No doubt, over time rods can slip a bit but , if that is the primary cause of an out of tune drum, then why do drums go out of tune overnight? You can tune a wood shell drum so that each tuning position is dead on the same note , leave the drum for a week unplayed and it will be out of tune, in much less time if the weather changes dramatically. I agree that nylon is a poor choice for washers , in this application but then so would any sort of lock washer. Drums are made to be tuned , so they can be tuned----just like any other tunable musical instrument.

Put a fine marker line on the t-rods down to the hoop of a snare drum and play it for a week and see where those marks are relative to the pitch at the tuning positions.

Sorry, can't speak to that issue; I haven't had those types of tuning problems. I have a set of Tempus drums (currently disassembled) and many Slingy orphans, and they stay in tune just fine. We do have temp and humidity swings here in VT, but it doesn't cause any problems with respect to drums holding their tuning. I imagine it's a bit worse down south, though.

I still will stubbornly stand by my disdain for nylon washers. It's the wrong application of that part. And a split ring lock washer isn't any more difficult to turn than a tension rod/flat washer combo. Try it, you'll see. BTW, I'm a cheapskate and a bit of a traditionalist, so just use the tension rod/flat washer combo myself. I've tried different types of washers for S's and G's, but find that flats are adequate and provide enough friction.

Wait a minute....your ID is calfskin...you aren't using calfsk.....no, no, that can't be it ;)

never promoted nylon washers but i began drumming as an orchestra percussionist. tuning is critical and important . less so in some other forms of music-------i'm thinking Paul Cook , probably overlooked the importance of tuning a few times-----what would it matter? i don't know about drums that have the kind of tuning stability, you are referring to. how come music shops have buckets of drum keys , right by the counter?

Because a key is a common and useful tool. You're a bit all over, and I'm sensing some attitude, so I'll just bow out of this one.

While I understand the overall concern that several have posted regarding nylon washers, I have not really had any issues with that. The only issue I ever have with drums detuning is a snare drum slipping on the "backbeat" side of the rim, specifically with non-die cast rims. I certainly do not have tuning issues with toms at all and my kits get used for a multitude of drummers, sometimes many drummers in a day with varying different styles.

I generally tune my kits every time they are set up as standard practice. I suppose that means whether they need it or not. Certainly to each his own. I like nylon washers and have no issues with them.

With the correct number of lugs (mine anti-rollback) and 100% contact between hoop and t-rods nylon can stop the scratch`n !! I don`t use them, but should. I only find impact headstretch the problem with new heads !!

If you've never used nylon washers on the tension rods then add some. You will not regret it. Its been a good working idea for decades now. I've never had real issues using them. I have one tension rod on a bass drum that will periodically loosen but I've also had the same issue on other drums without the nylon washers but more so.

So this thread was a few years back.... I have been using the Nylon washers on a couple of my snares and toms since then... no problems encountered.

They actually appear to "seat themselves" to the elongated holes in the rims.. and I "feel better" that further scratching, hence corrosion, is no longer promoted by metal washers on those drums..

Also a neutral colour (black) does not detract from the appearance IMO...

Cheers

John