Coated bass drum heads!

[Slaytex]

Hey guys, what type of tone will I get switching from an EMAD head to a two ply coated Emperor head? I'm looking for a more vintage/raw/less focused sound. I put a hole in my EMAD head the other day and want to try something different.
Thanks.

[earldrum]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

Hey guys, what type of tone will I get switching from an EMAD head to a two ply coated Emperor head? I'm looking for a more vintage/raw/less focused sound. I put a hole in my EMAD head the other day and want to try something different.
Thanks.

Hi Clayon:

I have always found the two-ply Emperor heads to be warm, fat, and I guess you could say less focused depending on the muffling and beater used. A lot of guys in the 60's and 70's used a coated Ambassaor head with no front head, some muffling using a pillow or sandbag to get that classic rock sound which was quite dead.

I think I read that John Bonham used a coated Emporor on the batter side but also used a completely closed front head (i.e., no hole) and two felt strips one on the batter on one on the front head. This is a really wide-open bass drum sound.

The difference with the Emad heads is that you can leave the bass drum wide open inside and still get a little bit of muffling to tighten up the sound. I really like the fact that you can take the muffling off completely and get that wide open "Bonham" type sound if you like as well.

Also, I think the coating does mellow out the bass drum sound a bit - it seems less plastic, more skin like if you will. But of course not as skin like as a real calf skin head which guys like Hal Blaine used on their studio bass drums for years as well.

Anyhow, I hope this helps,

[Slaytex]

Earl, thanks for the very informative response. I'm on my way to Sam Ash to pick up a 22" Remo Emperor coated head in a few. I'll let you know how it works out after this weekend .
Thanks again.

[earldrum]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

Earl, thanks for the very informative response. I'm on my way to Sam Ash to pick up a 22" Remo Emperor coated head in a few. I'll let you know how it works out after this weekend .
Thanks again.

Hi Clayton:

Your welcome ... I think you'll be happy.

Have a great recording weekend.

[burst]

Dig some coated Ambassadors, too... a bit more wiggle/spank/plastic in the sound, as opposed to the thicker 'thud' of the Emperor. Of course, if you're dealing with Mr. Annihilator a single ply may not last through the first chorus.

Though my first choice for kick is still Evans/EMAD.

[Nutmeg II.]

I am one of the few guys that totaly dislikes the EMAD.

Watch out with the coated heads on the kick, they realy can eat up your beater!

[TheArchitect]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

I am one of the few guys that totaly dislikes the EMAD.

Watch out with the coated heads on the kick, they realy can eat up your beater!

Add my name to that list.

[Slaytex]

Well I got the Emperor coated head this weekend and I'm really liking it. I didn't like it at first by itself, but when I played the whole kit I really started to dig it. The guys in the band love it too.
Thanks.

[earldrum]

Originally Posted by Nutmeg II.

I am one of the few guys that totaly dislikes the EMAD.

Watch out with the coated heads on the kick, they realy can eat up your beater!

The emads are either loved or hated. I know that some guys do not like the emad heads because they are almost a cheater's way of getting a decent kick drum sound. And they are actually a few steps above those horrible Remo Muff'ls use in bass drums (and for some on toms - not by me in the 80's- 90s) that gave that thuddy dead sound.

I have found for my 18" Gretsch kick drum that the emad head makes it easier to change from a rock/funk punchy sound to an open jazzy sound just be removing the muffling ring. That is what attracted me to these heads. I mean I use an 18" bass drum with an emad head and no muffling and it sound really big and punchy with a Beta 52 at the sound hole through SCA N72 preamp. This kick drum rocks.

Now, I really like coated kick drum heads because they are warmer to my ears. But I never thought about why my felt beaters wear down before today. This is a interesting point ... but I still like the way coated heads sound vs. a clear head. So if I have a choice, I would buy the coated heads for sound reasons.

[HeavyG]

Love, Love, Love the Evans EQ1...they were the original heads on my GMS kick....and I have tried every other head..but none gets me a "velvet thunder" storm quite like the EQ1.

Perhaps another option, fellas...

[Slaytex]

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Love, Love, Love the Evans EQ1...they were the original heads on my GMS kick....and I have tried every other head..but none gets me a "velvet thunder" storm quite like the EQ1.

Perhaps another option, fellas...

Looks cool, I may try that one down the road.
Thanks.

[AllAboutTone]

Im a Emad user but open to other choices... thanks

[arizonadrum]

Originally Posted by Slaytex

Well I got the Emperor coated head this weekend and I'm really liking it. I didn't like it at first by itself, but when I played the whole kit I really started to dig it. The guys in the band love it too.
Thanks.

Also, if you want to try something similar to the coated Emperor, you can try a coated powerstroke 3. I switched from a clear to a coated ps3 and I really like the difference. It gives the drum a warmer, fuller sound (less plasticy is a good way to put it).