Clear or coated heads.

stixstringzzz · Newbie Alert Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

Hi all..

First post here. Glad I found the place.

I'm still not 100% sure what the difference is between clear and coated heads? I'm using Pearl EXR toms and kick. he guy in the drum shop told me that clear heads are the best for this type of drum?

Thanks.

Stix #Mad

bamboo · Labrador Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 309

The guy in the drum shop doesn't know *Poop*.
It's all down to preference really.

from the drum tuning bible -

tylerdrummer · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject:

under every good coated head is a clear head Smile

i like clear better but i like to not have my toms sound like there dampend to all get out.
but ive played with both and they do sound good.
just go try some out and dont go in with, im going to get clear or im going to get coated only, be open minded and just pick what sounds best for you

edgewood_drummer92 · Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 694

Coated is best for snares I think because with coated heads you get more of a similar sound as you go to the edge from the middle as apposed to the clear heads, but it's all personal preference. I've noticed that coated heads tend to have a warmer tone to it.
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sbowman128675 · Lion King Joined: 16 Dec 2006 Posts: 1072

coated heads gives more of a warm sound to the drum...they work best for maple shells i find.
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henhog · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 24

coated sound good on oak too. you should also check out remos fiberskins. nice fat sound

crazysteve1986 · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:01 am Post subject:

I prefer coated, not only for sound, i think they look better too.

Bish · King of the Jungle Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 1882

The only real way you are going to know is to go buy both types.

Just a note before carrying on. I pretty much use Remo Clear Pinstripes as (to me) they sound good on any drum. But never really getting a true test with my own ears in my own home and gigging domains, the only way I was going to understand heads was to pay for an education, so to speak.

What I did, was purchase a set of Remo Ambassadors coated and a set of Evans G1 clears. I took both sets home and proceeded to replace the current heads with one set. Gave them a week or two to fully seat and recorded the sound as well as video'd it so I could get a level playing field.

Then when I felt I'd gotten my ear full I would switch out the heads to the other style and repeat the break in period. You will find, different kits work best with different heads even if you are dealing with the same shell material.

You have to experiment to really know what you are getting in to. Everyone here can tell you all their opinions but you in the end will be the final judge of what YOU like best.

The following is my opinion based on my experiences. Your result will most definitely differ but will not be wrong. You will have earned your opinions by your experiences, just as every one else has. But, none the less it's an experience you really should take if you plan on drumming for many years, seriously.

My ddrums are maple and sound best with Remo Clear Pinstripes and an Evans G2 coated for the snare....go figure.

My Mapex Saturns are maple and walnut and I have yet to find the best sounding heads for them. Currently they have Remo Clear Pinstripes and of all the drums, the 12" sounds the most like I expect a high end set to sound. The factory singly ply coated head for the snare is still on, so I'm pleased with it's sound. But I still chasing 'my sound' with those drums. The next head change out is due soon and I have a set of Remo Coated Ambassadors ready to go.

I have wholeheartedly fallen madly in love with my SONORs, again another maple kit but using Remo Coated Ambassadors for the toms and snare. They ring and sing perfectly but won't dominate a small venue. These are currently my set for gigging.

My Pearl Masters Customs are maple and they sound best with Evans G1 clears. The bonus here is seeing through the drum and loving the contrast of the black lug hardware against the maple shells.... Smile

Finally, my PDP Platinums have sounded the best with the DW factory heads which (I think) are clear single ply heads but with a built in dampener coated stripe around the edges.

So let me close by saying that you will have to experiment with your drums and the different head styles to know how each interacts with your drums and what is the best acceptable sound to your ears.
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Bish

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