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Slingerland bass tuning nightmare

Posts: 13 Threads: 5

I have been fighting getting heads tuned on my mid 70's red sparkle Slingerland bass. I got the Remo classic fit heads on the toms and snare and they work just dandy. But the bass will not let heads seat until a ridiculous amount of tension is reached. To the point where the bass is pitched higher than the floor tom. Measuring the bass show it is 20 inches across. But when seating the heads they never get even, and stay wrinkled and rattle, no matter how carefully I tension them.

The Remo classic fit I just received does the same wrinkle dance.

HELP!

Greg

Posted on 3 years ago
#1
Posts: 2753 Threads: 132

There must be some out-of-round area on that shell. I've never had that issue with any Slingerland or SlingerLeedy bass drum with reinforcement rings. I've owned many. Does your bass drum have re-rings?

No matter how far you push the envelope, it is still stationery.
Posted on 3 years ago
#2
Posts: 13 Threads: 5

No re-rings on this one. It is a puzzle.

I do not have this much trouble with an ovaled Ludwig Supra I have.

Posted on 3 years ago
#3
Posts: 804 Threads: 9

From gutz

...Measuring the bass show it is 20 inches across. But when seating the heads they never get even, and stay wrinkled and rattle, no matter how carefully I tension them.Greg

Greg, have you measured the drum in more than one spot to check for roundness? I would measure across the drum in a least 4 different points (more would be better - like near the lug points) as shown in the illustration, to help evaluate the roundness of the drum.

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Posted on 3 years ago
#4
Posts: 88 Threads: 16

In addition to the drum not being round, another possibility is that the depth of the shell is not consistent. Think of a good drum shell being a rectangle when viewed from the side. This could be slightly trapezoidal.

I had an early 80's Rogers snare, just before they went under (go figure) that was like that. Edges were flat, but not parallel to each other. Sounded like Sh#!.

Posted on 3 years ago
#5
Posts: 13 Threads: 5

From Hoppy

Greg, have you measured the drum in more than one spot to check for roundness? I would measure across the drum in a least 4 different points (more would be better - like near the lug points) as shown in the illustration, to help evaluate the roundness of the drum.

I did measure across the lugs, and it is consistent within 1/8"

Posted on 3 years ago
#6
Posts: 13 Threads: 5

From Rob the drummer

In addition to the drum not being round, another possibility is that the depth of the shell is not consistent. Think of a good drum shell being a rectangle when viewed from the side. This could be slightly trapezoidal. I had an early 80's Rogers snare, just before they went under (go figure) that was like that. Edges were flat, but not parallel to each other. Sounded like Sh#!.

Now there's something I did not check! Thanks!!

Posted on 3 years ago
#7
Posts: 804 Threads: 9

From gutz

I did measure across the lugs, and it is consistent within 1/8"

Shell in round and ruling out defective heads (by trying multiple heads), this may be a bit more challenging to troubleshoot. Hopefully Rob's suggestion may reveal something.

I would also suggest looking at the bass hoop to see if the head contact side of it actually lays flat. I don't think the hoop roundness will be a huge factor like it would be for the shell.

Posted on 3 years ago
#8
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375

Perhaps a bad head .. ??

If you've tightened it above the tone of the floor tom, it could also be stretched to the point that it just won't tune at this point?

Just throwing it out there, I've not experienced this yet.

Kevin
Posted on 3 years ago
#9
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

From Rob the drummer

In addition to the drum not being round, another possibility is that the depth of the shell is not consistent. Think of a good drum shell being a rectangle when viewed from the side. This could be slightly trapezoidal.

+1 with this statement...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 3 years ago
#10
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