Love My Ludwgs, But......

[Jusstickinaround]

I'm having a problem with my 8x12 tom, I'd been maimly just using the 13 and 16. However lately I've been trying to incorperate the 12 just to add a bit of flavor. The 13 resonates and sounds fine with or without a rims, but the 12 is lacking resonance and depth. The Remo coated Ambassador on there is old so a new head is my first idea. It seems I've always had trouble with 8x12 toms, even when I bang around on kits at GC, the 8x12 is the hardest to get to sound right. If anyone has any tips on tuning an 8x12 tom, especially a vintage Ludwig one, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. .

[tomlangedrums]

Try tuning at a different pitch to see if it "likes" that better. If it has a shell mount and has a "dead" sound issue, i.e., the sustain/ring isn't as long as the other toms (relative to pitch), try taking it off the mount and hold by the batter hoop (without touching the head) and hit it to see if it sounds different (better) then when it is mounted. It may be that the weight of the tom contorts the shell enough to have an effect on it. If that is the case, maybe a mounting system that uses the hoop instead of the shell may be in order.

Hope that helps - -

[harryconway]

I would suspect old heads to be the cause. Especially since you bought the drums used, most cats sell their kits with the oldest heads "they have" in place of anything usable.

[ludwigvondrumcrazy]

I would suspect old heads to be the cause.

Ditto..................

LVDC

[fourstringdrums]

Another agreement on changing the heads. I've found it hard to tune 12" toms myself as well, although that is in the 9x12 size. My Oak Customs, Pacific CX, Gretsch Catalina Birch and even my Gretsch Renown Maples I ALWAYS had a hard time tuning the 12". The Gretsch Renowns were the easiest of those 3 to tune the 12", but I still felt like it didn't come along as quickly as the other drums. I'm fairly convinced that it's just me. Hopefully my Catalina Jazz 8x12 comes along alright.

[cjl71178]

see, i used to have a hard time tuning 13" toms, that's why i never liked them. i had a starclassic kit that had 10, 12, 13" racks and i never used the 13" up until i sold the kit.

i'd definately change the heads and take it from there. both of my ludwig kits have 8x12 toms and i never had a problem tuning them...but they're not vintage ones though...and i use Evans heads.

i don't know how you tune, by pitch or with a drum tuner. i tune my drums by ear so in pitch i try to tune my 8x12 to between a 'G' and an 'A' note.

best of luck.

[bighaibigdrums]

When you get the new heads, tune your 12 first and then tune the other toms around it.

[Jusstickinaround]

Try tuning at a different pitch to see if it "likes" that better. If it has a shell mount and has a "dead" sound issue, i.e., the sustain/ring isn't as long as the other toms (relative to pitch), try taking it off the mount and hold by the batter hoop (without touching the head) and hit it to see if it sounds different (better) then when it is mounted. It may be that the weight of the tom contorts the shell enough to have an effect on it. If that is the case, maybe a mounting system that uses the hoop instead of the shell may be in order.

Hope that helps - -

I think that may be it, because when I hold it by the rim it seems to resonate better. The 13 sounds pretty much the same with or without rims. I'm thinking rims are more needed on smaller toms.