Brian, are you saying that the lugs are not oriented straight up and down, plumb with the top and bottom bearing edge? If the holes are exactly correct, and the threaded “nib” on the bottom of the lugs fit tightly in those holes, the only culprit could be that the nibs are not centered on the lug. If the nibs don’t fit tightly, then that is the likely culprit.

Josh

Thanks for replying ,Josh. I really appreciate it. Basically, the squarish lugs (butterfly, breadbox?) (MSL33) are not perpendicular to the bearing edge. They slant at least a couple of degrees downward. The vertical sides of the lugs are therefore off a couple of degrees vertically as well. The lugs fit tightly into the holes in the shell. The drum can be seen in the online Tama catalogs, Tama Drums and Hardware section , 1997. Weird, Josh. Thanks very much, my friend. If you come up with any theories, please let me know. Thanks again!

Brian

Brian!

I've seen so many of these Tama piccolo snare drums with those lugs, and every lug was slanted down like you mention! I see you also posted this over at DFO and got an answer that there is something physically wrong with either the holes or the lugs. Yet I've also seen pictures of these drums showing the drum stripped down with no issues at all with the holes or lugs! My gut tells me they were drilled this way at the factory. But why? That's what is nagging at you and me!!

The lugs in question remind me of the lugs used on the Ludwig Downbeat snare drum, known for having this issue due to over-tightening of the tension rods. But, the Ludwig used a thin 3-ply shell and the workmanship of the day was nowhere as good as that on the Tama snare drum from the late 90's.

-Mark

I think the answer may be simple: Immitation is the highest form of flattery. The thing I can't figure out is how they got the depth wrong.

Hey, Mark!

I agree with you 100% on this issue, but of course I've been wrong a couple of times in my life. LOL! I've had this drum stripped down many times and could see absolutely nothing wrong with the lugs or the holes. The holes were perfect and the lugs quite sturdy! The is no play whatsoever once the lugs are inserted! Like you mention though, WHY? That's what I simply can't figure out! Ahhhhh!!!!! Too early for a beer I guess.

Brian

It’s always 500 pm somewhere so have that beer

would a gasket correct the issue

LOL! I'm having a cold one now actually! It's still a mystery, jaghog. The lugs are perfect, each has a pristine gasket and the holes are immaculate. The t-rods fit smoothly as well so the lugs can't be that crooked! I think I'll have another. Cheers to you, sir! Thanks for responding.

Brian

What about a angled gasket or shim

Well, with the Ludwig Downbeat, it was clearly an issue with the "push/pull" orientation of the lug screws, on the thin shell...the holes became oval in no time.

But with the Tama, I have no idea other than to guess it was a casting miscalculation. If this angle is consistent on all the lugs, then it would appear that someone's abacus wasn't calibrated.