Gear article

EVANS 13" UV1 Reverse Dot Snare Drum Head

The EVANS 13" UV1 Reverse Dot is a single-ply snare drum head featuring a patented UV-cured coating and a reinforcement dot on the underside. Designed for durability and tuning ease, it provides a balance of open resonance and focused attack suitable for genres ranging from jazz to rock.

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Background and Design

The EVANS 13" UV1 Reverse Dot is part of the brand's premium snare head lineup, engineered to solve the common issue of coating wear. Manufactured in the USA, this head utilizes a 10mil film base, which is a standard thickness for providing a balance between sensitivity and durability.

The defining characteristic of the UV series is its UV-cured coating process. Unlike traditional coatings that can chip or wear away under heavy use, the UV1 coating is designed to maintain a consistent texture over an extended lifespan, ensuring that brush responses and tonal clarity remain stable for the life of the head.

Key Features and Technology

This drum head incorporates several proprietary EVANS technologies:

  • Level 360 Technology: This design features an enhanced collar that ensures the head sits flat and even on the bearing edge of the drum. This facilitates easier tuning and a wider tonal range.
  • Reverse Dot: A 3mil reinforcement dot is adhered to the underside of the head. This adds durability in the high-impact center zone and focuses the attack.
  • Slotted Cutouts: The reverse dot features specific cutouts that allow the 10mil ply to vibrate more freely, preventing the 'choked' sound often associated with reinforced heads.

Sonics and Performance

The UV1 Reverse Dot is characterised by a responsive and open feel. The single 10mil ply allows for significant resonance and harmonic overtones, while the underside dot provides a specific boost to the fundamental note and attack. This combination makes it versatile enough for the dynamic requirements of jazz and pop, yet strong enough to handle the volume demands of rock and gospel.

Suitability and Comparison

This head is particularly suited for drummers who prefer the feel of a single-ply head but require the longevity usually found in dual-ply models. While compared to standard coated heads, the UV1 offers superior resistance to flaking. In contrast to heads like the EVANS MS3 Marching Snare head, the UV1 is designed for kit use, offering more warmth and sustain rather than the extreme tension and dryness required for marching applications.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the thickness of the EVANS 13" UV1 Reverse Dot?
The main body of the head is a single ply of 10mil film, while the reverse dot on the underside adds an additional 3mil of thickness in the centre.
What does the UV-cured coating do?
The UV-cured coating is designed for extreme durability and consistency. It prevents the surface from chipping or wearing down as quickly as traditional drum head coatings.
What is the benefit of a 'Reverse Dot'?
A reverse dot is mounted on the underside of the head, leaving the top surface smooth. This provides extra strength and focus to the strike zone without interfering with brush playing.
How does Level 360 Technology assist the drummer?
Level 360 Technology ensures the head makes proper contact with the drum shell's bearing edge. This results in easier tuning, a more balanced sound, and a wider pitch range.
Is this head suitable for heavy hitters?
Yes, while it is a single-ply head, the combination of the UV-cured coating and the 3mil reverse dot makes it robust enough for heavy playing in genres like rock and gospel.
Does the reverse dot choke the sound of the drum?
No, EVANS uses slotted cutouts in the reverse dot. These cutouts allow the head to maintain resonance and an open feel rather than sounding dead or choked.
Where is the EVANS UV1 series manufactured?
All EVANS UV1 drum heads, including the 13" Reverse Dot model, are made in the USA.
Can I use brushes on this drum head?
Yes, the UV-cured coating provides a consistent texture that is excellent for brush response, and because the dot is on the underside, it does not snag the brushes.
What genres is the UV1 Reverse Dot best suited for?
It is a highly versatile head suitable for rock, jazz, pop, and gospel due to its balance of clarity, durability, and open resonance.
What is the typical price for this 13-inch head?
In the UK market, this specific snare drum head typically retails for approximately GBP 33.
How does the UV1 differ from traditional coated heads?
Traditional coatings are often sprayed on and can flake off over time; the UV1 coating is cured to the film, making it significantly more resistant to wear and texture loss.
Will this fit any 13-inch snare drum?
Yes, it is designed to fit standard 13-inch snare drums, and the Level 360 collar helps it seat properly on various bearing edge profiles.