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Head not staying in tune - cause?


Thexder

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The 18" I have can't seem to keep its tuning from day to day, and this is over months of use and tweaking and re-seating, I just wonder if this could be due to a worn out head or must it be assumed to be the tuning lugs?

 

The head is "used" and also the tuning lugs are a bit wonky, some are stiff, weird feeling....I just wondered if it's worth buying a new head and trying that...

 

It sounds fine WHEN I tweak it, but I have to keep tweaking it, and I don't have to do that with my other 4 toms...

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Originally posted by Thexder

The 18" I have can't seem to keep its tuning from day to day, and this is over months of use and tweaking and re-seating, I just wonder if this could be due to a worn out head or must it be assumed to be the tuning lugs?


The head is "used" and also the tuning lugs are a bit wonky, some are stiff, weird feeling....I just wondered if it's worth buying a new head and trying that...


It sounds fine WHEN I tweak it, but I have to keep tweaking it, and I don't have to do that with my other 4 toms...

 

 

Well, if you've used the same head for months, it's definetly time for another. Also, how tight are you tuning the 18"? I presume it's a floor tom. If your leaving it real loose, it's going to go out sooner, as there isn't as much tension to keep it tuned. Are your other heads that old? Try marking your lugs with a marker to see if they're slipping.

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For what it's worth, I played an 18" tom for years and it ALWAYS had to be tweaked, sometimes twice a night. Its just one of those things that if you play it tuned low you'll have to deal with.

 

If when the head is removed from the drum its dished out, then you should replace it, but I doubt you'll be able to keep the beast in tune if you play it tuned low.

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I've had the same problems, but with a 16". A quick solution for a gig or recording session where you need the drum to stay in tune is to try some lug locks. Unless the head is just completely shot, lug locks can keep the lugs from slipping. They're a pain in the ass to get on and off, but they can help with your problem.

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Yeah I think I'm tuned on the low side, if I'm not mistaken I can't tell much difference in pitch between the 18" and the 22 kick even...of course more thud in the 22...but I think the pitches are alike.

 

I think I'll try lubricating the lugs and maybe buying a newer head when I casually wander into the next music store (I live around the corner from 2, shouldn't be too hard).

 

I'd like to keep this low tuning...and if I have to keep tweaking, so be it then...lug locks...maybe a possibility. Where can I get them?

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