TUNING TOM TOMS

Tom tuning tips. Terrible triple alliteration, but hey, who doesn't want killer sounding toms? I've experimented and fought with problem drums my whole life, so why not share some gleanings? I do love the double emperor head combo. That's a recent preference of mine. It's very forgiving, and I dig the sound. A single ply on the reso side sounds good also (ambassador), but this is my go to head combo.

[@jcdrums2798]

very interesting result, the emperor combo

[@karlplaysdrums]

I agree. It certainly flies in the face of Remo's own convention. I've been using this "combination" for years now, and it ALWAYS sounds excellent, ambient and recorded. Remo do market the emperor as a batter head only, but it obviously works great as a reso as well. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ianpaice9932]

hi Karl greetings from Australia, Ive struggled with tuning all my life, your way of using emperors top and bottom makes perfect sense after all these years. cant wait to try it, do you tap new heads to see which one is lower and put that one on top? my 22inch bass drum seems to sound better if i move my beater across the axle so it hits closer to the rim, i tapped the head with the butt of my stick and it sounded so much deeper and more pleasing tone thanks again.

[@karlplaysdrums]

And greetings to you from the Oregon Outback! As far as tapping the heads, if I understand, you're talking about tapping the head before mounting, and I do that just to make sure I don't have a dead one (super rare). If there is a difference, it would be almost undetectable, and I don't worry about it. Every once in a while I will encounter a head that has a higher pitch between lugs, in which case I loosen the head and rotate it slightly so as to align the higher pitch with a lug. I've only had that happen with my 8", which is VERY tricky to tune. The bass drum is an interesting situation. Most bass drums have more attack if struck at or near the center of the head, and may sound warmer if the impact point is moved toward the edge. That's a good thing to experiment with, and depends on the sound you're looking for. Decisions decisions! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gregwonhoff7161]

Mr, Karl with a K, I really enjoyed your tutorial on tom tuning. When you pointed out the “tired” bearing edge, I immediately thought about that product made to rub over your bearing edges. It is a waxy product. I personally have never tried it. Just a thought I had.
I love the sound you got from that tom. Well played, my friend.❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️‍🔥

[@karlplaysdrums]

Beeswax! I can’t believe I didn’t mention that… sheesh. This getting old deal is irritating. I use it occasionally. It’s ok to leave it dry ime, but my drum teacher swore by it. I got a router, so I will touch up the bearing edges someday. And those lugs are completely used up. They will be replaced also. I really enjoy upgrading and updating my old drums. It is very satisfying. Thank you for watching, Greg with a capital G!

[@scottapthorpe6172]

Wouldn’t it be easier to use a sonor slotted key.

[@karlplaysdrums]

@@scottapthorpe6172the early slotted tension rods are slightly different, and don’t work with the newer key. I have two old style keys, and they don’t work on newer rods! Crazy… so I just use a screwy driver.

[@vandavis000]

Dont use a screwdriveron slotted rods .it will eventually mess up the head of the rods. Buy a sonor or older premier slotted key. I have both.the sonor one is still sold. Them tension rods arent meant to be torqued or tightened with a flat screwdriver. 😢

[@karlplaysdrums]

@@vandavis000 it’s common knowledge among Sonor owners that a screwdriver can be used. That’s the only advantage I can see to going with a slotted head. Those tension rods are hardened steel. I suppose a hamfisted owner could ding the slots, but the fact that a screwdriver is being used doesn’t change the torque value being applied. Look closely at those tension rods…they are over 60 years old, and in good shape. I was an engine builder and gunsmith, so you won’t find any imperfect screwdrivers in my inventory. I urge you to use a screwdriver. “Use” is the operative word, not “attack with”. Thanks for watching!

[@bigred575]

I love your video. What color/finish is that?

[@karlplaysdrums]

Thanks! Here’s the story on those old drums. This olde drumset... sound check starts ~ 6:00.
czcams.com/video/EEDhz59LMJM/video.html

[@stevenwilson9865]

I used to have a Premier snare drum, it came with a key (flat) for the same slot style lug bolts...
Or make a custom one?

[@karlplaysdrums]

Or use a screw driver! :)

[@stevenwilson9865]

Or a butter knife. 😮

[@karlplaysdrums]

If it's clean.

[@e.4457]

Out of tune!
O mundo não entende nada sobre tambores. Deixa como está e foda-se! 😂

[@karlplaysdrums]

Thanks for watching!