Members FitchFY Posted March 21, 2016 Members Share Posted March 21, 2016 I played on St. Patrick's Day in Worcester, MA and had like an utter failure for snare drums. A few songs in, my snare strap broke, so my Ludwig Black Galaxy became a great... timbale. Ugh. The sound guy grabbed the house snare so I could use that instead... and it already had a broken bottom head. Ugh. Failed. At least it led to another blog post. https://fitchdrums.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/if-you-hit-it-it-will-break/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Drumstix101 Posted March 21, 2016 Members Share Posted March 21, 2016 I always take my emergency gear with me to each gig. They stay in the car but are available if needed. I always have an extra snare drum, an extra kick pedal, an extra hi-hat (i did have a chain link break once) and a box with used batter heads that were replaced on each drum that I may take to a gig. I have three sets that I can gig with so I made one box of heads. My kicks are either 22" or 16" so there is one of each in the box; along with tom heads from 8" to 16". My tool box has a spool of grosgrain ribbon and snare chord along with a spare snare strand, duct tape and assorted small parts and kick springs. I have to say that I only needed to swap out one hi-hat; due to the broken chain link, and one snare, due to a reso head blowout, since 1966 but I was happy that I was prepared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted March 21, 2016 Members Share Posted March 21, 2016 You coulda used the snares or the straps from the spare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FitchFY Posted March 21, 2016 Author Members Share Posted March 21, 2016 Hindisght has been wonderful for this. We only had a 45 minute set or so, so the reality of taking out five minutes to fix the drum is something I wanted to do, but I understand that my band mates didn't want to do, especially after having to "Irish Rover" without a drummer. Oh well. In all but this band, I have a second snare, so I guess I'm chalking it up to Murphy's Law. As always... good experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted March 21, 2016 Members Share Posted March 21, 2016 I think even a rush swap woulda filled the bill and for sure better than a timbale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FitchFY Posted March 21, 2016 Author Members Share Posted March 21, 2016 Probably. The drum I ended up with had the broken head and a deep sound, so it was just lacking the crack... the crowd was still on board for it, at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted March 22, 2016 Members Share Posted March 22, 2016 IC. You used the replacement as is. I suppose with rock the hollow backbeat might be enough. Reminds me of the Garageous Period when anything you could hit was fair game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dendy Jarrett Posted March 22, 2016 Members Share Posted March 22, 2016 This sounds like a recurring nightmare I had when I was touring with a major artist. Kind of like going to school and forgetting where your locker is. In Nashville, the running joke is "hey, you can use the house kit - it'll be fine!" Cept the house kit is from 1971 and missing bottom heads, duct taped heads, no floor tom legs, and one bass drum spur have the length of the other. You know the drill. Glad you improvised, adapted and overcame! D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rayboomboom Posted March 22, 2016 Members Share Posted March 22, 2016 You could have also taped coins to the head for a make shift snare sound. Ah, we learn as we go. I usually have a spare snare with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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