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Snare drum tuning method with loose/wobbly batter skin on one side Last viewed: 7 hours ago

Posts: 5 Threads: 3

A few years ago I stumbled on to a site about drumtuning. One item was the snare tuning where a jazz drummer from the 30'/40'/50's (?) put his batter skin completely loose on one side (until it wobbles!) to get a really fat beat and to dampen the snare.

Recently I remembered this and I tried it with an old Ludwig Pioneer snare from the 50's. And yes, very unconventional but it worked fine, especially for soul!!

But now I can't find this info back on the net anywhere. Can anybody help me or tell me the name of this drummer, purely out of interest.

Thanks

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 1311 Threads: 9

I've never heard of that tuning technique,and I pretty sure you'll either wearout/dent or start breaking drum heads on a regular basis.

That will also give you almost NO tone or resonance to speak of.

Try using some gaff tape or moongel also

You can get a fatter sound by using thicker single ply or two ply heads and backing off the reso side head.

Make sure the snares are just making full contact also,and not too tight.

Especialy with an old pioneer,that will work a little better, than tuning below a wrinkle.

Steve B

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

The old timers would put their wallet on the batter head (if you're out to kill the drum.) Loose tuning will accomplish the same thing, but it will ruin heads, Steve is absolutely right about that.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 351 Threads: 22

So if you really want to follow that tune, use some tottaly worn out 14 head. And tune bottom snare head high.

---------------------
In case of deal with johnnyringo:
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/show...80&postcount=1
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 5 Threads: 3

Thanks for all the tips!:

I've tried them all over the years and they all work in different ways.

Letting it wrinkle on one side will probably ruin my head in the end indeed. :)

Soundwise its very similar to the wallet trick as posted, but the sound remains slightly muddier and strangely enough a bit more open.

*But I still just want to know the name of the drummer who used this trick, anyone?*

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
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