Have you figured out the thread size of the rods? Replacing with standard type square head rods would be nice. DFD has some MIJ rods. Good Luck Sir.

Dean!

I've never seen tension rods with hex-socket heads! I can't help but think that they might be as rare as hen's teeth! As green glass mentioned, you might want to check the thread size and, if standard 12-24, switch to standard rods.

-Mark

I'll check the thread size tonight. Is it rule-of-thumb most MIJ drums use metric screws?

BTW, thanks for the feedback guys. D.

Dean,

Actually, it was only drums made by Star that used metric tension rods. I could be mistaken about this and, if so, others will chime in with additional information. The metric tension rods are thinner than the standard 12-24 rods. My gut instinct is saying that your tension rods just might be 12-24. Just put them into another drum that you know has standard rods and you'll get your answer! Let us know!

-Mark

They do "look like" standard 12-24 in the pic.

Interesting info re the Star only metric threads.

Star used 5mm rods on snares and toms, and 6mm rods on bass drums. But various MIJ companies used both imperial and metric tension rod threads. I've seen 5mm, 6mm, 12-24 and 1/4-20, all on toms, snares and bass drums.

By the way, I suspect that the rods in OP's photos are 6mm and could be easily obtained online or from Home Depot. 12-24 is very specific to the drum world, but 6mm is absolutely everywhere.

If they are 6mm and you want to swap them out for key rods, let me know. I probably have hundreds of rods that would work for that.