To drill or not to drill?

[Disco Stu]

I have a few questions I was hoping some of the drum builders/restorers could help me with. I have a Spaun 13x15 floor tom with a wrap finish. It is currently sits in a Rims Dynamount, but I would prefer to have the legs attached to the shell. Questions:


Is it preferable to keep the drum original as it came from the factory?

Would you expect a noticeable change in resonance after mounting legs on a shell this size?

Any tips for drilling into shells? (Where to place the legs, alignment, avoiding damage, etc.)

[Deathmetalconga]

I have a few questions I was hoping some of the drum builders/restorers could help me with. I have a Spaun 13x15 floor tom with a wrap finish. It is currently sits in a Rims Dynamount, but I would prefer to have the legs attached to the shell. Questions:

Is it preferable to keep the drum original as it came from the factory?

Would you expect a noticeable change in resonance after mounting legs on a shell this size?

Any tips for drilling into shells? (Where to place the legs, alignment, avoiding damage, etc.)

Why would you want to drill holes in your shell if it has no holes?! Spauns are upper-end drums and Gaugers are upper-end mounts. There's a reason they're together. As a matter of principle, I would have the fewest number of holes possible drilled into the shell. Keep it original unless you can improve on it and in this case you can't.

As for loss of resonance, fistfights break out around here over suspension vs. shell mounting. The only thing that has been settled is that if you like suspension you will hear a difference and if you like shell mounting you won't hear a difference.

As far as avoiding damage while drilling, I think drilling IS a form of damage! Some drilling is unavoidable, but it's something that should be avoided whenever possible.

[Disco Stu]

Why would you want to drill holes in your shell if it has no holes?! Spauns are upper-end drums and Gaugers are upper-end mounts. There's a reason they're together. As a matter of principle, I would have the fewest number of holes possible drilled into the shell. Keep it original unless you can improve on it and in this case you can't.

As for loss of resonance, fistfights break out around here over suspension vs. shell mounting. The only thing that has been settled is that if you like suspension you will hear a difference and if you like shell mounting you won't hear a difference.

As far as avoiding damage while drilling, I think drilling IS a form of damage! Some drilling is unavoidable, but it's something that should be avoided whenever possible.
I hear you, DMC, and that's why I've avoided drilling the shell for this long (I've had this drum for about 3 years now) and why I am looking for other opinions now. One reason I like legs mounted to the shell as opposed to the Dynamount is simplicity. If I can have less hardware, I'd like to do so. Also, the Dynamount is a bit shaky. Since the drum is 13" depth, I have to raise it very high on the legs. I'm pretty sure shell mounting would make a more solid base than the Dynamount ring. Also, when I change the reso head, taking the Dynamount off and on is tedious. By the way, floor tom legs are an option on Spaun drums, so this drum could have come with legs from the factory if it was so ordered that way. I've also noticed that they seem to be attaching floor tom legs more often lately. The three kits on their main page right now are this way.

The shell resonance, yeah I've seen some of the arguments over it. But I am under the impression that it makes more of a difference on smaller drums than larger ones since there is less shell to resonate on a small drum. Therefore, even though I don't care for the rims mount on my smaller 7x12 tom, I figure I'd like to keep it on there to maintain all the resonance that I can.

[harryconway]

The best way to put legs on the drum would be to ship it back to Spaun and let the factory drill and install them. Then, it's still an original factory/custom. Second best method would be to get "the same" legs and mounts Spaun uses, and install them yourself/have them installed. The real blasphamy, of course, is mounting another manufactures hardware (Gretsch, Tama, Gibraltar, etc.) to the shell. Mind you, these drums are still being produced. And Spaun uses Keller shells, like so many custom shops. So in the universal scheme, it's not like you're adding a Rogers memriloc tom mount onto a mint round badge Gretsch 14x14 floor tom.

[Disco Stu]

The best way to put legs on the drum would be to ship it back to Spaun and let the factory drill and install them. Then, it's still an original factory/custom. Second best method would be to get "the same" legs and mounts Spaun uses, and install them yourself/have them installed. The real blasphamy, of course, is mounting another manufactures hardware (Gretsch, Tama, Gibraltar, etc.) to the shell. Mind you, these drums are still being produced. And Spaun uses Keller shells, like so many custom shops. So in the universal scheme, it's not like you're adding a Rogers memriloc tom mount onto a mint round badge Gretsch 14x14 floor tom.
I was considering shipping the drum to Spaun and having them install the legs. They are in Southern CA and I am in Northern CA, so it wouldn't have to go far. It's nice to know that you find this a reasonable way to do it. I thought it might be silly if it was something I could easily do myself. Either way, I would purchase Spaun hardware. The Dynamount that's on it now has Gibraltar legs/mounts, and I wasn't even thinking of putting those on the shell. It's a shame when you see a vintage kit that's been modified in all kinds of crazy ways, and this kit will be vintage someday. But according to Spaun's price list, all their floor toms come standard with leg mounts now, so I guess mine wouldn't be unusual this way.

BTW, I just emailed Spaun about shipping the drum and having legs installed, cost, turnaround time, etc.

[Deathmetalconga]

I hear you, DMC, and that's why I've avoided drilling the shell for this long (I've had this drum for about 3 years now) and why I am looking for other opinions now. One reason I like legs mounted to the shell as opposed to the Dynamount is simplicity. If I can have less hardware, I'd like to do so. Also, the Dynamount is a bit shaky. Since the drum is 13" depth, I have to raise it very high on the legs. I'm pretty sure shell mounting would make a more solid base than the Dynamount ring. Also, when I change the reso head, taking the Dynamount off and on is tedious. By the way, floor tom legs are an option on Spaun drums, so this drum could have come with legs from the factory if it was so ordered that way. I've also noticed that they seem to be attaching floor tom legs more often lately. The three kits on their main page right now are this way.

The shell resonance, yeah I've seen some of the arguments over it. But I am under the impression that it makes more of a difference on smaller drums than larger ones since there is less shell to resonate on a small drum. Therefore, even though I don't care for the rims mount on my smaller 7x12 tom, I figure I'd like to keep it on there to maintain all the resonance that I can.

The Dynamount should be more solid. I would email Gary Gauger - I have spoken with him and he is interestd in helping people who own his products, so at least give him a chance to diagnose the problem.

As for removing the resonant head, how often do you do that? If they are just for resonance, they should last a lifetime.

[Salicete]

The Dynamount should be more solid. I would email Gary Gauger - I have spoken with him and he is interestd in helping people who own his products, so at least give him a chance to diagnose the problem.

As for removing the resonant head, how often do you do that? If they are just for resonance, they should last a lifetime.

Resonant heads do not last a lifetime. Though they do not take the direct beating that a batter does, they do flex, expand and vibrate. Eventually they loose tensile strength, and need to be replaced.

Quite frankly, when my batters get changed out, so do my resos.

PS: Don't drill extra holes, ever.

[druid]

I would not recommend drilling on drums like that on my own. Too much risk for what may or may not be rewarding in the end. Also resonant heads don't last forever. They should be changed every once in awhile they do lose their resiliance and tone. Believe me I changed toms and bottoms on my old set after years of only changing the batters and it makes a nice difference.

[bonzolead]

World max makes floor-tom mounts for mounted toms no drilling required i'm not sure if they make 15" sizes because i've only seen 14" & 16" models.the mounts have rubber grommets that you put your tension rods through so there's no metal to metal contact and sits on a round base with 3 legs.something to ponder.

Bonzolead

[lewisn27]

to drill or not to drill? calm down shakespear!
i wouldn't drill it