Heads with low/minimal attack but resonance and sustain.

Benthedrummer

Silver Member
Hi guys.

I don't usually chat about heads much.....but when my heads are due, I'd like a change.

I've always just chosen clear/2 ply batter and single clear resonant.

If I was seeking heads that offered very low attack but lots of resonance and sustain........ would something like a coated ambassador top and bottom be a correct assumption?

Am I kinda in the ball park here?

I would guess that 2 ply coated would just sound a bit deaddery and flattery.

The drums will be unmic'd and the kit would be a Mapex Orion.
 
You may be surprised by this response, but the heads I've used that came the closest to what you describe was the Evans Hydraulic.

They became famous for that dead 70s sound, and they do that well when tuned low and even better with no reso. But if you want tone and sustain, without a strong attack, the Hydraulics worked great tuned a little bit higher, with a reso. I was truly stunned at how warm they sounded and how long the sustain lasted.

Coated Ambassadors might also get you there, but in my experience they have more attack than the Evans.
 
You may be surprised by this response, but the heads I've used that came the closest to what you describe was the Evans Hydraulic.

They became famous for that dead 70s sound, and they do that well when tuned low and even better with no reso. But if you want tone and sustain, without a strong attack, the Hydraulics worked great tuned a little bit higher, with a reso. I was truly stunned at how warm they sounded and how long the sustain lasted.

Coated Ambassadors might also get you there, but in my experience they have more attack than the Evans.

Really?!

Geez....... yeah, I am actually surprised.

I never would have guessed........far out brussel sprout.

Thanks for your reply Stroman, good stuff.
 
You may be surprised by this response, but the heads I've used that came the closest to what you describe was the Evans Hydraulic.

They became famous for that dead 70s sound, and they do that well when tuned low and even better with no reso. But if you want tone and sustain, without a strong attack, the Hydraulics worked great tuned a little bit higher, with a reso. I was truly stunned at how warm they sounded and how long the sustain lasted.

Coated Ambassadors might also get you there, but in my experience they have more attack than the Evans.
Very true. Plus, I used to use them higher-tuned as jazz bass drum batter heads. Lots of controlled tone along with focused pitches.
 
I originally had Evans Hydraulics on my toms when I bought my set. But I'm a light hitter and used to play in a mostly acoustic setting, so attack wasn't as much of a concern for me - I wanted sustain and focused tones. Coated Ambassadors over Diplomats worked for me.

But I'd bet @Stroman and @Neilage hit your nail on the head! I was wondering about Remo Fiberskyns, but have no experience with them.

Let us know how if the new heads dial in your sound, Ben!
 
G'day Smoke.

Yeah mate......I will do.

I've had to break down the kit as we are getting aircons installed so if the missus will let me, it's a perfect time to replace the heads before I set it all back up.
 
While Hydraulics definitely soften attack, they have a very short sustain according to Drumhead Authority. I have not used them but that makes sense to me due to the mass of the head.

What I have used to accomplish your objectives are Ambassador Fibreskyns or, more recently, Evans Calftones. The synthetic fibre coating softens the attack without significantly reducing resonance and sustain. A Diplomat Fibreskyn would provide even more sustain if durability is not an issue. Clear Diplomat resos would also help.

I play traditional big band and small group jazz on vintage Slingerlands. The Evans Calftones over coated Ambassador resos are my current go-to tom heads for that nice, warm vintage sound.
 
Last edited:
While Hydraulics definitely soften attack, they have a very short sustain according to Drumhead Authority. I have not used them but that makes sense to me due to the mass of the head.

What I have used to accomplish your objectives are Ambassador Fibreskyns or, more recently, Evans Calftones. The synthetic fibre coating softens the attack without significantly reducing resonance and sustain. A Diplomat Fibreskyn would provide even more sustain if durability is not an issue. Clear Diplomat resos would also help.

I play traditional big band and small group jazz on vintage Slingerlands. The Evans Calftones over coated Ambassador resos are my current go-to tom heads for that nice, warm vintage sound.

Thanks Larry.

Another perspective to take onboard......this is awesome.

Can I ask.......... what's the difference between the Calftones and the Fiberskyns in your opinion?
 
Here's the hydraulic sound profile from Evans website:
1728239044698.png
And the Evans Calftone:

1728239167195.png
Evans description: "Calftone drumheads bring a natural aesthetic and vintage sound to modern drum sets. Evans Calftone tom heads are made using a 7mil Mylar base, blended with special materials, to create a synthetic calf skin, which embodies the classic warm, full, and rich tone of real calfskin. This tom head has a balanced attack, medium bright character, and moderate sustain. This synthetic calfskin head also features Level 360 Technology."


I generally put this sort of info side by side so that I can easily compare different heads. Once the profile is determined, go to Drumhead Authority and compare across brands to find one that is essentially equivalent, if you want something other than Evans.
 
Can I ask.......... what's the difference between the Calftones and the Fiberskyns in your opinion?

Honestly, I haven't noticed any difference between the two. Calftones just happened to be what was available locally when I was trying to find the right head combo for a new (to me) Slingerland kit and once I find something that works I tend to stick with it. You could probably put an Evans logo on a FibreSkyn and I would tell you how great it is.
 
Here's the hydraulic sound profile from Evans website:
View attachment 151050
And the Evans Calftone:

View attachment 151051
Evans description: "Calftone drumheads bring a natural aesthetic and vintage sound to modern drum sets. Evans Calftone tom heads are made using a 7mil Mylar base, blended with special materials, to create a synthetic calf skin, which embodies the classic warm, full, and rich tone of real calfskin. This tom head has a balanced attack, medium bright character, and moderate sustain. This synthetic calfskin head also features Level 360 Technology."


I generally put this sort of info side by side so that I can easily compare different heads. Once the profile is determined, go to Drumhead Authority and compare across brands to find one that is essentially equivalent, if you want something other than Evans.
That's very interesting. According to that chart, the Hydraulic should have a pretty sharp attack. I only found that to be true when they were on my concert toms and tuned pretty low.

When I put them on my regular toms and tuned them up higher, they behaved very differently, with subdued attack and surprising sustain.
 
That's very interesting. According to that chart, the Hydraulic should have a pretty sharp attack. I only found that to be true when they were on my concert toms and tuned pretty low.

When I put them on my regular toms and tuned them up higher, they behaved very differently, with subdued attack and surprising sustain.
I haven't tried them personally, but I kinda wondered the same thing when I compared your earlier comments with the sound profile. :unsure:
 
I'm not surprised by the Hydraulics. I was putting together a "neighbor-friendly" quiet drumset, and I grabbed a 10" Pearl Session tom to use and picked up blue Hydraulics top AND bottom, PLUS I stuck some foam rubber on the underside of both heads. I expected a "thunk" but instead I got "Dooooooooooom"....the exact opposite of what I was looking for! That told me 2 things: one, that the Session drums are quite impressive and two, that the Hydraulics are not as dead as legend has it!


Dan
 
Back
Top