VERY HARD DRUM QUESTION?

Question

Ok I have a tama imperialstar with a 22 inch bass. The problem is my snare drum sounds horrible!!! Please awnser if YOU have the same drum kit and know what I'm talking about. Please help me find the perfect drum heads for this certain type of drum kit!

Answer 1

Hey Julez- Without actually hearing the drum, I'd have to suggest a number of things to try. When I'm dealing with a "problem" (snare) drum, here's what I do: First, I take the snares off, and remove both heads. If there is an internal damper (knob on outside of drum moves a small round felt pad inside drum up and down), I'd make sure that's working right and turned "down" so as to not touch the top head once you put it back on. Next I'd take a scrub pad and wipe down both the top and bottom rims to make sure they are as smooth as possible. Then I'd get some cork grease and lightly rub it around the top of the rims where the head meets the rim. So much for prep: Now, your choice of head is a "personal preference" thing, but if you are going to be doing a lot of hard heavy playing, I'd suggest getting a medium/thick . Then I'd go with a Remo Emperor series batter head but then get a THINNER snare head (Ambassador or the like). The heavier the batter (top) head the warmer sound you should get. Put the top head on first and tune it to give the kind of "bounce"/feel you like (again personal preference). With the bottom head, you don't want it 'super tight'. If you tap the top head and then the bottom head, try listening to the tone of each and tune the bottom head a third or fourth below the top head. The more responsive the bottom head vibrates when you hit the top head, the more the snares will sound and the warmer sound you will get. Now put the snares back on and adjust everything as you like. If the drum sounds to low (pitch) or too high, start with the top head first (tighten/loosen), then the bottom head. If you are still hearing that metallic "ring" then go ahead and tighten the internal damper to where it contacts the top head. That should stop it. If not, there are a number of things you can do or buy to stop the ringing. You can buy thin plastic 'rings' that sit on the top of your top head that cut down the ringing. I've seen (and used) a little square of duct tape put on the edge of the top head to cut the ringing down, as well as another trick of taking some sponge rubber (like these pool 'noodle' toys are made of) cut a strip and glue it to the inside rim of the drum just below the batter head (so it touches when the head is in place) and that will definitely cut down the ring. (I use these on my tom toms on my own kit right now!) Anyway - hope that helps.

Answer 2

You don't say what size your snare is or what type of drum heads you have on it. I have a couple of TAMA snare drums. Keep in mind no snare will sound alike or like a fat pre recorded snare that you might hear on a CD or on the radio. If you over tighten your snare strainer your snare will sound like crap. A drum always sounds better a few feet away from the drummer that is playing it. Tama makes great snares, as well as Ludwig, Gretsch. Pearl etc. If you can`t get it to sound good try different skin head and strainer setups.

If you are a sloppy drummer all of the drums you strike will sound like ****.

Answer 3

im no drummer, but have occassionally sat back there, evans hydraulic pack.gotta love the blunt dark sounds.almost no decay or pop

Answer 4

you need good head.