PERCUSSION
Care - Cleaning - Changing Drumhead - Tuning - Dampening - Setting Up RIMS - Style Tom Mounts
DRUMS
Care:
Most drums will come with a care and maintenance instruction provided by the drum manufacture, general rules:
* Don't leave your drum outside overnight, or all day. Most drums are made out of materials that are weather resistant, so although you can play them outdoors and even in the rain for a short while, we don't recommend extended exposure to the elements.
* Store your drum where the temperature will remain moderate. We don't recommend storing drums in extreme heat or cold for extended periods.
Cleaning:
Drum heads and finishes are generally synthetic, and therefore, moisture resistant and can be cleaned with a soft cloth dampened with:
* Mild hand soap and water
* A Windex type glass cleaner
Nothing too abrasive should be used. For example do NOT use:
* Steel Wool
* Scouring Powder
* Scrub Sponge
After cleaning with an appropriate cleanser, it's recommended to wipe the surfaces a 2nd time with a rag or sponge dampened with clean water.
Changing Drumhead:
If you have a tunable drum, you will want to change the drumhead at some point, either because the head is damaged, or because it does not sound good. The drumheads will fatigue after being played, so if you feel that your drum isn't as lively as it used to be, and you've tuned it up to try to revive it, replace the drumhead.
1. Removing the old drumhead
Start by using the tuning key (See Figure MT.4) to loosen ALL the threaded drum rods about 1/2 to 1 turn at a time in a counter-clockwise direction, following the pattern shown in the illustration below, until they can be removed. (You will use this same pattern when tightening the head. Choose either the pattern for 6 or 8 lugs depending on your drum).
Remove all the threaded drum rods, adapter claws, etc., and lay them aside. Remove the drumhead and the hoop that holds down the head (this is called the "counterhoop")
Note: If the rods have grease on them place them in a Ziploc or plastic bag until ready to install so they do not stain anything.
2. Installing the new drumhead
Using a dry rag, wipe off the top of the drum shell where the old drumhead had been (this is called the "bearing edge" because it bears the tension of the drumhead (See Figure MT.3). Lubricate threaded rods & lug inserts with a small amount of grease, oil, or silicone spray to make tuning easier & reduce the possibility of rust.
Place the new head on the drum and make sure it rests on the bearing edge and place the counterhoop back on the drumhead. Reinstall all the threaded drum rods, adapter claws, etc. (See Figure MT.3)
Tuning:
Like any instrument, Drums need to be in tune to sound their best. It takes practice to get it right, even though there is no standard pitch that your drums should be tuned to. It’s all personal taste. This summary should get you started on your way to getting a drum sound that’s right for you. Practice tuning as often as you can. The more you tune your drums the better you will become.
Lug tightening order we should cover first. Place your drum on a towel to dampen the bottom head. When tightening the head it is best to tighten opposite lugs to get the drum to a general pitch. (See diagram Figure MT. 1) This will keep the tension of the head even all around the drum. Don't try to tension the head to final pitch at first. That will come later.
Now you need to get all the lugs to the same pitch. Place a finger in the center of the drum to dampen the head. A light touch is all that is needed. Take a stick and tap the head by lug 1, about an inch from the rim. Listen to the pitch. Now tap by lug 8 in the same manner. Listen to that pitch. Adjust lug 8 to match the pitch of lug 1. (diagram Figure MT. 1) Once these match in pitch move on and match lug 3 to lug 8. Do this process all the way around the drumhead. Now flip over the drum and do the same thing to the bottom head.
If you like the pitch of the drumhead, adjust the other head to match the one you like best. Turn all the lugs the same amount using the method shown in diagram Figure MT. 1. Now that both drumheads are at the same pitch your drum will have its optimized sustain and projection. You may want to have the bottom head at a different pitch than the top head depending on your playing style and preference. It’s your choice.
Remember you will not get the sound of your favorite recorded drum from your perspective (behind the kit). People in front of the drum will hear a different sound than you do. Also please remember those recorded drums have been miked and processed through amplification. Miked drums are and dampened and unmiked are not dampened.
Dampening:
Take about 12 inches of duct type and make loops along the drum edge. Put the loops on an area of the drum where you won't hit them. The fewer number of loops, the less the dampening. More loops, more dampening. If need be you can cover the entire edge of the drum with loops. This works on the bottom drumhead also.
Setting Up RIMS-Style Tom Mounts
- Stick Plate Pad (A) to Mounting Plate (B) (Figure 1).
- Make sure to line up the holes as close as possible. Push Bolt (C) through the center hole on Mounting Plate (B) then through the center hole on Mounting Rim (D) (Figure 2).
- Hand tighten the provided nut onto Bolt (C). Repeat and attach bolts to the left and right holes and secure with provided nuts. Once all the bolts are in, use a wrench to tighten the nuts (E) (Figure 3).
- Next, place Isolation Washer (F) in the large holes on the Mounting Rim (D) (Figure 4).
- Fit Standard Tom Mount (H) to Mounting Plate (B) on the pad side. Use the screws and washers to fix the Standard Tom Mount onto the plate (Figure 5).
- Place Drum Head (not pictured) and Standard Rim on the drum. Hold Mounting Rim (D), making sure to line up Isolation Washers (not pictured) with the holes on the Standard Rim and the lugs. Place Tension Rod (G) through Standard Rim and Mounting Rim and into the lug (Figure 6).
- Hand tighten the rod. Continue to do this with the remaining tension rods. Now you’re set up and ready to rock!
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Figure 1 |
Figure 2 |
Figure 3 |
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Figure 4 |
Figure 5 |
Figure 6 |
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