Maintaining The DrumSet

[Frummer]

Those that came my house before MIGHT have seen me dusting my set before prac.

Think about it...

If you dust off your set before practice ( like basic surfaces: top side of everything ) ...it can also save your sticks from looking dirty ( and also save you from choking from those dust )... Oh yeah...MIRCROFIBER CLOTH ROCKS...

I rarely shine-up my stuff...but once i get started, i do all...

 

[ceing]

i really really doubt the thirsty hippo can solve the prob. its meant for cupboards issn't it? even u keep changing it weekly, i still think it doesn't work.

i guess onli a strong dehumidfier will work. those that require ac power.

wow there are dehumidifier which requires ac power?? how much does those cost?

anyway wad are the dehumdifier for?

 

[beboptang]

Wah brudders! You all, especially RD, very ON about maintaining your drums! I'm definitely slack compared to y'all! LOL!

I store my Ludwig & Gretsch drums in cases -- because I play on rented drums, or the venue's drums, or drums in rental studios -- and I store everything in a room with an electrical dehumidifier. Mine is a Novita, which I bought from Best Denki. The room is also airconditioned 4 hours a few times a week, cuz the dehumidifier makes the room a bit warm, but very dry So my SLR camera & B&W film, bass guitar, classical guitar, djembe, old books, photos & negatives all go in that room.

I just brought my drums out to church on Sunday, as the last time I used them were at the DXS jazz demo in Dec 2007. There was no mould, no oxidation and drums were even mostly in tune! The only thing was the sponge in my bass drum case had totally disintegrated! Eewww!! So my white bass drum head is now greyish and spotty! Grrr!!

Other than that, I swear by my demumidfier and occasional airconditioner. It's either that, or move to better climate

 

[RudimentalDrummer]

Actually I've some headache now too and am wondering how to keep my drums.

I'm not playing a 1980s Yamaha & the other 1967 Jazz Kit which I bought from Mr Tama Goh (they are Entry-Level Kit) - - - not fantastic in their sound, but in great Condition...so I wanna Keep It...instead of having to polish the drum every-week.

How am I to Keep it from Dust & Rust? and at the same time I can stack it up - to save space (and I dont intend to take them out to play anymore - I dont actually) ...with these 2 kits pack/stack up - I will have space for my old Pearl Kit and I can then play it...

Is there any Cheaper-Drum-Case I can buy - just for this purpose...guess I will just throw those Thirsty Hippo inside and change them probably every 3 months after that..at least - it will be kept clean of dust.

PS: - Better do it now - me maid is going back end of this year for 1 month (getting married) before comming back to work and she said I will have to Polish my own drums - cause my place is very dusty....and I know my wife is not going to do that for me.

 

[Blofeld]

Having a humidity controlled room is probably the best way of preserving any musical instrument, esp those with electronic components which are sensitive to even the most minute of corrosion. This means having a room sealed off from the outside environment and having it airconditioned and a dehumidifier running fulltime. My home studio, which is a 24' x 14' x 9' high ceiling is a sealed room with auto aircon settings, yet my dehumidifier creates about 5 litres of water every 2-3 days... even without any human occupancy. If the studio is used for a few hours, about 2-3 litres alone is deposited just from human presence. As a result of controlled humidity, some of my electronic gear going back almost 25 years are still in top nick. Keeping drums in top condition is obviously not a problem. However there is a little problem of static buildup and dry joints (electronic) which need to be discharged from time to time. Of course the power bill is estimated at about $80 a month just to maintain the facility. A smaller room will be cheaper in proportion.

Wah brudders! You all, especially RD, very ON about maintaining your drums! I'm definitely slack compared to y'all! LOL!

I store my Ludwig & Gretsch drums in cases -- because I play on rented drums, or the venue's drums, or drums in rental studios -- and I store everything in a room with an electrical dehumidifier. Mine is a Novita, which I bought from Best Denki. The room is also airconditioned 4 hours a few times a week, cuz the dehumidifier makes the room a bit warm, but very dry So my SLR camera & B&W film, bass guitar, classical guitar, djembe, old books, photos & negatives all go in that room.

I just brought my drums out to church on Sunday, as the last time I used them were at the DXS jazz demo in Dec 2007. There was no mould, no oxidation and drums were even mostly in tune! The only thing was the sponge in my bass drum case had totally disintegrated! Eewww!! So my white bass drum head is now greyish and spotty! Grrr!!

Other than that, I swear by my demumidfier and occasional airconditioner. It's either that, or move to better climate

 

[jeepers]

Thanks for that, Blofeld.

If the air-conditioner and the dehumidifier's left on fulltime, wouldn't be more than $80 a month? I'm not too sure, but if it truly is $80, it's an option we musicians should take up! I've never done it because I thought it would be way too expensive!

 

[RudimentalDrummer]

Thanks for that, Blofeld.

If the air-conditioner and the dehumidifier's left on fulltime, wouldn't be more than $80 a month? I'm not too sure, but if it truly is $80, it's an option we musicians should take up! I've never done it because I thought it would be way too expensive!

Yes, it's going to be more than S$80.00 whole day 24 hours a day - maybe multiply it by easily 3 times = S$240.00. Hahaha - unless got subsidy here.

 

[melvin]

Once every 2 months

All drums hardware will be touch up with WD-40....

eh RD how effective is WD40? my dad asked me to try out on my hardware cause its rusting but i dun believe, haha its some form of lubricant right?

and when i keep my snare in a case i pack in a few silicon packs to absorb any other excess humidity.


does anyone know where to get those dehumidifiers anywhere? i mean those powerful ones that can support a room, not thirsty hippo. i stay at the attic where my heater's water tank is also, and the water tank burst quite a few days back so my room is SUPER humid. and what makes things worst is that my drums are in my room, unprotected.

and also ah.. air con is supposedly dry air right?

 

[Blofeld]

If your room is adequately sealed, your aircon can be set on timer to cool not more than 4-6 hours a day..say 2 hours each time spread out over the warmest parts of the day. The room shold remain cool for a couple of hours even after the a/c stops running (if it is properly sealed off). The dehumidifier does not consume as much electricity as an a/c unit. My studio environment control would probably cost much more than $80 as I have 2 a/c units. But $80/month should be adequate for most HDB rooms.

The sealing of the room is another matter...effective insulation means installing double glazed windows with proper gaskets and the door must also have gaskets. Thickness and insulation material used on the walls is also a factor. All this involve some initial investment. May not worth it if you are just storing stuff but if it doubles as a sound insulated studio, it can be justified.

Thanks for that, Blofeld.

If the air-conditioner and the dehumidifier's left on fulltime, wouldn't be more than $80 a month? I'm not too sure, but if it truly is $80, it's an option we musicians should take up! I've never done it because I thought it would be way too expensive!

 

[jeepers]

Thanks a bunch for yet another informative post, Blofeld!

 

[lester_music]

i really really doubt the thirsty hippo can solve the prob. its meant for cupboards issn't it? even u keep changing it weekly, i still think it doesn't work.

i guess onli a strong dehumidfier will work. those that require ac power.

I agree on that too....both the hippo and the wood shell loves moisture....what the hippo sucks may not be enough compared to huge amount moisture in the air....

 

[RudimentalDrummer]

eh RD how effective is WD40? my dad asked me to try out on my hardware cause its rusting but i dun believe, haha its some form of lubricant right?

and when i keep my snare in a case i pack in a few silicon packs to absorb any other excess humidity.


does anyone know where to get those dehumidifiers anywhere? i mean those powerful ones that can support a room, not thirsty hippo. i stay at the attic where my heater's water tank is also, and the water tank burst quite a few days back so my room is SUPER humid. and what makes things worst is that my drums are in my room, unprotected.

and also ah.. air con is supposedly dry air right?

My suggestion is: -

1st my apologies here to everyone – My experience tells me – NOT TO USE “WD40” – It’s very bad…..cause it is use for taking out Rust more so than … “Prevention Of Rust” here on HardWares…

So – Don’t use WD40 remember – it will make the Chrome – come out faster….I have stop using it already….

The Best Solution is: - Use a Dehumidifier - - - This slow down the Tarnishing and rust process which is inevitable as our Climate is especially Humid here.

Thus

The Best Solution is: - Get a Very Good High-End Drum-Kit (cause the Hardware is so much better)….and get a Manufacturer Brand that – Have Plenty Of Spares & Where Spare is Easily Available – One Brand I can think of and knows is – PEARL Drums.

The Fact is : - Rust or No Rust depends not on what you can do to the Hardware (no-point applying anything - it's beyong our abilities) – It wont help only slow down the Process through (a Dehumidifier) …. Because whether a Kit will rust or no rust or how soon it will rust depends on – only One-Main Factor – The CHROMING PROCESS & IT’S QUALITY OF CHROMING (the Microns they put in appropriately) ….. and good Chroming is – EXPENSIVE (That’s The Fact)….

PS: - One Good Example of this is: - Look at all those Old Vintage Kits (eg Entry Level Old Yamaha Kit) - How is it - their chromming seems so much better than the Current New Kits - 25 years of age and the Chromming is still so nice.eee - Not that anything is being rub onto the Hardware - but - The Chromming Process were just much better during the Past...and this is a Fact.

 

[beboptang]

Hi All,

Here's the Dehumidifier that I use, which I bought from Best Denki (can pay by 0% installment on most major credit cards).

[img=http://imageshack.us/thumbnmail.png]

This model is the smallest one and enough for small HDB rooms. Can see more options on NOVITA, the Lifestyle Makers. Look under "Safeguarding Valuables". But dunno got other brands or not.

Agree with Blofeld that sealing the room is a good idea, cuz then your A/C and/or Dehumidifier doesn't have to run on high the whole time. My A/C runs on "Econ", because it's a small room.

Also, you don't have to have them on 24/7, cuz if the room is too dry, it can cause woods to be a bit brittle. I learn this the hard way storing my uncle's prized Cuban cigars and SLR cameras in the same constantly dehumidified room. The camera's shutter vanes actually broke. Wah rance!! Super expensive mistake. At least with the cigars, can just expose to more humidity and it wasn't so bad. If you wanna be more kiasu, then keep a simple hygrometer to measure the humidity level in the room. But I just practise moderation and financial practicality lor...

Ya, what RD says about WD-40 is true. WD-40 has a corrosive material in its formulation, because it has to dissolve rust. If you want to lubricate screws and sockets, use a silicone lube. There are spray versions of this at HomeFix. Silicone lubes don't need a lot of re-application and they stay on the parts a long time, this prevents the filing down of threads from forced tightening of screws. Lubes are not necessarily prevention of rust though.

 

[lester_music]

SOunds good..to have a A/C Dehumidifier, thinking of investing one long ago....but still have not acted.....hehe...

THe 0% interest-free for credit cards sound attractive indeed....

What is the cost of the smallest one from Best Denki roughly?

 

[beboptang]

SOunds good..to have a A/C Dehumidifier, thinking of investing one long ago....but still have not acted.....hehe...

THe 0% interest-free for credit cards sound attractive indeed....

What is the cost of the smallest one from Best Denki roughly?

Ermm... I really can't remember, cuz I got mine about 4 years ago. The model in the photo I attached is a newer and improved version from mine. Just check it out at Best Denki lah, cuz they are a few models for different room sizes. Sorry for not having more helpfuly info... :???:

 

[lester_music]

Ermm... I really can't remember, cuz I got mine about 4 years ago. The model in the photo I attached is a newer and improved version from mine. Just check it out at Best Denki lah, cuz they are a few models for different room sizes. Sorry for not having more helpfuly info... :???:

NO lah...thks so much for all your info..very helpful indeed....

 

[ilovegm]

I'm a would-be drums owner soon, was digging through to find a thread about maintaining drums...

Was wondering about humidity...
Dun think Thirsty Hippo is cost effective, although they really suck water like nobody business...
Dunno wads in them, but...

Other stuff like Silica Gel, can be reused by dry heating them in oven.
http://www.mallbaker.com/techlib/documents/americas/3045.html
Think its 300 degrees to dry the silica gel, its all in the link.

Plus silica gel is really cheap, just buy those Large value pack of silica gel cat litter then can anyhow spam liao.
Put in socks and throw round drumset or something...
Only prob is can't really tell if it's fully saturated with water or not.
And later cats go pee and poop near ur drum set then nice one liao :mrgreen:

 

[cR.drums]

so what's the cheapest but still effective method? have to know then can convince my dad to lemme buy drums haha

 

[ilovegm]

Lol, I dun think you wanna tell ur dad about needing to keep air dry and keep stands from rusting...
Isn't that a negative point?

I'm getting drums soon too, and I left out loads of cons when convincing my parents.
Parents are now on the fence, they kinda resign to the fact that i'll be buying anyway but they still object mildly.
If i told them about the high maintainance they might be like "WTF, NO DRUMS!"

 

[cR.drums]

lol the salesman at swee lee has told my parents a lot of things alr T T