Evans Gmad vs Emad kick head

[=^-..-^=]

The Gmad kick head is a little thicker than the Emad. I just switched out on my Gretsch Renown 22", and it is night and day! There is a LOT more thud and subsonic resonance. The drum just sounds fuller, like the drum it was meant to be.

[headshrinker2]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you hear a significant difference.

The Gmad kick head is a little thicker than the Emad. I just switched out on my Gretsch Renown 22", and it is night and day! There is a LOT more thud and subsonic resonance. The drum just sounds fuller, like the drum it was meant to be.

[areFish]

Thanks for the heads up on that. If you threw the EMAD2 into the mix I wonder how that one would compare?

[davewilson]

The Gmad kick head is a little thicker than the Emad. I just switched out on my Gretsch Renown 22", and it is night and day! There is a LOT more thud and subsonic resonance. The drum just sounds fuller, like the drum it was meant to be.

The Gmad is a single ply of 12mil thickness
The Emad is a single ply of 10mil thickness
The Emad 2 is two plies (one 10mil, one 7mil) 17mil total thickness
The New Emad Onyx is a single coated ply of 10mil with an improved dampener... which is odd because the Onyx is the thickest head evans makes for toms at 15mil (two-7.5 mil plies)

I'm using an Evans EQ3 which is two plies of 6.5mil each for a total of 13

[rglassma]

My understanding is, based on input from Drum City Guitarland in Wheatridge, CO, Evans was getting lots of complaints about both the Emad and Emad2 heads breaking prematurely. They came up with the GMAD with a slightly thicker head to add longevity for harder hitters.

The GMAD definately has more timbre producing qualities. I use it on on my 20" VSX Vision Bass Drum. I have been using the plastic side of my Iron Cobra beater and a moleskin on the head.. I like the combination with some acoustic foam in the drum. Great sound. Nice thump with great punch.

[DLDante]

It is not the EMAD head itself that was breaking and causing complaints, it's the foam rings. The head itself is just as durable as any other Evans head.

With the EMAD batter head there is a large "foam ring holder" on the outer edge of the head which holds the foam sound-dampening ring. Many complained that, after a while, the vibrations from the head caused the "holder" to separate, eliminating the main reason people opt to buy the EMAD. I'm guessing this issue has been addressed because I've had my EMAD for about 8 months and it's still in tact.

The EMAD reso has a bit of a different problem. This head has a porthole where the foam ring sits. After a while, the vibrations cut the foam ring in half. I've had my EMAD reso for close to two months and have started to see the foam ring break down a bit. It moves during play and the logo sticker fell off. But it honestly doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart and the sound hasn't been affected.

Wow. That got lengthy! LOL!

[davewilson]

It is not the EMAD head itself that was breaking and causing complaints, it's the foam rings. The head itself is just as durable as any other Evans head.

That explains the "Improved Dampener" description Evans added

[xsabers]

It is not the EMAD head itself that was breaking and causing complaints, it's the foam rings. The head itself is just as durable as any other Evans head.

With the EMAD batter head there is a large "foam ring holder" on the outer edge of the head which holds the foam sound-dampening ring. Many complained that, after a while, the vibrations from the head caused the "holder" to separate, eliminating the main reason people opt to buy the EMAD. I'm guessing this issue has been addressed because I've had my EMAD for about 8 months and it's still in tact.

The EMAD reso has a bit of a different problem. This head has a porthole where the foam ring sits. After a while, the vibrations cut the foam ring in half. I've had my EMAD reso for close to two months and have started to see the foam ring break down a bit. It moves during play and the logo sticker fell off. But it honestly doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart and the sound hasn't been affected.

Wow. That got lengthy! LOL!

But spot on. Keep an ear open 'cuz my experience with the EMAD reso is that you will start to hear an buzz as the ring separates and then rattles on the head. I have had a GMAD for a year and it is still intact and awesome. Also a couple of SK11s on other drums are they are nice as well.

[echoe09]

Got an SKII on a practice set I bought a few weeks ago, I fell in love with it so much so that I am going to buy it for my Masters Custom bass drum, I'm swapping out an Evans eq3 which doesn't compare at all to the Aquarian SKII. So if you can give aquarian a try before the emads

[Homeularis]

Just bought a new Evans GMAD and WOW does it sound killer!.

I wanted some of the feel of a single ply (EMAD) with some of the durability and low tone of a 2 ply (EMAD2).

So far it has delivered big time.

I was a bit suprised at how much heavier the stock heads were compared to the high end Evans heads but the tone tells the real story.

I coupled it with an Evans EQ pad and presto...killer bass drum tone.
It has the perfect amount of click and boom.

Yes, those are 2 Remo Falam Slam Patches on a Evans head. :O




Oh, and I got a new set of EC2's also, and those babies sound great.

I figure they are all broken in and now I have to tune everything back up again. : (

All the reso heads and snare heads (Mapex Black Panther) are still stock so I'm not done buyin stuff. : )

Anyone else bangin away on GMAD or EMAD and lovin it?.

[SladeGT40]

Btw Evans introduced the improved dampener in Q1 of 2010. Also the new REMAD or EMAD reso is modeled after the batter head and has a removable foam ring that rings the port. Nicer idea but clashes with my kickport so no go for me. Currently rocking an EQ4 which is clear 10-mil single ply but I have an EMAD I'm waiting to try. Gretsch new classic 16x20

[almostmatt1]

GMAD is the only head iv had on the bass drum other than the stock head. It was absolutely incredible when i first put it on!

[topdog63]

I just gotta throw this in.... A SKII batter with an Aquarian Regulator Batter head (with the small port) no pillow or anything needed. the kick sounds killer. I have an Emad that was on my current kit when I bought it and it sounds really good but I have had the Aquarian combo on another kit and it was amazing.

[Homeularis]

GMAD is the only head iv had on the bass drum other than the stock head. It was absolutely incredible when i first put it on!

Right on. Are you still liking it as much as when it was new or are you ready to change up again?.

[Homeularis]

Bump...I'm gonna cry if I dont get some replies here.

Anyone?.

[marko138]

I just gotta throw this in.... A SKII batter with an Aquarian Regulator Batter head (with the small port) no pillow or anything needed. the kick sounds killer. I have an Emad that was on my current kit when I bought it and it sounds really good but I have had the Aquarian combo on another kit and it was amazing.

This is the combo I'm rolling with right now. But I do plan on putting the EMAD or GMAD on the batter again.

[almostmatt1]

Right on. Are you still liking it as much as when it was new or are you ready to change up again?.

I hope it'l be a while until i have to change again. I had the one chance to go to a shop to get a new bass drum head when mine broke, and they had emads and gmads. The gmad was sliiiiiightly thicker, so i went with that, taking durability into account more than anything else. I also picked up some AF patches.
But the next head i get will without a doubt be another Gmad. I LOVE IT.

[Larrysperf]

I use Emad and have had no problems with them

[SomeGuyDude]

EMAD2 all the way here. Love it love it love it.

[Russ]

Same. I've used all types of emad variations except for the gmad on my kick and so far haven't had problems with them. Even avoided trouble with the foam rings, I always used the big ones. It could be a lack of heavy hitting or intensity, but i've never found myself in need to replace them. The only problem I did have was after a year or so i'd get a crack in the center. If that's the worst these heads get, they're a dream come true.

[SomeGuyDude]

I stomp on my pedals, and never had an issue with an EMAD ring. I have no idea how other people are breaking those things.

[Homeularis]

Supposedly the Emad plastic ring breaking problem has been fixed.

The newer ones should not have a problem anymore...I hope.

[Riouel]

EMAD2 all the way here. Love it love it love it.

same here and never have any problem at all

[Jerzey Street Band (JSB)]

I have used the EMAD and I am currently on the EMAD2, I have found that with the EMAD2 it sounds great when miced up in the studio or live but when its just me sat behind the kit at rehearsal it never feels like it has a big enough punch, maybe I should try the GMAD and see what I can get it to do.

[SomeGuyDude]

Well yeah, one of the issues with the EMAD, actually by design, is that it really focuses the sound. That means that from behind the kit you won't hear as much as you would from in front of it, which is why it sounds good recorded or live but not by yourself.