Drums infested with Slugs — Batter Badge Triad Pads

Did you say Slugs?

Quick Take Review —

You’ve probably all stepped on a slug, or had them slither across your path after a rain, and you know they can be slimy little buggers. But why would a drum set be infested with slugs?

Well, you’ve no doubt used some sort of bass drum impact pad in the past. Most “old school” drummers once resorted to moleskin patches that were usually reserved to protect portions of your feet from shoe rub wear. Then drumhead manufacturers got hip to climb aboard the accessory game and started offering impact pads.

So, what does this have to do with Slugs?

APPLICATION

An impact pad goes on the bass drum head at the bass drum beater’s point of impact. There are two main benefits: a source for overtone muting, and head protection from a heavy foot impact.

Enter the Triad Pad™ Batter Badge® from Slug Percussion Products out of Chicago, Illinois.

Slug™ offers two models:

 — Triad Pad™ (regular) Model BB-TP is a 0.01” opaque polycarbonate film with a triangular shape. The badge is designed to add durability and extend the head’s life, and features a patented design that flexes without distorting the tone. This badge doesn’t really provide much (if any) muffling quality; it’s made of a thinner material that’s intended for players using felt, wool, rubber, and plastic beaters. It’s ideal for studio playing.

 — Triad Pad™ HD (heavy duty) Model BB-TPHD is a 0.01” polycarbonate film that sports the same shape, but is black in color and features a Poly-Gel Dur-Disk™ they call a Heavy Duty Armourphragm™ (seriously). This badge is designed with the heavy-footed drummer in mind. It’s recommended for live playing and drummers using hardwood, plastic, or metal beaters. This pad is not represented as having a muffling quality, but I found it offered just the right measure of muffling and creates more of a chest impacting “thud” than the normal “click” so often heard. Because I use a rock hard maple beater, I preferred this badge to the regular model.

HIGHLIGHTS

 — Benefits:

• Protect the bass drum head, which also protects your investment

• Provide a measure of overtone muffling with the HD badge

• Beneficial for both studio and live playing

• Regular pad can be doubled up to extend its applications

• Visually appealing

• Cool name

 — Limitations:

• Once it is on…it is on! It will not come off

• Due to the permanent placement, you need to be super-accurate when placing the pad for both single and double beaters.

It’s said that to get rid of slugs you can place a small bowl of beer outside, and the slugs will drink the beer, become drunk, and fall in and drown. For drummers, this should sound familiar…but I digress. With these slugs, there is no method of extermination. Once they are on, they are on, but as far as impact pads go, I really liked these.

So if your kit has to be infested with something, try the Batter Badge® from Slug.

Resource: Slug Percussions Official Website 

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Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.