I wonder if weight issues or the slowing down of the tuning/head-changing process had more to do with the limited success of the approach?
probably not a seriously widespread problem, although it could drive one crazy if one had a drum that did it all the time
i know i haven't experienced it... yet
Around Y2K I bought a Yamaha Stage Custom kit. Great sounding drums with sturdy and reasonably light hardware for not much money. Only thing I didn't like was that they were easy to knock out of tune. I compared the tension rod receivers on the Stage Customs to a high-end Yamaha snare I had and noticed that the high-end tension rod receivers had built-in nylon lock nuts. So I bought a bunch of the fancy nylon lock nuts and retro-fitted them to my Stage Custom kit. Definitely solved the tuning problem for me, but it was an expensive experiment by the time all the lugs on all the drums were upgraded.
Having ventured down this rabbit hole in the past, I definitely think the idea portrayed in the original post is a good one.
For the curious, here's a photo of the Yamaha part:
[IMG]http://s4.lonestarpercussion.com/resize/images/product-image/Yamaha-U-0033250.jpg[/IMG]
One other thing I wish I had tried on the Stage Custom kit (before spending a bunch of money on fancy parts) was a drop of blue Loctite in each of the tension rod receivers. Probably wouldn't be an experiment I'd try first on an nice vintage drum, but I still wonder...
The "tension rod locknuts" are still shown in the Ludwig Parts catalog (P-2429-1), however it doesn't mean they are still available. They used to come on the Coliseum back in the day, and the replacement part was packaged as a set of 12.
A lot of things in that catalog are unavailable now, but it does serve as a useful reference.
I'd like to see someone reproduce those locknuts, I imagine they were expensive to produce in such small quantities, but with 21st century technology it could be done a lot cheaper.
I could be wrong, I've been wrong before ;) :D
Hello everyone,
I'm happy to report that the nuts worked great after a full weekend of recording. The lug at 7:00 position (where I am constantly hitting rimshots) just barely de-tuned (about 1/4" of a turn), the rest of the lugs were fine.
One thing I have noticed, since I am not a hard hitter at all, is that I only have problems with de-tuning on 10 lug snares. I never seem to have an issue on 6 or 8 lug snares. I think it's because there is less tension per lug on a 10 lug, as compared to 6 and 8 lug snares. Just a guess.
Anyway, I hope this idea is useful.
V
""One thing I have noticed, since I am not a hard hitter at all, is that I only have problems with de-tuning on 10 lug snares. I never seem to have an issue on 6 or 8 lug snares. I think it's because there is less tension per lug on a 10 lug, as compared to 6 and 8 lug snares. Just a guess.""
My guess as well, but also I have never noticed it happen with a heavier hoop, say diecast ,or Slingerland Sticksaver etc.
Cheers
John
An over lubricated fastener is more likely to loosen more so than one that is not. There are specs for threaded fasteners outside of the drum world that specify not to lubricate, essentially assembly dry. I know it sounds wacko? its just a thought not a recommendation.
An over lubricated fastener is more likely to loosen more so than one that is not. There are specs for threaded fasteners outside of the drum world that specify not to lubricate, essentially assembly dry. I know it sounds wacko? its just a thought not a recommendation.
A wax type lubricant (such as chain lube) might work.
I'm sure you can get knurled nuts; the trick is the 12-24 thread... Perhaps you can get 8 or 10-32 ones and then drill and tap them to 12-24. The trick is getting the tap, but I'm sure they can be had for short money.
GOT IT: Duct tape!Walking
PS: I like the Yamaha solution, but getting them "finger tight" on all lugs before you go to the wrench is tricky... I don't have a "problem" drum at the moment, but I always keep those in mind because they keep the "clean" look of the drum. The snare is somewhat hidden typically so not a big deal.
I've used Teflon plumbers tape before, and it works.
Heck... I almost forgot about a solution from Gauger Percussion (you know the originator of the R.I.M.S, and other fine products) called "Lockerz Tension Rod Locks."
Here's a link: http://www.gaugerpercussion.com/lockerztrade-tension-rod-locks.html
There is a product video on the page as well.
Also, Canopus has "Bolt Tight," here's a link: http://canopusdrums.com/en/product/bolttight/
They also offer something called "Red Lock," which is similar in concept to the Ludwig product, but made of plastic: http://canopusdrums.com/en/product/redlock/
To round it out Hendrix Drums offers the "Sleeved Washer," which can be viewed via this link: http://sleevedwashers.com/sleeved-washers/benefits/
