Remo VS Evans VS Aquarian

[RYAN LOWE]

Thanks for that. I understand it's about preferential choice and to one is not the same to another, however your response is what I was looking for. I may look into those Response 2's. What would you put underneath the Response 2s?

I am using response 2s myself currently. The new style ones (much more clear), are simply amazing. They just beat out evans G2 clears IMO. I have a brand new set of tom heads right now in all 3 brands. The response 2s came out winners for me. For the bottoms, dont spend the extra money (IMO), when the factory remo bottom clears are perfect. If you are into logos (like I am), just remove the remo logo so they are plain clear bottom heads that match up with the tops. Bottom heads in clear single ply are all the same IMO (on the maple shells). The top head is the big diff head. If you have the 4 ply maple, I suggest trying a single ply clear head before anything. Jutt is right, those shells are made to play wide open, and nothing is better than a clear single ply (try classic clears). If that is a bit to much for you, then try a 2 ply clear (response 2s are by far the best I have played yet for maple).

I tried on my new masters (6 ply maple) the factory remo heads, evans G2 clears, evans G1 coated, aquarian super 2 clears, super 2 clear with power dot, classic coated, response 2 clears with power dot, and last, response 2 clears. That is a wide range of heads. I found my choice, however painful it was!

[vasiczech]

I am using response 2s myself currently. The new style ones (much more clear), are simply amazing. They just beat out evans G2 clears IMO. I have a brand new set of tom heads right now in all 3 brands. The response 2s came out winners for me. For the bottoms, dont spend the extra money (IMO), when the factory remo bottom clears are perfect. If you are into logos (like I am), just remove the remo logo so they are plain clear bottom heads that match up with the tops. Bottom heads in clear single ply are all the same IMO (on the maple shells). The top head is the big diff head. If you have the 4 ply maple, I suggest trying a single ply clear head before anything. Jutt is right, those shells are made to play wide open, and nothing is better than a clear single ply (try classic clears). If that is a bit to much for you, then try a 2 ply clear (response 2s are by far the best I have played yet for maple).

I tried on my new masters (6 ply maple) the factory remo heads, evans G2 clears, evans G1 coated, aquarian super 2 clears, super 2 clear with power dot, classic coated, response 2 clears with power dot, and last, response 2 clears. That is a wide range of heads. I found my choice, however painful it was!

Hey Roman, I am totally anal about the logos as well. They have to be the same and they have to be in the same position so they are directly on top of one another. It bothers me right now that the bottoms are Remos and the tops are Evans. LOL! Going through alot of head choices there too. WOW! I will definately stick with a lighter head. That is definately some great advice. I didn't think of that really, with the thinner shells sticking with thinner heads... kind of go hand in hand a bit?! I looked on the Aquarian website and looked at the Response II's. I may defiantely consider them. One question.... how did you get the logos off, say if I wanted to get the Remo off the reso heads just to satisfy my OCD a little bit? LOL!

[vasiczech]

I am using response 2s myself currently. The new style ones (much more clear), are simply amazing. They just beat out evans G2 clears IMO. I have a brand new set of tom heads right now in all 3 brands. The response 2s came out winners for me. For the bottoms, dont spend the extra money (IMO), when the factory remo bottom clears are perfect. If you are into logos (like I am), just remove the remo logo so they are plain clear bottom heads that match up with the tops. Bottom heads in clear single ply are all the same IMO (on the maple shells). The top head is the big diff head. If you have the 4 ply maple, I suggest trying a single ply clear head before anything. Jutt is right, those shells are made to play wide open, and nothing is better than a clear single ply (try classic clears). If that is a bit to much for you, then try a 2 ply clear (response 2s are by far the best I have played yet for maple).

I tried on my new masters (6 ply maple) the factory remo heads, evans G2 clears, evans G1 coated, aquarian super 2 clears, super 2 clear with power dot, classic coated, response 2 clears with power dot, and last, response 2 clears. That is a wide range of heads. I found my choice, however painful it was!

And also, as far as head thickness goes. I like two ply heads.. always have. That's just me. I just need to stay away from all the extra stuff on top like a power dot and the extra muffle ring.

[RYAN LOWE]

And also, as far as head thickness goes. I like two ply heads.. always have. That's just me. I just need to stay away from all the extra stuff on top like a power dot and the extra muffle ring.

Yes, stay away from all that stuff. The super 2 clears and response 2 clears with power dot, and the evans EC heads are all for lower end kits that have too much ring, and IMO, on birch shells as well. Dont get me wrong, birch as well as poplar sounds AMAZING with these types of heads, I just know they dont work on the warm maple.

As for removing them remo logos, use some goo gone or goof off. Poor a little on a rag, then lightly rub on the remo logo, it will come right off. You have to do it a few times (poor more on, rub it off, etc), because on the 1st pass, it will smear the black ink. The 2nd and 3rd pass will remove all that, and leave you a perfect head with no logo. I now do this with all my bottom heads, unless of course they match the top.

[Rhythm Devil]

I am using response 2s myself currently. The new style ones (much more clear), are simply amazing. They just beat out evans G2 clears IMO. I have a brand new set of tom heads right now in all 3 brands. The response 2s came out winners for me. For the bottoms, dont spend the extra money (IMO), when the factory remo bottom clears are perfect. If you are into logos (like I am), just remove the remo logo so they are plain clear bottom heads that match up with the tops. Bottom heads in clear single ply are all the same IMO (on the maple shells). The top head is the big diff head. If you have the 4 ply maple, I suggest trying a single ply clear head before anything. Jutt is right, those shells are made to play wide open, and nothing is better than a clear single ply (try classic clears). If that is a bit to much for you, then try a 2 ply clear (response 2s are by far the best I have played yet for maple).

I tried on my new masters (6 ply maple) the factory remo heads, evans G2 clears, evans G1 coated, aquarian super 2 clears, super 2 clear with power dot, classic coated, response 2 clears with power dot, and last, response 2 clears. That is a wide range of heads. I found my choice, however painful it was!

I am quite tempted to try the Response 2's on my toms. But, I absolutely love Modern Vintage (always have!) and the tone and coating on these will not die. Over a year and a half old and played HEAVILY. I'll bet the Super 2's and Classic Coated sounded pretty darn good I do have a preference for coated heads. I have a vision that going to a 2 ply would make for a stiffer head, which is the only thing more I am wanting on my toms from time to time. But I'm not sure I want to sacrifice the darker, open tone I get with Modern Vintage.

[Jorge72]

Couldn't resist. Had the opportunity to try out some evans heads at a great price/deal. So let's see how it goes. Doing over tops and bottoms on all drums.

[Rullrich 5150]

Hi,

I have tried at least these combo REMO Ambs clear/ambs clear, empreror clear/ambs clear, Evans G2 clear/G1 clear and finally G Plus/G1 clear on my Masters MMP. I am now stick with this GPlus/G1 Clear combo which gives me nice thick fat sound with enough resonance, my tom sings very well. For me 2 ply head gives less detail compared with single ply head and thicker single ply head like Gplus is just perfect.

Next, I probably will try single ply coated head/single ply clear on my MMP to see what it sounds...

Cheers

[Alan12]

I run Aquarians myself.

Toms - Response 2's over Classic Clears (both clear)
Snare - Hi-Energy over Classic Clears (Hi-Energy is a head with a re-enforced power-dot; very similar to an Emperor X)
Kick - SuperKick II's and the stock Masters head

[RYAN LOWE]

I run Aquarians myself.

Toms - Response 2's over Classic Clears (both clear)
Snare - Hi-Energy over Classic Clears (Hi-Energy is a head with a re-enforced power-dot; very similar to an Emperor X)
Kick - SuperKick II's and the stock Masters head

That entire combo/set sounds perfect IMO. Nice choices!

[idrum2.0]

I love Aquarian heads and would continue to use them if they bloody fit properly and if I wasnt in the mood to experiment with something new.
Im thinking of giving Evans another crack...maybe Coated G2's over Clear G-Plus on the toms and a GMAD on the kick?

About 3 weeks ago I finally got around to buying these heads, only with G1's for tom reso's rather than the G-Plus. Despite being a long time Aquarian user, I think Ive been converted! They seem to be a much more natural and lively sound which really brings out the beautiful tone of these drums. If there's one down side its that they're a bit trickier to tune, but once dialed in they sound amazing.
On my old kit (Export) I liked the Aquarian Response 2's considerably more than anything else (including G2's), but I feel that the Evans work better on the Masters.

[Thrush]

Boy, these "discussions" always go round and round. Then come to the conclusion, you just have to try them yourself. There are a TON of threads on this topic. What works for one, may not work for the other.

Exactly

I was Remo for, well, forever, and only very recently put a pair of EMAD2s on my kicks. For some reason (most) drummers tend to think they need to stick to one brand for each part of their kit; one brand of drum, one brand of hardware (possibly excluding pedals), one brand of cymbals, one brand of heads, one brand of sticks, etc. Truth is, unless you are a signed endorsee, there's no reason to limit yourself to one brand. I'm was guilty of this myself, so I'm not looking down on anyone that still does it, and I fully understand when someone might have three Pearl kits and no Tama's - they like Pearl; that's cool, Pearl make great drums.

I definitely want to experiment with more heads for my kicks - chasing that ideal kick drum sound is to me like guitarists chasing that perfect tone; a long road, but if you find it, ultimately satisfying! My toms and snares I'm pretty much happy with, so happy to stick with the Remo's I have on there. At least for the time being anyway.

[Alan12]

That entire combo/set sounds perfect IMO. Nice choices!

Haha, thank you very much Ryan. And thanks for your service, kind sir.

[Tako]

I think that finding the 'sweet' tone depends on 3 things. From least to greatest factors; Heads, Tuning, and Environment (IMO). I currently have Evans EC2 SST clears over clear G1's with half a moongel on each tom. I have my toms and bass drum tuned to a metal-rock sound (usually about finger tight and anywhere between a quarter to a 3/4 turn on all lugs gives me a nice sound; tuning is equal on both heads). Now the room I play is quite small but has a mix of carpet and wood and quite a bit of storage stuff so it really focuses and makes the toms sing without any over-dryness. Before I had my drums in a smaller, more compact room, I had my drums in a very open environment (basement, concrete walls and floor) and even with the same tuning my drums had in the smaller room, they sounded like timpani's along with my bass drum. Moral of the story, you can have the right heads and a great tuning technique but what puts the wheels in motion *IMO* is the environment you play in. With whatever heads and tuning you pick, it could sound crappy in one room but amazing in another. When picking your heads, and I'll be honest, whether it be remo, evans, aquarian, try out the drum head that costs less. In my area, remo emperor heads cost around $15 dollars just for a 12" head, where as an Evans G2 costs around $12.75. I always had remo heads and they sounded amazing, but one day I had to go with evans G2's because I was short on cash and I got the exact same tone out of it as the remo emperor and ever since I've always chosen the head that costs a few dollars less. I believe that regardless of what heads you have (aslong as they're not completely damaged and dead), if you have a great tuning technique you can make any drum sound great with any head in the right environment. But then again, thats just my drum philosophy *Just a little 'essay' for those who are still deciding on which brand of heads to choose from*
-Happy drumming!

[idrum2.0]

I couldnt agree more with your statement regarding the 'environment'. The room and even the position within the room that the kit is set up in, plays a massive part in the tone you hear. Every 'rehearsal studio' i play in tends to sound rubbish (dead, flat, dry) yet in the little storage space where I have my kit set up (essentially a 6m x 6m tin shed with no roof), it sounds fat and absolutely sing!
This is rather annoying for me as the only times my band-mates hear my kit is in bad sounding rooms and I constantly get "Are you sure you know how to tune?" or "Thats a Masters? Doesnt sound like they do on albums"......sigh....
The room where I had my drums set up at my old house sounded amazing. Was a big, open space, split-level, 30ft high cathedral style roof, wooden panelled walls and the room was full of couches. Made my old Export kit sound a million bucks!

[Jutt8]

I couldnt agree more with your statement regarding the 'environment'. The room and even the position within the room that the kit is set up in, plays a massive part in the tone you hear. Every 'rehearsal studio' i play in tends to sound rubbish (dead, flat, dry) yet in the little storage space where I have my kit set up (essentially a 6m x 6m tin shed with no roof), it sounds fat and absolutely sing!
This is rather annoying for me as the only times my band-mates hear my kit is in bad sounding rooms and I constantly get "Are you sure you know how to tune?" or "Thats a Masters? Doesnt sound like they do on albums"......sigh....
The room where I had my drums set up at my old house sounded amazing. Was a big, open space, split-level, 30ft high cathedral style roof, wooden panelled walls and the room was full of couches. Made my old Export kit sound a million bucks!

Agreed, the room changes everything. It's remarkable how much. Sometimes I can't believe it's the same kit with the same heads---LOL.