Bearing Edge

[jbsg02]

So after being fed up with my Ludwig Acrolite snare, I checked the bearing edge and found out that it wasn't perfect on top. There is a slight indention that runs for about 6 inches of the edge, and is only a millimeter or two indent, maybe from being dropped by a previous owner. How much of a flaw could be considered acceptable?

[LeeLovesSabian]

That Depends.
Does it affect the tuning of your snare drum, badly?

[harryconway]

If you have issues with your snare, then the bearing edge is probably the "smoking gun". I recently did a reconstruction/repair job on a 16x16 Rogers floor tom. Severe damage (I thought) to the reso. bearing edge. Water damage, ply separation, split shell. Even "after my repair", I was ready to cut the drum down and put a new bearing edge on it. (make it a 16x14). But I didn't need to. Put it together, tuned it up, sounded great. Not only to me (I never just trust MY ears to these things) but to 2 other seasoned drummers as well. If it works, it works....now, back to your snare. Sounds like it "doesn't work". That, in my book, would be an "unacceptable flaw". Have it checked out at a drum shop.

[jbsg02]

I checked my other 2 snares, one being a 64 ludwig, it was even further off. Even my brand new yamaha snare wasn't totally perfect. Our granite countertops are %100 percent flat, but they are pretty close to get a decent reading.

[harryconway]

See, I don't believe in "fixing something that isn't broke". If a drum sounds good. Tunes up easy. I'm good to go. I'll never even look at the bearing edge. Or measure it to see if it's "out of round". I know some guys that do. They look for problems that don't exist. I'm "too simple" for that. I worry about a drum if it "doesn't sound good". And your snare, from description, sounds like it falls into that category. Acrolite's are known to be nice drums. If you're "fed up", that's not a good sign. Customer non-satisfaction. Doesn't matter how "in or out" of tolerance it is. Your 64 Luddie sounds good. Keep it. Your Yamaha sounds good. Keep it. Your countertop works. Chop onions on it. The Acrolite's not so good. Fix it/sell it/trade it.

[jbsg02]

See, I don't believe in "fixing something that isn't broke". If a drum sounds good. Tunes up easy. I'm good to go. I'll never even look at the bearing edge. Or measure it to see if it's "out of round". I know some guys that do. They look for problems that don't exist. I'm "too simple" for that. I worry about a drum if it "doesn't sound good". And your snare, from description, sounds like it falls into that category. Acrolite's are known to be nice drums. If you're "fed up", that's not a good sign. Customer non-satisfaction. Doesn't matter how "in or out" of tolerance it is. Your 64 Luddie sounds good. Keep it. Your Yamaha sounds good. Keep it. Your countertop works. Chop onions on it. The Acrolite's not so good. Fix it/sell it/trade it.

I'm about to get a black beauty, so the acrolite will probably be sold for frustrating me so much. and by the way, i hate onions!

[harryconway]

Well, onions or no onions, the Black Beauty is a wonderful snare. Hopefully, you can find one for "a deal". I have the Ahead version. Wonderful drum.

[grooveweapon]

If you have issues with your snare, then the bearing edge is probably the "smoking gun". I recently did a reconstruction/repair job on a 16x16 Rogers floor tom. Severe damage (I thought) to the reso. bearing edge. Water damage, ply separation, split shell. Even "after my repair", I was ready to cut the drum down and put a new bearing edge on it. (make it a 16x14). But I didn't need to. Put it together, tuned it up, sounded great. Not only to me (I never just trust MY ears to these things) but to 2 other seasoned drummers as well. If it works, it works....now, back to your snare. Sounds like it "doesn't work". That, in my book, would be an "unacceptable flaw". Have it checked out at a drum shop.

I have the same thing going on with my Tama Starclassic birch performer kit. One of my toms and one of my two kick drums have pretty large chunks taken out of some of the plies on the resonant side. For whatever reason, though, it doesn't seem to have affected the sound at all.

I'm not a seasoned pro when it comes to hearing difference sound qualities in drums, but I am very picky about my sound and I never noticed it until I went to take off the bottom head.

...As for jbsg02... Have you ever thought flipping around your snare so the batter is the snare side and vise versa? This would require detaching the strainer and flipping it around too. Maybe it would have less of an affect on the snare side? Just a thought, and if there's no other way around it, this might be something worth trying.

[stasz]

See, I don't believe in "fixing something that isn't broke". If a drum sounds good. Tunes up easy. I'm good to go... Your 64 Luddie sounds good. Keep it. Your Yamaha sounds good. Keep it. Your countertop works. Chop onions on it.

LOL very nice speech regarding the philosophy of "sound is number one" harry.

[jbsg02]

I have the same thing going on with my Tama Starclassic birch performer kit. One of my toms and one of my two kick drums have pretty large chunks taken out of some of the plies on the resonant side. For whatever reason, though, it doesn't seem to have affected the sound at all.

I'm not a seasoned pro when it comes to hearing difference sound qualities in drums, but I am very picky about my sound and I never noticed it until I went to take off the bottom head.

...As for jbsg02... Have you ever thought flipping around your snare so the batter is the snare side and vise versa? This would require detaching the strainer and flipping it around too. Maybe it would have less of an affect on the snare side? Just a thought, and if there's no other way around it, this might be something worth trying.

The snare bed would make that impossible, I might have a friend look at it and see if he can suggest anything.

[crdirtRider856]

So I m gonna bring my problem here instead of making a thread...sorry jbsd, but I ve got a similar problem with my 3 ply Ludwig... I have a low spot on my 14" ft that always leaves a wrinkle in the head. Its about 3" long and about +/- 16th in. at its lowest. Should I sand it out over 3 or 4 lugs distance or get the whole edge redone? Or just keep the moongel on it to "hold" the wrinkle down?

Anyone?

[harryconway]

..... 3 ply Ludwig... I have a low spot on my 14" ft that always leaves a wrinkle in the head. Its about 3" long and about +/- 16th in. at its lowest. Should I sand it out over 3 or 4 lugs distance or get the whole edge redone?


Personally, I'd take on the job myself, first. Fix it...you saved money, and you got something "you did" to be proud of. Mess up, no big deal. Let a Pro-Shop have at it then. I've seen cats work those 3 ply edges with just sanding blocks. Takes a good eye, really, is all.

[jbsg02]

I looked at all 4 of my snare drums, and none seem to have an absolute perfect edge, but its generally only a millimeter or 2 indent. I'm beginning to wonder how many drums really are "perfect"