Care and Tuning of your Ludwig Snare
The snare drum is the most important part of your drum outfit next to the bass drum pedal
KNOW YOUR DRUM
The snare drum is the most important part of your drum outfit next to the bass drum pedal. It contains many parts and will require the most care and attention. The snares on the underside contacting with the thin snare head produce the 'snare' sound. When the snare strainer lever is released the snares drop away from the head, lowering the tone to the tom tom range. Thus, the snare deserve special care in handling and tuning.
Do not allow any object to touch your snares. If one strand becomes bent or kinked, cut if off. A loose strand will cause a rattle and buzzing uncomplimentary to the tone.
The snare strainer is termed a strainer because it has the ability to place the snare under strain or tension.
In the diagram, locate the snare tension adjustment screw. In this position there are more threads above the the fastening bolt than below as shown. This provides plenty of room for snare adjustment. Should snare cord be stretched to the limit, loosen this tension screw and take up the slack on the snare cord.
CLEANLINESS
Nothing will add greater efficiency to your snare drum than a regular cleaning program. Frequent dusting and wiping is even more important on a daily basis than annual overhaul. As you use your snare drum, dust and dirt rises from the carpeting and becomes lodged between snare and drum heads, reducing the bite and crispness of your snare response. When cleaning the shell and tension casings use a dry clean cloth and occasionally a good grade of metal polish for metal and wood wax for wood shells. Do the same for cortex and pearl covered shells. To wipe the snares clean throw the snare strainer off and run a dry cloth over the snares taking care not to nick or bend them. Also clean the snare head at the same time.
LUBRICATION
Three in One Light Oil(TM) is to be applied about once per month to the threads on the snare strainer tension screw as well as the collar screw tension rods. An ample film of oil will provide a smooth, noiseless strainer throw-off and-on operation.
DRUM HEADS
Plastic heads are not affected by humidity and will respond equally well in damp or dry weather. Once you have tuned the heads to a desired tension you can pretty much leave them alone. This, of course, is a great advantage over calf heads. Plastic heads are supplied with a built-in collar whuch needs no resetting.
For cleaning, remove the plastic head from the drum and with a stiff brush, warm water and kitchen cleanser, scrub head to remove embedded dirt and film. You do not have to be concerned with too much water as it does not soak into the material. You can dry the head immediately after with a towel and remount on your drum for use.
TUNING THE HEADS
The "sound" and "feel" of your snare drum is pretty much determined by the tensioning and tuning of the heads. Each drummer has their own idea of what they want out of the instrument. The trend in recent years has been towards a resonant, crisper, higher pitched sound that "cuts through" the rest of the band.
The following procedure, if followed carefully, should aid you in getting the sound you want from your drum and applies to both calf and plastic heads:
1. SEATING THE HEAD... after the head is placed on the drum, the counter hoop is mounted with the same moderate even tension on each collar screw rod. Depress the head in the center with the full palm of your hand. See Fig. 1. Do not be afraid to apply pressure. The purpose is to "seat " the head firmly against the counterhoop, eliminating any slack tension points.
2. TUNE EACH TENSION POINT... With snare tensions released (strainer in "off" position) start tuning watch tension point to the same pitch by tapping lightly with a stick approximately 2" from edge of head as in Fig. 2. Starting with the first tension rod to the right of the strainer, proceed in a criss-cross manner around the entire circumference of the drum as indicated in Fig. 3. By tuning each tension point you are placing the head in tune with itself in the same manner a timpanist tunes his timpani heads. This provides a distinct clear tone to the drum.
Apply the above procedures to the snare head keeping in mind that you are working with a much thinner head that must be handled a little more carefully.
There are two schools of thought currently in vogue regarding the tensioning of batter and snare heads. One school advocates that the batter head should be tensioned slightly tighter than the snare head. The other school takes the opposite view and advocates the snare head should be tensioned slightly tighter than the batter. We suggest you try both methods and decide for yourself. Over-tensioning of either head will choke the tone and reduce snare action.
After a certain period of time it will become necessary to replace the heads on your drum with new ones. Constant playing, resetting, cleaning and stretching of any head will cause it to lose its resilience and tone. Be sure your replacement heads are top quality from a reputable manufacturer.
Most damage to drum heads is caused by mishanding and careless treatment in the hands of the inexperienced . More heads are broken by an improper stroke than by any other cause. Here are a few points that will help prolong life of your heads:
1. NEVER WRITE ON THE HEADS
2. NEVER STORE DRUM TOO NEAR A SOURCE OF HEAT.
3. NEVER OVER TENSION THE HEADS.
4. NEVER PLACE HEAVY OR POINTED OBJECTS ON THE HEADS.
5. CLEAN HEADS WHEN NECESSARY BUT NOT TOO OFTEN.
6. BE SURE YOU HAVE A CASE OR COVER FOR YOUR DRUM.
7. BE SURE YOUR DRUM STAND IS SOLID AND DRUM IS PROPERLY LOCKED INTO POSITION.
