What is included in the Evans Heavyweight Dry Snare Drum Head pack?

The pack includes one 14-inch Evans Heavyweight Dry batter head and one 14-inch Evans Snare Side Hazy 300 resonant head. It does not include the physical snare drum shell or hardware.

What is the purpose of the reinforced centre on the batter head?

The reinforced centre provides additional thickness in the primary striking zone. This increases the head's durability, allowing it to withstand intense playing while adding focus to the attack.

How do the 'Dry' vents affect the snare sound?

The Dry vents are small holes drilled around the edge of the head that let air escape. This process eliminates unwanted overtones and creates a cleaner, more focused sound with less sustain.

Is the Heavyweight Dry batter head single-ply or two-ply?

The Heavyweight Dry is a two-ply design. This dual-layer construction is intended to provide maximum durability and a powerful, thick sound compared to single-ply alternatives.

What are the characteristics of the Hazy 300 resonant head?

The Hazy 300 is known for its versatility and sensitivity. It provides a wide dynamic range and a crisp response from the snare wires, complementing the focused attack of the batter head.

What genres of music is this head combination best suited for?

This combination is ideal for rock, metal, and other heavy playing styles. The durability and controlled, dry sound profile are designed to handle high-velocity impact and provide clarity in loud mixes.

Can I use this pack on any snare drum?

This specific pack is designed for 14-inch snare drums. As long as your snare drum has a 14-inch diameter, these heads will fit the standard rims and tension rods.

Does the Hazy 300 help with sustain?

Yes, the Hazy 300 is designed to offer excellent sustain and sensitivity. When paired with the Heavyweight Dry, it ensures the drum doesn't sound 'dead' but remains responsive and balanced.

How does the Heavyweight Dry compare to the Evans MS3?

The Heavyweight Dry is a batter head for standard snare drums, while the MS3 is a marching snare-side head. The MS3 is designed for the extreme tensions of marching percussion, whereas the Heavyweight Dry focuses on tone control for kit drumming.

What is the typical price for this Evans snare head pack?

The typical price range for this two-head pack is approximately GBP 50. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock availability.

Will this head eliminate the need for external dampening like gels or tape?

In many cases, yes. The 'Dry' vents and the two-ply design with a reinforced centre are engineered to reduce overtones naturally, often removing the need for additional dampening accessories.

Is this pack suitable for jazz or light playing?

While it can be used, it may be too thick and muffled for traditional jazz. It is specifically designed for 'heavyweight' playing where power, attack, and durability are the primary requirements.

Gear article

Evans Heavyweight Dry & Snare Side Hazy 300 14" Pack

The Evans Heavyweight Dry Snare Drum Head & Snare Side Hazy 300 14" is a specialised two-piece drum head pack designed for maximum durability and sonic control. It combines a heavy-duty, vented batter head with a versatile resonant head to deliver a clean, focused snare response suitable for high-intensity playing.

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Overview

The Evans Heavyweight Dry & Snare Side Hazy 300 pack provides a comprehensive solution for drummers looking to overhaul their 14-inch snare drum's performance. The kit is specifically engineered to address the needs of heavy hitters who require gear that can withstand significant physical force while maintaining a sophisticated, controlled sound profile. By bundling a thick, vented batter head with a standard-setting resonant head, Evans offers a pre-matched pairing that eliminates guesswork in drum tuning and tone shaping.

The Heavyweight Dry Batter Head

The batter head is the central component of the pack, featuring a two-ply design that prioritises structural integrity. It is distinguished by a reinforced centre, commonly referred to as a power dot, which increases the lifespan of the head under intense playing conditions.

A key technical feature of this head is the inclusion of 'Dry' vents. These are precision-drilled small holes around the perimeter of the head that allow air to escape upon impact. This mechanism effectively bleeds off excess energy and air pressure, resulting in a drier sound with significantly reduced overtones and a more immediate, punchy attack.

The Snare Side Hazy 300

To balance the aggressive nature of the batter head, the pack includes the Hazy 300 resonant head. The Hazy 300 is an industry-standard snare-side head known for its versatility and sensitivity. It provides a crisp response to the snare wires, ensuring that the ghost notes and subtle articulations are not lost despite the heavy nature of the top head. This combination ensures that the drum maintains a balanced sustain and a wide dynamic range.

Sound Character and Suitability

The resulting sound of this combination is clean, focused, and powerful. The Heavyweight Dry head focuses the fundamental pitch and removes 'ringing' frequencies that can often clutter a mix. It is particularly suited for:

Rock, metal, and heavy pop genres.
Drummers who play with high velocity and force.
Recording environments where a 'dry' snare sound is required without excessive external dampening.
Live situations where snare clarity and durability are paramount.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to single-ply heads or unvented two-ply heads like the Evans G2, the Heavyweight Dry offers significantly more control and a shorter decay. While a standard Hazy 300 might be paired with thinner heads for jazz or orchestral settings, this specific pairing with the Heavyweight Dry moves the instrument toward a more modern, aggressive sonic territory. For marching applications, users might instead look at the Evans MS3 Clear Marching Snare Side, which is built for the extreme tensions of pipe or marching bands.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the Evans Heavyweight Dry Snare Drum Head pack?: The pack includes one 14-inch Evans Heavyweight Dry batter head and one 14-inch Evans Snare Side Hazy 300 resonant head. It does not include the physical snare drum shell or hardware.
What is the purpose of the reinforced centre on the batter head?: The reinforced centre provides additional thickness in the primary striking zone. This increases the head's durability, allowing it to withstand intense playing while adding focus to the attack.
How do the 'Dry' vents affect the snare sound?: The Dry vents are small holes drilled around the edge of the head that let air escape. This process eliminates unwanted overtones and creates a cleaner, more focused sound with less sustain.
Is the Heavyweight Dry batter head single-ply or two-ply?: The Heavyweight Dry is a two-ply design. This dual-layer construction is intended to provide maximum durability and a powerful, thick sound compared to single-ply alternatives.
What are the characteristics of the Hazy 300 resonant head?: The Hazy 300 is known for its versatility and sensitivity. It provides a wide dynamic range and a crisp response from the snare wires, complementing the focused attack of the batter head.
What genres of music is this head combination best suited for?: This combination is ideal for rock, metal, and other heavy playing styles. The durability and controlled, dry sound profile are designed to handle high-velocity impact and provide clarity in loud mixes.
Can I use this pack on any snare drum?: This specific pack is designed for 14-inch snare drums. As long as your snare drum has a 14-inch diameter, these heads will fit the standard rims and tension rods.
Does the Hazy 300 help with sustain?: Yes, the Hazy 300 is designed to offer excellent sustain and sensitivity. When paired with the Heavyweight Dry, it ensures the drum doesn't sound 'dead' but remains responsive and balanced.
How does the Heavyweight Dry compare to the Evans MS3?: The Heavyweight Dry is a batter head for standard snare drums, while the MS3 is a marching snare-side head. The MS3 is designed for the extreme tensions of marching percussion, whereas the Heavyweight Dry focuses on tone control for kit drumming.
What is the typical price for this Evans snare head pack?: The typical price range for this two-head pack is approximately GBP 50. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock availability.
Will this head eliminate the need for external dampening like gels or tape?: In many cases, yes. The 'Dry' vents and the two-ply design with a reinforced centre are engineered to reduce overtones naturally, often removing the need for additional dampening accessories.
Is this pack suitable for jazz or light playing?: While it can be used, it may be too thick and muffled for traditional jazz. It is specifically designed for 'heavyweight' playing where power, attack, and durability are the primary requirements.