Well, Surfcollector,
You know how difficult it can be to describe sounds with letters. So, I will offer what I can, but you will have to experiment to figure the rest out - which I am confident you will be able to. I did not follow any technique that I read about, just heard about it here and there and did it. I'll do my best to describe it.
First, after stripping the shell of all metal, hang it from the inside with your finger and then knock the outside of it with your fist. This identifying what note it naturally resonates at will be the easiest part of this process. I suggest marking that note on the inside of your shell for (future/eternal) reference. Next, reinstall all the hardware and start with - well - either head really. I set the drum on a carpeted floor or on my bed and tune the head to that note. I tune the note that I hear when I tap on the edge near each lug. I do not tune it hanging or in the air - I tune it when it is somewhat muffled, so that all I am hearing is the head (for the most part) and not anything that is produced by the rest of the drum. When I do the second head, I muffle the other head (on the bed is ideal) and likewise, tune the note you hear when you hit the edge of the head. Obviously make sure all the (lugs) are tuned to that same note - but this is when the edges come into play. You will not be able to tune all the lugs to that one note if your edges are not true (Lugs)will climb when you tighten a different lug, for example. BTW, while I am thinking about it, I use a guitar tuner - one that you blow into and it only has 6 notes. If my note is not one of those 6, I simply sing or hum to myself and identify the note that way.
I have a Red Onyx ("Red Agate Pearl") whatever you care to call it - exactly like this one Olimpass has (what are the odds-here on the same thread) and in fact have pics of his kit saved on my computer as a vision of what mine will look like when I am done restoring it-except I am going to have a additional 10 inch add-on that I am building. The only difference is that I have 8 lugs on my snare,FT, and BD. I picked it up for $100!!!!-was sitting in (a) grandma's basement. I THINK it is a 3 ply and it will by my first 3, but indeed my BD is not (I think it is 6 or 7 or even maybe 9). It's been a while since I have looked at it honestly. BTW -it has NO BADGE but believe it is Star made. My case in point (several sentences ago!) is that the fact is, I have not even put heads on this thing yet (though everything has been thoroughly cleaned and polished and such) because I have not yet taken these shells to my drum guy. I will not seat (is that the term) new heads on this until the shells have been deemed true (or re-cut) by my drum guy. I will not risk wasting new heads until that step is done. They have been that way for about 6 months now waiting for me to take them to my edge guy. I plan on doing this in April when I will have the time and will be bartering with him with some Rogers hardware I scored when I bought a (different) kit to flip (which included a bunch of good cymbals). Anyway----point is ---- the edges must be checked and possibly recut to make this process worthwhile.
I might as well share - I bought some brand new ddrum dominions (that were discontinued) last spring. I was really upset when I discovered that the shells were not perfectly round. After MUCH consultation (including phone conversations with custom builders and indeed the president and founder of Pork Pie) I learned that a PERFECTLY IN-ROUND shell is not necessary.....and that there is a parameter that it must be within for it not to be an issue. I took my new ddrum shells to me drum builder guy who deemed them within spec. Then, I felt comfortable putting new heads on them and they ended up sounding great. Meanwhile, I had had trouble with several of my drums for years (old MIJs) and he discovered that the edges were not true, re-cut them, and after I used this method-they sounded amazing.
Continuing - tune the 2nd head the same way with the other head muffled (on bed) and in the end when you play it, that note that you discovered should ring out with excellent long lasting sustain (just SING) Muffle to your preference with your preferred method and you are all set. Now the next time you go to re-tune that drum or install new heads on there, you have the target note to shoot for and it will be much easier next time.
My advice- if you have not already, take it to your local drum builder/edge guy who can inspect the edges and re-cut them if needed - BEFORE slapping new heads on there. NOTE (which you may already know) if any edgework is done, new heads are then required because your old heads were seated to the (improper/untrue) edge(s).
One last note: If you do not have a regular drum builder that you use or an 'edge guy' (or shoot perhaps you do this stuff yourself?!?!?!) then you can easily find one by doing the following. Call Anderson Trading in Anaheim
www.aitwood.com
(ask for Bonnie) and they/she can refer you to one of their customers (that buy drum shells from them) that lives close to you. They will look it up by city or zip. They are very nice and helpful people. Tell her what you are doing and she will help you out.
After using this method (and I use studio rings), I have had engineers and producers in the studio comment that they already sound so good they will not have to do much of anything in the mixing process.
Best Blessings,
John
