Drummer Talk

We continue part 2 of our series on drum kit makeovers by giving you everything you need to know about rewrapping your kit!

Opening Detritus

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Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Rich:

I just recently found your podcast and really enjoy listening to you guys talk about drums. I have listened to just about all the recent pod casts you have up but am wondering if there is a way to go back and start from the beginning. I can’t find the option on  my podcast player to go back further then November of last year I believe it’s the episode of PASIC. Any help would be great I dig the info you guys talk about and I don’t have many drummer friends to geek out about drums with.

From Dan:

I recently discovered and love your podcast.  I just finished listening to #252 where you answered Dov’s question about things to be aware of for ultimately switching from an electronic to an acoustic kit.  I would like to offer up an additional suggestion to your excellent ones: to be mindful of where you’re hitting the pad.

As you know, on an acoustic kit there can be large tonal differences between hitting the drum closer to the edge vs. dead-center, probably nowhere more so than on the snare (depending on dampening).  That difference can be used deliberately, but when done accidentally it just sounds like a misfire.  While higher-end modules with positional sensing can replicate this tonal difference to some degree, more-affordable units (such as my Roland TD-9) do not, so you don’t get the same on-center vs. off-center feedback.  I’ve fallen prey to this, so I’ve found that I need to be mindful of where I’m hitting my snare pad since I want left & right strokes to sound the same, irrespective of whether I’m on an electronic or acoustic kit.

Thanks so much for what you do! – Dan

http://www.drummertalk.org/2014/10/23/drummer-talk-232-tips-and-exercises-for-faster-hands/

From Craig:

Hey guys, love the show and wish it came out more often. Can’t wait for the drum wrap show. For future topics if they haven’t been covered it would be awesome to hear a show about custom drum building. I would also love to hear more about the composing you do and the process in which you submit your work for video considerations.  Like yourself many of us drummers are multi-instrumentalist and create compositions but lack the knowledge to see them go any further than our home studios.Thanks guys and keep up the great work!

PS: the addition of Troy has been great. His knowledge from the business perspective has been priceless.

Drummer Talk 10/13/2005 – Custom Drums From A to Z(ed) (Part I)

Drummer Talk 01/16/2006 – Custom Drum from A to Z(ed) (Part II)

News

Foo Fighters Drummer Invites Fan Collaboration on New Song

Lazarus A.D. Drummer Passes Away

Topic Notes

Places to buy materials

Precision Drum Company

Bum Wrap Drum Company

Drum Wraps by Lumigraf

One full Sheet is 24 x 54 and if you’re not good at precision cutting have it done for you

3M 30NF Green Fastbond Contact Adhesive

J Roller

Nylon Pry Bars

Videos of Rewrapping your drums:

Pre production – Remove all hardware, badges and vent holes

Remove old drum wrap – using a heat gun heat the old wrap slowly without melting or burning it. ( I’ve heard of the Iron and towel trick but never used it) Be patient and careful you may accidentally pull a chunk of wood off if you don’t move slowly. If you’re modding your kit not is the time to fill in with dowels all you unwanted holes.

Prepare the shell – if your shell was a single glue seam you will only have to prepare the seam. If your shell was a full glue press then I suggest sanding with 320 grit sand paper all the way around

Layout and cut your wrap to your desired sizes – For dru[...]

We kick off part 1 of our 3-part series on drum kit makeovers by focusing on restoring drums.

Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Dov,

Hey, I’m a long-time listener, and loved episode 251. I started playing drums about 6 or 7 years ago, and, living in an apartment, went with a Roland TD-4 as my kit (the original, not the current one). Like the current TD-11K (http://www.roland.com/products/td-11k), it has a mesh head for the snare, but rubber everyplace else. I played an acoustic kit during my weekly lessons, but other than that, I have only played the V-Drums. Is there anything I should keep in mind, when I eventually start playing an acoustic kit more frequently? Any bad habits to look out for, or ways in which I may need to compensate?

News

Father of U2 Drummer Passes Away

All That Remains Drummer Sidelined By Dental Injury

Science Shows Drummers Are Fitter and Happier Than Everyone Else

Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty to Charges

AC/DC Drummer to Host Clinic in Dublin

Neon Trees Drummer Pregnant

Topic Notes

Determine what type of wrapped kit you have.

Single glue seam – Sheet is wrapped around and glued with a single glue seam – Don’t restore replace

Full glue press – Glue is all the way around

Vintage wrap – etc. Old Nitrocellulose hardened plastic

Modern Wrap –  Delmar , vinyl , PVC

Pvc Sheet – Don’t try to restore replace _ think pearl forum, and export kits from the 80’s-early 2000’s

Hardware Vintage hardware is either nickel or metal chrome plated

For nickel hardware use brasso or LIQUID bar keepers friend

For chrome I like simple green and a dremel polishing bit – sorry if it’s pitted you’re kinda out of luck

Hoops use a Dremel polishing bit

For drying hard to reach places like Snare strainers I use compressed air to blow out the excess liquid

The Process

Start by light sanding 250-300 all the way around Key is light sanding taking off 1000 mics at a time

Move up by 200 grit every step 500 ,600, 800 , 1000, 3000, or jeweler’s rouge

Tools For restoring your drums

Dremel tool    Variable speed 5000 RPM’s

Cordless Detailing Polisher

Polishing Bits

Simple Green

Sandpaper

Sanding block

Rotary sander

Jewelers rouge

Car cutting  compound

Music from this week’s show

Neon Trees – Everybody Talks

Rush – One Little Victory: 2002 Original Mix, 2013 Remix

Neon Trees – Weekend

In closing…

Find out when new articles and next episodes hit by following us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/drummertalk) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/drummertalk)

Want to support Drummer Talk and help us to continue to bring news, reviews, articles, transcriptions, and videos to free to you? Please consider becoming a Drummer Talk patron. You can find out more information including patron rewards (like shout-outs, stickers, T-shirts, and more)  at drummertalk.org/support.  Patron levels start at just $1. Remember, every donation helps keep us on the air and ad free!

Have a topic suggestion or question for the show?  Let us know at www.drummertalk.org/contact

Next week: Drum Kit Makeover Part 2, Rewrapping

So you’re stuck playing on an electronic drum kit. How can you make the best of it?

Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Mike

Thanks Dave,Troy !!! I had a “HOLY [EXPLETIVE]” moment last night listening to the newest podcast , very cool Indeed! THANK YOU for the plug and the link in the show notes!! I was not expecting that , you guys made my night. Very Much appreciated !! Another great episode too!

From Alex

Hello! I have been listening to your show for a bit now and I love it. I don’t know if you guys have covered this topic or not yet and I haven’t found it in a search but I was wondering if y’all could do a show on wrapping your kit, including how the wraps effect a drums tone as well as how difficult it is, if there’s any difference in the types of ways to adhere the wraps, etc. Again, if y’all have already covered this, please tell me which episode it is in so I can listen but I couldn’t find anything. I’d like to hear one straight answer rather than hearsay off a message board. Thanks a lot, guys

News

Ulrich Joins Royal Blood in San Francisco

Stewart Copeland’s Top 5 Tips for Drummers

Ringo Inducted into the RRHOF

WFD Winner – Tom Grosset

Topic Notes – Tips for playing electronic drums

Play to the instrument’s strengths

Use the sounds it brings to the table!

Samples

Commit!  Be prepared to spend at least 3 hours setting up your kits, and what you want to use. It will be worth it!

Change how you play

Your technique

Nuance is lost on electronic kits

Change what you play

The patterns you’re used to playing on an acoustic kit may no longer work

Use it for note entry in notation programs!

Sibelius and Finale

Uncanny Valley – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley

Music from this week’s Show:

Green Day – Basket Case

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – I Hate Myself for Loving You

In closing…

Find out when new articles and next episodes hit by following us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/drummertalk) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/drummertalk)

Want to support Drummer Talk and help us to continue to bring news, reviews, articles, transcriptions, and videos to free to you? Please consider becoming a Drummer Talk patron. You can find out more information including patron rewards (like shout-outs, stickers, T-shirts, and more)  at drummertalk.org/support.  Patron levels start at just $1. Remember, every donation helps keep us on the air and ad free!

Have a topic suggestion or question for the show?  Let us know at www.drummertalk.org/contact

Next week: Drum Wrapping 101

We speak truth today as Dave and Troy discuss how your sound is not derived form the gear you play.

Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Mike:

Hi guys. I’ve recently discovered your podcast and love it ! You are providing a great service to drummers and the drumming community. I especially liked the two part episodes of contracts and how to navigate through them. As a custom drum builder I want take care of my drummers as best I can. I found those podcast got me thinking of things I hadn’t thought of, thanks! Keep doin what you’re doin! Thank you Mike (brooksdrumco.com)

From Martinez:

Hey Dave and Troy! Martinez here again. Last week’s episode you mentioned that you were practicing for you gig and you showed off a 7/8 tempo part you needed to learn. I just wanted to share my own experience when I started to learn odd-time-signature tempos and the difficulty that I had to overcome. To me counting odd time rhythms was never difficult but when all the other instruments kicked in I just couldn’t focus on the beat. It was really difficult for me to start playing songs that had 7/8s and 5/8s etc. So what I did is that I compiled a list of famous music that plays 7/8s and I started to play to those songs. That helped me immensely and it made playing these weird rhythms a lot more fun. Today I can easily play these songs and playing 7/8 today is something I can do without breaking a sweat. So here is my recommended songs that have 7/8 to play to that might serve you or anyone else that is struggling to play odd time signature beats. They are easy to learn and not that hard to master. My personal favourites: Pain Of Salvation – Trace Of Blood, Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill, Soundgarden – Spoonman, Dream Theater – A Change Of Seasons. Thanks for a great show and keep on drumming! You Swedish friend // Martinez

From Brandon:

Hey guys, I really love listening to your show. In the episode on endorsements you guys mentioned “generating income”. As full time employment (especially in percussion) seems to be a rare occurrence, what are some thoughts you have on ways to generate said income as a freelance musician? Do you believe this is a viable career that a person can sustain himself on given the lack of benefits/salary etc? Maybe a show on the life of a freelancer? Thanks guys, Brandon

News

Panic! At the Disco Drummer Leaves Band

Peter Criss on Breast Cancer Detection

Former Lynyrd Skynyrd Drummer Passes Away in Car Crash

Female Drummer Sets New World Record

A.J. Pero Passes Away at 55

Topic Notes

Your sound is not your gear

Taking a set of cymbals and making them work in a multitude of situations 2 Rides 3 Crashes and 1 hihat

Taking an 18in bass drum to a rock gig and making it work

How using gear not built for the situation refines your technique and opens the mind to new approached not considered before

Forcing you to not “buy” your way out of a situation

Understanding the phases and gates of technique “when you’re a hammer everything looks like nails – learning to see a hammer as more than just a bashing tool ie pry bar”

Music from this week’s Show:

Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama

In closing…

Find out when new articles and next episodes hit by following us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/drummertalk) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/drummertalk)

Want to support Drummer Talk and help us to continue to bring news, reviews, articles, transcriptions, and videos to free to you? Please consider becoming a Drummer Talk patron. You can find out more information including patron rewards (like shout-outs, stickers, T-shirts, and more)  at drummertalk.org/support.  Patron levels start at just $1. Remember, every donation helps keep us on the air and ad free!

Have a topic suggestion or question for the show?  Let us know at www.drummertalk.org/contact

Next week:

Tips for Effectively Playing Electronic [...]

We wrap up our 2-parter on endorsement deals on today’s show by focusing on contracts.

Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Jon:

Hi Guys: I just finished listening to podcast 247, your interview w/ Sgt. Jackie Jones. I was her professor at ECU and my students often ask about what a career in military bands is like. From now on I will just give them a link to your podcast w/ Sgt. Jackie. BTW, Jackie was one HARD WORKING student while she was at ECU. Thanks for doing such a great job of sharing valuable information about drumming and careers in music. Best Wishes, Jonathan Wacker Director of Percussion Studies East Carolina University

From Ben:

Its the Mr Roboto Guy Again. Your were freaking me out again when you were discussing the shows you would demand you money back if they didn’t play a certain song. The reason for this note is to explain the “rock pig on pizza” descriptive. Tommy Aldridge had a instructional video on double bass and soloing back in the 80’s and during the video he described his self as a rock pig on pizza and I kinda coined the phrase. He was one of my favorite double bass guys. Simon Phillips was another one of my favorite double bass guys that could play something besides duga duga duga duga with his feet. I really enjoy your show. as a matter of fact, it is the only Podcast that I subscribe to. I drove to Memphis a few years back just to see the drum shop that you always talk about and I don’t even play anymore. Thanks for your podcast, Holla!

News

Transcription – “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters

Ian Paice to Give Free Drum Lessons

Church’s Chicken Exclusive Sponsor for World’s Fastest Drummer

Bruce Crump Passes Away at 57

Topic Notes

Contracts – Get it in writing and if they refuse, just walk away ( The nobel prize is the tombstone on all great works!

So often I hear the contract is the starting point- No the contract is the coffin on the on your deal. when things go bad or wrong the contract is what everyone including the courts will point to as the mediation point.

How you partner during the agreement process sets the tone for your entire relationship

What seems reasonable to the artist is absurd to the business

Gear and how much you can ask for  or what kind of discounts you can receive

Contracts and why you need a contract

The problems with hand shake agreements ” They have greatly left their impact on the industry”

There is no clarity. Many artist left company A to go to company B because they did not rise in the roster while their careers have grown or received greater discounts and access to the company coffers – The exodus from DW to other companies has been very interesting

Reevaluation – as an artist that grows how will you set a date to say ok I’ve had  a good 3 years time for you guys to kick in more on your end because my metrics have grown and I bring more visibility to the table.

When you develop a product with a company ownership and royalty rates are very nebulous. Many companies will blindly start at a 5% royalty rate for all signature gear.

Clear and concise contracting will allow you to “sell your ideas to the company” Many hurt and hard feelings have come about because of this very topic

What’s In an Endorser Contract – Download Sample Here

Terms and conditions

Artist Services

Length of contract

Gear Allowances and Terms for Borrowing and Buying

Level of endorsement – Whatever you can negotiate

Clinic fees and how are they negotiated and split

Travel and what’s included

Signature gear, royalty rates and ownership – Case by Cases Basis

Promise of promotion Magazine Ads promote your product or band.

Consulting for gear and new products

How to submit ideas and bringing your own ideas to the table

Notice of change of endorsement and what is expected from this You have to give the gear back at your expense and there may be penalties involved

Some Food For Thought

Legal is[...]

Professor Troy schools us on the ins and outs of endorsement deals. #SwagsDay Recap: I lost a gig one time because ___________________. @cgeorge303 –  I asked about the pay. (winner of ProMark Select Balance Sticks!) @MonkeyTown62 –  I lost a gig one time because fell thru a split stage during soundcheck and broke my wrist!!(...)