Crazy Idea for Tom Resonants

[dmb_drummer]

I was just thinking the other day, because recently I applied a hole to the resonant side of my bass drum, that maybe a hole could be done to the resonant side of a tom? Would it be pointless? Maybe it could give the toms more attack. The method used would be like the hot can method, except it's done with the flat side of a nail/ or something else metal that's small enough. I want to try this idea out tommarow, or some time soon, but what are your opinions/thoughts/ideas?

[rendezvous_drummer]

It's been done. Drummers in the 80's used to do this a lot. Larry Mullen Jr. used to do it to his drums. I've never tried it, the older drummers here would be able to give you a description on how it sounds exactly.

[zambizzi]

Isn't the general rule that; any reduction in the resonant side of a drum will reduce its sustain?

[rendezvous_drummer]

Isn't the general rule that; any reduction in the resonant side of a drum will reduce its sustain?

If it's like anything with the Bass Drum, then yes. More attack, less sustain.

[volvoguy]

Sure.... just get a nail gun: Pssst! Pssst!! Psst!! While you're at it, tape an M80 to it and run! :-)

The mass of the punched plastic around the hole would probably kill any sort of resonance. A less destructive method is just to remove the resonant head. If you don't like the change in sound, don't go further.

In short, I wouldn't go there unless you have replacement heads on standby... and already had reason to replace your resonant heads.

-Ryan

[Les Ismore]

Bad idea, you'll ruin the head obviously. If you want to control ring, try muffle 'rings' like you would use on the batter of toms, gravity holds them in place. They can be trimmed thinner, make your own custom ones.

You want all the air moving against the reso head you can get, try plugging your air hole and see what what effect that gives you too.

[KarlCrafton]

By making small pinholes around the edge--like an Evan's snare head--you'll most likely dry up the sound of the drum--like an Evan's snare head--and not really "reduce" the resonance unless it has an internal ring already.

If you have a spare reso head that's in used but decent shape, try it.

Might sound good to you, might not, but it's worth the experiment on a spare head.

The small holes aren't going to spit the head or anything, so maybe try it on a batter head too.

There are some people that use those small Holz products on the reso head.
That's one reason why they offer that 2" size.
Just why someone would want a 2" hole in a reso head, I have no idea, other than for looks...can't imagine it really sounds good.

Otherwise, Moongel, rings or pre-dampened heads will work to reduce the resonance.

Black dot heads give a slightly less resonant sound with more attack too.

It's fun to experiment though, so poke away!

And post the results....crazy ideas are how new things come about.