Converting a tom into a snare drum. This project starts with a phone call by my colleague Adrián, owner of a 10″x7″ Tama Silverstar tom that he wanted to convert into a snare drum. The original tom. I disassembled all the parts so I could make the snare beds, a necessary structure so the snares… Continue reading Converting a tom into a snare drum.
Category: Do It Yourself
Articles dealing with the reparation, modification, restoration and making of percussion instruments.
Restauration of a Givernau tenor drum.
Restauration of a Givernau tenor drum. I have found a very peculiar drum in an antiques fair. It measures 44,7x31cm or 17″ 10/16 x 12″ 4/16). They are not “exact” measures in neither system, which is quite bizarre. It also features some nice single point lugs and the tension rods are off-set. As you can… Continue reading Restauration of a Givernau tenor drum.
How I made some snare gates
How I made some snare gates. A snare gate is an opening in the lower counterhoop that allows for the snares to pass through it and to make contact with the resonant head. See the opening in the lower counterhoop, right below the snare strainer. © Grover Pro Percussion View from below. Check the snares… Continue reading How I made some snare gates
Modification of a Premier bass drum
Modification of a Premier bass drum. This project is a consequence of a larger one; namely, to provide myself with the proper drums to recreate as close as possible the original sound, character and looks in Stravinsky´s “The Soldier´s Tale”. For the bass drum I used a 28″x12″ Premier (model 188) from the 70s.… Continue reading Modification of a Premier bass drum
My home-made Renaissance drum
My home-made Renaissance drum. A side drum is an ancient kind of large drum that was used in Europe by the landsknechts, mercenaries from the German area. Said troops fought on the side of the highest bidder, and they even were part of the Spanish infantry under emperor Carlos I. Said drum was played… Continue reading My home-made Renaissance drum
Converting a floor tom into a tenor drum
Converting a floor tom into a tenor dum. This project started with a 16″x16″ floor tom. It was a Mapex Pro-M drum, so a very decent one. The interior of the shell was in immaculate state and the bearing edges were perfect, so it was time for a conversion of this nice drum. © David… Continue reading Converting a floor tom into a tenor drum
Making my own Renaissance long drum
Making my own Renaissance long drum. I always wanted a large drum like that owned by my dear colleague Manolo Durán. © David Valdés His drum has been used by the Oviedo Opera Foundation, by the Asturias Symphony Orchestra in several early music programs. I wanted one like his, but stablished brands do not offer… Continue reading Making my own Renaissance long drum
A solution for Premier 632 strainers and similar ones
A solution for Premier 632 strainers and similar ones. I bet that many of you, like me, own Premier snare drums featuring the classic #632 snare strainer. ©Musikk-miljo.no Other brands feature this kind of holed plate too (like Ludwig), and I can see why you may end up hating this piece of gear, as attaching… Continue reading A solution for Premier 632 strainers and similar ones
Home-made “Baguettes d´éponge”
Home-made “Baguettes d´éponge”. Berlioz was a composer who showed a real interest in percussion and greatly contributed to its development. Trying to improve the timpani sound, he advocated the use of different types of sticks to enrich the color palette produced by these instruments. One of the types of stick that he indicated was “baguettes… Continue reading Home-made “Baguettes d´éponge”
Home-made (“DIY”) Turkish crescent
Home-made (“DIY”) Turkish crescent. As you already know, I am really interested in historical percussion and performance. I have always wanted to make a Turkish crescent to play early music, so I finally jumped into it and made my own jingle Johny. Before we get into the specific making-process, I would like to introduce you… Continue reading Home-made (“DIY”) Turkish crescent