Modern Equivalent of an Evans Looking Glass

[epicgamekid12]

I was reading up on NP's sets through the years and saw that on Permanent Waves, on his toms, he used Evans blue hydraulics on the bottom and looking glasses on top.

(http://www.andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/permanent_waves.htm)



The blue hydraulics are still in production, but the looking glasses are not.

Having never played or heard one in person, I was wondering what today's equivalent of that head would be.

 

[jaykaydrums]

cant say i've ever heard of that model of head, but from a little research it appears the remo starfire heads would be a modern equivelent, or if you like a heavier version, the aquarian reflector series.

 

[someguy01]

I thought the clear hydraulics were referred to colloquially as "glass"
Sounds like a dead thud to me. Especially with a hyd reso.

 

[Stroman]

I thought the clear hydraulics were referred to colloquially as "glass"
Sounds like a dead thud to me. Especially with a hyd reso.

No, the looking glass heads were a two-ply head with silver mirror-like film and no oil. I used to use them, and they sounded quite different from the hydraulics. In fact, they sounded unlike any other head I've tried, and had a resin flesh hoop with no metal. I remember they creaked a little as you were tuning them up. Not a cracking sound, but a soft creak.

As for a modern equivalent, I have no good suggestions because I haven't tried any new heads that are similar. The closest I have heard, though, are the ebony emperors. Not the same, by any stretch, but they capture some similarities.

 

[epicgamekid12]

The current logo is completely different from the ones Neil used if that matters to you.

The heads top and bottom on his first Chrome Slingerland kit had the older logo.

View attachment 109780


The Rosewood finish Tamas and the BlackChrome Slingerlands had the round Evans logo.

View attachment 109781

I don't really mind if it looks differently as long as it sounds similar.

 

[someguy01]

I still wanna know how the sound achieved isn't just a dead thud with that head combination. Seems to me that would kill any and all tone and sustain.
Disclaimer: I am not a Rush fan and am not familiar with the sound the OP is seeking.

 

[Stroman]

I still wanna know how the sound achieved isn't just a dead thud with that head combination. Seems to me that would kill any and all tone and sustain.
Disclaimer: I am not a Rush fan and am not familiar with the sound the OP is seeking.

Actually, hydraulics can have a reasonable amount of sustain when used on a two-headed drum. Not like an Ambassador, of course, but they're not that dead.

 

[Iristone]

Actually, hydraulics can have a reasonable amount of sustain when used on a two-headed drum. Not like an Ambassador, of course, but they're not that dead.

To me these heads sound like thick calf heads used on traditional Chinese drums when tuned up. They don't like to be tuned low IME. And they make the snare drum crack LOUD!

 

[ToneT]

Actually, hydraulics can have a reasonable amount of sustain when used on a two-headed drum. Not like an Ambassador, of course, but they're not that dead.

They DO have tone and controlled sustain. I use them as bass drum batters.

 

[vyacheslav]

Remo Starfire Chrome would be what you are after. They also make a Starfire Gold as well.

Ambassador® Starfire Chrome

Ambassador® Starfire Chrome drumheads feature controlled tone and sustain with a reflective Chrome look. Constructed with 1-ply of laminated 12-mil film, Ambassador® Starfire Chrome drumheads are most popular as resonant heads because of their controlled sustain and distinctive look. Available...

remo.com

 

[gmiller598]

Actually, hydraulics can have a reasonable amount of sustain when used on a two-headed drum. Not like an Ambassador, of course, but they're not that dead.

I have a blue hydraulic snare head on a 14x10 Pearl Modern Utility Floor Snare and it has quite a bit of sustain. It might actually have more than my toms which have UV1 on top and clear G1 on the bottom.

 

[epicgamekid12]

Thanks everyone!