Evans Hydraulic Series Drumheads Review

Nick D'Virgilio presents the Evans Hydraulic series drumheads. Evans Hydraulic Glass drumheads feature two plies sandwiching a thin layer of oil, giving these heads an especially fat, deep, and short sound - made famous by early-70s rock. The oil decreases sustain, while enhancing attack and low end. Plus, Evans Hydraulic drumheads are famously easy to tune, so they're a great choice for troublesome drums.

Here's the gear Nick used to make the backing tracks for this video:

Bass:
Rickenbacker 4003

Guitar:
PRS SC250

[theknightsofren]

Nick is such an underrated drummer it's ridiculous.

[DelDuio]

I love how he mentioned that the look of an instrument can inspire you do do stuff musically you might not otherwise think of. This is totally true for me. If for example I was to borrow a Ric4003 bass or something I'll imagine I'm Geddy Lee and try to write something proggy. Only terrible, lol. Well you get the gist.

[robertocalderonabogado]

Nick D´Virgilio is an awesome drummer and great at reviewing drums. He has a very clean technique. Sweetwater should make him partner.

[blkjakk]

Back in the '80's most of us metal drummers used the old blue hydraulic heads. They were great.

[Rockin_Ross]

I've used these since the mid 80's and they've always been great. Now they make a coated snare head to complete the sound. Great vid as always, Nick.

[mantzini]

How often do i need to change the oil?

[BBT]

The new skins for my church will be Evans Hydraulic Heads. Very great review. I never get tired of Nick's commentary on equipment, make it fun!!! Love the description of the mics and n all!!

[alonzovillarreal]

I used the black hydraulic heads back in the late 70’s early 80’s. I’ve rediscovered these with the red heads, and really dig them, especially in a lively room! They aren’t great for everything but they do sound good!

[richardgoldman]

Nick just sold me on a new set of Evans Hydraulics! Great review!

[BenjaminGib]

Nick, you and Sweetwater are churning out incredible videos w this newer tv studio setup! Next level. Sounds like a million bucks.

[Esignam]

Could you guys review more Drumheads? This video was very helpful!

[vananon]

Ive been playin drums for nearly 12 years. I’ve used Evans EC2 heads on my kit for all the years I’ve been playin. I’ve just made the switch this past weekend to the Black Hydraulic heads...and for my style and needs, my kit has never sounded better!! They’re easy to tune indeed, but you still need to know the proper tone you want from the drum to really sound great.

I love the controlled sound. Very warm, dark, short sustain, no extra overtones, great tonality, high durability, killer black look, and absolutely no extra dampening needed. I play at church every week on Sundays, and because of the acoustics in my church, the Black Hydraulic heads are beyond perfect. And also, for a louder environment, I’ll be using the Onyx heads for my kit. No dampening needed for those heads either. Dark, short sustain, great attack, slick look, and durable. Evans is the ONLY brand I use or will ever use for my kit for life. Best heads I’ve ever owned. I’ve grown tired of using dampening rings on my toms, and having far too much ring without the rings. My floor tom has never sounded better. I can actually hear a tone now rather than a wonky thump sound.

[steeezyjoey]

Im a heavy hitter. Far these Hydraulic heads are my favorite! :)

[Riddim]

Those heads have been around at least since 1974. They were an integral part of the sound Steve Gadd was known for in the 70’s, particularly on the fiberglass Pearl kit . Check out Chick Corea’s the leprechaun or Stanley Clarke’s Journey to love album.

[XeRo]

I have the red Hydraulics on both the batter and reso sides of all my toms, which gives me even more of a dampened sound and when wanting to tune them higher for good stick rebound they still give me that punchy sound I'm looking for without sounding too high. These heads are amazing and very easy to tune!

[matthewkramer]

I got evans red hydraulic heads as a Christmas gift they sound great better than my factory stock heads don't Listin to people saying these heads suck they deffinetly don't you just have to tune them properly the tighter you screw on the head the better they sound I am pleased with these drum heads they make my drum set sound better than before

[danlc]

I remember in 11th grade (93/94) I had clear, blue, red and black Hydros on my kit.

Only for a bit though - too dead for me. I wa a huge fan of the ROCK Glass, which were like the G2 but punchier. Same weight, different grade of film...

I still have a brand new set of ROCK, and Resonant Glass heads from the mid 90's. Waiting till my old singer returns from Sweden to get the old band's music recorder. Then, I will break them out. The old snare heads I have from those days are Genera, Genera HD, and Genera HD Dry. Memories come back just typing this!

[isolationdisorder]

I remember when Neil Peart was playing these! Awesome. I've been playing the Blue ones for Decades.

[Bourbon-Canted-Ky-Windage]

I wish Evans made resos in matching colors.

[Stardust_Lei]

Evans hydraulic drum heads: because who needs moongel when you have pan oil.