tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71076346543128461132024-03-09T21:46:09.851-05:00Drum Nuts (& Bolts)Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-57571176461180147422023-02-11T15:23:00.030-05:002023-06-09T23:00:49.977-04:00A Misadventure in 3D Printing Drums<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfvQY5VBSR0waePSLVJQQJoMrO_dHgq1lyGV-0EJX-Kv6CbjcXN_AsC_u3F3EXK2FColqJm6UY69JTfkf1zKURUe6xQ2hp2FwP30pcCsUP71tGeh78qGHY8HjeT6IImeWVkHe9bqBF9RhEAFCdpNNs5RETeA5Y9NE7nVkwShOVmQUPCo6e9iccWs3OA/s1605/3D%20drum%20shell%20v9%20cropped.png" style="display: none;" />
My attempt to 3D print drums in nylon carbon fiber is foiled by high printing costs and <i>Panic at the Disco</i>.<br /><br />By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><div><br /></div><div>Six years ago, I attended a local Design-2-Part trade show. I was interested in 3D printing, and I wanted to see the latest advancements in the technology. At that show, industrial 3D printer manufacturer Markforged was handing out samples printed in nylon filled with carbon fiber. Sold under trade names Onyx™, Nylon CF, and others, this material has properties similar to aluminum, but lighter.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcj6EHvZbQnFfse2N_daWD5akYW0k6D-fIoH8P0m0L6kwkyVtSut6BwQOyDNlV-9alyb1lpxXiXi7-qNoKZvwL5s3SaARbSHhZAl4BDIXQ4A4mc8NS3r2qQN5-WZMfclyzN8swYHgamdVAVX4aHf2jvfA027IYWmRH20mlJeX67zvsSmoTJjNDsLgFQ/s600/Nylon%20CF%20part.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Automotive part 3D printed in carbon-filled nylon" border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcj6EHvZbQnFfse2N_daWD5akYW0k6D-fIoH8P0m0L6kwkyVtSut6BwQOyDNlV-9alyb1lpxXiXi7-qNoKZvwL5s3SaARbSHhZAl4BDIXQ4A4mc8NS3r2qQN5-WZMfclyzN8swYHgamdVAVX4aHf2jvfA027IYWmRH20mlJeX67zvsSmoTJjNDsLgFQ/w400-h258/Nylon%20CF%20part.webp" title="Automotive part 3D printed in carbon-filled nylon" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Automotive part 3D printed in carbon-filled nylon</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>I could barely flex a 3mm thick sample. It stopped me in my tracks--it was strong, dense, and rigid. The sample was charcoal in color with a texture that reminded me of powder coating. I immediately wondered whether this was the ultimate material for 3D printing drum shells.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was between day jobs, so I spent a significant amount of time thinking about how I could build a business around 3D printed drums. To build a viable 3D drum printing business, I feel that patent protection is critical. 3D printing eliminates the need for a specialized factory, and copying and printing someone else's designs would be fairly easy to do. Patent protection would be the best way to ensure that a drum printing business is compensated for its investment into research and development, as well as any innovations that might result from that investment.</div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZdYH7Ulc44mjPToLiG60qofHWCI5jUEPurNmn8AnqOP-F7-NCbdCZrjk3rNjiiYnSOOf14PW62rdAmLTB_tUktEV3y-tsXhdXAGHcBeyF67FvXA7QgAtwg7Zmtc3ynuCwqAjShpXu9RO2b8zzRNkN2HaC62diPgZEsV9Ytyj2a_w8gNFBdxXj56CzA/s1416/OpenAI%20response%207.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ChatGPT perspective on Nylon CF drum shells" border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="1416" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZdYH7Ulc44mjPToLiG60qofHWCI5jUEPurNmn8AnqOP-F7-NCbdCZrjk3rNjiiYnSOOf14PW62rdAmLTB_tUktEV3y-tsXhdXAGHcBeyF67FvXA7QgAtwg7Zmtc3ynuCwqAjShpXu9RO2b8zzRNkN2HaC62diPgZEsV9Ytyj2a_w8gNFBdxXj56CzA/w400-h159/OpenAI%20response%207.png" title="ChatGPT perspective on Nylon CF drum shells" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ChatGPT perspective on Nylon CF drum shells</td></tr></tbody></table>Unfortunately, a brief patent search in 2017 revealed that the specific feature I felt would differentiate my 3D drum designs had already been patented decades before and was now in the public domain. At that time, it didn't occur to me to look into patenting the use of specific materials in 3D drum printing. Shortly after the patent search, I landed my next day gig, so I shelved my 3D drum printing dream and went back to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to October 2022, when I finally decided to design and print a prototype 8x12 tom. The first step in this process was to create a 3D CAD design. I posted a job on <a href="https://www.upwork.com/" target="_blank">Upwork</a> and found a 3D CAD freelancer with an engineering background who quickly brought my sketches to life. My design had some complex geometry involving the bearing edges and integrated tension lugs, but the designer nailed it.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfvQY5VBSR0waePSLVJQQJoMrO_dHgq1lyGV-0EJX-Kv6CbjcXN_AsC_u3F3EXK2FColqJm6UY69JTfkf1zKURUe6xQ2hp2FwP30pcCsUP71tGeh78qGHY8HjeT6IImeWVkHe9bqBF9RhEAFCdpNNs5RETeA5Y9NE7nVkwShOVmQUPCo6e9iccWs3OA/s1605/3D%20drum%20shell%20v9%20cropped.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CAD design of drum shell for 3D printing" border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1605" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfvQY5VBSR0waePSLVJQQJoMrO_dHgq1lyGV-0EJX-Kv6CbjcXN_AsC_u3F3EXK2FColqJm6UY69JTfkf1zKURUe6xQ2hp2FwP30pcCsUP71tGeh78qGHY8HjeT6IImeWVkHe9bqBF9RhEAFCdpNNs5RETeA5Y9NE7nVkwShOVmQUPCo6e9iccWs3OA/w400-h393/3D%20drum%20shell%20v9%20cropped.png" title="CAD design of drum shell for 3D printing" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAD design of drum shell for 3D printing</td></tr></tbody></table>Designed with Nylon CF in mind, my prototype features a 1/8-inch thick shell stiffened by 30-degree roundover bearing edges. The integrated lugs have molded cavities to accommodate metal tension rod receivers.</div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />While finalizing the design with my CAD freelancer, I launched a second patent search to see if there was an existing patent that covers 3D printed drum shells using nylon filled with carbon fiber.</div><div><br /></div><div>Armed with my detailed 3D design, I then requested printing quotes from several major online 3D printing services. A couple of them ran my design through a slicer. A slicer analyzes the 3D design and breaks it down into specific instructions for the 3D printer. This analysis identified a few opportunities to optimize my design to reduce printing cost.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bad news came in the form of a one-two punch. First, the Nylon CF 3D printing quotes all came back in the $4000-$8000 range. Ouch. Worse, my second patent search turned up a match. An active patent was granted in late 2019 to Daniel Pawlovich, the drummer for <i>Panic at the Disco</i>. His comprehensive patent, US 10,497,345 B2 (Dec. 3, 2019), covers most of the items I believed were unique to my design.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being late to the patent party is a disappointment, but I applaud Dan for recognizing the potential of 3D printing for building drums! This <a href="https://youtu.be/_z7e5KmVAJs" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> details his 3D printing journey. His 3D printing partner, Stratasys, also published a <a href="https://www.stratasys.com/en/stratasysdirect/resources/case-studies/3d-printing-snare-drums-dan-pawlovich/" target="_blank">case study</a> on Dan's 3D printed snare drums. I emailed Dan to see if he might be interested in a partnership. I would love to know what he plans to do with his patent.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would also love to hear the tone of a tom drum 3D printed in Nylon CF! If the prices ever come down, I still plan to do a test print of my prototype drum design.</div><div><br /></div><div>--Darin</div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com28HG6+H4 Claremore, OK, USA36.3264788 -95.4396395-43.771891385114991 123.9353605 90 45.1853605tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-88910237872874483502022-09-25T21:04:00.024-04:002022-09-27T19:24:26.693-04:002112 Percussion expands into a new space<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ZQqdM6S4Q0BG47IoLuRZlc2aVZf-WaAYZKnic_FxsHwQhimfEHlzUuJlySTFAF9Zzlh_GySe1EmQczK8Vfe7H1tHqEaH8gKZmH-FGazMBvwA5t2VtAPeCSxD-mGeFTFkTd0GgkGjxsKkERxDpjEAfaZkTpvsW0WcKvfURVyybrDCp0FvnJ7hNfszg/s4032/2112_NewKits.jpg" style="display: none;" />
The first dedicated drum and percussion shop in the Carolinas, 2112 Percussion, expands into a new space with an impressive selection of new and pre-owned gear.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Last weekend, I was in Raleigh, North Carolina, and had the opportunity to visit <a href="https://www.2112percussion.com/" target="_blank">2112 Percussion</a>, the first dedicated drum and percussion shop in the Carolinas. 2112 Percussion has been in business since 1986, founded by the late Steve Johnson, and appears on many drummer's lists of the best independent drum shops in the U.S. Like all independent drum shops, 2112 Percussion can resell gear from any manufacturer, but they choose "to focus only on those that we feel offer the best quality and value," according to their website.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ZQqdM6S4Q0BG47IoLuRZlc2aVZf-WaAYZKnic_FxsHwQhimfEHlzUuJlySTFAF9Zzlh_GySe1EmQczK8Vfe7H1tHqEaH8gKZmH-FGazMBvwA5t2VtAPeCSxD-mGeFTFkTd0GgkGjxsKkERxDpjEAfaZkTpvsW0WcKvfURVyybrDCp0FvnJ7hNfszg/s4032/2112_NewKits.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="2112 Percussion stocks a wide variety of new shell packs" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7ZQqdM6S4Q0BG47IoLuRZlc2aVZf-WaAYZKnic_FxsHwQhimfEHlzUuJlySTFAF9Zzlh_GySe1EmQczK8Vfe7H1tHqEaH8gKZmH-FGazMBvwA5t2VtAPeCSxD-mGeFTFkTd0GgkGjxsKkERxDpjEAfaZkTpvsW0WcKvfURVyybrDCp0FvnJ7hNfszg/w400-h300/2112_NewKits.jpg" title="2112 Percussion stocks a wide variety of new shell packs" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2112 Percussion stocks a wide variety of new shell packs</td></tr></tbody></table>
At the beginning of 2022, 2112 Percussion moved to a new, larger space after 28 years at their prior location. Walking into the new store, it's obvious that the 2112 team put in many long hours to relocate, organize, and display their impressive inventory of new and used percussion gear.<br />
<br />
The first thing that jumped out at me was the large selection of new shell packs. Dozens of new kits by DW, Gretsch, Ludwig, Mapex, NATAL, PDP, Pearl, Pork Pie, Sonor, and Tama line the back wall at the center of the store and occupy a significant amount of floor space as well. In addition to a wide variety of shell finishes and wraps, I noticed a nice selection of shell sizes--for example, kick drums ranging from 14x13 to 24x18.<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0picmMm_v0RLROq2HP8MZJDg4QOtAeKzzJBNs5kw8pWnCUuJ6Gr15PzjA3lkwSH81b_SQu82IU8WwuFiSved-a6krIWWdJLcFy7t7oYvhKcSb5Bws9pttksLUIts2fMNdlFlxAr9DBA3YanjT4yznt0DDxQWzbbh_bUjCxrqAHelES8wMU9QoWDF_A/s4032/2112_UsedKits.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Impressive pre-owned inventory at 2112 Percussion" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0picmMm_v0RLROq2HP8MZJDg4QOtAeKzzJBNs5kw8pWnCUuJ6Gr15PzjA3lkwSH81b_SQu82IU8WwuFiSved-a6krIWWdJLcFy7t7oYvhKcSb5Bws9pttksLUIts2fMNdlFlxAr9DBA3YanjT4yznt0DDxQWzbbh_bUjCxrqAHelES8wMU9QoWDF_A/w400-h300/2112_UsedKits.jpg" title="Impressive pre-owned inventory at 2112 Percussion" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive pre-owned inventory at 2112 Percussion</td></tr></tbody></table>To the left of the new kits, I counted at least two dozen stacks of pre-owned shell packs, all in very good to excellent condition, from brands including DW, Gretsch, Ludwig, Mapex, PDP, Pearl, Pork Pie, Sonor, Spaun, and Tama. Just beyond the shell packs, I found a nice selection of individual pre-owned drums, including a couple of vintage Slingerlands. </div><div><br /></div><div>The back left corner of the store features a pre-owned snare wall with dozens of brand-name and vintage snares, as well as their pre-owned cymbal wall. Browsing through the stacks of pre-owned hi-hats, crashes, and rides, I noticed many quality Istanbul, Meinl, Paiste, Sabian, and Zildjian cymbals in good condition.</div><div><br /></div><div>Between the pre-owned snares and cymbals, I came across dozens of used pedals, stands, thrones, and other hardware. A drummer on a budget could easily assemble a complete, quality drumset from 2112 Percussion's used inventory.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhHk8qVU0vo2UfoXnh6J0auMr8uLsBEIze8B9xBD3DsejVIwEJW7j9QDCD7j_A959kNMQ1Qw0eR3CKbYM7tU1Fho5dYtHd_DtpXmSZlzwxgIECwSpkwUvb4NsUqqgQGDj4AVB1MddySQpIhfSrb1afJd8e0UabI258gydW5raQQFB7qJhtJv7wHDvuw/s4032/2112_NewSnareWall.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New snare wall at 2112 Percussion is a sight to see" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhHk8qVU0vo2UfoXnh6J0auMr8uLsBEIze8B9xBD3DsejVIwEJW7j9QDCD7j_A959kNMQ1Qw0eR3CKbYM7tU1Fho5dYtHd_DtpXmSZlzwxgIECwSpkwUvb4NsUqqgQGDj4AVB1MddySQpIhfSrb1afJd8e0UabI258gydW5raQQFB7qJhtJv7wHDvuw/w400-h300/2112_NewSnareWall.jpg" title="New snare wall at 2112 Percussion is a sight to see" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New snare wall at 2112 Percussion is a sight to see </td></tr></tbody></table><div>Wandering to the right side of the store brought me to the new snare wall. I don't recall ever seeing this many new, top-quality snares in one place. Ludwig snares fill the top three rows of the wall, Tama and Rogers in the fourth row, DW, Mapex, and Gretsch in the fifth row, and PDPs and Pork Pies in the bottom row. The Pearls were mostly in the left wing rack, and more Ludwigs, Tamas, and British Drum Co.'s could be found in the right wing rack.</div><div><br /></div><div>Moving to the right of the new snare wall, I browsed a large inventory of accessories and percussion instruments, including hand drums and cajons.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg4Nsk87mgsdj9p16fRv7Q3eRP59y8HnGVJG0PgcFdDQBwK89u_VLBa9EtERdOtcUuxboeMbqyUnYF82CBVpH7lxrITrVM0eD3vtVjhrMT2yNMXGfFjRcPaTvNVTtDyk_XMG254Ho3eIUd9-9b3yqWfjMzjQH_IqIrBT0FCXAnQsjuHwOxuBzh_8otw/s4032/2112_BeginnerKits.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Beginner drumsets and new hardware at 2112 Percussion" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjg4Nsk87mgsdj9p16fRv7Q3eRP59y8HnGVJG0PgcFdDQBwK89u_VLBa9EtERdOtcUuxboeMbqyUnYF82CBVpH7lxrITrVM0eD3vtVjhrMT2yNMXGfFjRcPaTvNVTtDyk_XMG254Ho3eIUd9-9b3yqWfjMzjQH_IqIrBT0FCXAnQsjuHwOxuBzh_8otw/w300-h400/2112_BeginnerKits.jpg" title="Beginner drumsets and new hardware at 2112 Percussion" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginner drumsets and new hardware<br />at 2112 Percussion</td></tr></tbody></table><div>The right wall of the store featured separate cymbal walls for Meinl, Sabian, Zildjian, and Paiste, all with solid assortments of quality cymbals from those makers. The storefront is lined with an impressive assortment of new pedals, stands, and thrones, and additional accessories and beginner kits are positioned between the storefront and the new snare wall.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Back in April, 2112 Percussion hosted a masterclass session led by Todd Sucherman, long-time drummer for Styx. Todd is a friend of the shop and visits from time to time. Twenty lucky drummers spent three hours learning how to hone their craft as Todd shared lessons learned from his session, recording, and performing experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nick at 2112 Percussion was kind enough to show me around, share stories about their recent move, and nerd out with me on various gearhead topics. Thanks, Nick, for being such an awesome host!<br /><div><br />
--Darin<br /></div></div></div></div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-13558341914889601642022-08-03T13:59:00.040-04:002023-11-11T16:33:20.457-05:00Ultimate Slingerland solid maple snare, Part 2 of 2<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc1B5XPS5H1yE4z5YZAX-nrKe4bzu6_y_bJ9yVPJLY-5Jg6fqTKLymcK2GMn3K6PAZBULJK97CMu-5qNbZJ4qDj88w8GcWSxE5seWIKI4uH9oXe5SQyrFdUCLY8Ufe1qIIQHAOfE43KwoeTOE5RwWo3NXPvAEFKEw4xbiIu_A5mem18B-Beg-mEK5yzw" style="display: none;" />
Converting a vintage Slingerland Super Gene Krupa solid maple snare drum, one of the best snare drums of all time, into a modern player's drum.<div><br />By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is part two of a two-part story about a legendary drum, the Slingerland solid (1-ply) maple snare.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-YweTKy0Na8ABrWEuwpZkH4KgyaYVeN0UFX7gdlWp_7MAeGkMkKGe8x_6UFJ_U3gPVDFV96tYOTeUKfIRVaUHrJ6FaGdJs38xdnsPqbf52YHC8uO5ynFYkBVfMisbNV4CPomB0NLKqUwIuvMEs0fBRMfgsPQWqJzHoDv85onP0FA5obKIviHQ2hUBA/s5584/TDR_strainer_vert.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="TDR throw and butt plate cover original Super clamshell strainer holes" border="0" data-original-height="5584" data-original-width="3634" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-YweTKy0Na8ABrWEuwpZkH4KgyaYVeN0UFX7gdlWp_7MAeGkMkKGe8x_6UFJ_U3gPVDFV96tYOTeUKfIRVaUHrJ6FaGdJs38xdnsPqbf52YHC8uO5ynFYkBVfMisbNV4CPomB0NLKqUwIuvMEs0fBRMfgsPQWqJzHoDv85onP0FA5obKIviHQ2hUBA/w416-h640/TDR_strainer_vert.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TDR throw and butt plate cover original<br />Super clamshell strainer holes</td></tr></tbody></table>Now that I know that my late 1950's Slingerland 5.5" x 14" solid maple model No. 153 snare drum shell is in excellent condition, it's time to order some parts. Since this will be a player's drum and not a museum piece, I am fine with modern reproductions of Slingerland's classic Sound King breadloaf tension lugs and stick saver hoops. I ordered these, along with new 1-3/4" tension rods, from my friends at <a href="https://drumfactorydirect.com" target="_blank">drumfactorydirect.com</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned in part one of this post, I had already purchased Slingerland's 1970's-vintage TDR throw and butt plate for installation on this drum. Originally, I planned to fabricate adapter plates using a sheet of carbon fiber, but after test-fitting the TDR parts to this shell, I realized that I could use the top hole drilled for the original clamshell strainer and drill one small hole on each side of the shell for the lower TDR mounting bolts. Because the TDR gates already protrude over an inch from each side of the shell, I decided to go ahead and drill the two extra holes. I know a number of Slingerland faithful out there will question that decision!</div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately, both the TDR throw and butt plate mounted and aligned perfectly, with the surface notched into the lower bar of each gate lining up perfectly with the snare beds. This matches the TDR system alignment on my 1979 Slingerland COB snare, so fingers crossed that I got it right. I had to use smaller washers with the lower mounting bolts on each side because they are close to the reinforcement ring. Bonus: The TDR strainer nicely covers all of the holes drilled for the original Super clamshell strainer.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nRcgs71Jx5WZ5I_mqrwMnaHmSpzkpVsch8QEV7ZRcEmdTucImWYEQ526Vg-cVK_3ytzaQejxT7gZo3Hn9EB0YYzv060P5mVrTRbK_KxpWu7kWlTepDHoMnAT0Lqk5yOqqZ3zANL4K2T7VRg_GOg3jIqs_2NpRTlyj3f7vwqlTXHSK9yuyrpWhww_dQ/s4032/TDR_mount_bolts.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="TDR installation required one new hole and smaller washer on each side" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nRcgs71Jx5WZ5I_mqrwMnaHmSpzkpVsch8QEV7ZRcEmdTucImWYEQ526Vg-cVK_3ytzaQejxT7gZo3Hn9EB0YYzv060P5mVrTRbK_KxpWu7kWlTepDHoMnAT0Lqk5yOqqZ3zANL4K2T7VRg_GOg3jIqs_2NpRTlyj3f7vwqlTXHSK9yuyrpWhww_dQ/w320-h240/TDR_mount_bolts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TDR installation required one new hole and<br />smaller washer on each side--<br />note shell interior is unfinished</td></tr></tbody></table>I then installed the reproduction Sound King tension lugs, which arrived with decidedly unoriginal lug gaskets and black mounting bolts. Slingerland always used galvanized bolts to install tension lugs, and rubber lug gaskets are a modern touch, but I decided to install the lugs as delivered. The brand new die-cast lugs look great without the extra labor involved in refurbishing a set of vintage lugs!</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up: Heads. I planned to use a set of new Evans G1 coated and Snare Side 300 clear heads that I already had, but this is where I encountered my first snag. These modern heads did not easily drop onto the shell--the metal collars of the heads were extremely snug against the shell, actually scratching the wrap as I tried to press them downward.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v1eOtXcDVGv3sigPDkMUXoaFEJycXnH1Va9ap4A4EAc4Ay5dZBqucQl8pk5_oVxZ4FP35mq6Si1Ggnfjah80GZ7hR_i1ghZp4Zgl66Oz_LYYHhw8RValbE2eQKSxbFd_vTAbhp-vpHmQK0NGgKl3wUJ8J2wK7S9zjc9l4PZod8JCDg7vyMc5-4p8qQ/s4032/Classic-fit_snare_head.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Remo Classic Fit snare head fits vintage shell perfectly" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v1eOtXcDVGv3sigPDkMUXoaFEJycXnH1Va9ap4A4EAc4Ay5dZBqucQl8pk5_oVxZ4FP35mq6Si1Ggnfjah80GZ7hR_i1ghZp4Zgl66Oz_LYYHhw8RValbE2eQKSxbFd_vTAbhp-vpHmQK0NGgKl3wUJ8J2wK7S9zjc9l4PZod8JCDg7vyMc5-4p8qQ/w400-h300/Classic-fit_snare_head.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remo Classic Fit snare head fits<br />vintage shell perfectly</td></tr></tbody></table>Some Googling revealed that many vintage drums are slightly oversized. Drum shells manufactured prior to the mid-1960s were often 1/16"-1/8" larger in diameter than modern drums. Fortunately, Aquarian and Remo sell heads designed to address this issue. I found 14-inch Remo Classic Fit Ambassador batter and snare heads at <a href="https://sweetwater.com" target="_blank">sweetwater.com</a>, and they promptly shipped me a set.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do Remo's Classic Fit heads resolve the problem of oversized vintage drums? In my case, yes. They dropped right onto my late-1950's Slingerland shell. The metal collars on the Classic Fit heads are thinner, which provides the extra clearance needed around a vintage shell while still fitting standard hoops. And speaking of hoops, the reproduction Slingerland-style stick saver hoops I purchased for this drum have a more rigid, solid feel than standard 2.3mm triple-flange hoops. I hear that rigidity in rimshots on these hoops.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh29Xjwx0zdT3P2EyR7ixPbtBZ48z3o88ZlUNiC9ujPI7PV3hsYNrnusanhRPx2JsgnAel-BdEJfWn6wcjPBaYiK25clf9YO2_UQW9_MLV4cWdz_yCjRkgcVA2IYNLgHoRMVOQ8jo311pmWsfErWgPkdm0X3t1GRdC_vCJxi2OlS2a_C3cUvmLYjedJTA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pearl's S-025 snare wires fit TDR perfectly" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh29Xjwx0zdT3P2EyR7ixPbtBZ48z3o88ZlUNiC9ujPI7PV3hsYNrnusanhRPx2JsgnAel-BdEJfWn6wcjPBaYiK25clf9YO2_UQW9_MLV4cWdz_yCjRkgcVA2IYNLgHoRMVOQ8jo311pmWsfErWgPkdm0X3t1GRdC_vCJxi2OlS2a_C3cUvmLYjedJTA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl's 15-inch S-025 snare wires fit<br /> TDR's extended snare setup</td></tr></tbody></table>That brings us to the final upgrade: Installing the Pearl S-025 snare wires. Slingerland's TDR strainer and butt plate are designed to extend snare wires across the entire snare head for improved sensitivity and response. Pearl's S-025 snare wires are nearly 15 inches long, allowing the snare wire solder plates to extend off the edge of the snare head on each end, and as a result, only wires contact the head. I've always viewed TDR as a simpler and more robust approach to extended snare wires, and because Pearl's S-025 fits perfectly, I can upgrade the snare wires and use the TDR system as designed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tune-bot tuning: I tuned the drum up to 3g (196Hz) using Tune-bot. To achieve this, I first tuned each snare lug to 400Hz and then each batter lug to 301Hz. I love how Slingerland maple snares bark at 3g. I also found that this 8-lug drum was easier to dial in from a tuning standpoint than the 6-lug 1964 3-ply Student model I owned a number of years ago. I added this tuning scheme to the snare section of <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a>.</div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc1B5XPS5H1yE4z5YZAX-nrKe4bzu6_y_bJ9yVPJLY-5Jg6fqTKLymcK2GMn3K6PAZBULJK97CMu-5qNbZJ4qDj88w8GcWSxE5seWIKI4uH9oXe5SQyrFdUCLY8Ufe1qIIQHAOfE43KwoeTOE5RwWo3NXPvAEFKEw4xbiIu_A5mem18B-Beg-mEK5yzw" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Finished 1950s Slingerland solid maple snare sounds as good as it looks" data-original-height="2771" data-original-width="3868" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc1B5XPS5H1yE4z5YZAX-nrKe4bzu6_y_bJ9yVPJLY-5Jg6fqTKLymcK2GMn3K6PAZBULJK97CMu-5qNbZJ4qDj88w8GcWSxE5seWIKI4uH9oXe5SQyrFdUCLY8Ufe1qIIQHAOfE43KwoeTOE5RwWo3NXPvAEFKEw4xbiIu_A5mem18B-Beg-mEK5yzw=w400-h286" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished 1950s Slingerland solid maple<br />snare sounds as good as it looks!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The finished drum is a beauty and it sounds even better! This late 1950s Slingerland model No.153 solid maple snare is ready for the next phase of its life as a player's drum.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who says you have to slow down after 60?</div><div><br /></div><div>--Darin</div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-44959290854270428532022-07-04T22:12:00.037-04:002023-02-11T15:36:37.182-05:00Ultimate Slingerland solid maple snare, Part 1 of 2<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk62w_pTaYhFcbqJT0a0QqjlYD-0GTCuElg7WBSiAzStr6x9UVYhaNsWUkESdCuSC2GlsuF7jyB1IeCW5TmmwcS8HtrmMVswViTQJbv_mnTQi7nnX3i_uez2JRnc3eUA730fZiflC9vqpPSWmAwx09NpKT7-MQRY5Y9n0cTjRfirVz4H7MnX_OXAX9w/s4032/Slingerland%20shell2.jpeg" style="display: none;" />
Finding and purchasing a vintage Slingerland Super Gene Krupa solid maple snare drum, one of the best snare drums of all time.<div><br /></div><div>By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcIDB7B7dhnMRHZpY8jO-9___hykdIijQSFfp2LAeU91PpDOneXjs0OGv24iMdknsCmGKcL1NYXiJ45ClyecmVSLBcbS9v-RCnL1yBamJMLJlT3Mu3yopF0ZZPnZBsdQjSe0qy1NI5U_lzHTglG-PCgpPqGX65idrdBl_wAt8CgUDcyRG9HHOI68E7g/s1360/1959-slingerland-snares1.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Snares in 1959 Slingerland catalog, courtesy of vintagedrumguide.com" border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcIDB7B7dhnMRHZpY8jO-9___hykdIijQSFfp2LAeU91PpDOneXjs0OGv24iMdknsCmGKcL1NYXiJ45ClyecmVSLBcbS9v-RCnL1yBamJMLJlT3Mu3yopF0ZZPnZBsdQjSe0qy1NI5U_lzHTglG-PCgpPqGX65idrdBl_wAt8CgUDcyRG9HHOI68E7g/w294-h400/1959-slingerland-snares1.jpeg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snares in 1959 Slingerland catalog,<br />courtesy of <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/slingerland_catalog_pages.html" target="_blank">VintageDrumGuide.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table>This is part one of a two-part story about a legendary drum, the Slingerland solid (1-ply) maple snare. Branded under a few different names over the years--Radio King, Gene Krupa, and Artist--Slingerland built and sold versions of this drum from 1934-1981. Slingerland solid maple snares in good condition currently sell for around $600 and up, higher than 3-ply maple-poplar-maple Slingerland snares which also have a loyal following.</div><div><br /></div><div>Neil Peart played and recorded "Old Faithful," a Slingerland 3-ply snare, until 1993, and I always loved the voice of <i>Rush's</i> backbeat. After owning a <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2014/10/vintage-slingerland-maple-snare-drum.html">Slingerland 6-lug Student 3-ply snare</a>, I decided to search for a vintage 8-lug 3-ply or 1-ply drum and upgrade it to a modern, reliable drum while preserving its legendary tone. In my mind, this would create the player's ultimate Slingerland wood snare drum.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recently, <a href="https://www.ebay.com/str/ahouseoftreasures" target="_blank">Lee County Music</a> listed a 1950's solid maple shell with a black diamond pearl wrap for a reasonable price. With the BDP wrap matching my new <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2021/01/new-stone-custom-drum-kit-in-black.html">Stone Custom Drum gigging kit</a>, this shell appeared to be the perfect foundation for my new build!</div><div><br /></div><div>This drum's black and brass script "S" Chicago badge dates it between 1956 and 1959. More evidence placing the shell in this era--it is drilled for the Super "clamshell' strainer and butt plate, which Slingerland discontinued in 1962 when it introduced the Zoomatic. It also has three smaller holes for the internal dual muffler, which I don't plan to install.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 1959 catalog lists the Super strainer-equipped 5.5" x 14" solid maple snare in "choice of pearl finish" as the model No. 153. It sold for a whopping $87, or $875 in 2022 dollars.</div><div><br /></div><div>Complete clamshell strainers and butts are a rare find--the levers are nearly always broken or missing. Even if they were available, I'm not sure a 60-year-old strainer is a reliable solution for a player's drum. The good news is that in 1972, Slingerland introduced a sturdy strainer with a more reliable AND more sensitive design--the TDR.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's the core of my plan for the player's ultimate Slingerland wood snare drum--mating a late 1950's 1-ply solid maple shell with a 1970's TDR strainer and butt plate set!</div><div><br /></div><div>Side note: While Slingerland did build wood snares equipped with the TDR strainer during the 1970s--branded as Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson models--I believe most if not all of these drums came from the factory with 5-ply shells. I have never been a fan of Slingerland's thicker 5-ply shells, even on snare drums.</div><div><br /></div><div>I found a TDR strainer and butt plate on separate eBay listings. Unfortunately, I had to shell out nearly $200 to win the bids, but they arrived in better condition than I expected. Pearl's S-025 snare wires, designed for Pearl's free-floating snares, fit TDR's extended snare setup perfectly, so I picked up a set of those as well for $15. Puresound's PF1416 snare wires for free-floating snares appear to be the same overall length as Pearl's S-025 and may work as well, but they will set you back $45. I use the S-025 with my 1979 Slingerland COB TDR snare, so I know that it works well.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOPn2prBMuGYw5Xm9CVAv7NFGK6rbUsSm9zYrApCQNt2-kBBZ6-c4O06LcIxfzo35QvyWhbR6Mv10rNrN9352XdPeTVnpDbJxmwdbWAmR2tSmkYC0NHsYcqslG8RycuhT5E4Qda_ByrO_OaxBMAfchlH5fMh85I5uVzBYbCEUh0-FMN9d09XmkC4q4A/s4032/Slingerland%20shell1.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="1950s Slingerland solid maple snare shell, front view" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOPn2prBMuGYw5Xm9CVAv7NFGK6rbUsSm9zYrApCQNt2-kBBZ6-c4O06LcIxfzo35QvyWhbR6Mv10rNrN9352XdPeTVnpDbJxmwdbWAmR2tSmkYC0NHsYcqslG8RycuhT5E4Qda_ByrO_OaxBMAfchlH5fMh85I5uVzBYbCEUh0-FMN9d09XmkC4q4A/w400-h300/Slingerland%20shell1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late 1950s Slingerland solid maple snare shell--<br />black diamond pearl wrap aged well!</td></tr></tbody></table>My new Slingerland solid maple shell arrived this week, and it's a beauty. The edges are excellent and there is nearly zero separation between the reinforcing rings and the shell. The black diamond pearl wrap looks new--in fact, if it weren't for the lighter-colored rings on the portions of the wrap that spent their lives under mounted heads, you might wonder if this shell was re-wrapped recently. Several lug-to-lug measurements across the shell confirm that it is within 1/16" of being perfectly round. The only potential issue I see: The snare beds are slightly out of alignment with the holes for the strainer and butt plate. For some reason this is not uncommon with these shells, but it might up the difficulty in aligning the TDR gates.</div><div><br /></div><div>Very impressive for a 63+ year-old wood shell. More to come about the build in part 2 of this post...stay tuned!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk62w_pTaYhFcbqJT0a0QqjlYD-0GTCuElg7WBSiAzStr6x9UVYhaNsWUkESdCuSC2GlsuF7jyB1IeCW5TmmwcS8HtrmMVswViTQJbv_mnTQi7nnX3i_uez2JRnc3eUA730fZiflC9vqpPSWmAwx09NpKT7-MQRY5Y9n0cTjRfirVz4H7MnX_OXAX9w/s4032/Slingerland%20shell2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1950s Slingerland solid maple snare shell, oblique view" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsk62w_pTaYhFcbqJT0a0QqjlYD-0GTCuElg7WBSiAzStr6x9UVYhaNsWUkESdCuSC2GlsuF7jyB1IeCW5TmmwcS8HtrmMVswViTQJbv_mnTQi7nnX3i_uez2JRnc3eUA730fZiflC9vqpPSWmAwx09NpKT7-MQRY5Y9n0cTjRfirVz4H7MnX_OXAX9w/w300-h400/Slingerland%20shell2.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><div>--Darin</div></div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-19983102178357615342021-01-30T11:45:00.047-05:002023-10-15T09:45:34.943-04:00New Stone Custom Drum kit in Black Diamond Pearl wrap<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdzkOxveql1noBoqRMqCvhoOcKn9Xqh90qF-l_OvFc5MaPhrUGFME-DiV6sJyGYSDDE_h-aB4KSAdwIYPXMA6dtwIx2UEZMUpMaW5UoMgUqokSmuC-2cCGfL5K0YLoqDlBI9-xNXTV9z76ooTVABRLOp8q9bPMvvd_EGWAjq9VcXx70E3S69lZyyht_Fl/s3938/SCP%20BDP%20kit%20setup.jpg" style="display: none;" />Another new Stone Custom Drum drumset built with Bernie Stone's American Classic 3-ply shell formula and a vintage Black Diamond Pearl wrap.<div><br /></div><div>By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Readers of this blog know that I am a big fan of Bernie Stone. Bernie founded Stone Custom Drum to continue building drums using the classic American formula, essentially building "new Slingerland" drums using equipment from the old Slingerland factory that he salvaged and refurbished. You can read more about Bernie in my previous post, <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2015/04/stone-custom-drum-kit.html" target="_blank">New Stone Custom Drum kit with American Classic 3-ply shells</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxPKRlvnyQKHZXCkhdhWslg-z-3brgHT7kqHWvgk_uHdAB9ZUCuDR-UiP3GrHH8TSZMdn3c-GZzyspm5tza1ZSgBUTtil0r7AUHlOdAWwkKksI3s331UMJOGRYow8zPTxr5T7I3qNAi0C/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vintage drums in black diamond pearl wrap" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="2048" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxPKRlvnyQKHZXCkhdhWslg-z-3brgHT7kqHWvgk_uHdAB9ZUCuDR-UiP3GrHH8TSZMdn3c-GZzyspm5tza1ZSgBUTtil0r7AUHlOdAWwkKksI3s331UMJOGRYow8zPTxr5T7I3qNAi0C/w400-h216/Vintage+BDP+drums.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage drums in black diamond pearl wrap<br />(images may be subject to copyright)</td></tr></tbody></table>Early last year, I started gigging a bit more, and while I love my Stone Custom Drum walnut-to-deep brown burst kit, I hate the idea of damaging its beautiful finish while lugging it around. Without question, this is a first-world problem :) I gave Bernie a call, and the good news is that he had time in his production schedule to build a kit with wrapped shells for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have always liked the vintage American drum sets wrapped in Black Diamond Pearl (BDP), also known as Black Pearl or Black Marine Pearl. Slingerland, Rogers, Ludwig, Premier, Gretsch, and other drum makers built drums with a version of this wrap as early as the 1950s. After watching this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYZ0V1NBt7I" target="_blank">video</a> of a Stone Custom Drum kit in this wrap, I decided to check the box for BDP.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinfp6WbPgs4XSHgV3hzfmDhQuzck_IW342N6gkvEBH-e6WNqOLvCuC2Dl5zSrE55sx-QW4ISAbGsv_-GbyI2UijHXsGGVtGA3mp320GJPp8H9qAveJF9ujCnBa4kNChYZayDbj2kB93jE/s2597/SCD+shop+table-boxed.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Shells at SCD prepped for hardware, then packed for shipment" border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="2597" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinfp6WbPgs4XSHgV3hzfmDhQuzck_IW342N6gkvEBH-e6WNqOLvCuC2Dl5zSrE55sx-QW4ISAbGsv_-GbyI2UijHXsGGVtGA3mp320GJPp8H9qAveJF9ujCnBa4kNChYZayDbj2kB93jE/w400-h186/SCD+shop+table-boxed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shells at SCD prepped for hardware, then packed for shipment</td></tr></tbody></table>I ordered my new kit in my usual two-up, two-down tom configuration with a single bass drum. I prefer Stone Custom Drum's <a href="https://www.stonecustomdrum.com/drums/american-classic-series.html" target="_blank">American Classic</a> maple-poplar-maple 3-ply shells with re-rings. With Bernie cooking these drums up in the original Slingerland molds, I get shells in the classic American formula with modern hardware and Bernie's attention to detail. It's like placing a custom order with the old Niles factory, but better. Bernie sent me a few pics as the kit came together, which always makes the wait for the carefully packed shipping boxes much more difficult.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because Bernie is a custom drum builder, I had a number of decisions to make to configure my new kit the way I wanted it. I already knew that I wanted to go with the classic Slingerland-style stick-saver hoops and Sound King lugs, both in chrome. Bernie recommended beavertail-style floor tom brackets and black bass drum hoops with BDP inlays, and I decided to go with these vintage touches as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3R6eXgSzWz_pBHUX4Qg4OUiGbz8VCkCmCNRviqOiVejgmu_veC9jVkHhNKu_pC68H01xSVbiMek0K9GY6OunD8g0lXrey0S1AuK6KodhZ3KjjywRWZ4ooO4gAwwdh2oHpbUFYCACbYTv/s2048/SCD+14in+batter-reso.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Evans G2 coated over G2 clear heads on the 12x14 floor tom" border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="2048" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3R6eXgSzWz_pBHUX4Qg4OUiGbz8VCkCmCNRviqOiVejgmu_veC9jVkHhNKu_pC68H01xSVbiMek0K9GY6OunD8g0lXrey0S1AuK6KodhZ3KjjywRWZ4ooO4gAwwdh2oHpbUFYCACbYTv/w400-h210/SCD+14in+batter-reso.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evans G2 coated over G2 clear heads on the 12x14 floor tom</td></tr></tbody></table>Next decision: Drum heads. I decided to go with Evans all-around--G1 coated over G1 clear on the rack toms, and G2 coated over G2 clear to tame the floor toms a bit. I had Bernie outfit the bass drum with EMAD2 clear over EQ3 black (with port hole), and he added a Stone Custom Drum logo to the EQ3 reso head for me as I'm happy to spread the word!</div><div><br /></div><div>Once the build was complete, Bernie asked if he could use my new kit in a photo shoot he had scheduled with <a href="https://billraydrums.com/" target="_blank">Bill Ray</a>. I thought it would be fun to have my kit in the shoot, so I agreed. Bernie shared a quick <a href="https://youtu.be/tqI9NDa2_7A" target="_blank">video</a> as they were setting up my kit for the shoot, and it was an honor to have Bill test drive my new kit!</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg409ikOQOFNeRlFp8LgIe4o-9Z7HPjkj7BdsZO778yDHLSVPGMTb_VOfvEpJbSlMAo-MmLTbNnyN2eUdVeDnFm_6_v6lGVg0vwkMb3KiDWiHiLTREo7xmL7ZcwG2LtrcTgHYe0p_0XGJFQ/s1478/SCD+drums+stacked.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="SCD American Classic shell pack in BDP" border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1478" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg409ikOQOFNeRlFp8LgIe4o-9Z7HPjkj7BdsZO778yDHLSVPGMTb_VOfvEpJbSlMAo-MmLTbNnyN2eUdVeDnFm_6_v6lGVg0vwkMb3KiDWiHiLTREo7xmL7ZcwG2LtrcTgHYe0p_0XGJFQ/w400-h379/SCD+drums+stacked.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SCD American Classic shell pack in BDP</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>When the drums arrived, I was struck by the timeless appeal of the BDP wrap, and thankful that they were already fitted with modern hardware (e.g., suspension mounts). I had been watching several vintage kits on eBay and Reverb, and for my situation, these "new vintage" drums are a much better choice.<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVlE_mPq0M74wJs7Q0QmrBRdMESOATugclGEdNoyjp8HtHCOFm6YHlCCQj1tLJfz22nxTTjG1rsMByjOlFaY4jNHGT5HKa3QoAgAfWstXkCGo800YYjkBK2bzWcoYbiVcZMRXXhi0cN50/s2016/SCD+12in+edge+int3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Precision-cut vintage roundover edges" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVlE_mPq0M74wJs7Q0QmrBRdMESOATugclGEdNoyjp8HtHCOFm6YHlCCQj1tLJfz22nxTTjG1rsMByjOlFaY4jNHGT5HKa3QoAgAfWstXkCGo800YYjkBK2bzWcoYbiVcZMRXXhi0cN50/w400-h300/SCD+12in+edge+int3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Precision-cut vintage roundover edges<br />and lacquered interior</td></tr></tbody></table>I already have plenty of snare drums, so this order was for a shell pack rather than a complete kit. Drum sizes are 7x10 and 8x12 rack toms with TIMS isolation/ suspension mounts, 12x14 and 14x16 floor toms with standard legs, and a "virgin" (not drilled for rack tom mount) 18x22 bass drum. I prefer shallower rack toms to minimize their height over the bass drum, and I always mount them on a rack or separate stand to keep their weight off of the bass drum shell. I also add Pearl R-40/3 rubber tips to the floor tom legs, which function as inexpensive mini-isolation mounts for floor toms.<div><br /></div>I specified vintage roundover edges on all of the shells. I prefer the warmer tone roundover edges provide due to the increased contact between the head and the shell. The quality of the finished edges is excellent on all of the shells.<div><br /></div><div>Each drum includes SCD's black and brass badge, and Bernie finishes the interior of each shell with a signed decal identifying the drum and an amber lacquer that gives it a classic, finished look.</div><div><br /></div><div>The drums look and sound great, and the durable BDP wrap is a great choice for a gigging kit. I'm looking forward to getting these American Classics on the road!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdzkOxveql1noBoqRMqCvhoOcKn9Xqh90qF-l_OvFc5MaPhrUGFME-DiV6sJyGYSDDE_h-aB4KSAdwIYPXMA6dtwIx2UEZMUpMaW5UoMgUqokSmuC-2cCGfL5K0YLoqDlBI9-xNXTV9z76ooTVABRLOp8q9bPMvvd_EGWAjq9VcXx70E3S69lZyyht_Fl/s3938/SCP%20BDP%20kit%20setup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="New SCD black diamond pearl kit with Paiste Signature cymbals on a PDP rack" border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="3938" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdzkOxveql1noBoqRMqCvhoOcKn9Xqh90qF-l_OvFc5MaPhrUGFME-DiV6sJyGYSDDE_h-aB4KSAdwIYPXMA6dtwIx2UEZMUpMaW5UoMgUqokSmuC-2cCGfL5K0YLoqDlBI9-xNXTV9z76ooTVABRLOp8q9bPMvvd_EGWAjq9VcXx70E3S69lZyyht_Fl/w640-h454/SCP%20BDP%20kit%20setup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New SCD black diamond pearl kit with Paiste Signature<br />cymbals on a PDP rack</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>--Darin</div></div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-42243870248864733002021-01-16T17:44:00.108-05:002023-05-31T09:47:03.395-04:00Demystifying Stewart Copeland's "The Snare"<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjT5gnHLrVrDCSfaNUiFm_7G1figQIIoYWiR3xCXie6-sI5MQ9xDAH3twtGoEDyJR3fFg4rpovZog1rm7bI0mszYvtuPeTTWd8iK6Nk-Ya43_2e1nTYSq7YfabC-HCHTj4gs-hSpdkZa2/s2048/IMG_3689.jpeg" style="display: none;" />
Identifying and purchasing the exact snare drum model Stewart Copeland refers to as "The Snare"--the backbeat behind most of <i>The Police's</i> hit records.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br /><i>The Police</i> are one of my all-time favorite bands for many reasons, not the least of which is Stewart Copeland's brilliant drumming throughout their catalog. Non-drummer fans of the band may not realize how much Stewart's world beat influences, and general avoidance of backbeats on 2 and 4, contributed to the band's unique sound.<br />
<br />
My wife and I saw <i>The Police</i> on the Phoenix stop of their Reunion Tour in 2007. I had been looking forward to Stewart's drumming and I wasn't disappointed--except for the dead snare mic during the first few songs in their set. The brief mic issue really highlighted how important his rimshots are to "Message in a Bottle."<br />
<br />
Much has already been written about Stewart's snare drum of "mysterious provenance" that cut through "the dirge from the bass and the ear-piecing sounds of a guitar." However, there is a lot of confusion about which specific drum is "The Snare" on most of <i>The Police's</i> recordings and live performances.<br />
<br />
Some of this confusion arises from the fact that Stewart has a long-running endorsement deal with Tama Drums. While Tama did finally introduce its Stewart Copeland Signature Snare in 2001, "The Snare" was a standard Pearl (gasp!) 5x14 chrome-over-brass snare drum.<br />
<br />
The rest of the confusion is created by inconsistencies in Pearl Drums' catalogs. The same 5x14 10-lug chrome-over-brass snare drum equipped with a "professional die cast," Gladstone-style throw alternated between two model numbers in Pearl catalogs of the late 1970's and early 1980's:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://pearldrum.com/sites/default/files/image_folder/SUPPORT/GENERAL%26SPARE%20PARTS%20CATALOG/PRODUCT%20CATALOG/GENERAL%20DRUM%20SET/1977-general-catalog.pdf" target="_blank">1977 Pearl Drums catalog</a>: Model 4214, branded as a "Custom Snare Drum" and featuring more rounded center beads, a vent hole centered on the beads, and an adjustable butt plate. Pearl continued offering snares equipped with parallel-action throws under the "Jupiter" brand.</li><li><a href="https://pearldrum.com/sites/default/files/image_folder/SUPPORT/GENERAL%26SPARE%20PARTS%20CATALOG/PRODUCT%20CATALOG/GENERAL%20DRUM%20SET/1978-general-catalog.pdf" target="_blank">1978 Pearl Drums catalog</a>: Model B4514, which featured more squared-off center beads, a vent hole positioned below the beads, and a non-adjustable butt plate. The '78 catalog accidentally associates the "Jupiter" name with the Gladstone-style throw by reversing the throw pics for snare drums "A" and "B" on page 16.</li><li><a href="https://pearldrum.com/sites/default/files/image_folder/SUPPORT/GENERAL%26SPARE%20PARTS%20CATALOG/PRODUCT%20CATALOG/GENERAL%20DRUM%20SET/1980-general-catalog-.pdf" target="_blank">1980 Pearl Drums catalog</a>: Model 4214. No changes to the drum, once again branded as a "Custom Snare Drum." The "Jupiter" brand remains reserved for drums with parallel-action throws but headlines page 9 in a way that leads many to incorrectly believe that all chrome-over-brass snares are "Jupiters."</li><li><a href="https://pearldrum.com/sites/default/files/image_folder/SUPPORT/GENERAL%26SPARE%20PARTS%20CATALOG/PRODUCT%20CATALOG/GENERAL%20DRUM%20SET/1982-general-catalog.pdf" target="_blank">1982 Pearl Drums catalog</a>: Model B-4514. No changes to the drum. The "professional die cast" throw is unchanged but is now referred to as the S-015 "Gladstone" type throw. The "Jupiter" brand is no longer used, but the parallel-action throw lives on with a new S-017 version, which adds an "X" to the end of the model number of any drum so equipped.</li></ul><p></p><p>The inconsistencies in the '78 and '80 catalogs confused nearly everyone, and as a result, "The Snare" is often misidentified as a Jupiter. What we do know is that "The Snare" was equipped with Pearl's "professional die cast," Gladstone-style throw and a non-adjustable butt plate, as shown in this pic of "The Snare" from Stewart's "Sacred Grove" studio:<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIXddqd2B20sfiRKnnuTLGWyGAKIg-FloF2v7HeAy6CBGPn73kzDiBfP-eUMaEMr-oakpqoh29pu5iTUjqthp9jkw4Vs98X21NG2ON_Fk5E8Z7v9DyawHEPrtWEORkGgBWIV3zAXWXFGw/s739/Stewart+Copeland+-+The+Snare.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stewart Copeland's "The Snare" was a Pearl 5x14 COB" border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="739" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIXddqd2B20sfiRKnnuTLGWyGAKIg-FloF2v7HeAy6CBGPn73kzDiBfP-eUMaEMr-oakpqoh29pu5iTUjqthp9jkw4Vs98X21NG2ON_Fk5E8Z7v9DyawHEPrtWEORkGgBWIV3zAXWXFGw/w400-h295/Stewart+Copeland+-+The+Snare.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stewart Copeland's "The Snare" was a Pearl 5x14 COB<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
The lack of a parallel-action throw confirms that this drum was NOT a Jupiter. The more squared-off center beads and non-adjustable butt plate indicate that this was a post-1977 drum.<br />
<br />
Jeff Seitz, Stewart's long-time drum tech, confirmed in 2019 that two Pearl snares (chrome-over-brass and chrome-over-metal/steel) were acquired after the release of <i>Reggatta de Blanc </i>and first used on the recording of <i>Zenyatta Mondatta</i>. He also surmised that the first two albums were likely recorded using Tama King Beat 5x14 snares. Assuming "The Snare" was purchased new, that would make it a late-'79 or early-'80 issue drum--either a model B4514 or a 4214, depending on when the drum was built and when Pearl implemented the model number change between the '78 and '80 catalogs.<br />
<br />
The rest of "The Snare's" story is that Jeff replaced the original triple-flange batter hoops on both Pearl snares with diecast hoops because Stewart had dented the original hoops and even cracked one. Diecast batter hoops provided a sturdier platform for Stewart's trademark rimshots. The snare side of "The Snare" appears to be fitted with the original Pearl triple-flange hoop. It is unclear what if anything this mixed-hoop setup contributes to the voice of "The Snare," but it may allow more precise lug-to-lug tuning on the snare side.<br />
<br />
Curious as to how Stewart "dented" and "cracked" the original Pearl batter hoops? Because Pearl B4514/4214 snares came from the factory with 1.6mm hoops. In my experience, 1.6mm hoops are prone to denting and warping, and they provide less substance for rimshots. If substance was lacking in their triple-flange hoops, Pearl more than made up for it by using very substantial brass shells! Recording engineers working with <i>The Police</i> preferred the sound of Stewart's COB snare. Tama incorporated both the heavy 1.5mm thick brass shell and mixed-hoop design into its Stewart Copeland Signature Snare; however, they outfit the snare side with a 2.3mm "Steel Mighty" hoop.<br />
<br />
Okay, enough of the history lesson--why does any of this matter?<br />
<br />
Because two legendary drummers, Stewart Copeland of <i>The Police</i> and Neil Peart of <i>Rush,</i> were loyal to very specific non-Tama snare drums while endorsing Tama Drums. They were loyal to these drums for a reason. I've already posted about <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2014/10/vintage-slingerland-maple-snare-drum.html" target="">Neil's "Old Faithful" Slingerland snare</a>, which has an amazing crack. Stewart's Pearl COB snare would also be a worthy addition to a drummer's arsenal.<br />
<br />
There are two options for drummers wanting to closely replicate Stewart's sound:
<ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: left;">Purchase Tama's <a href="https://www.tama.com/usa/products/snare_drums/sc145.html" target="_blank">Stewart Copeland Signature Snare (SC145)</a>--about US$600 new, or US$350-$450 used.</li><li style="text-align: left;">Find and purchase a vintage Pearl B4514/4214 in good condition--typically US$200-$300--and upgrade the batter hoop. Use the magnet test to determine whether the shell is brass or steel.</li></ol><br />
In early 2011, I picked up a Tama SC145 on eBay for $240. It was my primary snare for a while, but the throw was not properly aligned with the snare bed and it was a beast to dial in. I eventually parted with it.<br />
<br />
After reading again about "The Snare," I checked to see if I could pick up a used Pearl B4514/4214 at a reasonable price. <a href="https://reverb.com/shop/pauls-gear-garage-223" target="_blank">Udrum</a> offered one on Reverb at the beginning of January, also for $240, and I decided to purchase it.<br />
<br />
The drum arrived in good condition, exactly as advertised, with some light scratches on the shell, minor pitting on the tension lugs and throw, and some rust on the hoops and tension rods. The seller noted that the internal tone control was missing--not an issue since I remove them from drums I play, anyway. I had already decided I was going to upgrade the the batter hoop, but I opted for a 3.0mm triple-flange from <a href="https://drumfactorydirect.com" target="_blank">Drum Factory Direct</a> instead of a diecast. I've found that 3.0mm triple-flange hoops provide ease-of-tuning and rimshot advantages similar to diecast hoops, and diecast hoops are crazy expensive at the moment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvY5U5_AWNtmv7cm2wNFN_IsjxSqlyrlPilqOPU-AXi-LJP9S5bSVCvyYw5RPFvRsImxBS6a6Y_2vbFBqFDOGAeufbcZzWKNYhThk6lEK5gAxva3lCRDiHT6oyTe82xgAq9fKJbMJcnTU/s2902/Pearl_2up.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vintage Pearl B4514/4214 with batter hoop and gasket upgrades--note that butt plate matches "The Snare"" border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="2902" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvY5U5_AWNtmv7cm2wNFN_IsjxSqlyrlPilqOPU-AXi-LJP9S5bSVCvyYw5RPFvRsImxBS6a6Y_2vbFBqFDOGAeufbcZzWKNYhThk6lEK5gAxva3lCRDiHT6oyTe82xgAq9fKJbMJcnTU/w640-h238/Pearl_2up.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Pearl B4514/4214 with batter hoop and gasket upgrades--note that butt plate matches "The Snare"</td></tr></tbody></table>
<br />
In addition to the batter hoop, I replaced the tension rods--Pearl uses 35mm rods on its 5x14 snares equipped with double-ended lugs. Wrapping up my parts order were Evans Power Center reverse dot batter and Hazy 300 snare heads, nylon tension rod washers, lug gaskets, and Puresound Blaster 20-wire snare wires. These upgrades added $100 to the cost of the drum.<br />
<br />
Lug gaskets for WorldMax's DC-010 appeared to be the best fit, so I decided to give them a try. They protrude a bit from the tops and bottoms of the lugs, but I liked the look so I decided not to trim them back. I know, I know--I admit that it's all but impossible to prove that gaskets improve a drum's sound, but I like the idea that they help isolate the shell from other metal parts that can resonate, perhaps not so musically.<br />
<br />
As always, I disassembled and cleaned all of the components of this drum. WD-40 helped remove rust and corrosion from the brass lug receivers and tension rod springs. I used Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and Rust Remover to improve the appearance of the shell, tension lugs, and snare side hoop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjT5gnHLrVrDCSfaNUiFm_7G1figQIIoYWiR3xCXie6-sI5MQ9xDAH3twtGoEDyJR3fFg4rpovZog1rm7bI0mszYvtuPeTTWd8iK6Nk-Ya43_2e1nTYSq7YfabC-HCHTj4gs-hSpdkZa2/s2048/IMG_3689.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="B4512/4214 includes Pearl's S-015 "Professional" Gladstone-style throw-- note extra holes at left from missing internal tone control" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjT5gnHLrVrDCSfaNUiFm_7G1figQIIoYWiR3xCXie6-sI5MQ9xDAH3twtGoEDyJR3fFg4rpovZog1rm7bI0mszYvtuPeTTWd8iK6Nk-Ya43_2e1nTYSq7YfabC-HCHTj4gs-hSpdkZa2/w400-h300/IMG_3689.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B4512/4214 includes Pearl's S-015 "Professional" Gladstone-style throw--<br />note extra holes at left from missing internal tone control</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgmmLINxAuD4YZoj6OkgBlSSxBvUfZzslwdt3Ui5G8lcD-aHLt_2HCduaWKtrhSEHP-dKyIq_-IGnqgjl7YeeO202zq57GXoGtthcoFjbz_KAPI2B9Pgfg9M2bH2E7pT9Df7Kf5LK3bEv/s2048/IMG_3691.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Puresound Blaster snare wires are always a solid upgrade" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgmmLINxAuD4YZoj6OkgBlSSxBvUfZzslwdt3Ui5G8lcD-aHLt_2HCduaWKtrhSEHP-dKyIq_-IGnqgjl7YeeO202zq57GXoGtthcoFjbz_KAPI2B9Pgfg9M2bH2E7pT9Df7Kf5LK3bEv/w300-h400/IMG_3691.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puresound Blaster snare wires are always a solid upgrade</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
As you can see from the pics, the cleaned, re-assembled, and upgraded drum looks great. More importantly, it sounds great--the voice of the heavy brass shell is loud and musical. While the drum has a decent tuning range, it really sings at a higher tuning. And the rimshots on this drum have me looking forward to getting to <i>The Police </i>in my playlist the next time I'm behind my kit!<br />
<br />
Tune-bot tuning: I tuned the drum up to 3g (196Hz) using Tune-bot. To achieve this, I first tuned each snare lug to 400Hz and then each batter lug to 296Hz. I also added this tuning scheme to the snare section of <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a>.<br />
<br />
--Darin<br />
<br />
P.S. - Not to add to the Jupiter confusion--but--this <a href="https://youtu.be/X8pqvs77GAI?t=102" target="_blank">video</a> compares three COB snares: (1) a vintage Rogers Dynasonic, (2) a Tama SC145, and (3) a pre-'78 Pearl Jupiter (note the more rounded beads and the parallel action throw). Yes, the pre-'78 Pearl shell is slightly different, and of course the parallel snare strainer is completely different. However, it has a very similar voice...similar enough that the video comparison is relevant to this post.Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-2629069453282105562017-09-03T16:13:00.019-04:002022-09-26T13:59:05.965-04:00Restoring a Ludwig Vistalite<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3guZGzS6bZZBDjF26-tRWngeL8iY5TFCJ8_wVp9_SCN6k6FCgu0DFWnFQ9SuuctY3Du3pA1tcky0dF0kTJrVmuLbV8RaV6UeZgPCsu2nedG7YsX8DQGzyvsYtbYZJj5fVLs-txUEkeWv/s1600/Raw+shell+buffed+out.jpg" style="display: none;" />
Lessons learned after purchasing and restoring a vintage Ludwig Vistalite 9x13 tom.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
In a previous post, <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/05/our-love-affair-with-wood-shells.html" target="_blank">Our love affair with wood shells</a>, I asked, "Why aren't more drummers opting for the consistent tone, durability, and reduced sensitivity to heat and humidity that synthetic drums offer?" As my regular readers know, I love my Rocket Shells 8x13 snare drum with its carbon fiber shell, but I have never played drums with acrylic shells, such as Ludwig's legendary Vistalite line.<div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF99tCNn8YibxGljBi1hHBmLYB1OaLP5QBNrsvRd363Cw8WQs94W-xis8m0FmvXLwrjcT5iklioz-V_8IoLwmoN-UDus5UKXu5b9sj1YWMdYK0HChagVH2rGwgJ5jGQAVWyB-6tyS7i_Ae/s1600/Vista+orig2.webp" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Used vintage 9x13 Vistalite tom in Translucent Smoke" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF99tCNn8YibxGljBi1hHBmLYB1OaLP5QBNrsvRd363Cw8WQs94W-xis8m0FmvXLwrjcT5iklioz-V_8IoLwmoN-UDus5UKXu5b9sj1YWMdYK0HChagVH2rGwgJ5jGQAVWyB-6tyS7i_Ae/w400-h225/Vista+orig2.webp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used vintage 9x13 Vistalite tom in<br />Translucent Smoke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That is about to change--last week, I purchased a vintage 9x13 Vistalite tom for an audio project I am working on. In this post, I share what I learned in the purchase and restoration process.<div><br />
<b>The Purchase. </b> I found an inexpensive vintage 9x13 Vistalite tom in Translucent Smoke on Reverb. The listing described the drum's condition as "good" with some surface scratches but no cracks. It also noted that the Ludwig badge was missing but the drum was otherwise complete. Zooming in on the photos in the listing, I could see that the shell had multiple deep scratches and scuffs, but it seemed round and functional. The hardware showed moderate to severe corrosion. Since I needed an acrylic shell for audio rather than aesthetic purposes, I decided to go ahead and buy the drum.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZEzwiFJxIFIQCckRJbW9I-k2kkFuzzixbvf8YXn8dIx7GDmGw5u1Hd25yOKf1tcxVi_S-j8to_orYQho6A4EErMqAMQMQrK-VA2aRYjFRCBNb7anG2J7rm1IDCu5w0ZADpuONIeH_eAH/s1600/Vistalites+in+amber.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ludwig reissue of Bonham's classic kit" border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZEzwiFJxIFIQCckRJbW9I-k2kkFuzzixbvf8YXn8dIx7GDmGw5u1Hd25yOKf1tcxVi_S-j8to_orYQho6A4EErMqAMQMQrK-VA2aRYjFRCBNb7anG2J7rm1IDCu5w0ZADpuONIeH_eAH/w400-h310/Vistalites+in+amber.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ludwig reissue of Bonham's classic kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>The History.</b> After their 1972 introduction, Ludwig Vistalites grabbed the spotlight on the drum risers of John Bohnam, Robbie Bachmann, and Karen Carpenter. While the seller had no information about the history of my particular drum, we can tell from presence of a tone control that it is a vintage 1970s Vistalite. Translucent Smoke Vistalites first appeared in the 1977 Ludwig catalog. Since Ludwig discontinued the vintage Vistalites in 1979, we can deduce that this drum is between 38 and 40 years old. Ludwig reintroduced Vistalite drums in 2001, and the photo at right shows Ludwig's reissue of Bonham's classic Vistalite setup. Since the reintroduction, vintage 70s Vistalites have become collectable. One Ludwig faction argues that vintage Vistalites sound better, while the other argues that the superior quality of reissued Vistalites' seams and bearing edges gives them, ahem, the edge.<br />
<br />
<b>Initial Assessment.</b> My "new" Vistalite tom arrived extremely dirty--the packing material consisted of foam peanuts, dirt, dead crickets, assorted beads, and at least one nail! As usual, I started with complete disassembly and thorough inspection of all parts. This drum shipped from Louisiana, and judging from the level of corrosion on all of the hardware, it lived much of its life in high humidity at best, and submerged in a bayou at worst. The hoops, tension rods, and tone control all showed quite a bit of rust, and the tension lug and tom bracket bolts were corroded as well. The shell had multiple deep scratches and scuffs. While the tension lugs themselves were in decent shape, with only a moderate level of dings and pitting, the springs were showing some rust.<br />
<br />
The drum shell, on the other hand, was totally unfazed by all the moisture. One of the advantages of synthetic shells is that they can handle all the moisture you throw at them without corroding, swelling, shrinking, or rotting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MmgyWdyZ_C8HkbtUShJ13LxiTkWtATvt6Lw0BuJ_cicyoS_zlsFmY_zZ8GSmrdIIEHD5brEiYZxG0ijfGyXV0NAjTKQ5iD128O-H_aJFkZ8c47Dj5YpEyVP_5iX2wxJwJKfN-Ztigi2G/s1600/Cleaned+lugs+and+springs.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Original tension lugs needed some TLC" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MmgyWdyZ_C8HkbtUShJ13LxiTkWtATvt6Lw0BuJ_cicyoS_zlsFmY_zZ8GSmrdIIEHD5brEiYZxG0ijfGyXV0NAjTKQ5iD128O-H_aJFkZ8c47Dj5YpEyVP_5iX2wxJwJKfN-Ztigi2G/w320-h240/Cleaned+lugs+and+springs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tension lugs needed some TLC</td></tr></tbody></table><b>The Restoration.</b> I decided to restore this drum into what I would actually consider to be good condition. First, I ordered new 2.3mm triple-flange chrome hoops, 1-7/8" tension rods, and Evans Level 360 Genera heads from my friends at <a href="https://www.drumfactorydirect.com/" target="_blank">Drum Factory Direct</a>. Next, I ordered new tap bolts and fender washers for the tension lugs and tom bracket from <a href="https://www.boltdepot.com/" target="_blank">Bolt Depot</a>, a great source for small quantities of specific types of bolts and washers.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
While I was waiting for the new parts to arrive, I decided to work on the tension lugs and the shell. Now that the tension lugs were off, I used a little Turtle Wax Chrome Polish & Rust Remover to shine up the lug casings. The polish will not fix pitting in chrome, but it did remove patches of oxidation and rust. I used the same product with a wire brush to remove the rust from the tension lug springs and receivers. One tension lug was missing the small foam strip that prevents the spring from rattling inside the lug. To replace it, I cut a piece of packing foam down to the size of the strip from another lug.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3guZGzS6bZZBDjF26-tRWngeL8iY5TFCJ8_wVp9_SCN6k6FCgu0DFWnFQ9SuuctY3Du3pA1tcky0dF0kTJrVmuLbV8RaV6UeZgPCsu2nedG7YsX8DQGzyvsYtbYZJj5fVLs-txUEkeWv/s1600/Raw+shell+buffed+out.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vistalite shell after cleaning and buffing" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3guZGzS6bZZBDjF26-tRWngeL8iY5TFCJ8_wVp9_SCN6k6FCgu0DFWnFQ9SuuctY3Du3pA1tcky0dF0kTJrVmuLbV8RaV6UeZgPCsu2nedG7YsX8DQGzyvsYtbYZJj5fVLs-txUEkeWv/w400-h300/Raw+shell+buffed+out.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vistalite shell after cleaning and buffing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next, I used NOVUS' Plastic Polish Kit and a power buffer to attack the scratches and scuffs in the shell. The NOVUS kit includes three separate products to address deep scratches (#3), light scratches (#2), and cleaning (#1) of acrylic items. I used a power buffer with the #3 product on the deep scratches and scuffs. I saw significant improvement after about 20 minutes of buffing--the photos above and the one at right show the same side of the shell for comparison. If I had more time, I believe I could remove them completely. I then used the #2 product to buff out all of the light scratches. After buffing out the scratches and scuffs to my satisfaction, I wiped down the entire shell with NOVUS' #1 cleaner.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHpbttRqG_JvzCvs395okjjg78eYhMMmOrz0dR8wTzXnoFXogCnwT_OIpvjlTREkSi-qewLDTFRTZ6ssuFKLx7CdFqA8XK7l9JCiyjJ96AbS2ubqBFEDliVzRjBtJAcPKZcVXheJ8Cn44/s1600/Tension+lug+cracks+combined.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stress cracks around tension lug holes" border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="371" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHpbttRqG_JvzCvs395okjjg78eYhMMmOrz0dR8wTzXnoFXogCnwT_OIpvjlTREkSi-qewLDTFRTZ6ssuFKLx7CdFqA8XK7l9JCiyjJ96AbS2ubqBFEDliVzRjBtJAcPKZcVXheJ8Cn44/w320-h274/Tension+lug+cracks+combined.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stress cracks around tension lug holes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While working on the shell, I noticed that it does in fact have cracks, contrary to what the seller stated. Several of the tension lug bolt holes are surrounded by star cracks. This is a common problem with Vistalites--over-tightening of tension lug bolts causes stress cracks to form and then radiate out from the bolt holes. There is not much that can be done about these cracks. The good news is that the tension lugs and bolt washers cover most of them, and I don't expect them to alter the tone of the shell.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfILiMRU7XxuzejlbIhAzliLwNKYL6hhKOlQGGBq3PgVSYtktWBY1m3Vde91tXxVCyexXC4THWP51Sfpt3cuyjfyhOxuVOHT_KNXe-C6bcwJzayNBQeg2P5gCpsqs5N8X_smo9d0lJj_J-/s1600/Acrylic+shell+seam.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vintage acrylic shell seam" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfILiMRU7XxuzejlbIhAzliLwNKYL6hhKOlQGGBq3PgVSYtktWBY1m3Vde91tXxVCyexXC4THWP51Sfpt3cuyjfyhOxuVOHT_KNXe-C6bcwJzayNBQeg2P5gCpsqs5N8X_smo9d0lJj_J-/w240-h320/Acrylic+shell+seam.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage acrylic shell seam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I also noticed small ridges in the bearing edges at each end of the shell seam. Vintage Vistalites are formed by rolling a sheet of acrylic into a cylinder and then gluing the edges of the sheet together, forming a seam. The ridges I noticed appear to be excess adhesive at the ends of the seam. Because this is a one-off project drum, I got out my Dremel tool and lightly sanded off the excess adhesive by hand, being extremely careful to leave the overall bearing edges level. Because level bearing edges are so critical to drum tuning and tone, I always recommend that you leave bearing edge repairs to a professional, especially with wood drums. In the photo to the right, you can see the seam after I sanded off the excess adhesive. Note that the bearing edge is now completely level.<br />
<br />
<b>The Re-assembly Process.</b> After spending some time on the tension lugs and the shell, my new parts arrived. Let the re-assembly begin!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaNv-v2sb5zu4Xes_lfoSOFTJ-Xa8_RfvI_6HEl18XIlA7pnx4KCO2jHErVyrSNw0bLPWNU3ABwrhMlGOMUez8l8nyzimRZxlR87yPOkVFuGaEwCk1IRAuoFpQuwTecKcUz9vXBsxRhiQ/s1600/Bolts+tension+lugs.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaNv-v2sb5zu4Xes_lfoSOFTJ-Xa8_RfvI_6HEl18XIlA7pnx4KCO2jHErVyrSNw0bLPWNU3ABwrhMlGOMUez8l8nyzimRZxlR87yPOkVFuGaEwCk1IRAuoFpQuwTecKcUz9vXBsxRhiQ/w240-h320/Bolts+tension+lugs.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tension lug bolt<br />"sandwich"</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>
Step 1: Re-install the tension lugs. First, check to make sure the foam pad, spring, and lug receiver are properly seated in each tension lug. Vistalites also include mylar shims to prevent tension lugs from marring the shells--simply slip the shim over the lug bolt receivers before you re-insert the lug into the bolt holes on the shell. At left, you can see the exact bolt and washer "sandwich" I used to attach the tension lugs to the shell--a #8 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP7lQMxskUGT-BH8JG1yNRufqStIv_SxfZtUjWw2588ktz2R3yeuLXiwDs_qEDiPpjJBA94fPxMvIgumxBekRlo11FfwQhHzF3EeEMKLckJEZF6oBtohrnRSKPWi-1zb7eLTanN1g0jWf/s1600/Tension+lug+installed.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP7lQMxskUGT-BH8JG1yNRufqStIv_SxfZtUjWw2588ktz2R3yeuLXiwDs_qEDiPpjJBA94fPxMvIgumxBekRlo11FfwQhHzF3EeEMKLckJEZF6oBtohrnRSKPWi-1zb7eLTanN1g0jWf/w240-h320/Tension+lug+installed.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oversized washers<br />spread load and<br />cover cracks</td></tr></tbody></table>tap bolt (hex head) in a 3/8" length, a #8 split lock washer, and a #8 fender washer with a 3/4" outside diameter. Note that I am adding a split washer and using a slightly oversized fender washer (the original had a 5/8" outside diameter).<br />
<br />
The oversized washer helps spread the stress of the bolts on the shell as well as cover more of the existing stress cracks, as you can see at right. To prevent damaging the shell and choking its tone, use the minimum torque necessary when bolting hardware to the shell. My process was to tighten the bolts evenly until I just reached the point where I was unable to jiggle the tension lug on the outside of the shell by hand (there is some play between the lugs and the bolt holes), then just a slight turn more. The split washers will help prevent the bolts from working loose over time.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NGyJs6T4XClybdsv1lfb28IIDQ5_aqWoJZLxXcIjWFPX1qXbv7BvkWrbiSD0Ye3bgTvhsBQUxG067_WXXpF4WHtxQkZDOts67-gUZX2CnlIP5nbqrkLLKQKpshNUtLeK_XQvRyfSXgkd/s1600/Shell+with+lugs1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Finished shell before head installation" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NGyJs6T4XClybdsv1lfb28IIDQ5_aqWoJZLxXcIjWFPX1qXbv7BvkWrbiSD0Ye3bgTvhsBQUxG067_WXXpF4WHtxQkZDOts67-gUZX2CnlIP5nbqrkLLKQKpshNUtLeK_XQvRyfSXgkd/w320-h240/Shell+with+lugs1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished shell before<br />head installation</td></tr></tbody></table>Step 2: Re-install the tom bracket. Skip this step if you plan to use suspension mounts, otherwise, ensure the eye bolt is inserted and the washers and nut are installed on the bracket itself. Vistalite tom brackets also include mylar shims to keep the brackets from marring the shells. Slip the shim over the bracket bolt receivers, and then re-insert the bracket into the bolt holes on the shell. The tom bracket bolt and washer sandwich is a #10 tap bolt in a 1/2" length, a #10 split lock washer, and a #10 fender washer with a 1-1/2" outside diameter. I cleaned and used the original fender washers because they were already formed to the shell.</div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uDaaFpe01tx529QT6G_e3RnstuDjk6lqql2KKLMJ6_ZHuISmS0Te0H-8FFMSRNL0a34MA-u6G1hEqX8MFh40LX-oj0ObjmMgH5giCXCIipjn2QEejcMx_AUv8Fgv0hrhhH3s5EyFTF1l/s1600/Tension+rods+and+gaskets.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tension rods and lug gaskets" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uDaaFpe01tx529QT6G_e3RnstuDjk6lqql2KKLMJ6_ZHuISmS0Te0H-8FFMSRNL0a34MA-u6G1hEqX8MFh40LX-oj0ObjmMgH5giCXCIipjn2QEejcMx_AUv8Fgv0hrhhH3s5EyFTF1l/w200-h150/Tension+rods+and+gaskets.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tension rods and <br />mylar shims</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br />
Step 3: Re-install the tone control. Skip this step if you are building a drum to be played--tone controls are outdated and there is no reason to add more parts that can develop rattles inside your drum. If you are restoring the drum to its original state, however, you will want to re-install the tone control. Insert the three small screws into the mounting holes above the vent hole. Thread them through the tone control bracket and the metal plate on the inside of the shell, add the washers and nuts, and tighten just enough to keep the tone control from jiggling.</div><div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNO0fL41mmDvDZVHMsepmPY4kYoGecMk54VICLzxMQi70h4gqRosRJBa6xQtgh6yIscMwZP_uU52mnA1Fv_YoqjojnYkmNiI9xZoq73vFNwt4AkjpF1xFOdm7DRwBstCdsi7fluzEG2QA9/s1600/Resonant+head.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Evans Level 360 heads fit perfectly" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNO0fL41mmDvDZVHMsepmPY4kYoGecMk54VICLzxMQi70h4gqRosRJBa6xQtgh6yIscMwZP_uU52mnA1Fv_YoqjojnYkmNiI9xZoq73vFNwt4AkjpF1xFOdm7DRwBstCdsi7fluzEG2QA9/w320-h240/Resonant+head.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evans Level 360 heads fit perfectly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Step 4: Install the heads. New Evans Level 360 Genera heads fit perfectly on this drum. New chrome hoops not only look great but head off tuning problems arising from out-of-round hoops. At $11.50 a piece for new six-hole 2.3mm triple-flange hoops, <a href="https://www.drumfactorydirect.com/" target="_blank">Drum Factory Direct</a> makes the decision a no-brainer. I installed nylon washers on the new tension rods and brought the heads up to an even tension before dialing in the tuning.<br />
<br />
Step 5: Tune the drum. Be sure to check out my post <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html" target="_blank">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a> for tips and tricks on drum tuning. A round and true drum with consistent bearing edges reduces the tuning effort, and the 6mm acrylic shell delivers more projection and brightness than a comparable wood shell.<br />
<br />
Step 6: Enjoy your new drum! As you can see, while not perfect, this 40-year-old cleans up well enough to be a solid addition to a vintage Vistalite kit.<br />
<br />
<div>
Happy drumming!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB50jyAW8FalU4w6iQ0SvjOUjjFZTdHfx9Jsf0FDH53tdNRpFuNqTh9dTQBharIvyikZ15zBKD3bKVzFu7f06BCoWzVtBSlN5KXBYqMZ_v54Ik8eJh8yPFDBoxnu6ULp9QlMfGnWWXeXm/s1600/Finished+drum2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Restored Vistalite tom looks and sounds good!" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB50jyAW8FalU4w6iQ0SvjOUjjFZTdHfx9Jsf0FDH53tdNRpFuNqTh9dTQBharIvyikZ15zBKD3bKVzFu7f06BCoWzVtBSlN5KXBYqMZ_v54Ik8eJh8yPFDBoxnu6ULp9QlMfGnWWXeXm/w400-h300/Finished+drum2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restored Vistalite tom looks and sounds good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
--Darin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div></div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-80166287909276345472016-10-05T12:31:00.005-04:002022-09-18T08:38:40.417-04:00Thank you from Drum Nuts (& Bolts)<div>Thank you from Drum Nuts (& Bolts) as the blog re-launches with improved navigation and look and feel.</div><div><br /></div>By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHjjlsVhQrLu9FKLfCsBnZKwOCo4s7T0fagR5z9R2ExzecLTUccD4v2VVUWQirfU0HNF5czDTojAGSvyZ7iqD0cTBVqObNQtn1PMjvK_GkbbOFQj7ZezOLt1iNvBQNaKNZth4zZnC_2TY/s1600/2016_4_64.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHjjlsVhQrLu9FKLfCsBnZKwOCo4s7T0fagR5z9R2ExzecLTUccD4v2VVUWQirfU0HNF5czDTojAGSvyZ7iqD0cTBVqObNQtn1PMjvK_GkbbOFQj7ZezOLt1iNvBQNaKNZth4zZnC_2TY/w200-h185/2016_4_64.png" width="200" /></a>By its fourth anniversary on October 7, Drum Nuts (& Bolts) will have been viewed 64,000 times by drummers across the globe, from the US to Ukraine, the UK to Australia, and many countries in between! I want to thank all of my readers for helping Drum Nuts (& Bolts) become a go-to resource for drummers interested in drum tuning, vintage Slingerland drums, selecting gear on a budget, and other topics related to the technical side of drumming.<br />
<br />
2016 has been a busy year, and time has flown by since I posted my last article. Unfortunately, drumming and writing have taken a back seat to other priorities. However, that is about to change, starting with the look and feel of the blog itself!<br />
<br />
So, to "re-launch" Drum Nuts (& Bolts), I have updated the blog template to give it more of a musician/club vibe and to add some useful features such as the "Popular Posts" section in the right-hand column. Popular Posts, as the name suggests, lists the most popular articles in the blog, starting with "Tuning drums with Tune-bot," which is far and away the most popular article with 10,000 views since it was originally published in August 2013.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy the changes and I invite you to continue providing your feedback by commenting on articles in the blog.<br />
<br />
<div>
Thanks again for your support, and happy drumming!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
--Darin</div>
Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-90742448624676283092015-09-01T20:42:00.010-04:002022-09-24T09:52:38.143-04:00Drum head selection...a closer look<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXkCkFBgkwVrDqIiOy8n4bfg2vKBhhZz0brVqfC8Ecdpcpo_8Yk3hV1CaGQs5oj-3jURIoZH55bdMCqcEfvO0OoKumz-OlmV1iZaRBhHXT3Cxueq7_3UGBnR6Nu8UT3Wd7pR8Oy5hjtZ/s768/Drum+head+selection+v2021.jpg" style="display: none;" />
How standard, 45-degree, and roundover bearing edges combined with coated, clear, and edge control heads affect the tone of your drums.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
In the three years since <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2012/11/my-favorite-head-combinations.html">My favorite head combinations</a>, one of the first posts in this blog, I have had the opportunity to experiment with additional drum head combinations across four different drum kits. In this post, I will share my updated drum head recommendations, the result of dozens of additional hours of changing out heads, tuning them up, and then playing them in the rehearsal studio.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIH6LSgr8P1nfwL9D80B86712QKcpa9i0LW9RJ8TBw1nRpoZ8CUwtFGeqVBBFY-kH9ut8WElYMUiDCMII4RtvIWCHxBZygKj0JG3RHm5RljzqCxCHolmacA0OMttV4B5mvEseDkketGdL/s1600/drum+bearing+edges.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Typical drum bearing edge profiles, courtesy of Modern Drummer" border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIH6LSgr8P1nfwL9D80B86712QKcpa9i0LW9RJ8TBw1nRpoZ8CUwtFGeqVBBFY-kH9ut8WElYMUiDCMII4RtvIWCHxBZygKj0JG3RHm5RljzqCxCHolmacA0OMttV4B5mvEseDkketGdL/w400-h140/drum+bearing+edges.jpg" title="Typical drum bearing edge profiles, courtesy of Modern Drummer" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical drum bearing edge profiles, courtesy of <i><a href="https://www.moderndrummer.com/" target="_blank">Modern Drummer</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But first, a refresher on drum bearing edges is in order...<br />
<br />
Many of you have probably seen the illustration on the right from <a href="https://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2014/12/need-know-bearing-edges/#_" target="_blank"><i>Modern Drummer</i></a> magazine, which depicts various bearing edge profiles.<br />
<br />
Bearing edges matter.<br />
<br />
Drum kits from the 1960s and 1970s were built with rounder bearing edge profiles. The "Vintage Roundover" edge pictured above was common on snare drums and rack toms, and it was not uncommon to see full roundover edges on floor toms and bass drums. Vintage roundover edges produce a warmer tone as the increased shell contact with the head reduces harmonic overtones ("brightness"), attack, and sustain. The shell plays a greater role in the overall tone of the drum.<br />
<br />
Conversely, "Standard" or "Double 45" degree edges produce a brighter tone as the reduced shell contact with the head increases harmonic overtones, attack, and sustain. These modern (1980s to present) 45-degree edges are cut more sharply, and with sharper bearing edges, the shell's role in the tone of the drum is reduced.<br />
<br />
We already knew that different types of drum heads can affect the tone of our drums, and now we know that bearing edges affect tone as well. So, that raises a question...how does the interplay between drum heads and bearing edges affect the overall tone of our drums? What combinations of heads and edges will produce the tone we are looking for?<br />
<br />
I currently have access to four acoustic drum kits, so<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"> I had the ability to do "head-to-head" (pun intended) comparisons between drums with modern Standard edges and drums with Vintage Roundover edges, and then cross-check the results on other kits with similar bearing edge profiles. These comparisons have been extremely useful in helping me to choose the most appropriate drum heads for the specific sound I want.</span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">Drum kits used in this comparison:</span><br />
<ul>
<li>PDP X7, thin all-maple shells, Standard bearing edges</li>
<li>PDP FS, thin all-birch shells, Standard bearing edges</li>
<li>Slingerland, 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shells with re-rings, Vintage Roundover edges</li>
<li>Stone Custom Drum, 3-ply walnut-poplar-maple shells with re-rings, Vintage Roundover edges</li></ul>The following Head Selection Matrix summarizes my recommendations for toms. It's really two separate charts--the top half shows head combinations for toms with vintage/roundover edges, and the bottom half shows head combinations for toms with modern/45 degree edges. The desired tone ranges from warm to medium to bright as you move from left to right across the three columns. For each tom type (rack and floor), I list my batter head choice over my resonant head choice.<div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXkCkFBgkwVrDqIiOy8n4bfg2vKBhhZz0brVqfC8Ecdpcpo_8Yk3hV1CaGQs5oj-3jURIoZH55bdMCqcEfvO0OoKumz-OlmV1iZaRBhHXT3Cxueq7_3UGBnR6Nu8UT3Wd7pR8Oy5hjtZ/s768/Drum+head+selection+v2021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXkCkFBgkwVrDqIiOy8n4bfg2vKBhhZz0brVqfC8Ecdpcpo_8Yk3hV1CaGQs5oj-3jURIoZH55bdMCqcEfvO0OoKumz-OlmV1iZaRBhHXT3Cxueq7_3UGBnR6Nu8UT3Wd7pR8Oy5hjtZ/w640-h400/Drum+head+selection+v2021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Head Selection Matrix for toms--click the image to enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div>So for example, if you have vintage/roundover edges and you want a "medium" tone, I recommend the middle column selections in the Vintage section of the matrix--coated 1-ply batters over clear 1-ply resos on your rack toms, and coated 2-ply batters over clear 1-ply resos on your floor toms. Move to the right for a brighter tone, and to the left for a warmer tone.<br />
<br />
To achieve a "medium" tone with modern/45 degree edges, you would use the middle column selections in the Modern section of the matrix--clear 2-ply batters over clear 1-ply resos on your rack toms, and clear EC2/Powerstroke batters over clear 1-ply resos on your floor toms. Note that the "medium" tone selections in the Vintage section of the matrix will result in a brighter tone on Modern edges. Note also that the "medium" tone selections in the Modern section of the matrix will result in a warmer tone on Vintage edges.<br />
<br />
Obviously there a dozen other types of drum heads that I haven't covered, and thousands of drummers out there with different needs and tastes. This matrix is not intended to be all things to all drummers...I'm just sharing what I've observed as I tried these combinations of heads and edges. Hopefully this serves as a useful resource as your strive to get the best tone out of your drums.<br />
<br />
Happy drumming!<br />
<br />
--Darin</div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-12537231762327270342015-06-22T11:52:00.019-04:002022-09-25T08:56:20.353-04:00Slingerland vs. PDP: Maple snares head-to-head<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UlI_tyGXkHqUFhxF6DALMZkJTHguU3nzqwDGsLwZwp4zFcWiVxF5ujlGWLu5eF-QZGggFiUlhcu2E9JJRdMUQfd3WgSiiRNaWa9ABXUqrZYOJ8EQJ9JKef0IAy5xuq-hXS68jr55mLY8/s1600/PDP+1ply+Maple.JPG" style="display: none;" />
<div>The sound of Neil Peart's snare drum in Rush's 1982 "Signals" album prompts a mostly unscientific comparison of Slingerland and PDP maple snare drums</div><div><br /></div>By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a>
<br />
<br />
Back in October, I <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2014/10/vintage-slingerland-maple-snare-drum.html">wrote about my quest</a> for the snare drum sound on Rush's 1982 "Signals" album. In that post, I share the evidence that "Old Faithful," Neil Peart's number one snare from 1977 to 1993, was a 5.5x14 Slingerland Artist 3-ply, 8-lug snare. Andrew Olson's excellent blog on Neil and his drum kits through the years details the kit Neil used for Signals on <a href="http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/signals.htm" target="_blank">this page</a>.<br />
<br />
Two weeks prior to my October post, I found a 1964 Slingerland 5.5x14 Deluxe Student model in Sparkling Red Pearl finish at my local Sam Ash store. The Deluxe Student model is based upon the same 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell as the 3-ply Artist, so I decided to give it a try. Outfitted with new Evans G1 coated batter and Hazy 300 snare side heads, as well as Puresound Custom 16-wire snares, this classic Slingy's sound is very similar to Peart's snare on "Signals."<br />
<br />
Another maple snare drum in my collection, a <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2014/01/pdp-platinum-solid-maple-snare-drum.html">2008 PDP Platinum 5.5x14 1-ply solid maple</a>, also produces a very "Signals-esce" sound. And the PDP has a Slingerland connection--readers of this blog know that I purchased the Platinum solid maple snare as a less expensive alternative to Slingerland's legendary 1-ply Radio King model. Two very different snare drums, built 44 years apart, both conjuring up The Professor's sound? This calls for a head-to-head comparison!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhire_RicwIDD3DLBNktpskkZe26q2drfssmv7zIXTLyMIgGuFbTpR_DS29yQVdN3cz0vk_mdDqBhq_kvdw70_qP6dbpVV-1h5hgYnUQRzXdFPS08QqGpbUPcDjDECWQc5bH-JU3NO5OLm-/s1600/Slingerland+Deluxe+Student+enhanced.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhire_RicwIDD3DLBNktpskkZe26q2drfssmv7zIXTLyMIgGuFbTpR_DS29yQVdN3cz0vk_mdDqBhq_kvdw70_qP6dbpVV-1h5hgYnUQRzXdFPS08QqGpbUPcDjDECWQc5bH-JU3NO5OLm-/w320-h240/Slingerland+Deluxe+Student+enhanced.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1964 Slingerland 5.5x14 Deluxe Student 3-ply</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UlI_tyGXkHqUFhxF6DALMZkJTHguU3nzqwDGsLwZwp4zFcWiVxF5ujlGWLu5eF-QZGggFiUlhcu2E9JJRdMUQfd3WgSiiRNaWa9ABXUqrZYOJ8EQJ9JKef0IAy5xuq-hXS68jr55mLY8/s1600/PDP+1ply+Maple.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UlI_tyGXkHqUFhxF6DALMZkJTHguU3nzqwDGsLwZwp4zFcWiVxF5ujlGWLu5eF-QZGggFiUlhcu2E9JJRdMUQfd3WgSiiRNaWa9ABXUqrZYOJ8EQJ9JKef0IAy5xuq-hXS68jr55mLY8/w320-h240/PDP+1ply+Maple.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2008 PDP Platinum 5x14 solid maple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, I want to point out that while both drums incorporate maple into wood shells of similar dimensions and wear Puresound Custom 16-wire snares, these are two very different drums. The main differences include:<br />
<div>
<ol>
<li>The Slingy has a 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with maple re-rings, while the PDP has a 1-ply steam-bent solid maple shell with no re-rings.</li>
<li>Slingerland used 30-degree roundover edges, while PDP cuts sharp 45 degree edges with a shallow backcut.</li>
<li>The Slingy's shell depth is 5.5", while the PDP's is 5.0".</li>
<li>The Slingy has six tension lugs, while the PDP has ten.</li>
<li>The Slingy has chrome-over-brass stick saver hoops (similar in rigidity to 2.3mm hoops), while the PDP has been upgraded to 3.0mm steel DW True Hoops.</li>
<li>The Slingy wears an Evans G1 coated 1-ply batter head, while the PDP wears a Remo Controlled Sound coated 1-ply reverse dot batter head.</li>
</ol>
<div>
As a result, this comparison is a mostly subjective review of each drum's performance in six categories: (1) Quality of construction, (2) Ease of tuning, (3) Sensitivity, (4) Projection, (5) Overall tone, and (6) Resembles "Signals" snare sound. Here are the results of my review:</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Snare drums head-to-head: Slingerland Deluxe Student vs. PDP Platinum solid maple</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Rating scale: </b>1 to 5, with 5 being highest</span><br />
<table border="1" style="width: 580px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Category</th>
<th>Slingerland Deluxe Student</th>
<th>PDP Platinum solid maple</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Comments</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Quality of construction</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
5</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td>Slingy remains solid after 50 years! PDP's original 1.6mm hoops and clunky throw were mediocre.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ease of tuning</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
5</div>
</td>
<td>PDP's bearing edges are excellent. Slingy more challenging to tune evenly with only 6 lugs and less rigid brass hoops.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sensitivity</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td>PDP "edges" out Slingy with sharper bearing edges and even tension between its 10 lugs.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Projection</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td>PDP solid maple shell projects more volume, overcoming any dampening effect of the reverse dot head.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Overall tone</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
5</div>
</td>
<td>PDP solid maple shell adds somewhat more body, "woodiness" to tone.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Resembles "Signals" snare sound</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
4</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
5</div>
</td>
<td>Both drums are close--PDP wins with drier tone due to heavier hoops and 10 lugs.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Total scores</b></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>22</b></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>26</b></div>
</td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Notes: </b>Both drums tuned to 3g using Tune-bot. Volume results are based on average decibel levels measured by Extech 407730 sound level meter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Slingerland Deluxe Student upgrades: </b>Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Evans G1 coated batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare head.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>PDP Platinum solid maple upgrades: </b>DW Mag throw, DW 3.0mm True-Hoops, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter head.</span><br />
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
The PDP Platinum solid maple snare wins this mostly unscientific challenge, 26 to 22!<br />
<br />
While a solid shell could help the Slingy's scores, in the context of this challenge, I think heavier hoops, or a Slingy with eight or ten tension lugs, would really level the playing field. Either improvement would even the tension across the heads and dry out the tone. Unfortunately, I have not found any 6-hole snare side 3.0mm or die cast hoops for 14-inch drums in my online searches.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
PDP drums continue to impress. Don't overlook them as you search for the right snare for your sound!<br />
<br />
This comparison got me thinking...wouldn't it be interesting to have Bernie Stone at <a href="https://www.stonecustomdrum.com/">Stone Custom Drum</a> build a reproduction of The Professor's Old Faithful snare? "Stone Faithful?" Hmmm...<br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
--Darin</div>
</div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-25891557942570106622015-04-03T23:54:00.020-04:002022-09-26T14:16:03.139-04:00New Stone Custom Drum kit with American Classic 3-ply shells<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhdYUdvAzKzDioBvAa_alXExTETXEgz1zhqp5wmzjsGhspitfRkhAGA8V4mKoeKgmqqZxips-0gmG11x4bjlXfDeZwladEP0T3qtm9R3bKrIiQxQXpg2cpSFM2e9omtEJFX0hZ4vMAkX0/s1600/SCD_front+above.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Drummers who grew up playing vintage American drums (Slingerland, Ludwig, Rogers, Gretsch) owe it to themselves to check out Stone Custom Drum!<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a>
<br />
<br />
Readers of this blog know that I would <i>never </i>buy a new custom drum kit. Never. After all, I've written a <i>ton</i> about selecting drum gear on a budget. I would recommend maple or birch PDP drums to anyone, and I am a big proponent of buying used gear on eBay.<br />
<br />
Then, I heard about <a href="https://www.stonecustomdrum.com/" target="_blank">Stone Custom Drum</a>. Stone Custom Drum is a custom drum builder based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, building new drums using the vintage Slingerland formula. Being a huge<i> </i>Slingerland fan, I had to take a closer look.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhdYUdvAzKzDioBvAa_alXExTETXEgz1zhqp5wmzjsGhspitfRkhAGA8V4mKoeKgmqqZxips-0gmG11x4bjlXfDeZwladEP0T3qtm9R3bKrIiQxQXpg2cpSFM2e9omtEJFX0hZ4vMAkX0/s1600/SCD_front+above.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhdYUdvAzKzDioBvAa_alXExTETXEgz1zhqp5wmzjsGhspitfRkhAGA8V4mKoeKgmqqZxips-0gmG11x4bjlXfDeZwladEP0T3qtm9R3bKrIiQxQXpg2cpSFM2e9omtEJFX0hZ4vMAkX0/w400-h300/SCD_front+above.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Custom Drum 6-piece custom kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well...the short story is that looking turned into buying. Say hello to my new six-piece custom kit, courtesy of Stone Custom Drum!<br />
<br />
The longer story about Stone Custom Drum, "SCD" in the rest of this article, is worth sharing. Read on to learn how this budget-conscious drummer ended up purchasing a brand new, custom made SCD kit...<br />
<br />
SCD is owned by Bernie Stone, a longtime drummer and drum-maker. As head of drum repairs at The Percussion Center in Fort Wayne in the mid-to-late 80s, Bernie developed a reputation as a top drum craftsman. He had the opportunity to work on drums for a number of famous drummers, including Neil Peart. About ten years ago, Bernie had the opportunity to acquire the tools and molds from Slingerland's long defunct Niles, Illinois, factory. After carefully re-furbishing the old Slingerland equipment, Stone Custom Drum began building new drum kits with 3-ply and 5-ply shells. While the classic maple-poplar-maple formula remains the standard, Bernie's crew will also incorporate a number of exotic woods into your shells, depending on your requirements and taste.<br />
<br />
I initially approached SCD about building a 18x22 bass drum to match my '76 violin red Slingerland kit. The original 14x24 bass drum is just a bit too tall for my two-up rack tom setup. I specified a 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with reinforcing rings, knowing that SCD's black oval badge is so similar to Slingerland's Niles badge that to most observers, a new 18x22 SCD bass drum would appear to be an original Slingerland. SCD responded promptly with an estimate and informed me that I would need to ship one of my existing drums to them in order to color match the violin red finish. The estimate was reasonable, but it got me thinking--do I really want another orange drum? What would it cost to have SCD build a complete custom kit?<br />
<br />
I already knew what I really wanted...a "new Slingerland" kit. The classic 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with re-rings, vintage bearing edges, my typical two-up, two-down tom configuration, chrome Slingerland hoops and Sound King lugs, and a walnut-to-dark brown burst finish. A matching 7x13 snare would round out the perfect kit. I emailed all of the details to Kenton Snyder at SCD, and he replied promptly with an estimate in the neighborhood of US$4,000. I gave SCD the green light to build my new kit, along with a couple photos of the walnut burst finish I was looking for.<br />
<br />
Again, since I've written a <i>ton</i> about selecting gear on a budget, I need to explain why I would even consider spending $4,000 for a six-piece custom drum kit. The reason is simple--if you want custom drums, that's what they cost. Custom drums are constructed by experienced craftsmen with no-compromise materials to each customer's specifications. Keep in mind that over the past 40 years, low-priced imported goods (built using low-priced labor and materials) have skewed our perspective on what products should cost. Without getting too far off-topic into the economics of the drum industry, I'll simply point out that based on the government's <a href="https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm" target="_blank">inflation calculator</a>, an $800 Slingerland drum kit in 1976 would cost $3,300 in today's dollars, adjusted for inflation. And while Slingerland offered a number of factory options, its kits could not be classified as "custom."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA0v0zqB2JSsu_SGzjI285_As78BsOY8ShxEpVFYDILxwJe23SWkVlktBc_M3b5Qt0BRCkXIcSSr37JV6BHsSZKnFEZpV5Qr9NkcU_sPbM-wkzq9pmNVyigIIZTuatcp9jasCQ_No9aBZ/s1600/SCD_snare+raw.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA0v0zqB2JSsu_SGzjI285_As78BsOY8ShxEpVFYDILxwJe23SWkVlktBc_M3b5Qt0BRCkXIcSSr37JV6BHsSZKnFEZpV5Qr9NkcU_sPbM-wkzq9pmNVyigIIZTuatcp9jasCQ_No9aBZ/w300-h400/SCD_snare+raw.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All walnut 7x13 snare, before hardware</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After shooting a few samples of the walnut burst finish in the SCD workshop, Bernie called me with a concern--his test maple shells were not taking walnut stain well. He recommended switching the outer ply to walnut to achieve the results I was looking for. Since walnut is similar in hardness to maple, we decided that this change wouldn't adversely affect the tone of the shells. Kenton let me know that switching all drums to a walnut outer ply would add a bit over $300 to my order. I gave them the thumb's up to proceed.<br />
<br />
Bernie then told me that he already had a 3-ply all-walnut 7x13 shell that he could use for my snare at no extra charge. I decided to go for that as well. I also let Bernie know that I would rather do tube lugs on the snare. He agreed that tube lugs would look great. This level of collaboration with the builder is only possible with a custom kit.<br />
<br />
I originally specified 8x12, 9x13, 12x14, and 14x16 toms, an 18x22 bass drum, as well as the 7x13 snare drum. I decided to have Kenton add a 7x10 tom as well, for those occasions that call for a fusion setup rather than a standard rock setup. After all, why invest in a custom kit that doesn't meet all of my needs? Kenton let me know that the 7x10 tom would add about $400 to my order. With shipping, my grand total was now approaching $5,000.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4F6VTB5yMGehpKCGOA0KcpZTNHdFRAZgaoaGkhB-Wj8hrhmxIphKvLrlzOVn2DnhkXKgTnNvAsZ1Vi1MNCY-zRCrLjJVMgb_wNws52Z9i1xPwPIq0KeWaw0a0w87SeCnpGigIUGsJkuv/s1600/SCD_shells+uncut.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4F6VTB5yMGehpKCGOA0KcpZTNHdFRAZgaoaGkhB-Wj8hrhmxIphKvLrlzOVn2DnhkXKgTnNvAsZ1Vi1MNCY-zRCrLjJVMgb_wNws52Z9i1xPwPIq0KeWaw0a0w87SeCnpGigIUGsJkuv/w400-h297/SCD_shells+uncut.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SCD shells, newly finished, before hardware</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
SCD completed the build of my new custom drum kit in about one month. They texted photos to me as the build progressed, and emailed me with a few questions about some of the finer details as they came up. The walnut burst finish turned out beautifully, so when the first photos of the finished shells arrived, the waiting became MUCH more difficult!<br />
<br />
The drums had to travel nearly 2,000 miles to reach my home, so shipping meant another week of waiting. But the wait was worth it--the drums were packed securely, arrived in excellent condition, and looked even better up close and in person!<br />
<br />
The first thing I noticed while unpacking my new drums is how light they are. Poplar core 3-ply shells weigh less than thin-shell all-maple or all-birch drums. While my vintage Slingerland drums with their poplar cores are similar in weight, the lightness of my new SCD drums still caught my attention. The next thing I noticed, of course, was the beautiful finish of my new drums!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOfwsyl2bn1uRfRmz9P_QK3WMx1D4CgKayTOELC0eu4gjOBovBsBUntN1gfe661SrMNCrjNMFVRwgWuHtvFYAlmg0TW-OQcXAsjPwgSKINzNE4sHuqIPyVg9pVPy8qopEfiYjNatzFlG0/s1600/SCD_shell+pack.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOfwsyl2bn1uRfRmz9P_QK3WMx1D4CgKayTOELC0eu4gjOBovBsBUntN1gfe661SrMNCrjNMFVRwgWuHtvFYAlmg0TW-OQcXAsjPwgSKINzNE4sHuqIPyVg9pVPy8qopEfiYjNatzFlG0/w400-h300/SCD_shell+pack.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished shells in the SCD workshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My drums arrived in the middle of a particularly busy week at my day job, so I had to wait a few days before I was able to set up and play my new SCD kit. After unloading them at my rehearsal studio, I began the set up process. First, I added my own WorldMax DSS isolation mounts to the rack toms. I decided to standardize on PDP mount hardware since I plan to keep one of my PDP kits for gigs, so I attached a PDP 10.5mm tom bracket to each of the DSS mounts. SCD could have provided all of this for me, but I already had the mounts.<br />
<br />
Next up--tuning. As always, I use Tune-bot to dial my drums into notes, and I followed the "Darin's PDP FS Tune-bot tunings for modern rock" scheme in my previous <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a> blog post. Bernie's crew did a fantastic job with my shells and edges, and all drums tuned up very easily.<br />
<br />
Once I wrapped up the tuning process, I mounted my new SCD drums on my PDP rack, made a few positioning adjustments, and I was ready to play.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K0XLEx8WHZBt4dFULbAnHf8jDx5Jf3FC3PT9n7mBq8OiFndkNKaqqBY1j_Y1ggetKYYSsspSmyUQz3qMe50zZwdX_K8vXJWHfp7K-qDrKvt65OHy_ugoeq1nxp88P4hO3rUvT2TpUtaR/s1600/SCD_13+above.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K0XLEx8WHZBt4dFULbAnHf8jDx5Jf3FC3PT9n7mBq8OiFndkNKaqqBY1j_Y1ggetKYYSsspSmyUQz3qMe50zZwdX_K8vXJWHfp7K-qDrKvt65OHy_ugoeq1nxp88P4hO3rUvT2TpUtaR/w388-h400/SCD_13+above.JPG" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walnut-poplar-maple shell with re-rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Boom. Meaning "wow," but also describing the low-end punch emanating from my new SCD shells! It could be my imagination, but I am wondering if the walnut ply in each shell is enhancing the lower frequencies. The bass drum fills the room in the same manner as my Slingerland 14x24. The all-walnut snare has a great voice as well. The toms have all the warmth of my vintage Slingerlands, mostly due to the vintage-style edges, but partly due to the Evans coated G2 batter heads. <br />
<br />
To sum it up, my new SCD drums are beautiful to the eye--and to the ear. The walnut burst finish is exactly what I wanted, the Slingerland-style shells recapture the warm tone of vintage American drums, and the Slingerland-style stick saver hoops provide triple-flange flexibility with rimshots that rival die-cast hoops.<br />
<br />
Drummers in the market for a custom kit, particularly those who grew up with the awesome tone of vintage American drums, owe it to themselves to check out Stone Custom Drum!<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-72618945022991542402015-02-02T20:00:00.010-05:002023-05-31T09:45:46.041-04:00NAMM 2015: 526 percussion merchants under one roof<div>An artist's pass to experience NAMM 2015's 96,000 attendees, 6,000 exhibitors, and 526 percussion merchants checks an item off of my bucket list.</div><div><br /></div>By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmQa4Obi-_hjMaS5WjF9dRzNgXwpWu81rneFkNjG9T60SEc_CK-zY-FH7H6aXgqC_66QmEo0SjIXx3G3CRwr0rQjwNysRepuas9oa2XLkE66P1_YywPHsf27kAqkRWJiaZ7WYOkF0PQMD/s1600/ACC+entry.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmQa4Obi-_hjMaS5WjF9dRzNgXwpWu81rneFkNjG9T60SEc_CK-zY-FH7H6aXgqC_66QmEo0SjIXx3G3CRwr0rQjwNysRepuas9oa2XLkE66P1_YywPHsf27kAqkRWJiaZ7WYOkF0PQMD/s1600/ACC+entry.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anaheim Convention Center, site of NAMM 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As many of you know, the annual NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show is the premier showcase for the latest in music gear. 2015 NAMM did not disappoint! From January 22 through 25, 2015, nearly 96,000 people descended on the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, to see, learn about, and experience the latest in music products.<br />
<br />
Attendance at NAMM is limited to music products industry merchants and their guests, and I was very fortunate to receive an artist's pass for this year's show from <a href="https://stonecustomdrum.com/" target="_blank">Stone Custom Drum, LLC</a>, a Fort Wayne, Indiana, builder of quality drums in the American tradition.<br />
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDnJwR-dPN0MVDdI1uyVfzuBbkvU4HwulYeAkFEHAG0gCUmc3LVDMcJcyg7vxw45q3aFK5mM4RpP-dCDzmMN5PAtARxTpJDwxNo0BpdX3YTlq29oPIaWbiXr2vE9_RRQz946dVeGozeJHFe7FofsNWF0pJ6Gj-riucdRhUl-3sSLcsnRCdm5sdctjIQ/s1632/NAMM%20map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Two of the four exhibit and meeting levels on the NAMM 2015 show map" border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDnJwR-dPN0MVDdI1uyVfzuBbkvU4HwulYeAkFEHAG0gCUmc3LVDMcJcyg7vxw45q3aFK5mM4RpP-dCDzmMN5PAtARxTpJDwxNo0BpdX3YTlq29oPIaWbiXr2vE9_RRQz946dVeGozeJHFe7FofsNWF0pJ6Gj-riucdRhUl-3sSLcsnRCdm5sdctjIQ/w320-h240/NAMM%20map.JPG" title="Two of the four exhibit and meeting levels on the NAMM 2015 show map" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two of the four exhibit and meeting levels on</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">the NAMM 2015 show map</span></td></tr></tbody></table>In a word--NAMM is overwhelming. With four levels of exhibit and meeting halls, over 6,000 booths, and tens of thousands of attendees checking out music gear, the atmosphere in the Anaheim Convention Center is a continuous crescendo. There were 526 merchants in the percussion category alone! Fortunately, NAMM provides a smartphone app to help attendees organize their plans of attack.<br />
<br />
<div>
Celebrity sightings are fairly common at NAMM. Many artists were scheduled to appear in exhibits for autograph and photo opps, as well as in-booth jam sessions.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OwllLiwOcrGMgqJQBINWjKsYGUUtRryII5J_qW1NGeQHo8fb9cZjO4u0teruZbm6lbXazqgZSrOLx8TbYfZ1HJGGzOVWjL-z4PJbJ1cY3Vj_PLG20C-_Dmq_bNdfBIfISOIT6GcQJbZW/s1600/Tre+Cool+1.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OwllLiwOcrGMgqJQBINWjKsYGUUtRryII5J_qW1NGeQHo8fb9cZjO4u0teruZbm6lbXazqgZSrOLx8TbYfZ1HJGGzOVWjL-z4PJbJ1cY3Vj_PLG20C-_Dmq_bNdfBIfISOIT6GcQJbZW/s1600/Tre+Cool+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tre Cool of Green Day talking to fans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Steve Smith and Danny Carey were scheduled to appear in the Sonor booth. Among the many artists scheduled to appear in the Yamaha pavilion were Kenny Aronoff, Bobby Blotzer, Steve Gadd, Tommy Igoe, Dave Weckl, and Alan White. Endorsers for Pearl Drums appeared in its exhibit throughout the show, and Ludwig hosted artist autograph signing events. And Stewart Copeland and Dave Lombardo were on hand to demo new Paiste products--unfortunately in private press rooms.<br />
<br />
I was able to get close enough to shake hands with Tre Cool of Green Day in the SJC Custom Drums exhibit, and John Good of Drum Workshop just outside the DW pavilion.</div>
<br />
But I was more interested in the gear than the celebrity sightings, and I had the opportunity to see and play the latest gear from dozens of recognized brands. Just to give you an idea of the breadth of products represented at NAMM, here is an alphabetical list of percussion-related exhibits I saw...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-f_6IkVjY-KiTOQ9bCMyaTH5DrBCtmIsKcwbRin_qtE2CqyrGXJv_obFx8Vi2JNsmdFPatAtwB5jTuPAJAa_8Ny9TIFXuDV9Dv6YbD6zUWgOmwHNpfYc8SxUh1NkMm6P-SAcxq6-S07D/s1600/DW+NP+front.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-f_6IkVjY-KiTOQ9bCMyaTH5DrBCtmIsKcwbRin_qtE2CqyrGXJv_obFx8Vi2JNsmdFPatAtwB5jTuPAJAa_8Ny9TIFXuDV9Dv6YbD6zUWgOmwHNpfYc8SxUh1NkMm6P-SAcxq6-S07D/s1600/DW+NP+front.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neil Peart's DW "R-40" kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAePzo7tu3GvsbfgRcA7a7xyLo9svu9v58CWu4aUiDMB0GAwgLfuh5-vntaReTwsvPxS2S-uUDNtfZWRHGK9X8gUTgQ7ZmR_s1dPsNgK0TVQlwFbH__3rOoGQKh2OSq76BdFpsbCcuDPZ7/s1600/Ludwig+Bonham.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAePzo7tu3GvsbfgRcA7a7xyLo9svu9v58CWu4aUiDMB0GAwgLfuh5-vntaReTwsvPxS2S-uUDNtfZWRHGK9X8gUTgQ7ZmR_s1dPsNgK0TVQlwFbH__3rOoGQKh2OSq76BdFpsbCcuDPZ7/s1600/Ludwig+Bonham.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replica of John Bonham's Ludwig Vistalites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Aquarian, Avedis Zildjian, Ayotte Drums, Axis Percussion, Canopus Drums, Craviotto Drum, Crush Drums and Percussion, Ddrum, Dream Cymbals and Gongs, Drum Workshop, Dunnett Classic Drums, Evans Drumheads by D'Addario, Gretsch, Intellistage Stages, Istanbul Cymbals, KickPort, Ludwig Drum, Overtone Labs (makers of Tune-Bot), Pacific Drums and Percussion, Paiste, Pearl Drums, Pork Pie Percussion, Premier Drum, Mapex Drums, Meinl, Peace Drums, Promark, PureSound Percussion, Regal Tip, Remo, Roc-N-Soc, Roland, Sabian, Sakae Drums, SJC Custom Drums, SKB, Sonor, Soultone Cymbals, Stone Custom Drum, Tama Drums, Taye Drums, Trick Percussion Products, Truth Custom Drums, TRX Cymbal, Vater Percussion, Vic Firth, WorldMax, Yamaha Drums...and that's less than ten percent of the percussion-oriented merchants exhibiting at the show!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Attending NAMM should be on the bucket lists of all music gearheads. I highly recommend it...just be ready for a five-alarm headache at the end of your first full day!</div>
<br />
--Darin
Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0Convention Center, Anaheim, CA, USA33.7999308 -117.9205064000000233.7933333 -117.93059140000003 33.8065283 -117.91042140000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-74203352545248811322014-10-26T01:07:00.048-04:002023-05-31T09:42:21.358-04:00Finding The Professor's voice: Neil Peart's Slingerland snare<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FAiBbeifvHTkyyUwdAXT7cPjnRn-UxmqELMWGmBeQQUNh_Zw1eDPxD_qaJmH4TM8y0kLIyjQbGilw1ySr54ASTzFywqyrTsdMZscBZKRlO6MRXj2uF1iq5ym5cCb-0yu9NxUA6b4NmiXNZrGUmIeGGjI2DOpt3gVKZfjEQ0JEkM1GdOWnotas4iXTg/s702/NeilPeart-OldFaithful%20montage.png" style="display: none;" />
Identifying and purchasing a snare drum similar to Neil Peart's "Old Faithful"--the crisp backbeat on <i>Rush</i> albums from 1977 to 1993.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a>
<br />
<br />
About a year ago, I sat down and listened to Rush's "Signals" album from start to finish. There is something special about the tone "The Professor," Neil Peart, extracted from his Slingerland maple snare drum on that album. Wait a minute, you ask--a <i>Slingerland</i> snare? Yes, it's true that Neil was endorsing Tama during that period. However, he was partial to the tone of a used Slingerland snare he began using in 1977 on the <i>2112 </i>tour. This drum was his primary snare until he switched to DW Drums for the <i>Test for Echo</i> album.<div><br /></div><div>Since then, I have been keeping an eye out for a 1960s or 1970s Slingerland 5.5x14 maple snare in good condition, thinking it would be great to pick up a Slingerland Radio King with its highly sought after single-ply solid maple shell...<br /><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FAiBbeifvHTkyyUwdAXT7cPjnRn-UxmqELMWGmBeQQUNh_Zw1eDPxD_qaJmH4TM8y0kLIyjQbGilw1ySr54ASTzFywqyrTsdMZscBZKRlO6MRXj2uF1iq5ym5cCb-0yu9NxUA6b4NmiXNZrGUmIeGGjI2DOpt3gVKZfjEQ0JEkM1GdOWnotas4iXTg/s702/NeilPeart-OldFaithful%20montage.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pics of Neil Peart's Old Faithful snare from around the web, showing color changes over the years" border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="702" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FAiBbeifvHTkyyUwdAXT7cPjnRn-UxmqELMWGmBeQQUNh_Zw1eDPxD_qaJmH4TM8y0kLIyjQbGilw1ySr54ASTzFywqyrTsdMZscBZKRlO6MRXj2uF1iq5ym5cCb-0yu9NxUA6b4NmiXNZrGUmIeGGjI2DOpt3gVKZfjEQ0JEkM1GdOWnotas4iXTg/w400-h206/NeilPeart-OldFaithful%20montage.png" title="Pics of Neil Peart's Old Faithful snare from around the web, showing color changes over the years" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pics of Neil Peart's Old Faithful snare from around<br />the web, showing color changes over the years<br />(images may be subject to copyright)</td></tr></tbody></table>But recently I learned that Neil's "Old Faithful" snare was actually a Slingerland Artist model. The Artist was available with the same solid maple shell as the Radio King until the early 1970s, and then it shipped with the 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell also found in Slingerland's Hollywood Ace and Deluxe Student models. While the debate rages as to whether Neil's Artist had a solid shell or a 3-ply shell, this <a href="https://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=1156">Slingerland fan</a> argues that "Old Faithful" was a 3-ply, 8-lug drum. Neil himself seems to confirm this in an April 1984 <i>Modern Drummer</i> interview, excerpted <a href="http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/drums/drumkits/number_one_snare.htm">here</a> in Andrew Olson's excellent blog on Neil and his drum kits through the years. In the interview, Neil shares that he was very cautious about modifying Old Faithful, but from this montage of various pics of the drum, you can see that its shell and hardware colors changed over the years.</div><div><br />Armed with this research, I decided that any 3-ply Slingerland snare would be a worthy addition to my snare drum arsenal. I have never been a fan of the 5-ply shells Slingerland offered later in the 1970s, so I avoided those drums.</div><div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDO67sUr_DIsSQqy3CQxzCXMQOEacO5ZP5lpOWO7r_LXSwB_48ZXVitDPw2QoVvdrAXJdisRNOzNmQzdMNBzbQeKvcMGtLJO6ZR_At2eQSkcJrBOOtOsZu0QCZrMRuaO9HMIb8BVZkhMP/s1600/Slingerland+Deluxe+Student+enhanced.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="1964 Slingerland Deluxe Student maple snare drum with upgraded heads and snares" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDO67sUr_DIsSQqy3CQxzCXMQOEacO5ZP5lpOWO7r_LXSwB_48ZXVitDPw2QoVvdrAXJdisRNOzNmQzdMNBzbQeKvcMGtLJO6ZR_At2eQSkcJrBOOtOsZu0QCZrMRuaO9HMIb8BVZkhMP/w400-h300/Slingerland+Deluxe+Student+enhanced.JPG" title="1964 Slingerland Deluxe Student maple snare drum with upgraded heads and snares" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50 years new! 1964 Slingerland Deluxe Student maple<br />
snare drum with upgraded heads and snares</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two weeks ago, I stumbled upon a Deluxe Student model at my local Sam Ash store. This fine example of Slingerland's Sparkling Red Pearl finish caught my attention when I saw the black and brass Niles badge. According to the date stamp inside the shell, this drum was manufactured in February 1964, and it was in excellent condition, particularly for a 50-year-old drum. It appeared to be all original, including the chrome-over-brass hoops, 12-wire snares, tone control, throw, and Slingerland concert heads. The finish was in amazing shape and there was no separation in the shell plies or re-rings. Sam Ash priced the drum at US$250, and while that is a bit high for this particular model, I had never seen an early 60s, all-original example in such good condition. I decided to pick it up.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaqdsareHVVkZ935u8qvL6rJtOgKSSL5cp8CLf0X5zyDevmtWQmXWrGW8E92l9mL-_D55ie13ZEKM6hlw30affyUpJvJv00ULliGE3LA-CeiF4yKa3MZuI3deIc5c-Qj_yBGXdfhqsOvpDyZwj5ikmhWe-lEXbLiRTofg1IA-ZrKPpTsbBRdX1gD77w/s1096/1964_slingerland_15_snares.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wood snare drums from 1964 Slingerland catalog" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaqdsareHVVkZ935u8qvL6rJtOgKSSL5cp8CLf0X5zyDevmtWQmXWrGW8E92l9mL-_D55ie13ZEKM6hlw30affyUpJvJv00ULliGE3LA-CeiF4yKa3MZuI3deIc5c-Qj_yBGXdfhqsOvpDyZwj5ikmhWe-lEXbLiRTofg1IA-ZrKPpTsbBRdX1gD77w/s1096/1964_slingerland_15_snares.jpg" title="Wood snare drums from 1964 Slingerland catalog" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood snare drums from 1964 Slingerland catalog,<br />
courtesy of <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">VintageDrumGuide.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Slingerland manufactured this iteration of the Deluxe Student model snare drum from 1963-1976. As you can see at the bottom of the 1964 catalog page shown here, the Deluxe Student model featured the 3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with re-rings, chrome-over-brass stick saver hoops, tone control, the basic but functional "Rapid" throw, and six Sound King lugs.<br />
<br />
The Hollywood Ace model pictured directly above it is identical except for its eight lugs, 16-wire snares, and a 7-inch deep shell option. Slingerland charged 1964 Hollywood Ace buyers a whopping $15.50 premium for the two additional lugs, 8-hole hoops instead of 6-hole, and four additional snare wires! Slingerland's classic Radio King model is shown above the Hollywood Ace. The only other wood snare in the 1964 catalog, the Artist model, not pictured, shipped that year with a solid maple shell, 20-wire snares, and the Zoomatic throw. The Artist was actually $2 more expensive than the Radio King in the same 5.5x14 size. For an additional $5, you could order an Artist snare with ten lugs instead of eight, an option that was not available on the Radio King. I was a bit surprised to find that the Artist, not the Radio King, was Slingerland's top-of-the-line wood snare drum during this time period.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPWbjd-QAv85EwyFamDM85aaTyH135Q1NocPVVukRNKMVsnA8t8gXVgnrMPMBCVFj14ItOIu3-GlXJeC6fu6eUkPK_acUu4oJ_HN_97NEaaHadHW2VtP_oTmyWTRE33jo7DdAV_issC7n/s1600/Slingerland+shell+markings.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deluxe Student snare is stamped "Feb 64"" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPWbjd-QAv85EwyFamDM85aaTyH135Q1NocPVVukRNKMVsnA8t8gXVgnrMPMBCVFj14ItOIu3-GlXJeC6fu6eUkPK_acUu4oJ_HN_97NEaaHadHW2VtP_oTmyWTRE33jo7DdAV_issC7n/w400-h300/Slingerland+shell+markings.JPG" title="Deluxe Student snare is stamped "Feb 64"" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who says you have to slow down after 50?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking of lugs...since my new drum is a Deluxe Student model, it has only six lugs to tension each brass hoop. Knowing that brass is a bit softer than steel, I immediately wondered whether fewer lugs and softer hoops would affect tuning. In other words, should I have held out for a Hollywood Ace, Artist, or Radio King with at least eight lugs?<br />
<br />
But before we get to tuning, let's talk upgrades. Since I'm not starting a drum museum (yet), this will be a player's drum. So--I removed the original heads and snares and stored them for future restoration. Evans G1 coated batter and Hazy 300 snare side heads are good choices for any snare, especially vintage snares, and they dropped right on the vintage shell--a good indicator that the shell is still round. I also replaced the original 12-wire snares with 16-wire Puresound Custom snares.</div><div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4k8MYXGV_rlrpQjyEZnG8RBXCwB7D1hnLplu_p2KYBUva_njJ7tU9tTAKW49TuhcUE_Vt31uIGVflWzQfRbsb2tmR8bF14cf2TB_Hw7HBF9M9CgHbuMrbch0JIgr2rhN68EhRCqHjr2ZpXa2xCh57cCwxlenuwr1Z3vS-id4AOJDny51e7DM1EGGXA/s354/neil_no1_snare.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=""Old Faithful" in what is likely its final form, courtesy of andrewolson.com" border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="354" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4k8MYXGV_rlrpQjyEZnG8RBXCwB7D1hnLplu_p2KYBUva_njJ7tU9tTAKW49TuhcUE_Vt31uIGVflWzQfRbsb2tmR8bF14cf2TB_Hw7HBF9M9CgHbuMrbch0JIgr2rhN68EhRCqHjr2ZpXa2xCh57cCwxlenuwr1Z3vS-id4AOJDny51e7DM1EGGXA/w320-h240/neil_no1_snare.jpg" title=""Old Faithful" in what is likely its final form, courtesy of andrewolson.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Old Faithful" in what is likely its final<br />form, courtesy of <a href="http://andrewolson.com">andrewolson.com</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Tuning the 6-lug snare with Tune-bot was slightly more of a challenge than with 8- or 10-lug drums. It does appear that the wide spacing between the lugs results in a bit of flex in the brass hoops, so Tune-bot lug frequency readings showed a bit more variance if I tapped more than than an inch to either side of a lug. I also noticed that tension changes at one lug had more significant impact on tension at the other lugs. However, as long as I brought the tension up evenly across the drum, it was only slightly more touchy from a tuning perspective.</div><div><br />The drum seems very happy at a 3g# tuning. At 3g and higher, the maple shell really adds its voice to the drum's overall tone. I have spent several hours with this drum, and it's a delight to play. In a future blog post, I will compare this drum head-to-head with my PDP Platinum 5x14 solid maple snare. Now for my Tune-bot tunings...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Darin's Slingerland 5.5x14 maple snare drum Tune-bot tunings</span><br />
<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 450px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Reso:batter frequency ratio:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>292Hz</td>
<td>1.37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3g#, 207Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>312Hz</td>
<td>1.28</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Drum: Slingerland Deluxe Student 5.5x14, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with re-rings</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Heads: Evans Level 360 G1 coated batter, Evans Level 360 Hazy 300 snare</span><br />
<br />
<br />
As always, be sure to check out my <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a> post, especially my <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html#TopTenTipsLink">Top Ten Tips for Tune-bot Tuning</a>. These tips provide general guidance that will help you avoid common drum tuning issues and get the most out of your Tune-bot.<br />
<br />
Once again, a vintage drum really impresses me with its tone and playability. If you haven't played a vintage Slingerland maple snare, I highly recommend it.<br />
<br />
--Darin</div></div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-38903783972432771822014-08-24T01:01:00.049-04:002022-09-24T15:28:51.094-04:00Quality snare drums for budget-minded drummers<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPkXLLRI7czjaAio5LEG8riK314FFW979rGm3b3jIHbG5ccHf0hrZe0c7a-rPhB_nlVmg_sY1mbJ0H0qcYAHC5kPh4SkGkN36PWA02iYOGVk9ZSPSLzuP15kHciVuu4udcUWf4RD7j5Gc/s1600/PDP+20ply+Birch.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Quality, low-cost snare drums equip a budget-minded drummer with backbeat voices in steel, brass, aluminum, carbon fiber, birch, and maple.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Finding the right voice for a new song in the studio often involves trying out new snare drums or upgrading existing ones. As a result, my snare drum arsenal has evolved a bit since <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-wife-thinks-i-have-too-many-snare.html">My wife thinks I have too many snare drums</a>, a post from just over a year ago.<br />
<br />
Despite my wife's concern, I continue to find ways to bring new and creative snare voices to my sound on a budget. Each of my current snare drums cost between US$40 and US$299 before upgrades. Here is my current snare drum lineup, from most-used to least-used:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC3tjsZJrfsZdRAaNMNLnHk3ZIB4edw-TBlq1x0fJPACRQ3-DOn7iByt0cnbz3nkU16UaD2iJMNY9dPxOxv0zMcx4hrn-HQpNSC6v2fgfBoIw5MJ2Rlqhrwhmcvz3c8vVYXTmzgRoiy_n/s1600/Slingerland+COB.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC3tjsZJrfsZdRAaNMNLnHk3ZIB4edw-TBlq1x0fJPACRQ3-DOn7iByt0cnbz3nkU16UaD2iJMNY9dPxOxv0zMcx4hrn-HQpNSC6v2fgfBoIw5MJ2Rlqhrwhmcvz3c8vVYXTmzgRoiy_n/s1600/Slingerland+COB.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Slingerland Sound King 6.5x14 (vintage 1965-1979)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: Chrome-over-brass <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F to 3G<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: Trick GS007 multi-step throw (chrome) with <a href="https://dominoretroplate.com/" target="_blank">Retroplate</a> adapter, Puresound Snappy 20-strand snares, Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Workhorse heavy brass snare; this 1975 model's original Zoomatic throw was broken; low-cost alternate to Ludwig Black Beauty<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2ajuHPPJMed05kLQZLuxtCVkQ6BdWuoWPyMPGtK4ZBg-oJlIAwXMSRAHQbsZV-7I6nmCd8ht_JWl4o7Fowt8lJPuqcHzbYwD8Ohjl6GvvmRHrkvLSb-cZ6UrkIdB3NSEBhKxVmTWbj8g/s1600/PDP+1ply+Maple.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2ajuHPPJMed05kLQZLuxtCVkQ6BdWuoWPyMPGtK4ZBg-oJlIAwXMSRAHQbsZV-7I6nmCd8ht_JWl4o7Fowt8lJPuqcHzbYwD8Ohjl6GvvmRHrkvLSb-cZ6UrkIdB3NSEBhKxVmTWbj8g/s1600/PDP+1ply+Maple.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>PDP Platinum Solid Maple 5x14 (US$299 new)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: 1-ply solid maple <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3G to 3A<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: DW Mag throw, DW 3.0mm True-Hoops, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Low-cost alternate to vintage Slingerland Radio King; shell really sings at higher tunings; awesome rimshots with 3mm hoops<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDO67sUr_DIsSQqy3CQxzCXMQOEacO5ZP5lpOWO7r_LXSwB_48ZXVitDPw2QoVvdrAXJdisRNOzNmQzdMNBzbQeKvcMGtLJO6ZR_At2eQSkcJrBOOtOsZu0QCZrMRuaO9HMIb8BVZkhMP/s1600/Slingerland+Deluxe+Student+enhanced.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDO67sUr_DIsSQqy3CQxzCXMQOEacO5ZP5lpOWO7r_LXSwB_48ZXVitDPw2QoVvdrAXJdisRNOzNmQzdMNBzbQeKvcMGtLJO6ZR_At2eQSkcJrBOOtOsZu0QCZrMRuaO9HMIb8BVZkhMP/s1600/Slingerland+Deluxe+Student+enhanced.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Slingerland Deluxe Student 5.5x14 (vintage 1963-1976)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: 3-ply with re-rings <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3G to 3A<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Evans G1 coated batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare head<br /><u>Comments</u>: This 1964 example of Slingerland's lower-cost 6-lug student model utilizes the same maple-poplar-maple 3-ply shell as the 8-lug Hollywood Ace and 1970+ Artist models<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1MO2OZDIkgFhp62GiVD0LqBuvFyZh6aRCVX2IgMgt_5hVv7OTXWgAIPD7uihEruIAtxik7JV-z8Due_PqvumlS2OQjsE4uzBjr3RVPLs2h87kDdHyBkiq-5Hhqh75vJxMSCjlK3Nms-4/s1600/Rocket+Shells.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1MO2OZDIkgFhp62GiVD0LqBuvFyZh6aRCVX2IgMgt_5hVv7OTXWgAIPD7uihEruIAtxik7JV-z8Due_PqvumlS2OQjsE4uzBjr3RVPLs2h87kDdHyBkiq-5Hhqh75vJxMSCjlK3Nms-4/s1600/Rocket+Shells.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Rocket Shells C-900 8x13 (used)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: Carbon fiber over core <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F to 3G<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: WorldMax 2.3mm chrome hoops, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Evans Power Center reverse dot batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Lightweight, versatile, and powerful; tone somewhere between metal and wood; smooth Nickelworks throw<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mH6U-sHKjjwCjrtux-6TV6vXGKXp3Me_EMJzBM_48aaOHBxYxv3NH0leFjIs9421f-V6PQpLcmpuE40CT9YVb5qhM0AgvbfFnjSFNOZvtKgdfudXjoko_TyENEQRawv_fsr05DVvLxQJ/s1600/PDP+20ply+Maple.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mH6U-sHKjjwCjrtux-6TV6vXGKXp3Me_EMJzBM_48aaOHBxYxv3NH0leFjIs9421f-V6PQpLcmpuE40CT9YVb5qhM0AgvbfFnjSFNOZvtKgdfudXjoko_TyENEQRawv_fsr05DVvLxQJ/s1600/PDP+20ply+Maple.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>PDP Limited Edition 6.5x14 (US$200 new)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: 20-ply maple/bubinga <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F to 3G<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: Remo Emperor coated batter head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Low-cost alternate to Ludwig "Brick;" includes DW Mag throw, 2.3mm hoops, and quality snares; heavy and loud; using 2-ply batter head to dampen volume a bit<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPkXLLRI7czjaAio5LEG8riK314FFW979rGm3b3jIHbG5ccHf0hrZe0c7a-rPhB_nlVmg_sY1mbJ0H0qcYAHC5kPh4SkGkN36PWA02iYOGVk9ZSPSLzuP15kHciVuu4udcUWf4RD7j5Gc/s1600/PDP+20ply+Birch.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPkXLLRI7czjaAio5LEG8riK314FFW979rGm3b3jIHbG5ccHf0hrZe0c7a-rPhB_nlVmg_sY1mbJ0H0qcYAHC5kPh4SkGkN36PWA02iYOGVk9ZSPSLzuP15kHciVuu4udcUWf4RD7j5Gc/s1600/PDP+20ply+Birch.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>PDP Limited Edition 6.5x14 (US$200 new)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: 20-ply birch <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F to 3G<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Very similar to PDP 20-ply maple/bubinga--no need to own both, but black satin finish looks great with my PDP FS kit; includes DW Mag throw, 2.3mm hoops, and quality snares<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FnXiWnYPmSC1LbSbdnsEBahXj2mFjfF9csbqfMlz_PDttdxnT-TpNvsTvvKkovxX_1Dda_AmolJPG7SdeLhUkkscJWki3x9KKz6k9QNd_IyNGt-K3SXaNdZ87eZerznoOdo2v04QwSJW/s1600/Acrolite+65.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FnXiWnYPmSC1LbSbdnsEBahXj2mFjfF9csbqfMlz_PDttdxnT-TpNvsTvvKkovxX_1Dda_AmolJPG7SdeLhUkkscJWki3x9KKz6k9QNd_IyNGt-K3SXaNdZ87eZerznoOdo2v04QwSJW/s1600/Acrolite+65.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Ludwig Acrolite 6.5x14 (vintage/used 1962-present)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: Aluminum <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F# to 3G<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: Trick GS007 multi-step throw (chrome) with <a href="https://dominoretroplate.com/" target="_blank">Retroplate</a>, Puresound Equalizer 16-strand snares, Evans Power Center reverse dot batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Newer Classic reissue model; P-85 throw was bent; lower-cost alternate to Ludwig Supraphonic<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr45lsumBLTL5CKIE_0FHKEUhKClSWK3rKnUPplyEQfAC7HkBbvjNnP7MkjkxArq79iuF2yNsmFzr_9OPvFgfk5ULdTlURdXL_dQJAOyzJ62bC8QvKmt5vbN_4cH3_ejStrGsQYVs-clv/s1600/Acrolite+55.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr45lsumBLTL5CKIE_0FHKEUhKClSWK3rKnUPplyEQfAC7HkBbvjNnP7MkjkxArq79iuF2yNsmFzr_9OPvFgfk5ULdTlURdXL_dQJAOyzJ62bC8QvKmt5vbN_4cH3_ejStrGsQYVs-clv/s1600/Acrolite+55.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Ludwig Acrolite 5.5x14 (vintage/used 1962-present)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: Aluminum <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F# to 3A<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: WorldMax 2.3mm chrome hoops, Puresound Snappy 20-strand snares, Evans G1 coated batter head, Evans Hazy 300 snare head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Classic aluminum tone; this 1966 model's P-83 throw seems smoother than newer P-85; weak rimshots with original 1.6mm hoops<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GOY0e5Brhww5nbBMXgoOGyUZwN9fKDKLR0t7EWCFsEWCqJ_cUb6Sa1gVPnqhdHeiwKM67ue71QLkYZfSZvsmB3LKEUJnqB2cS9XXdTL15mv2jX_G4pr0vUbu1LzMMEb01BWa5ZCVMSFH/s1600/Pearl+Export.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GOY0e5Brhww5nbBMXgoOGyUZwN9fKDKLR0t7EWCFsEWCqJ_cUb6Sa1gVPnqhdHeiwKM67ue71QLkYZfSZvsmB3LKEUJnqB2cS9XXdTL15mv2jX_G4pr0vUbu1LzMMEb01BWa5ZCVMSFH/s1600/Pearl+Export.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Pearl Export 6.5x14 (vintage 1986-1996)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: Steel <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3F to 3G<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: WorldMax 3.0mm black hoops, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter head<br /><u>Comments</u>: Very low-cost steel snare; 3.0mm hoops dry out tone a bit; consider upgrading stock Pearl throw<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmSQAaVc_N2xestQUzCWzjFeZg2xqwNTXfq7_hUyPcZNXVTjaMVgPSvUEpzFkSQHPn08X1wYZ9GBojWz0AJhvqg8SDyESYFQ2sR45fQVYcO76BfqRs2W6Hfus2LljKRiahzRLCKLpKpYT/s1600/Mapex+SteelPic.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmSQAaVc_N2xestQUzCWzjFeZg2xqwNTXfq7_hUyPcZNXVTjaMVgPSvUEpzFkSQHPn08X1wYZ9GBojWz0AJhvqg8SDyESYFQ2sR45fQVYcO76BfqRs2W6Hfus2LljKRiahzRLCKLpKpYT/s1600/Mapex+SteelPic.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Mapex MPX 3.5x13 piccolo (US$50 new)</b><br /><u>Shell</u>: Steel <u>Typical tunings</u>: 3A to 3A#<br /><u>Upgrades</u>: None<br /><u>Comments</u>: Throw is not smooth, but it gets the job done<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As you can see, there are excellent options available to the budget-conscious drummer looking to build up his or her snare drum arsenal. Happy drumming!<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-14603444905816002272014-07-05T02:58:00.016-04:002022-09-24T12:55:18.466-04:00Creating a modern vintage Slingerland drumset<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqVMEBGmvvUWreslaT3Fa-GLf96Wfr4PsReCbuxaGxMc3Oz2YvUwIFxOGYt3dyvVvalGVAtt6V3Md_aG5J61Jzr4IK8aXe947XU5ctdR43JoMsOm9hHyRaXPXE1QJEtpmhHoaXQOoDJaf/s1600/Slingerland+front+view+3.png" style="display: none;" />
Gibraltar SC-USS suspension tom mounts and updated heads transform a vintage 1970s drumset into a modern player's kit.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><div>
<br />
Over the past few years, I have been watching eBay and Craigslist for a set of 1970s Slingerland drums in good shape for a reasonable price. While I've picked up a few Sound King COB snares along the way, most of the used Slingerland drumsets I saw were either too pricey or in poor condition.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstHrE3hdY-fQo_kr6OMK-XZjlyaJ3IwaX43RxqWd6VLSqd4uMYlfBgfV4XJZQsMaS1NOd6YsrgK7ov5iDtTK2EDzPt81K-dhPkME5edMCrIoFEEdcaGAe7w6_6Egjhk2Jk4kQVUszuB7D/s1600/Slingerland+Country+Roads+enhanced.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstHrE3hdY-fQo_kr6OMK-XZjlyaJ3IwaX43RxqWd6VLSqd4uMYlfBgfV4XJZQsMaS1NOd6YsrgK7ov5iDtTK2EDzPt81K-dhPkME5edMCrIoFEEdcaGAe7w6_6Egjhk2Jk4kQVUszuB7D/w400-h292/Slingerland+Country+Roads+enhanced.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1979 Slingerland "Country Roads" kit with oversized<br />
concert toms and Rogers MemriLoc hardware retrofit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Regular readers of this blog already know that I grew up playing Slingerland drums in the late 70s and early 80s, and my first professional quality kit was a 1979 Slingerland "Country Roads" 7-piece kit with 5-ply shells in white gloss wrap. It included a 14x6.5 COB Sound King snare, the first of many that I have owned. The previous owner replaced the stock tom mounts with Rogers MemriLoc hardware, unfortunately drilling the virgin bass drum in the process. I sold that kit for US$400 in 1987 to pay rent. I never liked the oversized concert toms, but I do miss the only 24-inch bass drum I ever owned...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqVMEBGmvvUWreslaT3Fa-GLf96Wfr4PsReCbuxaGxMc3Oz2YvUwIFxOGYt3dyvVvalGVAtt6V3Md_aG5J61Jzr4IK8aXe947XU5ctdR43JoMsOm9hHyRaXPXE1QJEtpmhHoaXQOoDJaf/s1600/Slingerland+front+view+3.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqVMEBGmvvUWreslaT3Fa-GLf96Wfr4PsReCbuxaGxMc3Oz2YvUwIFxOGYt3dyvVvalGVAtt6V3Md_aG5J61Jzr4IK8aXe947XU5ctdR43JoMsOm9hHyRaXPXE1QJEtpmhHoaXQOoDJaf/w400-h289/Slingerland+front+view+3.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage 70s Slingerland drumset in violin red wood finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Until now. A few weeks ago, a 70s Slingerland drumset with a beautiful violin red wood finish, 24-inch bass drum, and 12-, 13-, and 16-inch toms appeared on eBay. According to the listing, the drums included all the original parts, and from the photos, the finish on all the shells appeared to be in excellent condition. I noticed that the seller was also offering a 14-inch floor tom in the same finish, so it was a great opportunity to purchase a vintage Slingerland kit with my typical two-up, two-down tom configuration. I decided to go for it.<br />
<br />
When it arrived late last week, there were no disappointments--Slingerland's revered maple-poplar-maple 3-ply shells with reinforcement rings, 30 degree roundover bearing edges, beautiful original finish, bass drum hoops with the chrome inlay intact, and the famous stick saver hoops. The kit's violin red wood finish first appeared in the <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/slingerland_drumsets_1976.htm" target="_blank">1976 Slingerland catalog</a>, and its <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_2_serial_numbers_page3.html" target="_blank">serial numbers</a> are in the high 230,000s, indicating that this is a 1975-1977 vintage kit, most likely 1976.<br />
<br />
While this is going to be a player's kit rather than a museum piece, I decided against any upgrades that would prevent me from restoring the kit to original condition.<br />
<br />
First upgrade: Heads, of course. The drums arrived with Remo Pinstripe batters all around, which decay too quickly for my tastes, but do produce the dull thuds typical of 70s pop/rock recordings! Each tom is now outfitted with an Evans coated G2 over a clear G1. The bass drum now wears Evans EMAD2 and EQ3 resonant black heads. The EMAD2 does a good job controlling the boom emanating from the 24-inch bass drum. A Remo Double Falam Slam Patch protects the EMAD2 from solid beaters, and a Slingerland bass drum decal adds a vintage touch to a modern bass drum setup.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkXuiREhfJsnwLvhRezzLT2MLFvP2KmN3grprxNVts-zEtbSqkTigNxs5398hwou1W6Y2NWrOFyUYwtCenUBH2u3-LlupTjVdpIhYzC9D2JJ1xenp_DdxuPUBtPlNBnvJEjVLahP2bpdA/s1600/Gibraltar+suspension.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkXuiREhfJsnwLvhRezzLT2MLFvP2KmN3grprxNVts-zEtbSqkTigNxs5398hwou1W6Y2NWrOFyUYwtCenUBH2u3-LlupTjVdpIhYzC9D2JJ1xenp_DdxuPUBtPlNBnvJEjVLahP2bpdA/w400-h300/Gibraltar+suspension.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibraltar SC-USS Universal Suspension Mount<br />
is an excellent solution for vintage rack toms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next upgrade: Suspension tom mounts. While Slingerland's Set-O-Matic tom mount system is quick and convenient, I prefer to position my rack toms closer together, and off of the bass drum. After researching my options, I went with Gibraltar's SC-USS Universal Suspension Mount. It is similar to Gretsch's current suspension tom mounts, with a smaller profile and three-point suspension design. Threading through two tension rods instead of four, the Gibraltar mount stays out of the way when you position two rack toms close together from a single stand. Using spare PDP tom brackets I already had, installation of the Gibraltar SC-USS was a snap.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHFwZmWxnNqEnnePc3Pt0lHfxDENiqs5p7mEzq7EmKNm7dCItQAGBfdMx2UPqv1o6jvJPe4vBhekOKkQ2AECE82qtfTg4F8oIdlSRb41hM_liCw1lhlj-yAQwUH-Cg4AamTXzL5uIagFw/s1600/Reinforced+lugs.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHFwZmWxnNqEnnePc3Pt0lHfxDENiqs5p7mEzq7EmKNm7dCItQAGBfdMx2UPqv1o6jvJPe4vBhekOKkQ2AECE82qtfTg4F8oIdlSRb41hM_liCw1lhlj-yAQwUH-Cg4AamTXzL5uIagFw/w400-h300/Reinforced+lugs.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large washers help spread the load the suspension<br />
mounts place on the Slingerland 3-ply shell at the lugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For a cleaner look, and to reduce the weight of each rack tom, I decided to remove the existing Set-O-Matic tom brackets and hang the Gibraltar mounts over the holes left behind. This worked out better than I expected. I borrowed large washers from the Set-O-Matic brackets to help spread the new load the Gibraltar suspension mounts place on the thin 3-ply shells at the lugs. I also reinstalled the bottom Set-O-Matic mount screw on each drum, as that is the spot where the Gibraltar mount's rubber tip presses against the side of the shell.<br />
<br />
To restore the rack toms to original condition, I simply remove the Gibraltar mounts and reinstall the Set-O-Matic tom brackets.<br />
<br />
The first thing I noticed when playing my "new" Slingerland kit after these upgrades is that the rack toms really opened up with the suspension mounts. The Gibraltar SC-USS is an excellent solution for vintage rack toms with traditional mounts that limit positioning options or choke the sound. The warm tone of the toms caught my attention as well, thanks to the rounder Slingerland bearing edges paired up with two-ply coated G2 heads. And, last but not least, the 24-inch bass drum booms with authority, but the EMAD2 head (using the thicker of the two foam rings) keeps it under control without the need for a pillow--or the classic felt strips across the head approach as shown in the <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/slingerland_drumsets_1976.htm" target="_blank">1976 Slingerland catalog</a>!<br />
<br />
The right set of vintage drums can provide a new dimension to your sound. The warm sounds of classic Slingerland shells, the 13-inch rack tom, and the 24-inch bass drum are perfect for classic 70s rock. A word of caution, though, before you consider the purchase of a vintage kit: Each U.S. vintage drum maker peaked at a different time, during which it built quality shells with a signature sound still sought after today. However, as each party came to an end, shell quality declined, and the sound of the great American drumset declined with it. Look for vintage drumsets with the maker's signature shells--3-ply shells with re-rings in the case of Slingerland toms and bass drums. Otherwise, I think a modern mid-level kit is a better choice.<br />
<br />
--Darin</div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-60896622903752339172014-05-10T19:03:00.014-04:002023-05-31T09:41:48.080-04:00Tuning Ludwig snare drums with Tune-bot<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvsk_UZMSZBHxet92aynWzoIGOcoEoCXCB26AL9ZdaCSs7AgDsnwQr9EEEdZ1nF20O8xtuf8gJbT5yY5JitDMm4jFmJMigAasYaHo1zWgL87eOufUDKQw0lpV-X9wvkQ8fvbg3S9kYA_J/s1600/Ludwig_Acrolite.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Tune-bot tuning schemes for Ludwig Acrolite LM405 and Supraphonic LM402 aluminum snare drums.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Last August, I posted <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a>, which consolidated a number of Tune-bot tuning tips from prior posts. While that post is by far the most popular page in this blog, a number of you are looking for more details about tuning snare drums, especially Ludwig snare drums, using Tune-bot.<br />
<br />
This is not a surprise--after all, there are a lot of Ludwig Supraphonic, Black Beauty, and Acrolite players out there!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvsk_UZMSZBHxet92aynWzoIGOcoEoCXCB26AL9ZdaCSs7AgDsnwQr9EEEdZ1nF20O8xtuf8gJbT5yY5JitDMm4jFmJMigAasYaHo1zWgL87eOufUDKQw0lpV-X9wvkQ8fvbg3S9kYA_J/s1600/Ludwig_Acrolite.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvsk_UZMSZBHxet92aynWzoIGOcoEoCXCB26AL9ZdaCSs7AgDsnwQr9EEEdZ1nF20O8xtuf8gJbT5yY5JitDMm4jFmJMigAasYaHo1zWgL87eOufUDKQw0lpV-X9wvkQ8fvbg3S9kYA_J/w400-h300/Ludwig_Acrolite.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ludwig Acrolite Classic Reissue in 6.5x14<br />
features a seamless aluminum shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this post, I will provide the Tune-bot tunings I use for my Ludwig Acrolite 6.5x14 (LM405) snare drum. These tunings should serve as good starting points for the Ludwig Supraphonic 6.5x14 (LM402) snare drum as well, as the Supraphonic and Acrolite are based on the same aluminum shell. However, since the Ludwig Black Beauty has a denser brass shell, tuning frequencies at the lugs for that drum will be somewhat lower, similar to my Slingerland Sound King 6.5x14 COB snare tunings in <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a>, and <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/07/getting-right-sound-out-of-your-snare.html">Getting the right sound out of your snare, part 2</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Darin's Ludwig </span><span style="font-size: large;">Acrolite</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6.5x14 </span><span style="font-size: large;">snare drum Tune-bot tunings:</span><br />
<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 450px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Reso:Batter frequency ratio:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3f, 174.6Hz</td>
<td>363Hz</td>
<td>273Hz</td>
<td>1.33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3f#, 185Hz</td>
<td>384Hz</td>
<td>289Hz</td>
<td>1.33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>396Hz</td>
<td>314Hz</td>
<td>1.26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3g#, 208Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>328Hz</td>
<td>1.22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3a, 220Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>360Hz</td>
<td>1.11</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Drum: Ludwig LM405C Acrolite Classic Reissue, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">6.5x14 seamless aluminum shell</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Heads: Evans Level 360 G1 Power Center Reverse Dot coated batter, Evans Level 360 Hazy 300 snare</span><br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
Supraphonic tuning frequencies may be <i>slightly</i> lower since the Supra's chrome plating may brighten the tone of the shell.<br />
<br /></div>
Ideally, you want to tune snare drum resonant lug frequencies to a perfect fifth (1.5 times), perfect fourth (1.33 times), or major third (1.26 times) higher than batter lug frequencies, and my 3f, 3f#, and 3g tunings conform to this. My 3g# and 3a tunings do not because Tune-bot recommends against exceeding 400Hz at the lugs with thinner (2-3 mil) resonant heads for snare drums.<br />
<br />
Also, be sure to check out "Darin's Top Ten Tips for Tune-bot Tuning" in <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html#TopTenTipsLink">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a>. These tips provide general guidance that will help you avoid common drum tuning issues and get the most out of your Tune-bot.<br />
<br />
My Acrolite really sings between 3f# and 3a, so I can cover Zeppelin or crank it up for No Doubt or Katy Perry.<br />
<br />
Side note: I've noticed that my Acrolite seems to be really touchy about drumhead seating--has anyone else noticed this with Ludwig snares?<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-63356582614405324602014-04-26T22:22:00.010-04:002022-09-24T13:08:51.251-04:00Pearl reintroduces a full SensiTone snare lineup<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YkU6a-PcPSCAf1EYFqykrQ1vhDL0hTdmnABlpIn_3SpXMnsoVUTG6NuJy0VaKyUfv06a0T0zDaDIYeEsDj-8SgwZoaZuKGr-BqyEu-jY4tGvafUjU8VXb4bqwrPRDhVahyphenhyphenZf_qsbR8PD/s1600/Pearl_STA1465AL.jpg" style="display: none;" />
Pearl reintroduces its SensiTone line of snare drums, with seven shell material choices, tube lugs, and an upgraded throw.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
For 2014, Pearl has reintroduced a <a href="https://pearldrum.com/products/snares/sensitone/" target="_blank">full line of SensiTone snare drums</a>, complete with a couple of interesting upgrades. Over the years, the SensiTone name has been associated with solid, workhorse snare drums for the budget-conscious drummer, so it is very good news to hear that the Pearl SensiTones are back!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH3Kv0UN2UCLRSz8jI38e4ACkEhujwHNZjc2UBXrDjhCfc201Qr27XyJkvf00IUbIFrW-2hhA_KqbbRXGt4X8KAy49TYhvE6hXcYRBq2zh9nLIR8OE1WiNW0zlqypg5kvy9uwKEvP5fWV/s1600/Pearl_STE1465AL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH3Kv0UN2UCLRSz8jI38e4ACkEhujwHNZjc2UBXrDjhCfc201Qr27XyJkvf00IUbIFrW-2hhA_KqbbRXGt4X8KAy49TYhvE6hXcYRBq2zh9nLIR8OE1WiNW0zlqypg5kvy9uwKEvP5fWV/s1600/Pearl_STE1465AL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previous generation SensiTone Elite with 6.5x14<br />
aluminum shell and bridge lugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The previous "SensiTone Elite" series was introduced in 2006. In 2011, Pearl discontinued the stainless steel, bronze, and aluminum shells, leaving only the brass and steel options in production.<br />
<br />
Since mid-2013, aluminum SensiTone Elites in the 6.5x14 size have been nearly impossible to find new, an issue compounded by spotty availability on the used market. Several music stores continue to carry inventory of the aluminum SensiTone Elite in 5x14.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YkU6a-PcPSCAf1EYFqykrQ1vhDL0hTdmnABlpIn_3SpXMnsoVUTG6NuJy0VaKyUfv06a0T0zDaDIYeEsDj-8SgwZoaZuKGr-BqyEu-jY4tGvafUjU8VXb4bqwrPRDhVahyphenhyphenZf_qsbR8PD/s1600/Pearl_STA1465AL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YkU6a-PcPSCAf1EYFqykrQ1vhDL0hTdmnABlpIn_3SpXMnsoVUTG6NuJy0VaKyUfv06a0T0zDaDIYeEsDj-8SgwZoaZuKGr-BqyEu-jY4tGvafUjU8VXb4bqwrPRDhVahyphenhyphenZf_qsbR8PD/s1600/Pearl_STA1465AL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New SensiTone with 6.5x14 aluminum<br />
shell and tube lugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So far, the new SensiTones seem to be scarce as well. The online music stores I checked show availability as "wait times vary" for drums in the new SensiTone line. However, this is likely to change as orders start flowing in!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://pearldrum.com/products/snares/sensitone/" target="_blank">New SensiTones</a> are available in steel, brass (with black nickel finish), seamless aluminum, Premium brass (with patina finish), Premium phosphor bronze, Premium maple, and Premium African Mahogany. All are available in 5x14 and 6.5x14 sizes, except the Premium African Mahogany, which is only available in 5x15. Prices range from US$299 for the steel in 14x5 to US$629 for the Premium brass and Premium phosphor bronze models in 6.5x14.<br />
<br />
The most obvious change with the new SensiTones is that they now sport tube lugs, an upgrade that had been on many drummers' wish lists. While the previous SensiTone Elites' bridge lugs were fairly slim in profile, the new tube lugs do provide an even more lightweight and classic look. The Premium models are equipped with Pearl's ARL modified tube lug that appears to be a tube-bridge lug hybrid.<br />
<br />
The second major change involves the snare throw-off. The previous generation SensiTone Elite utilized Pearl's SR-017 side-lever throw, while the reintroduced SensiTones are equipped with Pearl's SR-150 Gladstone-style throw, complete with a Click-Lock feature to lock the snare lever and tension adjuster where you set it. Both generations include Pearl's 2.3mm Super Hoop II hoops, 20-strand UltraSound snares, and Remo Ambassador heads.<br />
<br />
As with all aluminum-shelled snare drums, the aluminum version of the SensiTone Elite has been subjected to <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=pearl+sensitone+aluminum+vs.+ludwig+supraphonic&oq=pearl+sensitone+aluminum+vs.+ludwig+supraphonic" target="_blank">never-ending comparisons</a> with the venerable Ludwig Supraphonics and Acrolites. The SensiTone Elite held its own in these comparisons, especially when price was a factor. The fact that 6.5x14 SensiTone Elite aluminum snares are difficult to find on the used market today indicates that drummers are hanging onto these drums. And, the new SensiTone aluminum model, with its lower-mass tube lugs, improved throw, and attractive price point, should prove to be an even stronger alternative to the aluminum Ludwigs.<br />
<br />
If you are in the market for a quality snare at a mid-level price, Pearl's new SensiTone line is worth a look. And, as drummers upgrade to the new SensiTone drums, I expect to see more previous-generation SensiTone Elites on the used market. That's a win-win for the budget-conscious drummer!<br />
<br />
--Darin<br />Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-73347673772695252132014-04-06T23:07:00.019-04:002023-05-31T09:41:12.861-04:00The underrated Slingerland Sound King snare<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK-ltZl9iHnXbxR4XM4FxlzxLrqmAGBHLtdv79JyT6OqhFtm_MhKzpcWIlFvvNV61T_eT_KUaF3Jq-sdETgiZM3ubxCx92n6Q8OZVlb66uSIn4BZLkJoHv1DaBRASTczXmmVCsfeRTXrw/s1600/1963A-slingerland-snare1.jpg" style="display: none;" />
The underrated Slingerland Sound King snare drum remains one of the best quality chrome-over-brass snare drums ever built.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK-ltZl9iHnXbxR4XM4FxlzxLrqmAGBHLtdv79JyT6OqhFtm_MhKzpcWIlFvvNV61T_eT_KUaF3Jq-sdETgiZM3ubxCx92n6Q8OZVlb66uSIn4BZLkJoHv1DaBRASTczXmmVCsfeRTXrw/s1600/1963A-slingerland-snare1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK-ltZl9iHnXbxR4XM4FxlzxLrqmAGBHLtdv79JyT6OqhFtm_MhKzpcWIlFvvNV61T_eT_KUaF3Jq-sdETgiZM3ubxCx92n6Q8OZVlb66uSIn4BZLkJoHv1DaBRASTczXmmVCsfeRTXrw/w466-h640/1963A-slingerland-snare1.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New chrome-over-brass snare drums from<br />
Slingerland's 1963 catalog, courtesy of<br />
<a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/slingerland_catalog_pages.html" target="_blank">VintageDrumGuide.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Readers of this blog know that I grew up playing Slingerland drums. I still own two 1970s-vintage Slingerland chrome-over-brass snare drums, a 1975 6.5x14-inch model 133 with ten lugs and the Zoomatic throw (recently upgraded to a Trick GS007), and a 1979 6.5x14-inch model 193 with ten lugs and the TDR throw.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Slingerland's 1963 catalog introduced two chrome-over-brass snares, the "Radio King Chrome" with the Radio King three-point throw, and the "Gene Krupa Sound King Chrome" with the Zoomatic throw. The Zoomatic version was branded the "<a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/catalogs/slingerland/1973-slingerland-snares2.jpg" target="_blank">Gene Krupa Sound King Chrome</a>" until the mid-1970s, and then simply the "<a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/images/catalogs/slingerland/1976_slingerland_catalog_4.jpg" target="_blank">Sound King</a>" through 1978. Slingerland claimed that its sturdy competitor to archrival Ludwig's mighty Supraphonic snare drum "needs no sound disturbing center bead." </span>In this post, I will refer to all Slingerland chrome-over-brass snare drums as "Sound Kings" even though this branding was dropped in 1979. But whatever you decide to call it, t<span style="font-family: inherit;">he underrated Slingerland Sound King snare drum remains one of the best quality chrome-over-brass snare drums ever built, delivering all the punch of a metal snare with a depth and musicality that became part of the 1970s signature rock sound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Being underrated has its advantages. I have purchased four 6.5x14 inch ten-lug Sound King snare drums over the years, and I have never paid more than $280 per drum. In fact, if you shop carefully on eBay, you can find examples of this particular drum in good condition for $225-$250 with the Zoomatic throw, slightly higher with the TDR throw.</span><br />
<br />
But before we continue, let's discuss a few drawbacks with the Sound King. First, the shell is not as rigid as the beaded Ludwigs, despite Slingerland's product literature claim, so it is prone to what I call "lug denting." I described this phenomenon in a previous post--setting the drum down edgewise can cause the lugs to press into and dent the shell. Most of the used Slingerland brass snares I have seen have at least some lug denting, so examine the photos carefully before you buy. While minor dents can be carefully hammered out with a rounded block of wood, that process can cause the gray coating inside the shell to flake off--better to find a relatively dent-free drum. In addition, the tension rod receivers inside the lugs are made of steel rather than brass, so the receivers on most Slingerland drums tend to rust, some more than others. Last but not least, Slingerland's Zoomatic throw is generally despised by drummers as it was easily stripped if adjusted improperly.<br />
<br />
If you are a player and not a collector, you can buy two used Sound Kings for about the price of one used Supraphonic, and use the parts from two drums to assemble one great snare drum! If both Zoomatic throws are stripped, do yourself a favor and order the "Trick GS007 to Slingerland kit" from Mike McCraw's "Retroplate" website (<a href="https://dominoretroplate.com/" target="_blank">dominoretroplate.com/</a>).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevUttCEDXLu_nYW9S9DLZs_h6VV4v0G4Lhmpuvlk-UOM4mjgG34272Th7F7CXeetKGmHMVuxIQ95H1OPclK-M8jg5LLgYFPpGhBdHtBXTBnkxmkn86dguji1vGbYuNLbZBJYmqViBWcSp/s1600/Slingerland+model+133.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevUttCEDXLu_nYW9S9DLZs_h6VV4v0G4Lhmpuvlk-UOM4mjgG34272Th7F7CXeetKGmHMVuxIQ95H1OPclK-M8jg5LLgYFPpGhBdHtBXTBnkxmkn86dguji1vGbYuNLbZBJYmqViBWcSp/w400-h300/Slingerland+model+133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1975 Slingerland Sound King 6.5x14 10-lug chrome-over-brass<br />snare with Trick GS007 throw upgrade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once you have acquired (or assembled!) a Sound King in good condition, you will be the proud owner of a sturdy metal snare drum with Slingerland's trademark stick saver hoops and excellent brass tone. First introduced in 1955, the stick saver hoop features a top edge rolled toward the head to protect sticks during rimshots. In my opinion, this design results in more rigidity and a better rimshot than a triple-flange hoop in the same thickness. And, if your drum is equipped with the TDR throw, first available on the Sound King with the introduction of models 192 and 193 in 1979, you can rest assured that this drop-lever throw is much more substantial--and reliable--than Ludwig's P-85.<br />
<br />
Let's spend a minute on the topic of extended snare wires. The legendary Slingerland Radio King featured snare wires that extended beyond the edges of the snare head, with the end plates of the snare wires attached directly to the throw and the butt plate with screws. Snare wires on early Zoomatic Sound Kings utilized a "half" extended snare approach--the snare wire end plate on the butt side extended out beyond the edge of the snare head, but the end plate on the throw side was positioned over the head. From the player's perspective, the Sound King's approach to extended snares was a bad idea. It only provided half the benefit of extended snares, and the end plate on the butt side was riveted to a metal strap! As a result, even when the snare wires were disengaged, the solid connection to the butt plate caused them to vibrate. I know--it's hard to believe, but check out these <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_5_strainers_zoomatic-3.html" target="_blank">snare side</a> and <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_5_strainers_zoomatic-2.html" target="_blank">butt plate</a> photos of a 1960s 3-ply snare by Slingerland expert Carl Wenk ("DrCJW") at <a href="https://www.vintagedrumguide.com/">vintagedrumguide.com</a>. Sound Kings with Zoomatic throws used the same setup during this period.<br />
<br />
Puresound once offered "Zoomatic" snare wires in its Vintage Series to accommodate this setup, but I believe that line has been discontinued. My understanding is that Slingerland abandoned extended snares on Sound Kings in 1968, opting instead for the standard snare wire setup we see on nearly all modern snare drums in which both end plates are positioned over the snare head.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UFfLTMyiYfF5aYDgBV0lZefHGtGgFANC9IPepE_bh6I73E2MHaeVUG1OO-ocJyA5qlk51wgcDnWyAaxBZi9mEQu105WqvTVVYVzPz2XACWXocCVKE8rUVrvI8w8zTy26FlvDTdUiR8nT/s1600/Slingerland+TDR+extended+snares.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UFfLTMyiYfF5aYDgBV0lZefHGtGgFANC9IPepE_bh6I73E2MHaeVUG1OO-ocJyA5qlk51wgcDnWyAaxBZi9mEQu105WqvTVVYVzPz2XACWXocCVKE8rUVrvI8w8zTy26FlvDTdUiR8nT/w400-h300/Slingerland+TDR+extended+snares.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1979 Slingerland 6.5x14 TDR snare with<br />
Pearl S025 extended snare wires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But that's not the end of the extended snare story for the Sound King! With the introduction of the TDR throw and butt plate in 1972 (but not branded "TDR" until the 1976 catalog), Slingerland brought back extended snare wires. The TDR design supports 15" snare wires, attached by standard straps. This is a much better approach, allowing each snare wire end plate to extend beyond the snare head--without a riveted metal strap! Pearl's S025 20-wire bridge type free-floating snare wires are an excellent replacement option. With an overall length of 15-3/4", and 14-7/8" from solder point to solder point, the Pearl S025 not only fits TDR-equipped Sound Kings perfectly, but also costs about $15!<br />
<br />
While Sound Kings were sold in both 5x14-inch and 6.5x14-inch sizes, the latter provides the deep voice associated with 70s classic rock and 80s arena rock. Slingerland artists of the time included Clive Bunker of Jethro Tull, Neal Smith of Alice Cooper's band, Bev Bevan of Electric Light Orchestra, Phil Ehart of Kansas, Nigel Olsson of Elton John's band, and even Neil Peart of Rush, who switched from Slingerland to Tama in 1979, but continued using a maple Slingerland snare until 1993. David Robinson of The Cars brought the Slingerland sound into the 80s. While Robinson is said to have played Ludwig snares, I often hear reactions such as, "Man, that snare sounds EXACTLY like the original recording," when covering "The Cars" using one of my Sound Kings tuned down to 3F.<br />
<br />
The Slingerland Sound King is an excellent choice for any drummer looking to add the punch of a brass snare to his/her arsenal. A vintage Sound King is more than a top-quality snare drum, built at the height of American drum manufacturing--it is one of the voices of American rock history.<br />
<br />
--Darin<br />
<br />
P.S. See "Snare drum Tune-bot tunings" in <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a> for specific Tune-bot tunings for Sound Kings and other snare drums.Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-11065683744816645302014-02-04T21:35:00.021-05:002022-09-24T13:10:08.988-04:00Arranging your electronic drumset<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsCUzRARPy6T70cerXCX_exFMvOAYoWx7CdlEez0puJudMvPGeVlHTdIVhl6Z8h8P7PAtDrNJjKKh92K-mNAqH14JdBIpx9KKdpnfTSHhHJc7yZ_GWh6TJbxtn_iV4OVcd_pssv2lIUnA/s1600/Roland+overhead.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Creative arrangement of electronic pads can help overcome the challenges of switching between acoustic and electronic drumsets.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Electronic drums are an excellent solution for practicing in residential or other quiet settings, as well as for gigs at smaller venues where acoustic drums would overpower the rest of the band, such as house parties. However, the compactness and other qualities of electronic drums can create challenges for drummers moving between electronic and acoustic kits. In this post, I'll cover some of these challenges and how I work around them.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNdg1S2Hqf2R057hMIOs7aIHSclod5cY3GJK7OpnRJMn3BhwRznINLXwB6yyPfI2DNuITMQuAakxnO3mC0bcqj5lcW7wwAMr2UlY5OMNyptAXz1X1u5n-itOLzkpkqpYztmzoiHC26I1A/s1600/td_12s_blk.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNdg1S2Hqf2R057hMIOs7aIHSclod5cY3GJK7OpnRJMn3BhwRznINLXwB6yyPfI2DNuITMQuAakxnO3mC0bcqj5lcW7wwAMr2UlY5OMNyptAXz1X1u5n-itOLzkpkqpYztmzoiHC26I1A/w320-h309/td_12s_blk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roland V-Drums TD-12S electronic kit</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
I bought my electronic kit in late 2006, a Roland V-Drums TD-12S with a few add-ons: (1) an additional P-85 drum pad, (2) a CY-5 cymbal pad that I use as a "splash", and (3) a CY-8 cymbal pad. The TD-12 sound module provides 560 different drums instruments with thousands of variations, and includes 50 pre-configured drum kits. The mixer is reasonably intuitive once you get used to checking whether you are in instrument or kit mode before adjusting settings.<br />
<br />
The TD-12S includes a double-wing rack, which offers a great deal of flexibility in arranging the drum and cymbal pads. The rack also provides fairly good cable management out of the box, partially concealing the cables that connect each pad to the mixer.<br />
<br />
In all of the product photos from the Roland catalog (see example to the right), you see the traditional two-up tom configuration, with the rack toms centered over the bass drum, as pictured here. The rack seems to be designed for this configuration.<br />
<br />
But what if you play a one- or two-up configuration with the rack toms offset from the bass drum? As readers of this blog know, this is my preferred setup--positioning the ride cymbal over the other side of the bass drum feels more comfortable to me and draws the floor toms in closer to the bass drum.<br />
<br />
No problem!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsCUzRARPy6T70cerXCX_exFMvOAYoWx7CdlEez0puJudMvPGeVlHTdIVhl6Z8h8P7PAtDrNJjKKh92K-mNAqH14JdBIpx9KKdpnfTSHhHJc7yZ_GWh6TJbxtn_iV4OVcd_pssv2lIUnA/s1600/Roland+overhead.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsCUzRARPy6T70cerXCX_exFMvOAYoWx7CdlEez0puJudMvPGeVlHTdIVhl6Z8h8P7PAtDrNJjKKh92K-mNAqH14JdBIpx9KKdpnfTSHhHJc7yZ_GWh6TJbxtn_iV4OVcd_pssv2lIUnA/w400-h300/Roland+overhead.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V-Drums in a two-up, two-down configuration</td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see in this photo of my TD-12S kit, with some creative pad placement, the TD-12S rack supports a "offset two-up, two-down" configuration.<br />
<br />
Note that my rack toms splay out as if they are mounted on a double-tom stand. This enabled me to offset the leftmost rack tom further left than the left front rack post, and center the bass drum on the rack. I think this is a lot less awkward than simply moving the entire rack to the left, which complicates floor tom placement. I also spread the floor toms as far as possible to my right to simulate the distance between larger drums.<br />
<br />
You also may have noticed that I use a rack clamp to stabilize the two-leg hi-hat stand. This little trick works with any winged rack, as you can see if you look closely at the acoustic kit in the background. This photo also shows how the mounting the cymbal stands low on the rack helps keep the cymbals low while minimizing the number of booms sticking out from the kit. My bandmates no longer have to worry about becoming shish kabobs while we are rehearsing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbcTWlIyzFHOUIUXGZYzGTTqQis3BgmA_QcEbiSDcOlm1y3WMcsG4PHqW6dZ-Uxr3C-qjMaFstTXRimq5u55zS6Q8G2c9HMj6ME4Uhzu0Z6PYKH1D6jh9tGDZZ-MH0pcesqTAL3ayCPZZ/s1600/Roland+right.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbcTWlIyzFHOUIUXGZYzGTTqQis3BgmA_QcEbiSDcOlm1y3WMcsG4PHqW6dZ-Uxr3C-qjMaFstTXRimq5u55zS6Q8G2c9HMj6ME4Uhzu0Z6PYKH1D6jh9tGDZZ-MH0pcesqTAL3ayCPZZ/w400-h300/Roland+right.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mounting cymbal stands low keeps<br />booms out of the way</td></tr></tbody></table>So, what is the point of this detailed look at arranging my electronic drum pads?<br />
<br />
Playing similar configurations on both my acoustic and electronic drum kits eases the transition between the two. Obviously, the electronic kit utilizes smaller pads, but if I can arrange them so that my hands fall to roughly the same spots while playing on either kit, I notice fewer muscle memory issues. In other words, my stick tends to fall to the splash cymbal at roughly the same point in space whether I am playing my V-Drums or my PDP acoustic kits. I have also noticed that when I move from the V-Drums back to my acoustic kits, accustomed to the smaller targets, I tend to play more to the centers of the heads.<br />
<br />
I'm including a couple of additional views of the two-up offset setup of my V-Drums below. Hopefully this gives you some ideas on how to arrange your electronic kit in a way that works best for you!<br />
<br />
--Darin<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUv-dXhVD4BNPrG8ZWjrRdxUViQtcP-r0aQTZr7xrmMisR0HfO0ti9HuvotNoH0sytuhMwWEz2qeHxMxQPzyegY91bSjBOqKg7ETqf5NVhDLIKzT_cjkaW6zYJ-xnmP_8xpmWLVrtHOqY/s1600/Roland+front.JPG"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUv-dXhVD4BNPrG8ZWjrRdxUViQtcP-r0aQTZr7xrmMisR0HfO0ti9HuvotNoH0sytuhMwWEz2qeHxMxQPzyegY91bSjBOqKg7ETqf5NVhDLIKzT_cjkaW6zYJ-xnmP_8xpmWLVrtHOqY/w320-h240/Roland+front.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AgIK2QiNIGYET3NUfZKR1k9U5wzoOHwJHEfc7_2PLFlBCYNlouvdlvbukse-t6UB51cjILiIqmG2vlqfddsdvGp6DiCLqjJqP2Zs8q_FdLDmRyQ-jIb8pcwR1ACYuL0I1etzabQvvOMJ/s1600/Roland+left.JPG"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AgIK2QiNIGYET3NUfZKR1k9U5wzoOHwJHEfc7_2PLFlBCYNlouvdlvbukse-t6UB51cjILiIqmG2vlqfddsdvGp6DiCLqjJqP2Zs8q_FdLDmRyQ-jIb8pcwR1ACYuL0I1etzabQvvOMJ/w320-h240/Roland+left.JPG" width="320" /></a>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-81045951842067704712014-01-01T20:14:00.020-05:002023-11-17T13:15:38.811-05:00PDP Platinum solid maple snare drum<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQyKd-9jQGLjXOXIzYu5Z9Y6n0N4N6Q4JWD_zp2_c5RBlYVZOop8jRaiU0XhmXUzBlKxe-q00dS7aNRYcuqSYCcd1RmX7f6lJQAvdCMpWwn2t4GTon5nb0prA-HSZ__66jP7nvmpOnqz3/s1600/Platinum_label.JPG" style="display: none;" />
The PDP Platinum solid maple snare drum provided drummers with the classic tone of a solid maple snare at an affordable price.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQyKd-9jQGLjXOXIzYu5Z9Y6n0N4N6Q4JWD_zp2_c5RBlYVZOop8jRaiU0XhmXUzBlKxe-q00dS7aNRYcuqSYCcd1RmX7f6lJQAvdCMpWwn2t4GTon5nb0prA-HSZ__66jP7nvmpOnqz3/s1600/Platinum_label.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQyKd-9jQGLjXOXIzYu5Z9Y6n0N4N6Q4JWD_zp2_c5RBlYVZOop8jRaiU0XhmXUzBlKxe-q00dS7aNRYcuqSYCcd1RmX7f6lJQAvdCMpWwn2t4GTon5nb0prA-HSZ__66jP7nvmpOnqz3/w400-h300/Platinum_label.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PDP Platinum solid maple snare in silver-to-black<br />
sparkle burst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not many drummers are aware that PDP offered a solid maple 5x14" snare drum in its Platinum series in the late 2000s and early 2010s. A few music retailers still have unsold inventory, and I decided to pick one up. The obvious question is, could this virtually unknown, affordably priced, single-ply maple snare provide the same classic tone as the legendary Slingerland Radio King?<br />
<br />
There is not a lot of information available online on the PDP Platinum solid maple snare. In this blog post, I'll share what I've learned about this drum, and evaluate whether it recaptures the magic of a vintage solid maple snare.<br />
<br />
Recently, a limited number of these drums were offered online for as low as $299 new. Since I saw the same model going for $443 on other sites, it seemed like a good time to buy. The drum was originally offered in a wide variety of lacquer finishes and finishply wraps, but remaining inventory seems to be in red sparkle, red-to-black sparkle fade, and silver-to-black sparkle burst. I ordered the drum in a silver-to-black sparkle burst lacquer finish, the most neutral option of the three.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylZEYMpbStA0QyfRR_eXA10Ddy8p8RJzFz4uDma4rnoXtwX62g-wnlgZhyPfBKsPDDxR99MxNp5sBqW9k_nLGLRg4ASyEhkrU3fFm4ol8kJogCGTHWi34-HyGBIeX5EGC4KSJM10OmeIz/s1600/X7-Platinum+snares.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylZEYMpbStA0QyfRR_eXA10Ddy8p8RJzFz4uDma4rnoXtwX62g-wnlgZhyPfBKsPDDxR99MxNp5sBqW9k_nLGLRg4ASyEhkrU3fFm4ol8kJogCGTHWi34-HyGBIeX5EGC4KSJM10OmeIz/w400-h300/X7-Platinum+snares.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While PDP Platinum and PDP X7 snares are similar in<br />
appearance and hardware, their shells differ significantly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing I noticed is that the PDP Platinum solid maple snare looks quite similar to my PDP X7 maple-ply snare. From a hardware perspective, they share the same 1.6mm hoops, 1-5/8" True-Pitch tension rods (without nylon washers), and both include gasketed lugs, although the Platinum is equipped with tube lugs. The Platinum also features a revised version of the X7's Gladstone-style throwoff. Both snares include generic snare wires with clear plastic straps.<br />
<br />
But that's where the similarities end. The Platinum's 7.5mm thick, steam-bent, single-ply maple shell is meatier than the X7's 5.5mm thick 7-ply maple shell. In addition, when placed side-by-side, the X7 shell seems slightly shallower. Sure enough, my X7 shell measures 4-7/8" deep while the Platinum shell measures 5" deep. PDP shipped the Platinum snare with single-ply DW Remo USA heads and the X7 snare with single-ply Remo China heads, coated batter heads in both cases. <br />
<br />
The differences are not a surprise. PDP Platinum drums were manufactured in PDP's production facility in Ensenada, Mexico, using the same raw materials as the DW factory in Oxnard, California. Rumor has it that the same supplier delivered wood sheets to both locations, and the "North American maple" tag affixed to Platinum maple drums seems to confirm this. In contrast, the X7, M5, and newer Concept lines are manufactured in China using locally-sourced raw materials. While PDP Platinum drums were manufactured from 2008 to 2011, the solid wood Platinum snare appeared only in the <a href="https://jedistar.com/pdf/pdp/PDP_Catalog_2008.pdf" target="_blank">2008 catalog</a> (see footnote on page 15; more info on pre-Platinum PDP solid maple snares in the <a href="https://www.pacificdrums.com/sites/default/files/magazines/catalogs/PDPCATALOG2007.pdf" target="_blank">2007 catalog</a>, page 25). In fact, my new Platinum solid maple snare drum is date-stamped "JUL 02 2008" inside the shell, so it sat in a warehouse for over five years before I purchased it. Also, beginning in 2010, Platinum snare drums shipped with DW Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot batter heads, but it does not appear that the Platinum solid maple snare was ever fitted with this upgrade.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxcGNqRQ6t4RkNdeH-r0x73QcucjRtSqMzIGISInTPaSn6hoDrSl9NgxmmuZp4kPRgXmpu146RXCd4MbBstwBDbUVtclv6kk9Mb04VjVYT1AyLfdI5NInZMt8o8_iaB40coFIMTK5VUXp/s1600/Platinum_shell.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxcGNqRQ6t4RkNdeH-r0x73QcucjRtSqMzIGISInTPaSn6hoDrSl9NgxmmuZp4kPRgXmpu146RXCd4MbBstwBDbUVtclv6kk9Mb04VjVYT1AyLfdI5NInZMt8o8_iaB40coFIMTK5VUXp/w400-h300/Platinum_shell.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Platinum solid maple snare's single-ply, steam-bent shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Beyond appearance and features, the first thing I noticed about the PDP Platinum solid maple snare when I pulled it out of the box is that the Gladstone-style throwoff lever is massive and clunky. That same description applies to its operation--it is decidedly unsmooth.<br />
<br />
With any new drum (or drum that is new to me), I typically disassemble, inspect, and clean the parts. During this process with the Platinum snare, I noticed that most of the lug screws inside the shell were loose, so I tightened them, being careful not to overtighten. It's also worth noting that this drum does not include reinforcement rings ("re-rings"), contrary to conventional wisdom (not necessarily actual wisdom) that a solid drum needs re-rings to strengthen or stabilize the shell.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9zEa9qTebitwjNr3K1fKTj-8dAJ6MY6P90Urp2_JQddnicbeZjdErNdVdAnF-0HNHRIqpWTALoPGHqLYDgtnPMiX8tc-JbbyQzrEvQN9DZOknE-X-q6yzwICaHdCK-uC9Xj89TTk9AaV/s1600/Platinum_throw+offset.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9zEa9qTebitwjNr3K1fKTj-8dAJ6MY6P90Urp2_JQddnicbeZjdErNdVdAnF-0HNHRIqpWTALoPGHqLYDgtnPMiX8tc-JbbyQzrEvQN9DZOknE-X-q6yzwICaHdCK-uC9Xj89TTk9AaV/w400-h300/Platinum_throw+offset.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DW MAG throwoff and Remo Controlled Sound reverse<br />
dot batter head upgrades</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While the heads were off, I decided to go ahead and replace the clunky drop throwoff with a DW MAG unit. The mount hole spacing is identical between the two throws, however, the mounting screws for the MAG throw require larger holes, so I very carefully drilled out the existing holes to 5/32". In addition to ensuring that you drill straight through, you want to avoid splintering around the holes on the inside of the shell.<br />
<br />
Once the holes were drilled out, the MAG throw installed in seconds. In my opinion, the DW MAG throwoff is worth every penny of the $29.99 it costs. The stock PDP butt plate is solid, so I decided to keep it.<br />
<br />
After inspecting the bearing edges, which were as good as any I've ever seen, I took the opportunity to upgrade the batter head to a Remo Controlled Sound reverse dot, which as most of you know is a coated, Ambassador-weight, single-ply head with a 5 mil reverse dot. I'm not crazy about 1.6mm hoops on snare drums, but I decided to go ahead and give them a try for a while to see how they work out. I then added nylon washers to the tension rods and installed and seated the heads.<br />
<br />
My initial observations after spending a few hours with the Platinum solid maple snare in the rehearsal studio today:<br />
<ul>
<li>The Platinum snare tunes up very easily, perhaps because of the excellent bearing edges. This drum seemed very happy at a 3g# tuning (380Hz at each reso lug, 328Hz at each batter lug). See the snare section of <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a> for other tunings for this drum.</li>
<li>The tone of the Platinum has a lot more "woodiness" and "body" than the X7 snare. When played side-by-side, it was difficult to hear any "woodiness" at all in the X7 snare's tone.</li>
<li>The Platinum's tone blends well into a variety of music. It is a versatile snare.</li>
<li>Rimshots are a bit weak, which I attribute to the 1.6mm hoops.</li>
</ul>
<br />
The PDP Platinum solid maple snare is a quality drum at an excellent price point. More importantly, its tone is reminiscent of the legendary Slingerland Radio King. The more I play it, the more I hear the Radio King in its voice. It is definitely a keeper in my snare drum collection.<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-67010746709254701542013-12-28T12:23:00.011-05:002023-05-31T09:40:13.826-04:00Classic steel snare drum for $100<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5anV14VuDuzcYnANnCQ70NSznRTMhqZx7JDWXe5mZQlgK4runeSU-wrmGqIkgRG8cvHGnTKqBHRRbIN0f_5PuJW7rtDjmaZgiK8iWow8Un_-RBjhvBEpF7CKJcjhXgDbg8caj_Irp9XSM/s1600/Pearl+Export_label+under.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Purchasing and upgrading a used Pearl Export steel-shelled snare drum to obtain a solid classic rock backbeat on a budget.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Many drummers own more than one snare drum. In a <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-wife-thinks-i-have-too-many-snare.html">previous blog post</a>, I discussed how different types of snare drums can provide different voices to your backbeat.<br />
<br />
I admit that I enjoy experimenting with drums of different sizes, depths, shell materials, and tunings. When I'm in full geek mode, I'll try them out with different heads and snares as well. My current collection includes snare drums with maple-ply, birch-ply, brass, carbon fiber, and aluminum shells, as well as a steel-shelled piccolo. However, I haven't owned a steel snare drum in a standard size since I played a JCPenney blue sparkle five-piece kit back in the late 70s and early 80s. When Gretsch released a steel-shelled Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) signature snare drum earlier this year, I decided that it was time to give steel another look.<br />
<br />
I began my search by listening to snare drum videos on YouTube. Listening to YouTube videos with quality audio and a good set of headphones provides a decent starting point. One <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SwSPfCSFz0" target="_blank">video</a> that caught my ear features ten classic snare drums, including the Pearl Export chrome over steel.<br />
<br />
Pearl released the original Export series of entry-level drumsets in 1982, with significant changes in 1987, 1990, and 1994 (see <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s8eUfPUKspyjzmV5J5CG7mVA-0iXuH_r/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Export Series History pdf</a>). While Export bass drum and tom shells were formed from a variety of woods over the years, the mahogany/birch shells have a significant following. The history of the Export steel-shelled snares is a bit murkier. Export kits shipped with steel-shelled 6.5x14 snares from 1982-2000 under six different model numbers. I believe the double-beaded 6.5x14 steel shell is model EX-614D, available with Export kits from 1986-1996.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, because the Pearl Export remains the best selling line of drumsets of all time, used Export snares are fairly easy to find. After watching eBay and Craigslist for a few weeks, I found a model EX-614D in good condition locally on Craigslist for $40. "Good condition" for a 25-year-old steel drum generally means a round and true shell, no dents, minor scratching and pitting, some rust, and nearly all original parts present and working. The drum I picked up needed a thorough cleaning, some rust removal on the tension rods, new heads and snares, a minor repair to the throwoff lever, and replacement of one stripped tension rod. An additional $62 for new Evans G1 Power Center Reverse Dot and Hazy 300 heads, Puresound Custom 16-strand snares, as well as an upgrade to 2.3mm WorldMax hoops brought the total drum cost to $102.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5anV14VuDuzcYnANnCQ70NSznRTMhqZx7JDWXe5mZQlgK4runeSU-wrmGqIkgRG8cvHGnTKqBHRRbIN0f_5PuJW7rtDjmaZgiK8iWow8Un_-RBjhvBEpF7CKJcjhXgDbg8caj_Irp9XSM/s1600/Pearl+Export_label+under.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5anV14VuDuzcYnANnCQ70NSznRTMhqZx7JDWXe5mZQlgK4runeSU-wrmGqIkgRG8cvHGnTKqBHRRbIN0f_5PuJW7rtDjmaZgiK8iWow8Un_-RBjhvBEpF7CKJcjhXgDbg8caj_Irp9XSM/w320-h251/Pearl+Export_label+under.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refurbished Pearl Export snare drum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRSwO05uYFecoCxdnvdGy5IYIbjHIaH15JxGruW6IS4etkgAp8IAxs9GayvgxQVnYTSZR9DV6mtPrX5YHED_S1QGzgY9JNct2URwwhjzJUD6QjZ9HBu9NSaYgsCr-7wqnUthoXnsS0sDA/s1600/Pearl+Export_throw+above.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRSwO05uYFecoCxdnvdGy5IYIbjHIaH15JxGruW6IS4etkgAp8IAxs9GayvgxQVnYTSZR9DV6mtPrX5YHED_S1QGzgY9JNct2URwwhjzJUD6QjZ9HBu9NSaYgsCr-7wqnUthoXnsS0sDA/w320-h253/Pearl+Export_throw+above.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6.5x14, 8-lug, chrome-over-steel shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see, while not perfect, the drum cleaned up pretty well. It also tuned up very easily, and I was able to quickly reproduce the sound of the Pearl snare in the YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SwSPfCSFz0" target="_blank">video</a>, using Tune-bot to tune the drum to 3f# (380Hz at each reso lug, 280Hz at each batter lug). True to the character of steel shells, this drum rings a bit more than my brass snares. To my ear, though, the ring simply accents its deep-shell punch.<br />
<br />
Check out <a href="https://www.drumnutsandbolts.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Tuning drums with Tune-bot</a> to see this drum's Tune-bot tuning along with tunings for several other snares.<br />
<br />
At $102, the Pearl Export is the least expensive standard-sized snare drum in my collection. With its wide availability, low cost, and classic tone, the Pearl Export is an excellent choice for a budget-minded rock drummer looking to upgrade or expand his sound.<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-83279069301812626672013-11-16T22:49:00.012-05:002023-05-31T09:35:17.091-04:00Acquiring a used Paiste Signature cymbal setup<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ltLNO8S7kqB6dhmjqK_TiwZclMyLVaCXhecrVWqYYFqxSMamOt7vvoCCvqnz2D5GtF2BlR6TMRnZKNlyVfnVvBemwqyn8z5kNMp7LAQ-aBNtFsoXuJk1SZkvd9nNaxSZF68zgQCua5d1/s1600/photo+1.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Using advanced eBay searches to find and purchase a complete Paiste Signature cymbal setup for the price of a new Zildjian K box set.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
I mentioned in a previous post that I had tried out a few Paiste Signature cymbals, and that I was really impressed with their tone and smoothness. While the point of that post was to share my experiences with purchasing used cymbals on eBay, several of you noticed that I seemed to be putting together a complete setup of "Sigs."<br />
<br />
That's exactly what I was doing. I decided to retire my Zildjian A Custom/K setup and replace them with Paiste Signatures. In the process, I wanted to see if I could put together a setup with all used Sigs, in very good to excellent condition, for about the same price as a new Zildjian K box set. Here are the details on that journey...<br />
<br />
As you probably already know, cymbals in the Paiste Signature line are extremely pricey. Fortunately, used Sigs are fairly easy to find on eBay. Every time I searched for them on eBay, I found a number of examples for sale, so it seemed pretty likely that I would be able to assemble a complete setup.<br />
<br />
I recognize that purchasing used cymbals online violates the rule of playing any cymbal before buying it (see <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/03/selecting-cymbals.html">Selecting quality cymbals to create your sound</a>), so I spent quite a bit of time listening to audio clips of various cymbals on <a href="https://www.paiste.com/" target="_blank">Paiste's website</a>...<br />
<br />
From the main menu on Paiste's website, I drilled down into "Products," "Cymbals," and then selected "Signature." From there, I browsed the types of cymbals in the line (rides, crashes, hi-hats, etc.), and listened to audio clips of specific cymbals that seemed appropriate for my setup. Like all cymbal lines, Paiste Signatures come in a variety of types, sizes, and weights, so I spent quite a bit of time switching back-and-forth between audio clips of similar cymbals. While the sound of physical cymbals will vary from audio clip representations, the audio clips really helped me determine the relative differences between cymbals--for example, 16" mellow crash vs. fast crash vs. full crash vs. power crash. A good set of headphones and Paiste's cymbal-to-cymbal manufacturing consistency helped as well! The point is that you can use the audio clips to sort out the relative differences between cymbals (pitch, volume, sustain, etc.), but don't expect an audio clip to be an exact representation of the corresponding physical cymbal's sound.<br />
<br />
Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl, Dream, TRX, and other cymbal makers offer sound clips on their websites as well.<br />
<br />
Paiste allows you to add your favorites to a <a href="https://www.paiste.com/en/soundroom" target="_blank">Soundroom</a>, so after spending about 30 minutes listening to clips, I had the following cymbals in my Soundroom:<br />
<ul>
<li>20" Full Ride</li>
<li>13" Dark Crisp Hi-Hats</li>
<li>14" Sound Edge Hi-Hats</li>
<li>16" Fast Crash</li>
<li>16" Full Crash</li>
<li>18" Fast Crash</li>
<li>18" Full Crash</li>
<li>10" Splash</li>
</ul>
<br />
Obviously, I had already decided on a ride and splash, but I wanted to spend a bit more time with the hi-hats and crashes. My final setup ended up like this:<br />
<ul>
<li>20" Full Ride</li>
<li>13" Dark Crisp Hi-Hats (I liked the lower pitch of the 13" Dark Crisp hats, and they have a reputation as being "the" hats in the Signature line)</li>
<li>16" Full Crash (I liked higher pitch, which creates more "separation" from the 18")</li>
<li>18" Fast Crash (I liked the thinner weight for "washy" crash rides)</li>
<li>10" Splash</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ltLNO8S7kqB6dhmjqK_TiwZclMyLVaCXhecrVWqYYFqxSMamOt7vvoCCvqnz2D5GtF2BlR6TMRnZKNlyVfnVvBemwqyn8z5kNMp7LAQ-aBNtFsoXuJk1SZkvd9nNaxSZF68zgQCua5d1/s1600/photo+1.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Used Paiste Signature setup" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ltLNO8S7kqB6dhmjqK_TiwZclMyLVaCXhecrVWqYYFqxSMamOt7vvoCCvqnz2D5GtF2BlR6TMRnZKNlyVfnVvBemwqyn8z5kNMp7LAQ-aBNtFsoXuJk1SZkvd9nNaxSZF68zgQCua5d1/w400-h300/photo+1.JPG" title="Used Paiste Signature setup" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used Paiste Signature setup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once I had decided on a setup, I started watching for good used candidates on eBay. To streamline the search process, I saved a search for each cymbal I was looking for on eBay as a "Followed Search." This way, eBay did the searching for me, and emailed me each day with new items that met my criteria. For example, the following eBay search string (text entered into the eBay search field) looks for Sig 16" full crashes, but excludes Reflector, Precision, Traditionals, and Heavy models (the minus sign before the second group of search terms tells eBay to NOT include results with any of those terms):<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">paiste signature full crash (16", 16 inch, 16-inch, 16inch, 16 in, 16-in, 16in) -(reflector, precision, traditionals, heavy)</span><br />
<br />
Once I refined my search terms, I clicked the link to "Follow this search", and eBay began to automatically send email alerts to my box as eBayers posted cymbals meeting my criteria. At that point, I simply watched my email each day for cymbals in great shape at a good price. Check out my post, <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-to-look-for-when-buying-used.html">What to look for when buying used cymbals,</a> for details on my experience buying used cymbals on eBay, as well as tips to help you buy online with confidence.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQXTsE08avTEek8rdLdvA0YsrPXTI9kMEDgAujdCkwV2RHBzaAwlel6oBUYQGc5hD5M4dlNKMaKSPBXUXjgtHkyhjaji8GQFROM0eYmGgZwJ1EolFIJHip-TpZHLkvRnjs_jBRIS-IrNj/s1600/Paiste+Signature+setup.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Top-quality Paiste cymbals purchased on eBay" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQXTsE08avTEek8rdLdvA0YsrPXTI9kMEDgAujdCkwV2RHBzaAwlel6oBUYQGc5hD5M4dlNKMaKSPBXUXjgtHkyhjaji8GQFROM0eYmGgZwJ1EolFIJHip-TpZHLkvRnjs_jBRIS-IrNj/w400-h300/Paiste+Signature+setup.JPG" title="Top-quality Paiste cymbals purchased on eBay" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-quality Paiste cymbals purchased on eBay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did I meet my objective of assembling a Paiste Signature setup for the price of a new Zildjian K box set? Let's see...the Ziljian K0800 cymbal pack currently runs about $900 new and includes a 20" ride, 14" hi-hats, a 16" crash, and a 18" crash. Including shipping and handling, I paid $250 for my 20" ride, $237 for my 13" hi-hats, $184 for my 16" crash, and $197 for my 18" crash, for a total of $868. Mission accomplished!<br />
<br />
I have included a couple photos of my "new" Sigs below. I am currently using them with my recording setup.<br />
<br />
Used cymbals are a great way to obtain top-of-the-line sound on a drummer's budget. Happy shopping!<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-74519037502541698322013-10-05T13:22:00.017-04:002022-09-24T13:32:21.778-04:00Trick GS007 adapter for Ludwig snare drums<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE34q_Ida-fTKqcA3mZIh1I-ZizP5aL-eOjcXApRvyDS-JUgBh7kUlHX5BNM0bZ0vyDCaOed9MEq5mV3WzmPsqeF78iBYfqTyDtQC75dAES-Sfsquwtay18wYQWPnrtIuVt0yDa4V_8N3tZk9pFiOOZoyK346ksU-xpsVVbrY-4zDLgVKeZm2AriFcA/s640/Trick%20Ludwig%20over.JPG" style="display: none;" />
Retroplate adapter system makes it easy to upgrade a Ludwig P85 throwoff to the Trick GS007...using existing holes..
<br /><br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a>
<br /><br />
In my last post, I reviewed Mike McCraw's "Retroplate" adapter plate system (<a href="https://dominoretroplate.com/" target="_blank">https://dominoretroplate.com/</a>). Mike's Retroplate kits enable drummers to upgrade the stock snare throwoffs on a variety of snare drums to the Trick GS007, without drilling additional holes.<br />
<br />
The <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/09/trick-gs007-retrofit-kit.html">Slingerland Retroplate</a> that I reviewed includes a very small plate that is covered entirely by the GS007 throw. As a result, the Slingerland Retroplate install is very clean and looks fantastic. But, I know the Slingerland fan club has a much smaller membership than the Ludwig fan club, and several of you have asked if I plan to review the Ludwig Retroplate as well...
<br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE34q_Ida-fTKqcA3mZIh1I-ZizP5aL-eOjcXApRvyDS-JUgBh7kUlHX5BNM0bZ0vyDCaOed9MEq5mV3WzmPsqeF78iBYfqTyDtQC75dAES-Sfsquwtay18wYQWPnrtIuVt0yDa4V_8N3tZk9pFiOOZoyK346ksU-xpsVVbrY-4zDLgVKeZm2AriFcA/s640/Trick%20Ludwig%20over.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-rigfht: 1em; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ludwig Acrolite with Trick GS007 upgrade" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE34q_Ida-fTKqcA3mZIh1I-ZizP5aL-eOjcXApRvyDS-JUgBh7kUlHX5BNM0bZ0vyDCaOed9MEq5mV3WzmPsqeF78iBYfqTyDtQC75dAES-Sfsquwtay18wYQWPnrtIuVt0yDa4V_8N3tZk9pFiOOZoyK346ksU-xpsVVbrY-4zDLgVKeZm2AriFcA/w400-h300/Trick%20Ludwig%20over.JPG" title="Ludwig Acrolite with Trick GS007 upgrade" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ludwig Acrolite with Trick GS007 upgrade</td></tr></tbody></table>
The answer is "yes!" Mike was kind enough to ship a Ludwig Retroplate to me for review, and I finally had a chance to try it out on my Ludwig 6.5x14 Acrolite.
<br /><br />
As I mentioned, the Slingerland Retroplate installs very cleanly, mostly due to the compact spacing of the mount holes for the stock Zoomatic throw. Ludwig is an entirely different story, as those of you familiar with the Ludwig P85 throw already know...the P85 mounting holes are spaced 2.5" apart, on either side of the shell bead. This means that there is no practical way to hide the adapter plate.
<br /><br />
However, Mike crafted his Ludwig Retroplate in such a way that the plate lines up with the 2.5" hole spacing, clears the bead perfectly, and mounts the Trick GS007 securely. The aluminum plate has a matte finish that looks like it belongs on the side of the Acrolite's shell, and the final result is worthy of the drum. The black mounting screws could easily be swapped out if you prefer chrome or aluminum over the contrasting black screws for an even more integrated look.
<br /><br />
Once installed, you wonder why you ever put up with the P85 throw. The P85 on my Acrolite was problematic from day one. To engage the snares, I had to pull the lever up and slightly outward. The outward motion was necessary to prevent the lever from "catching" and failing to engage the snares. And the lever on my P85 bent easily, so I was constantly bending the lever due to the outward motion. Trying to finesse a throw lever in the middle of a song is not my idea of fun.
<br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rnirm7zmjiHj_F3bIqj5_GVrpXl9LS2HJZS9z_3aDmNjDb1eDAR1TWKlht3bkSa8hlZTT_QTDSJqY_tpgY49Nv4OVynspxuzFm44It4SEyIkaBVLLnA8U276c97Ibu0Y2uSUeS25xCOEDGD8KnAC5psdbWabL3LjbxJZFeYv02UXIUAc0OeexwbdTA/s640/Trick%20Ludwig%20under.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trick GS007 installs cleanly with Retroplate adapter" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rnirm7zmjiHj_F3bIqj5_GVrpXl9LS2HJZS9z_3aDmNjDb1eDAR1TWKlht3bkSa8hlZTT_QTDSJqY_tpgY49Nv4OVynspxuzFm44It4SEyIkaBVLLnA8U276c97Ibu0Y2uSUeS25xCOEDGD8KnAC5psdbWabL3LjbxJZFeYv02UXIUAc0OeexwbdTA/w400-h300/Trick%20Ludwig%20under.JPG" title="Trick GS007 installs cleanly with Retroplate adapter" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick GS007 installs cleanly with Retroplate adapter</td></tr></tbody></table>
The Trick GS007 ends the P85 misery. The GS007 is amazingly smooth and solid, and the simple but elegant helical groove design will result in reliable operation for years to come. And, because the Retroplate uses the existing P85 mounting holes, restoring my Acrolite to original condition is a matter of removing two screws and reinstalling the P85 throw.
<br /><br />
Here are a few more photos to help you get a better view of my Acrolite's Trick GS007 upgrade using the Retroplate adapter:
<br /><br />
Until next time!
<br /><br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-50707458590143331762013-09-01T14:02:00.020-04:002023-05-31T09:39:41.410-04:00Trick GS007 adapter for Slingerland snare drums<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimUQT8lmYkNoI0Dfx2d0kMo4sRn0QrLwZfiLr6AbCuBNa3Gsi7AT8URNgw89xYZvsXuw20Fmf2P18DjL29vIbm7D2qPjGHA5j_HPhzsGB-3092f6Z_XhWvvGWffntQ557pya_0B6J0YsMJWpBQFV40tm0UWS9nOrhNQnliGJCqK2neTh0u-lUC9J63rg" style="display: none;" />
Retroplate adapter system makes it easy to upgrade a Slingerland Zoomatic throwoff to the Trick GS007...using existing holes.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Drummer Mike McCraw designed and patented a series of adapter plates that allow you to upgrade the stock throwoff on a variety of snare drums to the Trick GS007 without drilling any new holes. The Trick GS007 is one of the best throws available today, utilizing a helical groove design and beautifully machined parts for extremely smooth and reliable action.<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimUQT8lmYkNoI0Dfx2d0kMo4sRn0QrLwZfiLr6AbCuBNa3Gsi7AT8URNgw89xYZvsXuw20Fmf2P18DjL29vIbm7D2qPjGHA5j_HPhzsGB-3092f6Z_XhWvvGWffntQ557pya_0B6J0YsMJWpBQFV40tm0UWS9nOrhNQnliGJCqK2neTh0u-lUC9J63rg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trick GS007 upgrade to Slingerland Sound King snare" border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimUQT8lmYkNoI0Dfx2d0kMo4sRn0QrLwZfiLr6AbCuBNa3Gsi7AT8URNgw89xYZvsXuw20Fmf2P18DjL29vIbm7D2qPjGHA5j_HPhzsGB-3092f6Z_XhWvvGWffntQ557pya_0B6J0YsMJWpBQFV40tm0UWS9nOrhNQnliGJCqK2neTh0u-lUC9J63rg" title="Trick GS007 upgrade to Slingerland Sound King snare" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick GS007 upgrade to Slingerland Sound King snare</td></tr></tbody></table></div>I ordered the "Trick GS007 to Slingerland kit" from Mike's "Retroplate" website (<a href="https://dominoretroplate.com/" target="_blank">https://dominoretroplate.com/</a>), which includes your choice of Trick GS007 (chrome or black, single- or multi-step) and the adapter plate for $94.95 with free shipping. Prices vary a bit across the different adapter kits he offers.<br />
<br />
I received my order last week and upgraded my 1975 Slingerland 6.5x14 chrome-over-brass snare, replacing the original Zoomatic throw. You can see the results here...<br />
<br />
As you can see, the chrome throw looks great with the drum, and the adapter plate makes it a very simple and clean install. And what difference it makes when playing with a throw that works smoothly, holds its setting, drops the snares completely off the snare head, and well, isn't a Zoomatic!<br />
<br />
$95 may seem like a lot of money to invest into a $300 drum, but my "go to" snares need to have good throws. This upgrade fixes the one weak spot of an otherwise great snare drum--and, I can return it to original condition at any time by pulling a head, removing three screws, and reinstalling the Zoomatic.<br />
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenrA7Vd27kA1XWSD86p9yEFGV9vxLPUgjI8cZTRpa_U2aA12wT5irfK84GX2ljAzKRQuOj5681DUQDFkkka0aNHjLJkh5OSGz0iXTzeMlVXA6Z1L-PQi2MJJH_bNTioCmugaJZxBMXDn5/s1600/Trick+retrofit_combo.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Trick GS007 retrofit installs cleanly" border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenrA7Vd27kA1XWSD86p9yEFGV9vxLPUgjI8cZTRpa_U2aA12wT5irfK84GX2ljAzKRQuOj5681DUQDFkkka0aNHjLJkh5OSGz0iXTzeMlVXA6Z1L-PQi2MJJH_bNTioCmugaJZxBMXDn5/w640-h236/Trick+retrofit_combo.png" title="Trick GS007 retrofit installs cleanly" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick GS007 retrofit installs cleanly and looks great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<br />
If you are struggling with the current throw on your snare, take a look at Mike's site and see if he can help you out...and yes, he offers a kit for the <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/10/trick-gs007-retrofit-kit-ludwig-edition.html">Ludwig P85</a>!<br />
<br />
--DarinDarin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107634654312846113.post-3388504686595271922013-08-27T02:27:00.035-04:002023-11-11T16:33:07.271-05:00Tuning drums with Tune-bot<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm-cwaZMJFl3xyiCNxpzot1COz2QvG_IYETmpU-o7CapOjUyTWJdoU5maJOQFY7Z1npPvWAPi2nwGyCYAhe8Zma_u9R7ELtyk5vF8JPzfYlyi821rzdYilE7StXDCqG8ckvD8Q-Fn02ne/s1600/Tune-bot_DS.png" style="display: none;" />
Tune-bot transforms drum tuning from black art to repeatable science. Tuning schemes for modern and classic rock, pop, urban, and dance music, as well as snare drums.<br />
<br />
By <a href="https://twitter.com/DarinSoll?rel=author">Darin Soll</a><br />
<br />
Earlier this year, Alleninallen commented on my post, <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-favorite-head-combinations.html">My favorite head combinations</a>, that led to a detailed exchange on using Tune-bot to tune your drums. I've been asked to re-post the key points from this exchange, since they are buried in comments under that old post. Here they are again, edited for clarity...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Why use Tune-bot?</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm-cwaZMJFl3xyiCNxpzot1COz2QvG_IYETmpU-o7CapOjUyTWJdoU5maJOQFY7Z1npPvWAPi2nwGyCYAhe8Zma_u9R7ELtyk5vF8JPzfYlyi821rzdYilE7StXDCqG8ckvD8Q-Fn02ne/s1600/Tune-bot_DS.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tune-bot allows you to dial in lug frequencies to achieve overall desired drum note" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJm-cwaZMJFl3xyiCNxpzot1COz2QvG_IYETmpU-o7CapOjUyTWJdoU5maJOQFY7Z1npPvWAPi2nwGyCYAhe8Zma_u9R7ELtyk5vF8JPzfYlyi821rzdYilE7StXDCqG8ckvD8Q-Fn02ne/w320-h318/Tune-bot_DS.png" title="Tune-bot allows you to dial in lug frequencies to achieve overall desired drum note" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tune-bot allows you to dial in lug frequencies</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">to achieve overall desired drum note</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before Tune-bot, I tuned my drums by ear, of course, trying to match my toms to drum voices on my electronic kit, or to sound clips of various drums on the web. I got pretty good at getting consistent tone across lugs, except with my floor toms, where overtones throw my ear a bit. But, I wasn't dialing my drums into musical notes, and I wasn't tuning my toms to intervals that made sense musically.<br />
<br />
My band covers "Melt With You" by Modern English, which has a distinct floor tom ride, and my bass player grimaced every time we played it. Then I discovered Tune-bot. After tuning my 14" floor tom to 2g, I got the "thumbs up" from my bass player. Now, all of my drums are precisely tuned, and my drum kits have never sounded better.<br />
<br />
When using Tune-bot, you dial in lug frequencies (i.e., frequencies observed when tapping a couple inches away from each tension rod/lug) to specific values, while obtaining consistent frequencies across the lugs, in order to achieve an overall desired note for the drum (i.e., the frequency observed when hitting the center of the batter head on a freely resonating drum). The lug frequencies required to achieve the desired overall note will vary from kit to kit due to differences in drum shell depth, thickness, and composition, so expect some trial-and-error as you figure out the relationship between lug frequency and overall frequency on each of your drums.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Studio-tested </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tune-bot tuning charts</span><br />
<br />
I've included drum tuning frequency charts below for several different drum kits and types of music. The frequencies listed are the result of dozens of hours of fine-tuning drums with Tune-bot in the rehearsal studio. Tunings are listed by drum, starting with the desired overall note and frequency, followed by the frequencies at the lugs for both resonant and batter heads. All toms and bass drums are fitted with 2-ply batter and 1-ply reso heads. After the drum kit charts, you will find tunings for a variety of snare drums. All snare drums wear 1-ply coated batters with 3mil snare sides.<div><br /></div><div>Be sure to see <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html#TopTenTipsLink">Darin's Top Ten Tips for Tune-bot Tuning</a> below the tuning charts for tips and tricks on using Tune-bot to get your drums sounding their best.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Darin's Tune-bot tunings for pop, urban, dance</span><br />
PDP X7 thin-shelled maple kit with higher tom pitches for pop/dance/fusion music.<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 485px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Drum:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Comments:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8" tom</td>
<td>3e, 165Hz</td>
<td>280-290Hz</td>
<td>280-290Hz</td>
<td>Estimated--I don't use this drum</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10" tom</td>
<td>3d, 147Hz</td>
<td>252Hz</td>
<td>252Hz</td>
<td>Call to Post interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12" tom</td>
<td>2b, 124Hz</td>
<td>210Hz</td>
<td>210Hz</td>
<td>Call to Post interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14" tom</td>
<td>2g, 98Hz</td>
<td>166Hz</td>
<td>166Hz</td>
<td>Call to Post interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16" tom</td>
<td>2d, 74Hz</td>
<td>130Hz</td>
<td>130Hz</td>
<td>Call to Post interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22" bass</td>
<td>1e, 42Hz</td>
<td>68Hz</td>
<td>80Hz</td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Darin's Tune-bot tunings for modern rock</span><br />
PDP FS thin-shelled birch kit with lower tom pitches for modern rock music.<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 485px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Drum:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Comments:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10" tom</td>
<td>3c, 131Hz</td>
<td>224Hz</td>
<td>224Hz</td>
<td>Perfect Fourths interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12" tom</td>
<td>2a, 110Hz</td>
<td>188Hz</td>
<td>188Hz</td>
<td>Perfect Fourths interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14" tom</td>
<td>2f, 87.3Hz</td>
<td>152Hz</td>
<td>152Hz</td>
<td>Perfect Fourths interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16" tom</td>
<td>2c, 65.4Hz</td>
<td>114Hz</td>
<td>114Hz</td>
<td>Perfect Fourths interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22" bass</td>
<td>1d, 36.7Hz</td>
<td>52Hz</td>
<td>78Hz</td>
<td><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Alleninallen's Tune-bot tunings for classic rock</span><br />
Getting classic rock sounds out of a PDP X7 thin-shelled maple kit in fusion sizes.<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 485px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Drum:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Comments:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10" tom</td>
<td>3c#, 139Hz</td>
<td>224Hz</td>
<td>238Hz</td>
<td>Downward pitch-bend</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12" tom</td>
<td>2g#, 103.8Hz</td>
<td>170Hz</td>
<td>184Hz</td>
<td>Downward pitch-bend</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14" tom</td>
<td>2f, 87.3Hz</td>
<td>149Hz</td>
<td>152Hz</td>
<td>Downward pitch-bend</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16" tom</td>
<td>2d, 74Hz</td>
<td>120Hz</td>
<td>132Hz</td>
<td>Downward pitch-bend</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22" bass</td>
<td>1d, 36.7Hz</td>
<td>55Hz</td>
<td>74Hz</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Darin's Tune-bot tunings for classic rock</span><br />
Tuning a vintage Slingerland 3-ply kit in standard sizes for classic rock.<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 485px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Drum:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Comments:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12" tom</td>
<td>2b, 124Hz</td>
<td>206Hz</td>
<td>206Hz</td>
<td>Major thirds interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13" tom</td>
<td>2g#, 103.8Hz</td>
<td>172Hz</td>
<td>172Hz</td>
<td>Major thirds interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14" tom</td>
<td>2e, 82.4Hz</td>
<td>134Hz</td>
<td>134Hz</td>
<td>Major thirds interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16" tom</td>
<td>2c, 65.4Hz</td>
<td>112Hz</td>
<td>112Hz</td>
<td>Major thirds interval</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24" bass</td>
<td>1d, 36.7Hz</td>
<td>60Hz</td>
<td>70Hz</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Snare drum Tune-bot tunings</span><br />
Tunings for a variety of snare drums and notes. Ambassador/G1-weight coated batter heads, 3mil snare heads.<br />
<table border="1" style="width: 485px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th style="text-align: left;">Snare Drum:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Fundamental drum note:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each reso lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Tune each batter lug to:</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Comments:</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ludwig Acrolite 6.5x14</td>
<td>3f#, 185Hz</td>
<td>384Hz</td>
<td>289Hz</td>
<td>Aluminum shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ludwig Acrolite 6.5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>396Hz</td>
<td>314Hz</td>
<td>Aluminum shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ludwig Acrolite 6.5x14</td>
<td>3g#, 208Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>328Hz</td>
<td>Aluminum shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ludwig Black Beauty 6.5x14</td>
<td>3f, 174.6Hz</td>
<td>334Hz</td>
<td>301Hz</td>
<td>Alleninallen's black nickel-over-brass</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDP Limited Edition 6.5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>300Hz</td>
<td>20-ply maple-bubinga shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDP Platinum Solid Maple 5x14</td>
<td>3f#, 185Hz</td>
<td>376Hz</td>
<td>278Hz</td>
<td>1-ply solid maple shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDP Platinum Solid Maple 5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>302Hz</td>
<td>1-ply solid maple shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDP Platinum Solid Maple 5x14</td>
<td>3g#, 208Hz</td>
<td>380Hz</td>
<td>328Hz</td>
<td>1-ply solid maple shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDP Platinum Solid Maple 5x14</td>
<td>3a, 220Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>332Hz</td>
<td>1-ply solid maple shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rocket Shells C-900 8x13</td>
<td>3f#, 185Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>292Hz</td>
<td>Carbon fiber over core shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland 1950s Super Gene Krupa 5.5x14</td>
<td>3f#, 185Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>286Hz</td>
<td>1-ply solid maple shell with re-rings<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland 1950s Super Gene Krupa 5.5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>301Hz</td>
<td>1-ply solid maple shell with re-rings<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland Deluxe Student 5.5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>292Hz</td>
<td>3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with re-rings<br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland Deluxe Student 5.5x14</td>
<td>3g#, 208Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>312Hz</td>
<td>3-ply maple-poplar-maple shell with re-rings</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pearl B4514/4214 5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>296Hz</td>
<td>Chrome-over-brass shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland Sound King 6.5x14</td>
<td>3f, 174.6Hz</td>
<td>366Hz</td>
<td>274Hz</td>
<td>Chrome-over-brass shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland Sound King 6.5x14</td>
<td>3g, 196Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>300Hz</td>
<td>Chrome-over-brass shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Slingerland Sound King 6.5x14</td>
<td>3g#, 208Hz</td>
<td>400Hz</td>
<td>326Hz</td>
<td>Chrome-over-brass shell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pearl Export 6.5x14</td>
<td>3f#, 185Hz</td>
<td>380Hz</td>
<td>280Hz</td>
<td>Chrome-over-steel shell</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="TopTenTipsLink"></a>Darin's Top Ten Tips for Tune-bot Tuning</span><br />
<ol>
<li>Make sure your heads are seated properly--improperly seated heads cause a lot of tuning and choke problems. You have experienced this issue if you have ever heard a head "pop" or "crackle" while tuning, and afterward the sound of the drum really opened up. If your snare drum tone is dominated by dull thuds from the batter head and harsh slaps from the snare wires, re-seat the heads and listen for the shell to begin adding body to the mix! For more information on seating, see "<a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tuning-drums-with-tune-bot.html#SeatingLink">A Note About Seating</a>" below.</li>
<li>Bring the head up to a reasonably even tuning by ear first, using a cross-lug tuning sequence. Starting from a reasonably even tuning helps reduce overtones that cause "phantom" frequency readings on the Tune-bot. Placing light pressure on the center of the head will help it stay centered as you start tensioning the lugs.</li>
<li>Muffle the head you are not currently tuning--I usually rest the drum on a cushion to muffle whichever head is on the bottom.</li>
<li>Tune the reso head first--I find it more convenient to dial in the final note on the batter side.</li>
<li>When tuning the reso head of a snare drum, (a) remove the snare wires or insert a stick between the wires and the hoop, and (b) if the snare bed is deep, back off the tension on the four lugs adjacent to the bed. I usually leave these lugs about 20Hz-30Hz lower than the rest of the lugs. This prevents the reso hoop from bending down into the bed and also allows for more contact between the snare wires and the head. Ideally, you want to tune snare drum resonant lug frequencies to a perfect fifth (1.5 times), perfect fourth (1.33 times), or major third (1.26 times) higher than batter lug frequencies, keeping in mind that Tune-bot recommends against exceeding 400Hz at the lugs with thinner (2-3 mil) snare side heads.</li>
<li>Once you get a lug near the desired frequency, press the "Filter" button on your Tune-bot so it ignores overtones. Otherwise, Tune-bot may pick up overtones, which will cause varying frequency readings for the same lug at the same tuning. The Filter function is a huge help in screening out those "phantom" readings. This takes a bit of practice--if you are tuning a lug to 220, and you believe you are close but Tune-bot is reading 205 on one hit and 130 on another, press "Filter" the next time you get a reading near 205. I use the "Filter" function on the way up to the desired frequency as well to check for consistent tuning across the lugs.</li>
<li>When tuning larger drums, you will have to move the Tune-bot closer to the lug you are tuning--I've found that I can't leave the Tune-bot in one position on the hoop when working my way around larger drums. With drums up to 14" in diameter that are close to the desired tuning, I usually tune half the lugs from one Tune-bot position, and then I move the Tune-bot to the opposite side of the drum and tune the remaining lugs. With 16" and larger drums, I usually hold the Tune-bot directly above the head at each lug.</li>
<li>When checking the overall note of a drum, be sure you are not touching either head or putting tension on a hoop and accidentally altering the note--if practical, place the drum on a stand. Then, hold Tune-bot over the center of the batter head and hit the drum. Tune-bot will return the overall frequency or note (you can toggle between the two readings using the "Note" button). If you are checking the drum close to other drums, sympathetic vibrations could throw off your readings. When possible, check each drum's note away from other drums, or muffle the nearby drums.</li>
<li>Remember that each drum shell resonates within a limited frequency range. If you tune the drum outside that range--too low or too high--the drum will sound "muddy" or "choked." The fundamental note of the shell is the frequency that generates maximum shell resonance. DW actually stamps the fundamental note on the inside of each of its shells, but you can hear it by tapping the shell in a quiet room with the hoops and heads removed.</li>
<li>As always, be careful with your bearing edges! It's all too easy to ding an edge when changing out heads. Uneven bearing edges are a common culprit behind tuning difficulties and poor tone.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="SeatingLink"></a>A Note About Seating</span><br />
<div><br /></div><div>In general, "seating" a drumhead is the process of ensuring it is centered, both on the shell and under the hoop, so it will tension up evenly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many drummers apply pressure to the center of a new drumhead to assist with the seating process. In theory, this "pressure seating" process (1) pre-stretches the head to reduce the need for re-tuning over time, and (2) helps form the head to the bearing edge of the drum to improve the transfer of energy from the head to the shell. It is a controversial process--many drummers swear by it, while others insist it is an antiquated process carried over from the days of calfskin heads.</div><div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The act of pressure seating is something like performing drum "CPR"--pressing your palms down on the center of a drumhead and performing two or three "compressions." In my experience, moderate pressure seating of new drumheads does help them remain in tune after playing and will help bring the tone of the drum shell into the mix. Whether pressure seating is necessary or not depends on the specific combination of drumhead and drum. I have found that Remo heads typically require pressure seating, while Evans heads often tune up initially and stay in tune without pressure. The improved collar design of their <a href="https://www.daddario.com/products/percussion/evans-drumheads/" target="_blank">Level 360 Technology</a> seems to reduce the need for pressure seating even further. However, some drums, such as my <a href="https://drumnuts.blogspot.com/2014/05/tuning-ludwig-snare-drums-with-tune-bot.html">Ludwig Acrolite</a> snare, seem to benefit from pressure seating regardless of the make of the drumhead. Applying some pressure before tuning up the batter head on my Acrolite brings more of the aluminum shell "bark" into its voice.<br />
<br />
Snare heads are too thin for pressure seating--they could be damaged by the process. To pressure seat any other batter or resonant head, first, bring it up to an even, medium tuning, and place the drum on something flat and sturdy--I usually use a carpeted floor. Then, spread the palm of your hand across the center of the head, rest your other hand on top of the first, and perform two or three downward compressions, using the weight of your upper body. Always use your palm--not fingertips, knuckles, etc.--so you do not direct too much weight to any one point on the head. Also, take care to prevent watches, bracelets, and rings from coming into contact with the head. Some of the glue in the drumhead collar, especially with Remo heads, may "pop" and "crackle" as you place pressure on the head--this is expected. I do not recommend standing on the heads of larger drums as some suggest. Seating compressions can de-tune both drumheads--the top head, of course, but the bottom hoop can press upward as well, stretching the <i>bottom</i> head slightly--in that case, you will need to tune both heads back up to the desired note. Don't be afraid to repeat the process to obtain the bearing edge contact necessary to bring out the drum shell's tone.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Other Tuning Resources</span><br />
<br />
After using Tune-bot for a while, I thought it would be cool to see other drummers' Tune-bot settings, and when I searched for them on the web, I ended up at Tune-bot's site. Check out <a href="https://tune-bot.com/tuning-guide/" target="_blank">https://tune-bot.com/tuning-guide/</a>. This page provides great information on overall notes for various drums, and offers tuning approaches for toms, snares, and bass drums. Tune-bot's lug frequency calcs were off a bit, at least for my kits, so I've shared the "street" lug frequencies I've worked out over the past several months to achieve the desired overall notes.<br />
<div>
<br />
Be sure to check out <a href="https://tune-bot.com/artists/" target="_blank">https://tune-bot.com/artists/</a> for several pro tuning schemes. Also, you can find Tune-bot threads on many of the major online drumming forums, although you may have to sift through posts from drummers who are new to Tune-bot and haven't gotten the hang of it yet.<br />
<br />
Last but not least, if you want a deeper understanding of the physics behind drum tuning, check out <a href="https://circularscience.com/about-drums" target="_blank">The Physics of Overtones at circularscience.com</a>.<br />
<br />
Take the time to get used to tuning your drums with Tune-bot. Once you hear the amazing tone your kit can produce with properly tuned drums, you will enjoy playing them more--and you will stop drooling over that DW kit you've had your eye on.<br />
<br />
--Darin</div>
</div>
</div></div>Darin Sollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936025504236068676noreply@blogger.com3