weather conditions? help please

[harleeeide]

Hey guys! I just have a question. I recently setup my garage with a drum riser and stuff, and put all of my drums in the garage. I live in Hillsboro, OR and its getting really cold now. I was wondering if really cold temperatures will harm my cymbals/drums/heads/hardware. thanks for the help guys.

ps - if there is any weather condition or setting that you know of that will harm my equipment, can you list that as well?

[drummer]

I've always been told that heat and humidity will harm them but it has to be extreme. I'm not sure about cold. I think just do the best you can to keep down the extremes. Maybe wrap a blanket around the drums themselves. The cold won't hurt the stands or cymbals. Moisture will rust the stands.

Hope this helps.

[drummer]

Oh, and welcome to Drum Chat. We're glad to have you!

[harleeeide]

thanks very much!

[bongobro]

Hey guys! I just have a question. I recently setup my garage with a drum riser and stuff, and put all of my drums in the garage. I live in Hillsboro, OR and its getting really cold now. I was wondering if really cold temperatures will harm my cymbals/drums/heads/hardware. thanks for the help guys.

ps - if there is any weather condition or setting that you know of that will harm my equipment, can you list that as well?

Hey, harleeeide, welcome aboard! You might know another DrumChat member from Hillsboro whose nickname is 1DrumBum! Glad to have you too, man!

If the garage is attached to your house, you might get some heat from the house--not terribly energy-efficient, but it might help. Good call on the risers, since it'll keep the temperature extremes on the floor to a minimum...

Again, welcome to DrumChat! Have fun, bro', and...

[Nelson.M]

I feel a bit silly welcoming you, since I've only just arrived myself. Be that as it may, welcome!

As to weather. Very cold can be harmful particularly if the wood still has a significant amount of moisture in it. If the water in the wood freezes it could damage or change the sound of your drums.

[harleeeide]

thanks for tips again guys, and ill try and figure out a way to run some heat in there but im not sure. as for the temp. according to the weatherman, itll be 24 degrees tomorow morning, and the winter is just starting. so i assume i should wrap em in blankets and get some heat goin? haha heres a pic.

<img src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/annalee8/001.jpg">

[harleeeide]

here was the pic. sorry

[backtodrum]

That is a beautiful kit! Cold tempratures will not hurt anything other than tuning becuase of contraction. Heat is the killer because of expansion popping seams and seperation. I wouldn't worry too much! You could consider keeping them covered when not in use and using a small non flamable space heater set low to maintain constant temperature!! Another consideration; it would take some work is to put a small vent under the drums on the riser and again use a space heater and build a duct to the vent so that the space heater can be away from your kit for extra insurance against damage to your drums. Then just keep them covered and the temprature constant. That is one other thing to consider also is wide swings in temprature also is not good for them.

[harleeeide]

thanks very much! i will consider that!

[coke_can]

wow thats a great kit

[kay-gee]

Extreme cold will check varnish on natural wood drums. However the wrapped ones should be fine. Also, don't play frozen cymbals. they will crack big time.

all the best...

[harleeeide]

oh, thanks for the tips. I guess I could take my cymbals off everytime im done with them to keep in a warm place. definitely dont want them cracking! thanks kay!

[Kjbakke2]

yah as with any wooden instrument
humidity helps prolong the life and make them sound better because the wood is more flexible
however
you dont want to go nuts with it
and heat is a good idea =]

[1DrumBum]

Welcome to Drum Chat harleeelde! I also live in Hillsboro. We should get together and jam sometime.

I agree, keeping the area under the riser ventilated is the best thing you can do. A space heater will help, but your going to have to run it non-stop to keep the temp consistent. Throw a blanket over your kit when your not playing and you should be fine. It does'nt get that cold here!