gconyers
Senior Member
I've had a set of Yamaha MCA drums with nouveau lugs that I bought new in 2008. For some reason, I've never been able to clear the heads properly when tuning the 10" and 12" toms.
I've been able to get decent sounds from these but not that pure and even tone at each lug without any nasty overtones. In fact, it always seems to be two lugs, directly across from each other, that sound "dead" when I tap near them. These same lugs are also significantly looser than the others. I've cleaned and lubed the lugs /bolts but to no avail. I've always chalked this up to poorly made lug inserts.
I tested the bearing edges on my glass top stove and glass end tables ( I realize that they may not be perfectly flat) and it would appear that there is a slight gap in some areas which in turn causes the drum to slightly wobble on the glass (nearly imperceptable though). I was able to slide the edge of a sheet of paper under these spots.
I also tested the die cast hoops and they also appear to be slightly uneven and rock on the same glass tops.
How bad does the unevenness of a bearing edge really have to be to affect the tuning of a drum? When I put a new head on the drum it spins freely and appears to sit flat without any rocking. I've tried both Evans and Remo heads and still have the same problem.
I consider myself to be a decent tuner and have spent countless hours trying to perfect my technique to tune each drum so it resonates to its maximum potential.
Now I'm starting to believe that it was never my inability to tune but a problem with the drums which in time has caused the hoops to warp slightly.
I live in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and have googled for drum repair shops in the area. The only place I've been able to find is at Just Drums in Toronto which is over an hours drive from me. Any members from this area that can recommend any repair shops other than JD's?
If it turns out that there was a bearing edge issue from the start, I'll be really disappointed because these are top quality drums and I've taken great care of them in every respect.
Grant
I've been able to get decent sounds from these but not that pure and even tone at each lug without any nasty overtones. In fact, it always seems to be two lugs, directly across from each other, that sound "dead" when I tap near them. These same lugs are also significantly looser than the others. I've cleaned and lubed the lugs /bolts but to no avail. I've always chalked this up to poorly made lug inserts.
I tested the bearing edges on my glass top stove and glass end tables ( I realize that they may not be perfectly flat) and it would appear that there is a slight gap in some areas which in turn causes the drum to slightly wobble on the glass (nearly imperceptable though). I was able to slide the edge of a sheet of paper under these spots.
I also tested the die cast hoops and they also appear to be slightly uneven and rock on the same glass tops.
How bad does the unevenness of a bearing edge really have to be to affect the tuning of a drum? When I put a new head on the drum it spins freely and appears to sit flat without any rocking. I've tried both Evans and Remo heads and still have the same problem.
I consider myself to be a decent tuner and have spent countless hours trying to perfect my technique to tune each drum so it resonates to its maximum potential.
Now I'm starting to believe that it was never my inability to tune but a problem with the drums which in time has caused the hoops to warp slightly.
I live in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and have googled for drum repair shops in the area. The only place I've been able to find is at Just Drums in Toronto which is over an hours drive from me. Any members from this area that can recommend any repair shops other than JD's?
If it turns out that there was a bearing edge issue from the start, I'll be really disappointed because these are top quality drums and I've taken great care of them in every respect.
Grant