Bass & Kick Batter Drumheads

We have options for everyone! Start by measuring the diameter of your drum. The most common bass drum size is 22”, followed by 18”, 20”, and 24”, though some drum sets have16” or 26” bass drums.   

You should also consider durability. Typically, 2-ply drumheads will provide more durability and lifespan than 1-ply heads, making them ideal for heavier playing styles, or rehearsal studios where the set will be played often. EMAD Heavyweight, EMAD2, and EMAD UV2 provide unprecedented durability and lifespan.  

Tone is also important! For maximum sustain and resonance, choose heads without damping technology, like G1, UV1, G2, UV2, or Calftone. EMAD drumheads will achieve the maximum amount of overtone damping, while the internal control ring on EQ3 and EQ4 drumheads will fall somewhere in between.  

Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping (or “EMAD” for short) is an EVANS innovation that was brought to the drumhead market in 2001. EMAD drumheads feature a plastic housing fixed to the edge of the playing surface, which holds foam rings in place that damp overtones. Every EMAD drumhead includes two foam rings of different widths that you can switch out for different tonal qualities. It’s the most efficient way to adjust the focus and punchiness of your bass drum without the need to put pillows inside your drum.

EQ3 is 2-ply and EQ4 is 1-ply. All EQ drumheads have an internal overtone control ring on the underside of the head.

Clear drumheads offer the most definition, clarity, and attack. The film resonates freely and often provides more overtones and volume compared to their coated counterparts.  

Coated and Frosted drumheads have fewer overtones, leading to a warmer tone, shortened sustain, and slightly softer attack.  

Our patented UV-coated drumheads fall somewhere in between. The coating is less dense than spray coating, allowing the film to vibrate more like a clear head, but with a coated aesthetic. UV1 and UV2 are highly durable and versatile!

Regular spray coating has been the standard practice since the invention of the synthetic “all-weather” drumhead by Chick Evans in 1956. Most coatings are a textured, water-based solution that damps some overtones. All our non-UV coated heads use spray coating.

However, in 2016, EVANS developed a new paradigm in coated drumheads. This patented UV coating is not a spray, but an ink that’s cured under a powerful UV light. The result is a coating that’s even more durable than spray coating, but less dense, allowing the head to vibrate more. The coating is consistently even and resistant to wear, with a texture similar to spray coating.

If you prefer the look and feel of a coated head, but desire a more open and resonant sound, or if you’re seeking greater versatility or lifespan, you can’t go wrong with UV1 or UV2!

Thanks to our patented Level 360 Technology, seating the drumhead is not necessary for EVANS Drumheads.

Yes! All bass drum batter drumheads feature Level 360 Technology.