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Thread: Drum Keys

  1. #1

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    There are so many different drum keys out there, and for the longest time, I have used a regular old drum key. I play snare for a brass marching band, and I was looking at two new keys. The first is a ratchet drum key, and the other is a speed key. Just looking for thoughts and opinions before I buy a new one.

  2. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by kabbanger View Post
    There are so many different drum keys out there, and for the longest time, I have used a regular old drum key. I play snare for a brass marching band, and I was looking at two new keys. The first is a ratchet drum key, and the other is a speed key. Just looking for thoughts and opinions before I buy a new one.
    Hey Kabbanger, welcome to DC! Back in my drumline days, when playing high tensioned drums, I used a Ludwig ratchet key. I have one in my collection now, but only use it to tear down and set up a particular hhat stand.

    Is your marching snare cranked way up? If so the ratchet key is easy on the fingers. It's good to have a standard key on stand-by for head changes. The ratchet key is awkward for spinning off the T-rods. There is a key out called the Firefly. I would have liked one of those back in my drumline days.

  3. #3

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    I have a rachet key. It comes in handy once in a while.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by kabbanger View Post
    There are so many different drum keys out there, and for the longest time, I have used a regular old drum key. I play snare for a brass marching band, and I was looking at two new keys. The first is a ratchet drum key, and the other is a speed key. Just looking for thoughts and opinions before I buy a new one.
    For marching drums, I use a yamaha drum key like this one:



    It has extra long arms on it to give you more leverage when cranking. It spins really well when the rods are loose. I have never used a ratchet key, but I don't see why it wouldn't work, though you wouldn't be able to spin it on each rod.

    Tan

  5. #5

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    I've got a speed key in my collection of keys. It's not bad for getting things in the general ballpark quickly. The fine tuning I do with the ol' tried and true standard key.
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  6. #6

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    Ratchet key.
    TAMA- '2018 Star Walnut, ‘99 Starclassic Performer, '89 Granstar, ‘93 Rockstar
    Gretsch- 1963 Round Badge
    Zildjian
    Remo
    Vic Firth
    Speed Cobra Double Pedal Blackout Edition
    Speed Cobra Hi Hat
    Hardware- TAMA Roadpro
    Snare Drums- various TAMA, Gretsch, Ludwig, Leedy
    Mic's- Sennheiser, Shure, AKG

  7. #7

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    I use a "drill bit" drum key for quick drumhead changes, and a regular DW drum key for fine tuning. Works fantastic, and they were both under $8 each.
    Kit: Pacific LX 8-Ply - Maple shells in deep blue lacquer * DDrum 13 X 6.5" Golf Ball Snare
    Cymbals: 21" AAX Raw Bell Dry Ride * 20" Paragon Crash * Zildjian 20" Custom Ozone Crash * 18" XS20 Medium Thin Crash * 14" AAX-Celerator Hi-Hats * 10" AAX Splash
    Misc: Vater 2-4-5-1 Hickory Sticks * DW 7000 Pedal * Evans Heads * SP Cymbal Stands * PDP 900 Hi-Hat and Snare Stand * Gibralter Throne

  8. #8

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    I just use a really cheap standard drum key, of which the brand is unknown. I picked it up for $5 and it does everything I need it to.
    - Zack

  9. #9

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    Kabbanger, you should check out this guy's collection.

    http://www.drumkeys.eu/dresler.asp
    "...it's the Paradigm Of The Cosmos!" Stewart Copeland on Youtube

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  10. #10

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    Something innovative Premier was doing years ago. They slotted the tension rod heads so that in a pinch you could turn them with a flat screw driver or a coin.

    all the best...

  11. #11

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    speedkey and regular. Worth an extra two or three dollars.

    Don't waste time n money with cheap pot metal keys.
    RDM/Damage Poets
    UFiP TAMAHA Zildjian
    REGAL TiP
    AQUARIAN

  12. #12

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    Ive got the key that came with my kit, one that was given to me by a good friend, and 3 or 4 from the local drumshop that were given to me. I go in to try a kit and ask for a key to tune it a bit and when I go to give the key back they tell me to keep it lol.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by drumsetsnide View Post
    Ratchet key.
    I have maybe 10 drum keys; I don't know where they all came from.

    I do like the ratchet key but in some circumstances (tom stands, cymbal stands, other hardware) I have stripped out screws/threads.

    The ratchet key can sometimes provide more leverage than required so you have to be careful.
    Gretsch USA & Zildjian
    (What Else Would I Ever Need ?)


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