[Tommatt]

I just recently replaced the heads on my bass drum, have tuned it about 5 times since getting it. It usually sounds good on the carpet in the house, but I take it out to the garage and I hear a rattling whenever I strike it. Any clue what it is/how to fix it?

I decided to take a few lessons, have the first one tuesday.

[skinslapper]

You must find the rattle. Is it coming from the hardware, the shell (Laminate coming away from the wood or wood plies splitting) or is it that your heads are not tuned on high enough that one of them is rattling?

Sometimes you can buy a head that is a tiny bit imperfect around the edge and this can lead to uneaven tuning when tuned low. If you've never had a rattle before, it's probible that this is the case so figure out which one it is and take it back for an exchange.

If it's the hardware, simply have a good look at the drum, tapping at it as you go to find out what it is, then tighten it up.

If it's your shell (tske the heads off and have a good look around the bearing edges for any gaps between layers) then get yourself a really good wood adhesive (glue), sqeaze a healthy amount into the gap, wipe away all excess glue so you don't ruin the bearing edge and find a way to clamp the gap shut, without ruining the bearing edge.

Good luck, let us know what happens.

[Tommatt]

Thanks for the info, I"ll have to look at those areas/test it when I inspect it.

You talk about the laminate, the plasticc ( I assume its plastic) on the outside of the shell, on the left side, its kinda warped. The shell itself, and the inside is perfectly round. Its the laquer? itself, that looks like the area was just sitting in the sun for days (Which is odd as I never play with the garage door open, I've owned it a month, and the garage is opened up sparingly as it is) Is that what you are talking about when you say

"the shell (Laminate coming away from the wood or wood plies splitting)"

To tune them I followed a tuning guide, and got them on just after there was no wrinkles on the head, then turned each lug 1/4 turn to get it abit higher than the lowest the drum would go. The resonant side I then tuned (And I'm guessing as I'm not the best at recognizing tone by ear) is about 2 steps higher

This wouldn't have anything to do with it being on a conrete floor would it (Wondering if I should by a throwrug for the area of the garage to put everything on. My floor tom walks towards me as I hit it)

Thanks again. I'm still pretty new to all this, and when something comes up, I'm at a loss. I'm just now reading about various kick pedal adjustments. Not sure what I need, but I know I need to do a little adjusting on it.

[PocketProtector]

I had this same problem once. It turned out to be loose hardware on the bass drum shell.

[Tommatt]

Well I found out what some of it was, and I feel like kinda an idiot after finding it. Remember, I've had the set less than a month, and thats all my experience so far...

My snare rattles.... alot. Once I figured that out, I put the snare in a totally different room, and struck the bass drum. I'm still getting some rattling, I need to wait untill on of my roomates is around and have them strike it while I try to locate the rattling. I'm starting to think it could just be cheap hardware on the other drums

[jhilldrums]

Quick note, next time you hear a rattle, always hit your snare strainer off and see if it stops. You'll find mounting a cymbal from you tom mount off your bass will make cymbal noise etc. Yes, put a rug down. It will lessen the strain you put on your bass spurs and shell and it wont slide away when you use the spurs. What kind of drums did you buy? Some cheap snares are very difficult to stop ratteling, others aren't. Some expensive ones are tough too. It will all come with practice, and experimenting, and whats best is you'll find your sound, learn alot and be able to help others here with the same issues. Good luck!