smooth white in 1 ply. Ludwig might but I think its a 7 mil head, too wimpy IMO.

Or take a coated and remove the middle 2 inches of coating somehow. They should make those types of heads, with the coating removed in the center for attack. A pad will take away attack. The thinner the head is, the more pronounced the attack.

I use 2 ply coated emps on my snare. The coating started wearing off in the center. I really liked the sound. But it looked like it needed changing, so I changed it. Stupid right? It sounds a lot dryer now. I almost want to put the old head back on. I scoured the new head with one of those green Scotchbrite pads to take some of the roughness off, and make it sound more lively from the get go. I'll try it tonight to see if that did anything.

Does anybody use a clear head on their snare? Maybe I'll give it a go. I do love a lively, ringy, overtone-y snare tone, and I don't use the brushes that much.
 
My suggestion, and I am not being a smart aleck here, is to get more attack through technique rather than worrying about changing the heads. Plus, it's cheaper!

I believe a person can get ample attack from a coated head by using plenty of wrist snap in the striking of the drum.

In years past, I have actually tried a similar product to what you are describing, and it will also do what you want - give you a bit more attack. But I had trouble getting them to stay stuck on a coated head. Maybe adhesive technology has improved since then, lol.
 
Does anybody use a clear head on their snare? Maybe I'll give it a go. I don't use the brushes that much.

Larry, I used to have a Remo 3X14 piccolo snare that sounded incredible with a Remo Black Dot on it. I know you like a snare with tons of attack - try it, you might like it!
 
Maybe a reverse black dot. Can't be sticking stuff on my playing surface. What the hell, I'll give it a go and write a review.
 
I wish they would make a smooth white in 1 ply. Ludwig might but I think its a 7 mil head, too wimpy IMO.


By "They" I am assuming you mean Remo.

YES THEY DO MAKE A SINGLE PLY SMOOTH WHITE HEAD! IT'S YOUR LUCKY DAY!


They make an Ambassador Smooth White...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/drum...000080?src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26031125


Also, a Diplomat Smooth White...

http://www.interstatemusic.com/weba...=google&utm_medium=product&utm_campaign=gbase

Also they make controlled sound (single ply with dot), emperor, Powerstroke 3 and Powerstroke 4.
 
Yes I do! An Evans G1 Clear head - on the snare batter side, no moongel pads nor duck tape...It rings true and heavy!!!

+ Evans G1 Clear head - on the high tom batter side..."Brushes..? Nah. Hit 'em as hard as you can."

Does anybody use a clear head on their snare? Maybe I'll give it a go. I do love a lively, ringy, overtone-y snare tone, and I don't use the brushes that much.
 
If you're looking to maintain the warmth of a coated head but obtain more pronounced attack, you should definitely be using a 2-ply head. If that still doesn't do it for you, try changing stick types. More contact area across the tip will offer more attack.

Cheers!
 
Or take a coated and remove the middle 2 inches of coating somehow. They should make those types of heads, with the coating removed in the center for attack.

Seconded. You heard the man Evans Specialist. Move, move, move!

Anyone know of any good Coated vs Smooth White comparison videos they can link me to? Remo don't do sound examples like they have on the Evans site do they?
 
If you're looking to maintain the warmth of a coated head but obtain more pronounced attack, you should definitely be using a 2-ply head. If that still doesn't do it for you, try changing stick types. More contact area across the tip will offer more attack.

Cheers!

Not my experience. A clear Emperor style head (two 7mm plys) is not going to resemble ANYTHING like a coated heads warmth. It's still going to have that plastic-y "Clank" sound All clear heads have.

Evans doesn't make anything like the Smooth White. In this situation, I would suggest remo drumheads all the way.

(not bashing Evans, in fact I am rocking some Evans G plus heads on my kit right now! there great)
 
Another thing: You can try sticks that have a different tip, like acorn or barrel, if you don't use stick with those already. I had some sticks with acorn tips and then used some with oval tips and the change in sound was very surprising!
 
I recently saw some patches like you get on Evans Power Centre/Remo Control Sound for sale. If I chucked some of them on my coated tom skins, do you think I'd get a bit more attack out of them or would they just muffle them?

I don't really want to switch back to clear skins cos I like the warmth of coated - but I do want a fraction more attack. I'm trying to think of ways to get a bit more attack out of my skins without killing resonance.

EC2 coated. If you want attack + warmth... the perfect choice...
 
For attack, my ear tells me a 1 ply head is superior in that regard. Thinner heads = crisper attack. Yes you get attack w/ 2 ply heads but the quality of the tone of the attack is "thicker" compared to the attack of a 1 ply IMO.

I'm talking toms only. Snare and bass have different rules in my book.
 
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