I have a number of vintage drums - Radio Kings and TDRs. Several great drummers told me, years ago, that a well-tuned snare is in no need of a muffler, and that using it can negate the tuning. They showed me how this is done and, to this day, I have never used a muffler (tone control) nor built one into my restorations.
I was interested in what others had to say on this topic.
I use one from time to time on my snares to get a certain sound. On my toms I bring it up just under the head, seems to make a difference to my ear.
Generally, I don't use mufflers....but.....I do like the option of having it there if I need it. There have been times when the acoustics of the venue required a bit of muting/muffling of the bass/snare/tom. I've used gel and big plastic O's and even those Evans strap thingys. They work ok, but I like the simple fine adjustment of a muffler. It's simple and quick. It allows some pretty fine adjustments on the fly. Good stuff.
I am considering removing the mufflers in my Slingy's due to the springs vibrating and giving off a weird rattling overtone. I generally prefer a moon gel cut in half and placed very close to the edge. It is just enough to focus the fundamental tone and maintain the feel of the drum. I personally don't like the feel of the drum when the internal muffler is applied to the head.....just my 2 cents.
I generally prefer a moon gel cut in half and placed very close to the edge. It is just enough to focus the fundamental tone and maintain the feel of the drum. I personally don't like the feel of the drum when the internal muffler is applied to the head.....just my 2 cents.
Agreed.
However, has anyone had a new tub of "gels" go plasmatic?
Just turn into a sticky mess?
Not sure what's up with that all of a sudden.
Big things in my world...
Falling Do
Sorry, I've only ever bought one set of moon gels, haha. They've lasted about 5 years and counting!
I've been flipping my toms over and putting the muffler side down on my restorations. I leave em on the snares. As we all know, sitting with a snare alone you hear ring, put it with a kit and then add a band and unless it's really out of whack you never hear ring.
[COLOR="DarkRed"]The way I figure it, if the muffler doesn' have any rattling problem like Quest describes, you gotta just leave it in there. Either don't use it or use it. But don't just take it out to take it out. That's ssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooo 70's !!!!!!!
IMHO, on vintage 3-py shells, having a muffler on the snare AND toms is just an awesome option to have whenever you need it.
I also have to say....they weren't discontinued becuase lo and behold, people finally figured out how to tune their drums near-perfectly....
They were discontinued because it was cheaper to mfr. a drum without that piece of hardware, than with it....
Moon gels, et. al., to me...they just look plain silly, and are nowhere near as adjustable as an internal muffler.......[/COLOR]
I love the option of a muffler and yes as jaye, says, and I made this assumption too for a while, there was this perception that companies wanted to 'modernise' and lose em. But what are we left with? Loads of options of sticking crap on your drums, to do the same job, when it used to be internal, out of the way, but only there if you need it! Companies could then make extra cash flogging you something when they used to give it you for free!
Both snares I used at the moment have mufflers, and I find it helps a lot.
The Beverleys I recently got have mufflers on each of the toms too, so I'm looking forward to playing around with the sounds.
Long live mufflers!
So many great points on using them (or not) from everyone! - I'm taking mental notes!
I love my TONE CONTROLS! I use 'em on and off - in little bits - I mix 'em up, some on, some off - sometimes I like to torque 'em a little extra to raise the pitch, sometimes just a touch will do. Sometimes I even like to change the snare up during a song, mute on the verses, off on the choruses....
Hey, they're Tone Controls! I wouldn't want my drums without the option. What FUN Excited
I have considered buying some moon gels, but I first like to mess with tuning and muffs to try to remedy stuff. Maybe I'll microwave some gummy bears before I spring for the moons :p
But I DO like the pitches of an open kit mostly, with just the lightest use of the muff. To me, it's all about the tonal options.
