Bass drum going boing.
Discussion
My youngest son has a drum kit and is complaining the bass drum doesn't sound right suddenly. It sounds more boingy, like a marching band sort of sound, than it did previously.
I know nothing whatsoever about drums, but does the above description mean anything to anyone sufficient to advise please?
If not, we need to buy some cymbals, I might chat up our local store and get them to deliver / fettle the bass at the same time.
Needs dampening.
Many different methods, but the traditional and by far the easiest method is simply to put a pillow/blanket inside - where you put it will affect the sound. Of course, if you have a hole in the front head it is easier than having to remove the front head in order to put it in
If it already has a blanket or pillow in, then perhaps it has moved. Tip it a few times to readjust it and it should hopefully get better.
Many different methods, but the traditional and by far the easiest method is simply to put a pillow/blanket inside - where you put it will affect the sound. Of course, if you have a hole in the front head it is easier than having to remove the front head in order to put it in
If it already has a blanket or pillow in, then perhaps it has moved. Tip it a few times to readjust it and it should hopefully get better.
So what is the make and setup - cymbal names, head brands etc?
Muffling the bass drum should work - do you have a tuning key to remove the reso head?
Whay cymbals are they and have you made sure there is no metal to metal contact - the cymbal should sit on a plastic/rubber bit or felt washer, and then it should be supported beneath the washer by something similar.
These sound like easy fixes to make, but some more info or pics would go a long way!
Muffling the bass drum should work - do you have a tuning key to remove the reso head?
Whay cymbals are they and have you made sure there is no metal to metal contact - the cymbal should sit on a plastic/rubber bit or felt washer, and then it should be supported beneath the washer by something similar.
These sound like easy fixes to make, but some more info or pics would go a long way!
Your help is appreciated chaps. I intend to fix the drum kit at some point in the next week. I will post up snaps if needs be.
I think we will be buying him new cymbals. His drum teacher said they were ropey when he first got them and he got a distinction in his first drumming exam, so we said we'd buy new ones as a reward.
So said:
Your help is appreciated chaps. I intend to fix the drum kit at some point in the next week. I will post up snaps if needs be.
I think we will be buying him new cymbals. His drum teacher said they were ropey when he first got them and he got a distinction in his first drumming exam, so we said we'd buy new ones as a reward.
My youngest took up the drums aged 10 and has actually got pretty good. As result I have had to learn some basics to help him out. I think we will be buying him new cymbals. His drum teacher said they were ropey when he first got them and he got a distinction in his first drumming exam, so we said we'd buy new ones as a reward.
If you are replacing beginner cymbals look for bronze (b20 alloy) rather than brass(b8 alloy) otherwise he will be pestering you to change them again in a couple of years. Cymbals can be very (very) expensive so be warned!
The drum heads need to be tuned. It is a faff but not difficult and I taught myself and my son using an iphone app.
The loose sound you describe could be a worn head, lack of damping or he might have fiddled with the head and detuned it. The evans heads are pretty decent value and make a basic kit sound great.
As others have said, there are some simple fixes that can improve the sound for not much money:
1. Evans plastic rings to remove unwanted reverb or overtones
2. Felt and foam washers for cymbals
3. Moongel pads that you can position to achieve a similar effect to the rings on the bass drum.
Edited by Elysium on Tuesday 28th March 19:58
Elysium said:
So said:
Your help is appreciated chaps. I intend to fix the drum kit at some point in the next week. I will post up snaps if needs be.
I think we will be buying him new cymbals. His drum teacher said they were ropey when he first got them and he got a distinction in his first drumming exam, so we said we'd buy new ones as a reward.
My youngest took up the drums aged 10 and has actually got pretty good. As result I have had to learn some basics to help him out. I think we will be buying him new cymbals. His drum teacher said they were ropey when he first got them and he got a distinction in his first drumming exam, so we said we'd buy new ones as a reward.
If you are replacing beginner cymbals look for bronze (b20 alloy) rather than brass(b8 alloy) otherwise he will be pestering you to change them again in a couple of years. Cymbals can be very (very) expensive so be warned!
The drum heads need to be tuned. It is a faff but not difficult and I taught myself and my son using an iphone app.
The loose sound you describe could be a worn head, lack of damping or he might have fiddled with the head and detuned it. The evans heads are pretty decent value and make a basic kit sound great.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/P101BS314/cymbal-set...
[1]
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/SABSBR5003G/cymbal-s...
[2]
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/MCS/cymbal-sets/mien...
[3]
He will need an additional stand I suspect:
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/4509/cymbal-stands/c...
So said:
His drum teacher has suggested these:
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/P101BS314/cymbal-set...
[1]
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/SABSBR5003G/cymbal-s...
[2]
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/MCS/cymbal-sets/mien...
[3]
He will need an additional stand I suspect:
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/4509/cymbal-stands/c...
I got my son the Sabian SBR's which sound great. But at some point in the future is going to want to upgrade to b20's. https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/P101BS314/cymbal-set...
[1]
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/SABSBR5003G/cymbal-s...
[2]
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/MCS/cymbal-sets/mien...
[3]
He will need an additional stand I suspect:
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/4509/cymbal-stands/c...
That would double the price compared the ones you linked to though.
The set you linked to has a free splash would would go down well I am sure.
Okay, so I took a good look at this over the weekend.The problem was in three parts;
1. The pedal had become detached.
2. There was nothing in the drum to stop it being boingy.
3. My son had, I think, been "tuning" it.
I have resolved points 1 & 2 and have loosened the tension both sides. I am not sure it sounds right, but it doesn't go boing anymore.
An aside - I was about to replace the entire kit at the weekend, but thought I would quiz the little chap about his plans drum-wise. His response was that he prefers piano and wants to focus on that. So we won't be getting new drums just yet.
Thanks for your advice chaps.
1. The pedal had become detached.
2. There was nothing in the drum to stop it being boingy.
3. My son had, I think, been "tuning" it.
I have resolved points 1 & 2 and have loosened the tension both sides. I am not sure it sounds right, but it doesn't go boing anymore.
An aside - I was about to replace the entire kit at the weekend, but thought I would quiz the little chap about his plans drum-wise. His response was that he prefers piano and wants to focus on that. So we won't be getting new drums just yet.
Thanks for your advice chaps.
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