I couldn't figure out how to add photos to a discussion with Robyn ("Wiggle Woman") so I will post them here. My first set was a used Slingerland Radio King that my folks got me from a pawn shop. I used that for my short lived rock and roll days. The genesis of this set was built in 1979 when I worked at Winkler's Pro Drum Shop in Nashville. It has an 18" Yamaha floor tom converted to a bass drum, 8x12 Keller mounted tom, 14x14 Keller floor tom, and a Bison 4x14 snare. I added a Yamaha 16x16 foot tunable floor tom (it was a bear getting the wrap off) and just for fun found a second tunable floor tom that was cheap because it did not have the pedal mechanism. I made a pedal mechanism from a Yamaha high hat stand. Then just because I am an idiot with too much time on my hands, I added snares to the two tunable floor toms. I have a lot of fun with it and look forward to going to jazz jams and maybe even taking the extra toms. Thanks, Joe
Home made Bop set with tunable floor "snoms"
How does the tuning mechanism work?
Thanks to Mr. Jerry Jenkins
The Yamaha floor tom tuning mechanism is almost identical to some timpani mechanisms with a "spider" on the inside. I think the first example of this was Ludwig for Ray Bauduc (1930's?). It is on display at the Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood. Speaking of Hollywood, the Italian Miazzi (sp?) folks had one later on (60's?). The Yamaha dates from the late 1970's. The foot pedal attaches to the large horizontal bar in the center of the drum. Yamaha also had a little toe activated level on the side of the pedal that could be pivoted over the foot board to hold a certain pitch. I never had that piece. The high hat pedal I rigged actually travels higher and has a wider pitch bend. Hope this makes sense.
Yes, it makes sense sir. Thank you. Brilliant mechanism.
Thanks to Mr. Jerry Jenkins
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