Another tip from an “Old Dog”.

Whenever you change a drum head, or have some other occasion to have one head off of the drum, it is also a good time to do some simple maintenance checks.

Are any of the lug screws or fasteners on the inside loose from playing?  Then tighten them up. 

Are bearing edges still smooth and free of dents and dings?  If not then get a professional to make the necessary repairs.

Are the counter hoops still flat and even?  Lay them down on a level surface and make sure they aren’t warped.  If so, you need to replace them or else you WILL have problems with tensioning and tuning.

If you have strainers, snare butts, mounts, spurs, or other hardware mounted onto your drum; make sure that the bushings, springs, etc. are working correctly.

Are the snare wires themselves worn out?  Then it is time for new ones. 

Any stripped tension rods or missing washers?  Then replace them.

It only takes a few minutes to check these things, and since our drums do take a bit of a beating they also deserve a little TLC on occasion.

Tags: Maintenance