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Tom mufflers: Use them? Last viewed: 1 minute ago

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Recently I have been frustrated by a rattling / buzzing / noisy muffler on one of my toms. On a different kit (than my current daily driver) I just decided to remove the mufflers, but kept the knobs on for looks.

Has anyone done this also? Please take part in my poll, as I am curious as to whether there are any trends in regards to mufflers on toms. Most modern drums these days do not even have mufflers on them - but as you see I am wondering primarily about your VINTAGE kits - and as you also see, I am starting this thread here at VDF and not DFO.

Seriously thinking about removing all of my mufflers on all my toms (but keep the knobs).

I had a great day! Instead of sleeping in and wasting the day, I got up at 8 and I had all my slacking done by noon!

2Timothy1:7
Posted on 9 years ago
#1
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Truthfully any of my drums that have them I keep them in and will use them. The drums that don't have them, end up getting moongel ( if I have clear heads ) I don't use it as much with coated heads.

18 Kits & 40+ snares..
Not a Guru, just addicted to drums

- Jay
Posted on 9 years ago
#2
Posts: 545 Threads: 67
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I never use them, but keep 'm in just to keep the drum as complete as possible. And for the looks off course. I make sure they don't rattle.

If I ever need muffling (in case of recording) I use whatever is around (a cymbal filt for example) and some tape. I like to be able to place it on an exact location on the head, which is not possible with an internal muffler.

Vintage and custom drum projects:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...2305272732%3A6
Posted on 9 years ago
#3
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Sometimes I have them on, but just touching the head. Sometimes not at all. It can make a difference, but there's lots of variables - the room, acoustics, style of music you're playing etc - it won't always be the same every time. But if you're getting a rattle then maybe you need to have a good look at the muffler and maybe take it apart, clean and rebuild. Might be something wrong with it - loose nut on the shell bolt, for example. That's happened to me. I've also had lug mounting bolts fall out inside the drum! That's a whole load of no fun! Good luck! Hurting

Posted on 9 years ago
#4
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+1 with the above post!

I like to keep my drums, especially vintage drums, as original as possible. As for rattling, the best I've found for NOT rattling always seem to be the Slingerland mufflers from the early 70's on; the ones with the integrated knob and threaded rod. Most of the vintage Ludwig mufflers tend to rattle, as the leather washer shrinks/deforms from use. These are fixed by my girlfriend, who wraps thread around the post, just underneath the washer and ties it off. Finally, with Rogers mufflers, there's not too much you can do it the pivot holes in the frame have worn so much and just allow the mechanism to rattle. I usually have to find better mufflers!

-Mark

Posted on 9 years ago
#5
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I have them on in the house/studio, but some large venue gigs and outdoors, I turn them off.

Drum Kits
1965 Ludwig Clubdate Oyster Blue
1966 Ludwig Clubdate Oyster Black
1969 Ludwig BB Blue Oyster Keystone Clubdate
1971 Ludwig BB Black Oyster
Early 60's Camco Oaklawns Champagne Sparkle
Posted on 9 years ago
#6
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I voted yes but with the caveat suggested by Mr. McHugh above. Off is my default setting, but sometimes the situation calls for the lightest possible use.

Most of my drums are 1970s Slingerlands, so I can vouch for what Mark said: I haven't had a problem yet with rattling.

Al

9x Slingerland New Rock 50N 12-13-16-22 with 170 (Super S-O-M) holder
• 1979 Oak
• 1978 Blakrome + 6.5x14 TDR SD
• 1977 Black Diamond Pearl + 5x14 SD (gold badge, Rapid strainer)
• 1976 Black Cordova
• 1975 Silver Sparkle + 5x14 SD (Rapid strainer)
• 1974 Chrome + 5x14 COB TDR and 6.5x14 COW Zoomatic SDs
• 1973 Purple Sparkle
• 1973 Phantom (clear)
• 1971 Walnut (gold badges) + 5x14 TDR SD
1x Rogers Powertone Londoner V 12-13-16-22
• 1972 Butcher Block + 1979 big R Dynasonic SD
Posted on 9 years ago
#7
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37
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I use them and have to, I hit very hard and they kill the ring so I can hear each note. Without them the notes kinda blend together because the ring don`t stop before I hit it again. It cleans it up. My sister plays in churches and concerts and don`t use them as much if at all, she don`t hit hard.

I say if you hit hard, you need them. I hate moon gel because you sometimes hit that. It has to be really well made, like the barrel nut kind, or if you hit it, it might break or just rattle because it`s cheaply made.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 9 years ago
#8
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I've only bought the actual name brand moon gel and never had any issues, I don't use it too often though. But nice little thing to have in the stick bag just in case.

18 Kits & 40+ snares..
Not a Guru, just addicted to drums

- Jay
Posted on 9 years ago
#9
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I have them on all my toms and use them when the situation needs them. It is possible to tune a drum so no muffling is needed but it can take a lot of time. Most times enough time is not available at gigs.

Posted on 9 years ago
#10
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