When do re-rings need to be added?

[RobertM]

Six-ply toms usually do not need re-rings, even when they are thin (Tama has 6 ply/5 mm, Yamaha has 6 ply/6 mm, Taye has 6 ply/4.5 mm even).

Keller offers 6 ply toms in 4 mm thickness as a standard, per Precision Drums and a few others. Is that too thin if you tune high? When do re-rings need to be added, from a engineering point of view?

[bobdadruma]

Re-Rings do not need to be in a shell for structure purposes anymore.
They are a throw back from days gone by when drum shells were not as stable as they are today.
They are only added today to change the sound of a drum shell.

This practice is argumentative.
Some drummers swear that Re-Rings make a big difference and some say that there is a minimal, or no difference in the sound.

[dxtrinc]

RobertM

What re-rings do is raise the pitch of the drum slightly, add attack, and give more surface area for the head to sit on.

This makes it easier to pick a tone for a drum as you can pick the ply that you start your bearing edge from.

It can also be a nice way to get a real big round over if your looking for that really toneful kind of sound.

I like them a lot personally and my kit has them. But it is as always personal preference.

dxtr

[Mikecore]

Precision drum recommends them for 5 and 6 ply shells, but if you are using a shell that thin for tight tunings, then I would say they can only help, and I would feel better about the round of the shell under higher stress with rings in it.

Contrarily, if I were building an 8" tom to match Terry Bozzio's main 8" tom (an A, which is pretty low for this diameter), then I would use a thin shell and forgo the re-rings, since I would want to draw as much low end out of the shell as possible, and the tension of such a low tuning isn't really enough to threaten the roundness of the shell over time (in theory).

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by bobdadruma

Re-Rings do not need to be in a shell for structure purposes anymore.

That's true for multiple ply Bob, but not for steambent single ply shells. For multiple ply heads, as you pointed out, it's a sound manipulating decision, with the exception of ultra thin shells (4mm and under).

[bobdadruma]

Originally Posted by keep it simple

That's true for multiple ply Bob, but not for steambent single ply shells. For multiple ply heads, as you pointed out, it's a sound manipulating decision, with the exception of ultra thin shells (4mm and under).

That's right I was referring to the thick shelled multiple ply drums that most drummers own.

I also own a Gretsch kit from the mid seventies with 4mm thick mahogany multiple ply shells that do not require Re-Rings. The drums have round bearing edges.
When I bought that kit new I was leary of the fact that it didn't have rings. I guess that the test of time has shown that it didn't.
All of these drums are in fine shape after being smacked around for the past 35 years.

Like you said, It is safe to say that most drums do not need them for structure.
There are exceptions.

[RobertM]

Yes, this is what Precision Drum offers: Keller 6-ply shells that are 4 mm thick. They are strong enough, but the folks at PD said that you may want to consider rerings for the shell if it will be tuned high--or move up to an 8-ply/5.4mm shell (i.e., the shell that Spaun and GMS use).

The PD folks also said that using a wrap finish on such a shell (6 ply/4 mm) makes a difference vs. having that shell satin oiled or lacquered. Apparently, adding the wrap adds structural strength to the shell in a way that satin oil obviously cannot.

[eamesuser]

Vintage Sling and Lud shells were not cross laminated,and 50 per cent of the material was poplar,probably the softest hardwood around so they needed reinforcement,the gretsch shells were gum and maple and cross laminated so they they were strong enough and stiff enough to handle the high tunings that a lot of drummers like to tune them to sonically and structurally.

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by bobdadruma

I also own a Gretsch kit from the mid seventies with 4mm thick mahogany multiple ply shells. The drums have round bearing edges.
.

Ooooo, Bob, that sounds like a very sexy combo right there. Are they wrapped? With a deep fundamental tone & round edges, I bet that baby delivers the perfect warm thud!

[bobdadruma]

Originally Posted by keep it simple

Ooooo, Bob, that sounds like a very sexy combo right there. Are they wrapped? With a deep fundamental tone & round edges, I bet that baby delivers the perfect warm thud!

No they are Rosewood color finished.
They are warm and fuzzy. The drums were originally concert toms. I added the resos a few years ago.

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by bobdadruma

No they are Rosewood color finished.
They are warm and fuzzy. The drums were originally concert toms. I added the resos a few years ago.

Glad to hear that Bob. I'd never put very thin shells in a hard plastic straight jacket, & I bet nature's beauty shines through too! Any pictures or sound clips?