Question

[aliashrm]

i have a question...when you have a drum and you don't know its history, how do you start to check/make sure that it is evenly tuned? what i mean is, you may be able to make a few 1/4 turns on tension rods and adjust top and bottom snares, and you may think it sounds good, but how do you KNOW? how can you tell that each tension rod is more or less the same (without blocks/callipers/torque wrench or whatever) and that snares are set JUST right? Is it just a matter of "it sound ok so it must BE ok" or is there some science behind it?

[Drummer-64]

Originally Posted by aliashrm

i have a question...when you have a drum and you don't know its history, how do you start to check/make sure that it is evenly tuned? what i mean is, you may be able to make a few 1/4 turns on tension rods and adjust top and bottom snares, and you may think it sounds good, but how do you KNOW? how can you tell that each tension rod is more or less the same (without blocks/callipers/torque wrench or whatever) and that snares are set JUST right? Is it just a matter of "it sound ok so it must BE ok" or is there some science behind it?

... Still use blocks/calipers (forget torque wrenches) or coins or lego blocks (my favorite) ... Don't just start making 1/4 turns here and there ...
Take it apart, put all rims on a flat surface and check if they're straight. Put it back together yourself, maybe using new parts/heads/snares and follow a proper manual (e.g. JKP's on the HTS200) While at it take the opportunity to clean/polish/wax/oil & grease the lot :-) enjoy!
D./