What effect does the center mounting of lugs have on the sound of toms and bass drums? I read that YAMAHA's original Recording Series used that method for it's reduction effect on shell vibration and resonance, making them more close mike friendly.
Coffee Break2
In the case of Ludwig club dates it seems to increase the resonance by a small degree apparently due to less mass being bolted to the shell. A lot of guys swear by this more "open" sound of the club date drums. I'd assume the Gretsch Playboys, Slingerland Stage Bands, and Rogers Tower models would be similar.
I'm not sure if Recording Customs would fall into the same category as those lugs were more like extended "high tension" style lugs which would actually add more mass to the shell than two regular lugs, rather than the small center mounted lugs on the older drums.
Echoing K.O.'s comments, I have both a Camco Oaklawn Tuxedo (single lug) and an Aristocrat (split lug) bass drum. The Tuxedo has a slightly fuller tone with a bit more character when I place them side by side, but the difference is negligible. Especially if you use any type of muffling at all.
Plus, center lug drums are a little bit lighter too. ;)
I was actually just thinking about center lug drums this morning. I find it interesting that I always see comments like "those are a nice little kits to play". When in fact, they use the exact same shells as the double lugged models. The Rogers Tower kit models (Comet and Delta) are some excellent drums. A lot of Comet kits (tom, snare, bass) were sold with the 16x16 Holiday floor toms and the Delta kits came with the, now in high demand, 14x14 floor tom.
As far as effect on sound. I bet there is some physics involved, since there is less mass on the shell. Plus, the position of the lugs in the center allow more of the sound waves to travel through the wood of the shell. If the lugs are closer to the bearing edges, then the sound waves don't get to travel uninterrupted through more of the shell. This is all speculation, since I do not have a degree in physics or the tools to test. But I did stay the night at a Holiday Inn Express. ;)
Bottom line, center lug kits are just cool!
-Tim
I'm not sure if Recording Customs would fall into the same category as those lugs were more like extended "high tension" style lugs which would actually add more mass to the shell than two regular lugs, rather than the small center mounted lugs on the older drums.
And Recording Customs are much thicker shells v club dates 3 ply, correct?
I think this may be the reason why companies like C&C drums' Player date series are so successful..The aesthetic appeal and vintage vibe is also a factor..But i would agree with some of the comments, where simple physics of less hardware will allow the drum shell to resonate a lot more freely.. I personally love single tension drums, and recently missed out on an opportunity to buy a vintage MIJ kit with those types of lugs ..
As far as effect on sound. I bet there is some physics involved ... This is all speculation, since I do not have a degree in physics or the tools to test.
It sure would be nice if some drum magazine would go to the trouble to make and publish standardized tests. It should be pretty easy to measure impact and decay (ETC test) and it would be nice is someone independent of the manufacturers would do it in a consistent manner.
The mounting position of the center lugs is contrary to the so called "nodal point" lug placement philosophy:
NODAL POINT LUG MOUNTING: Although not nearly as apparent to the naked eye, a drum shell vibrates in much the same manner as a guitar string. By placing the lug post at the nodal point of the shell's natural wavelength, the intrinsic tone-creating vibration is virtually unaffected by the mass of the lug. The shell rings true. Instead of all drumhead sound, the shell itself adds to the ultimate tone of the drum.
Coffee Break2
