tunning acrylic drums?

**itchie** · 05-24-2011, 07:48 AM

Just wondering how other players approach acrylic drums with tunning and head choice's

**Northern Redneck** · 05-24-2011, 11:08 AM

Clear CS (black dots)
if you go on youtube, there is a video explaining Bonhams tuning.

**late8** · 05-24-2011, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Northern Redneck

Clear CS (black dots)
if you go on youtube, there is a video explaining Bonhams tuning.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D3QWwGBhBs&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D3QWwGBhBs&feature=related[/ame]

**itchie** · 05-24-2011, 08:58 PM

not really the sound im after

**itchie** · 05-25-2011, 02:43 AM

i want this sound ...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX_7W-TDnu8&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - ‪Drum licks‬&rlm;[/ame]

**Russ** · 05-25-2011, 03:20 AM

He's using a clear Aquarian superkick 1 or 2, with a pillow for bass. For snare/toms it looks like coated 1 or 2 ply heads, probably Remo's, with cast hoops at a medium tuning.

**itchie** · 05-25-2011, 09:03 PM

i spent a good hour re-seating the stock heads before a gig last night..

turned out pritty good

**veafer** · 05-26-2011, 08:31 AM

Acrylic drums can be a nightmare to tune. I had a set of late 70's Vistalites that I just loved to look at, but compared to tuning a set of wood drums, it took a bit of getting used too. A much brighter sound, in fact, I didn't use the snare because no matter how low I tried to tune it, it was so bright that it almost overwhelmed the whole kit. Back then, we didn't have the selection of heads to choose from that you have today. They came with the Remo Emperors Black Dot heads, and then you still had to use the muffler and some type of cloth strip to calm them down. But when you did get them dialed in, WOW! Still get goosebumps thinking about that sound.

**Pearl MCX Man** · 05-26-2011, 10:26 AM

In the video they have alot of overtones especially the snare. Is this realy the way that those drums sounded when Bonham played them. Maybe the music from the other instruments buried that sound. I am a Led fan but don't recall all those overtones.Those heads sure sound tight too. Just wondering.

**marko138** · 05-26-2011, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Pearl MCX Man

In the video they have alot of overtones especially the snare. Is this realy the way that those drums sounded when Bonham played them. Maybe the music from the other instruments buried that sound. I am a Led fan but don't recall all those overtones.Those heads sure sound tight too. Just wondering.

Bonham was known to tune his heads pretty tight.

**veafer** · 05-26-2011, 04:58 PM

It's really amazing how different drums sound when you hear them from different perspectives. With or without a band makes a hugh difference, just as the difference from behind the kit as to 30 feet in front of it. All sort of stuff goes into recording drums to get a particular sound. Have you ever heard anyone else play your kit and listen to it from out it front? If you havn't, give it a try. You might just be surprised.

**Northern Redneck** · 05-26-2011, 05:15 PM

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfMh-bW6y-I&NR=1"]YouTube - ‪LUDWIG Zepset Vistalite 1/2 John Bonham Kit com Mike Maeda‬&rlm;[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucPCu3vPEIc&feature=related"]YouTube - ‪LUDWIG Zepset Vistalite 2/2 John Bonham Kit com Mike Maeda‬&rlm;[/ame]

**Northern Redneck** · 05-26-2011, 05:17 PM

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkIaYsx_cgI&feature=related"]YouTube - ‪John Bonham Amber Vistalite drum sound trial # 2 Bruce McGregor‬&rlm;[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNzTo0lM5nE&feature=related"]YouTube - ‪Bruce McGregor's Tribute to "John Bonham" - Immigrant song.‬&rlm;[/ame]

**itchie** · 05-26-2011, 05:59 PM

Might be an idea to make a vid of my kit … then we can go from there … my kick snare and rack Tom sound great but my floor toms are a bit wonky

**itchie** · 05-27-2011, 03:50 AM

ok........ no more John Bonham vids please

5 is enough

**Russ** · 05-27-2011, 05:50 AM

I have found that a deader head combination works better the deeper the shell diameter. The problem is not deadening too much, because acrylic is a bright and dry shell as it is. Also, any dampening you apply is readily noticeable under a stage light- these things are like x-rays. Have you tried pinstripe batters?

**itchie** · 05-27-2011, 11:48 AM

how about shell thickness?

**Northern Redneck** · 05-27-2011, 02:53 PM

I guess it comes down to why you bought the acrylics. Did you buy them for that classic wide open louder then a mofo sound, or did you purchase just for the look alone?

**itchie** · 05-27-2011, 09:38 PM

no offense NR but your attitude stinks and your views are totally narrow minded

and questioning my motive for playing this kit? .... i love this kit!

iv found about 7 different setups and they all sound different ....you cant play your open big band sound

im going to play modern sounding drums

**Northern Redneck** · 05-28-2011, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by itchie

no offense NR but your attitude stinks and your views are totally narrow minded

and questioning my motive for playing this kit? .... i love this kit!

iv found about 7 different setups and they all sound different ....you cant play your open big band sound

im going to play modern sounding drums

Youre completely missing the point of my question and over reacting.

**Nechre** · 05-28-2011, 08:36 AM

Itch, try tuning low and pitch matching your heads. That's about all the advise I can really give without actually attempting to tune your drums, sorry. I know you've probably tried bob gatzen's tuning techniques. Try about 3/4 of a turn over "lowest possible pitch," as you'll likely need all the thump you can get with acrylic.

**itchie** · 05-29-2011, 09:28 PM

All good now … spend a good 3 hours tunning and listening back in the studio … got a thumpy fattarse sound

**late8** · 05-31-2011, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by itchie

All good now … spend a good 3 hours tunning and listening back in the studio … got a thumpy fattarse sound

How? What dampening device or if any did you use? Studio eh? Care to share what mics you used to get the thumpy fattarse sound?

**itchie** · 05-31-2011, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by late8

How? What dampening device or if any did you use? Studio eh? Care to share what mics you used to get the thumpy fattarse sound?

open tunning but with 1 gaffa ball on the res head to stop the extended droning

good old sm57's for the mics....phase shift on the res mic

**rickthedrummer** · 05-31-2011, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by itchie

Just wondering how other players approach acrylic drums with tunning and head choice's

I added several drums to my set a while ago, 3 are acrylic, 1 is a Accent.

My regular set is a early 70's Ludwigs. When I tune them, I treat the newer drums the same as I treat the older ones, and I have no problem tuning them.

As for the "Bonham" sound. Having been out and around in those days, I can say that a lot of drummers that I met, even those that were Bonham fans, didn't necessarily want his sound. I saw Zep when he was alive and his drums didn't sound that great.

Anyway, treat your set like you would any other, put the heads on and tune them .

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