You might start by getting a drum key... maybe at the local music store.

Throw out the crescent wrench, you don't need it.

Google "tuning a drum"... some good stuff there...........

You'll hear the difference the muffler makes when the skins are tuned a little better (probably WAY too tight right now if you tightened them down as far as you could).

While you're at the music store, ask if they have a drum tech or someone who handles the percussion needs of their business and talk to him for a bit about your recent acquisition.

There's lots of great info for you here, hope the above helps a little.

And Welcome .... to the Forum!!

That's some good stuff. The sad thing is I can kind of relate. Hey put up a picture of that drum kit your dad gave you.

I will post pictures as soon as I get done shining up a couple more things AND I get my daughter to show me how to use that U*#$*)*_&^^ digital camera and put the pictures on my computer!!!

Actually, you'll want to keep the crescent wrench handy if you have an older Ludwig kit :)

Seriously though, tuning is an art and a science. It can make a bad set sound great, or a great set sound bad.

Here's a great starting point/reference.

http://home.earthlink.net/~prof.sound/index.html

Not everyone will agree with everything in the bible above, but it's helped me BIG TIME.

Oh... and the mufflers are pretty useless. Get yourself some moongel pads or better yet, sticky hand type toys. Same stuff, one tenth the price.

check out the drum tuning bible online. internal mufflers do little good for sound, but add to the vintage quality

mufflers don't work well

but you like to find them in vintage drums