It’s no surprise that drums are so popular. They are exhilarating to play and exciting to watch. They can be used for anything from gentle jazz to heavy metal. They’re not the cheapest musical instrument, however: some people spend thousands on multiple drums and cymbals.
When someone acquires a drum set, they are wise to effectively maintain it. This will help it look better, sound better, and last longer. It can be a challenge, however – especially when it’s assembled and disassembled regularly for practices and concerts. We’ve probably all seen musical instruments that have become ‘gigged’ and are now past their prime. This article will provide you with six keys for successfully maintaining your drumset.
1. Begin Well With A Good Purchase
You might look after your drums as if they were the crown jewels, but if they are inexpensive, they may not last long. The bass drum hoop may become dented, the high hat creaky, and the cymbals rusty. If the drum skins are economy class, they will sound inferior from day one.
Fortunately, there are many quality websites that provide musical equipment. If someone wants to buy cymbals, they can compare the products and photos, sizes, and alloys. They can buy complete sets and read specialist reviews. If they are looking for quality, names such as Zildjian will no doubt be considered.
2. Regularly Clean The Cymbals And Metal Parts
Some people are sufficiently experienced that they annually disassemble their entire drum set and give it an overhaul. This may involve them using such things as white spirit, wax and polish, cordless drills, files, masking tape, wire wool, and more. If you are not confident doing such things, there are more basic activities you can complete.
Your cymbals can be wiped clean with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Don’t use harsh chemicals that will damage them. It’s possible to buy cleaners that are specifically designed for this purpose. When you clean them, work with the grooves rather than against them.
Just like a car, the metal on your drum set will benefit from the occasional wax and polish. This will protect it from looking dull and being susceptible to corrosion and rust. To keep everything lubricated, use some oil on the wingnuts, pedals, and tension rods. Be sure to remove any excess after.
3. Regularly Clean The Drum Skins And Body
Never use cleaning liquids on clear plastic drum skins. Coated skins can be dusted using a cotton cloth, and if it is damp, it will remove any stubborn dirt. If you use a cleaner on plastic skins, make sure they are ammonia-free.
For cleaning the body, use either a cotton or microfibre cloth; anything harsh would scratch it. When you replace the drum heads, this will give you a chance to check out the insides of the drums and take any necessary action.
4. Perform General Maintenance
If you persistently use worn-out drum heads, it will put undue stress on the wood. Replace the drum skins when they have become dull and lifeless and when no amount of tuning can resurrect them. After a while, you will develop an ear for it – and also have an opinion on other peoples’ drum skins too!
Drum tuning is an essential part of sounding good. There’s no point in having expensive cymbals and flat drum heads. If you’re unsure about tuning them or replacing the skins, ask a professional.
5. Be Wise About Storage
If you want your drums to warp and crack, keep them in direct sunlight! The plastic would become unglued and bubble up like bad wallpaper.
Any temperature change is actually bad for drums. Wood expands and contracts with the heat. Damp and humid areas can also corrode the metal.
6. Be Careful When You Travel
We mentioned ‘gigged’ drum sets earlier. If you put your drums in soft cases, they will be more vulnerable than if you buy tough and hard ones. Remember: you may be stuffing your equipment in the back of a small car or van and maybe in a hurry when you do it. You may also be inadvertently dragging your stuff against walls.
Quality cases for your drums and appliances will undoubtedly be more expensive, and they will weigh more. On the positive side, there will be less chance of anything getting squashed or scraped in transit.
Hopefully, you now feel empowered to correctly maintain your equipment. When it is well stewarded, it will help you have many hours of enjoyment as you play this wonderful and amazing instrument.
