What is the primary benefit of the oil layer in the Evans Hydraulic Glass head?

The thin layer of oil between the two plies acts to suppress overtones and ringing. This results in a shorter sustain and a deeper, more focused sound compared to standard heads.

Is the 13-inch Evans Hydraulic Glass head difficult to tune?

No, it is specifically designed for effortless tuning. The internal oil layer makes it an ideal choice for drummers with little tuning experience or for drums that are notoriously difficult to tune.

What kind of sound should I expect from this drum head?

You can expect a 'fat', deep sound with a very short sustain. It provides a punchy attack that is well-suited for studio recording and genres requiring a dry drum tone.

Can I use this 13-inch head on a snare drum?

Yes, provided the snare drum has a 13-inch diameter, this head is a popular choice for achieving a thick, dampened snare sound. It helps control the high-pitched ring often associated with smaller snares.

What does the 'Glass' in the product name refer to?

The term 'Glass' refers to the clear finish of the drum head. Unlike coated heads, the Glass version is transparent, offering a specific look and a slightly different attack.

Is this head suitable for all drumming styles?

Yes, it is described as ideal for a wide range of drumming styles and genres. However, it is most popular in contexts where a controlled, low-sustain sound is desired.

How many plies does the Evans Hydraulic Glass head have?

It is a two-ply drum head. The two layers work in tandem with the internal oil to provide durability and sound suppression.

What is the typical price for the 13-inch version?

The typical price range for this specific 13-inch model is approximately GBP 27. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer.

Does this head require additional dampening like gels or tape?

Generally, no additional dampening is required. The Hydraulic design is intended to provide the 'best sound possible' with minimal extra accessories due to its built-in oil layer.

How does this compare to the Evans MS3 series?

The MS3 is a marching snare side head, whereas the Hydraulic Glass is a batter head designed for kit drums. The Hydraulic series focuses on oil-dampened tone, while the MS3 is built for the high-tension requirements of marching percussion.

Will this head help with a drum that has 'troublesome' overtones?

Yes, the manufacturer specifically recommends the Hydraulic series for troublesome drums. The oil layer helps to tame wild frequencies and simplify the tuning process.

What size is this specific drum head?

This specific model is a 13-inch drum head, designed to fit 13-inch diameter drum shells commonly found on rack toms and some snare drums.

Gear article

Evans Hydraulic Glass Drum Head 13"

The Evans Hydraulic Glass Drum Head 13" is a dual-ply drum head featuring a thin layer of oil sandwiched between the plies to suppress unwanted overtones. Designed for ease of tuning and a deep, focused tone, it is a staple component in the Evans Hydraulic series of percussion accessories.

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Overview

The Evans Hydraulic Glass Drum Head is a specialised 13-inch replacement head designed for drummers seeking a controlled, vintage-style sound. As part of the wider Evans Hydraulic series, this model is defined by its unique internal oil layer, which serves as a natural dampening agent. The 'Glass' designation refers to its clear finish, providing a modern aesthetic while maintaining the specific sonic properties of the Hydraulic line.

Design and Mechanics

The construction of the Hydraulic Glass head involves two plies of film with a thin layer of oil trapped between them. This oil layer acts to physically suppress high-frequency overtones and ring, which are often difficult to control with standard single-ply or non-oiled double-ply heads. By reducing these vibrations, the head simplifies the tuning process, allowing the drum to reach a stable pitch with minimal effort.

Sound Character

This drum head is engineered to produce a 'fat' and deep sound profile. It is characterised by a short sustain and a sharp focus on the fundamental pitch. Because the oil layer absorbs excess energy, the result is a dry, punchy attack that is particularly effective in studio environments or for genres requiring a thick, dampened drum tone.

Target User and Compatibility

The 13-inch Hydraulic Glass head is particularly suited for two types of users:

Beginners: Those with little experience in drum tuning benefit from the head's naturally dampened state, which masks tuning inconsistencies.
Troublesome Drums: It is an ideal solution for drums with difficult-to-manage overtones or shells that are traditionally hard to tune.

While typically used on snare drums or smaller rack toms, its versatile 13-inch diameter allows it to be fitted to any standard drum of that size across various musical genres.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to standard clear heads like the Evans MS3 Clear Marching Snare Side (which is a 14-inch marching-specific head), the Hydraulic Glass provides significantly more dampening and a shorter decay. While other Evans products focus on resonance or projection, the Hydraulic series prioritises control and ease of use. It represents a different approach to tone shaping than using external dampening tools like rings or gels, as the suppression is built directly into the head's architecture.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary benefit of the oil layer in the Evans Hydraulic Glass head?: The thin layer of oil between the two plies acts to suppress overtones and ringing. This results in a shorter sustain and a deeper, more focused sound compared to standard heads.
Is the 13-inch Evans Hydraulic Glass head difficult to tune?: No, it is specifically designed for effortless tuning. The internal oil layer makes it an ideal choice for drummers with little tuning experience or for drums that are notoriously difficult to tune.
What kind of sound should I expect from this drum head?: You can expect a 'fat', deep sound with a very short sustain. It provides a punchy attack that is well-suited for studio recording and genres requiring a dry drum tone.
Can I use this 13-inch head on a snare drum?: Yes, provided the snare drum has a 13-inch diameter, this head is a popular choice for achieving a thick, dampened snare sound. It helps control the high-pitched ring often associated with smaller snares.
What does the 'Glass' in the product name refer to?: The term 'Glass' refers to the clear finish of the drum head. Unlike coated heads, the Glass version is transparent, offering a specific look and a slightly different attack.
Is this head suitable for all drumming styles?: Yes, it is described as ideal for a wide range of drumming styles and genres. However, it is most popular in contexts where a controlled, low-sustain sound is desired.
How many plies does the Evans Hydraulic Glass head have?: It is a two-ply drum head. The two layers work in tandem with the internal oil to provide durability and sound suppression.
What is the typical price for the 13-inch version?: The typical price range for this specific 13-inch model is approximately GBP 27. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer.
Does this head require additional dampening like gels or tape?: Generally, no additional dampening is required. The Hydraulic design is intended to provide the 'best sound possible' with minimal extra accessories due to its built-in oil layer.
How does this compare to the Evans MS3 series?: The MS3 is a marching snare side head, whereas the Hydraulic Glass is a batter head designed for kit drums. The Hydraulic series focuses on oil-dampened tone, while the MS3 is built for the high-tension requirements of marching percussion.
Will this head help with a drum that has 'troublesome' overtones?: Yes, the manufacturer specifically recommends the Hydraulic series for troublesome drums. The oil layer helps to tame wild frequencies and simplify the tuning process.
What size is this specific drum head?: This specific model is a 13-inch drum head, designed to fit 13-inch diameter drum shells commonly found on rack toms and some snare drums.