FAQ
CHOOSING AND CARING FOR YOUR CYMBALS
Do you have used cymbals as well? Can I trade mine in for new ones?
Yes. Our stock varies from time to time, so feel free to ask! All trades are welcomed, as well as consigment. Ask for details.
What kind of cymbals do you have?
TOO MANY!!! Seriously, when we moved into this location, the primary goal was to over do it with the cymbal selection. We succeeded, and have become famous for being one of the largest stocking dealers of cymbals. The brands that we carry are Paiste, Sabian, Meinl, Zildjian, Bosphorus, Istanbul, UFIP and Wuhan.
What kind of cymbals do I want?
What kind of music do you play? What is your technique like? Are you a light of hard hitter. When you hear the ideal cymbal sound in your head, what does it sound like? Talk to us, we’ll be happy to answer!
Does cleaning hurt the cymbal?
No. Does it change the sound? Yes. Others would tend to disagree, but I’ve found that cymbals react differently to different cleaners. As a rule, I tend to dislike most cleaners, with the exception of Groove Juice. That is the easiest and most effective, other than taking them into the tubby with you, a la John Bohnham.
Which product is best?
Groove Juice is my preference, but I wouldn’t call it the best. Everybody has their preference.
What is the best way to clean the cymbal?
Of course, follow the instructions on the package first. Every cleaner employs different techniques, so do as they say and let it develop in your own way of cleaning.
What preventive maintenance can I Do?
Always make sure that your nylon cymbal sleeves are fresh, as they tend to wear down, exposing the cymbal to raw metal. This allows for the cymbal to “spiderweb” or make small cracks appear around the hole of the cymbal. Another neat trick is when it’s time to stop the cymbal at the end of a song, instead of grabbing the cymbal to choke it, rest the palm of your hand against the edge. It does the same thing, and doesn’t leave fingerprints! Also, grabbing a pair of work gloves from a hardware store will prevent fingerprinting when setting up and tearing down.
What is the preferred brand at The Drum Shop?
Stefen play Paiste exclusively, while Chris has a mix of Paistes and Zildjians, Bill has ‘just about everything,” while Chris and Mike play Zildjians.
TECHNIQUE
Should the Bass Drum be played with the heel up or heel down?
Either way is fine. Low volume playing is better controlled with heel down, while higher volume requires a bit of heel up stomping!
TUNING YOUR DRUMS
How often should I tune the bottom heads on my drums? Do they go out of tune a lot?
If you drum has a lower end “honk” or a descending overtone, chances are, it’s your bottom head. If you are a stickler for tuning, I would suggest tuning it every few times you play. I have found that with lower tunings, putting an extra nylon washer on the bottom head helps them hold their tune longer.
Is it possible to over-muffle my drums?
Yes. But sometimes that is what you want isn’t it? If you prefer over muffling, Remo Muffl’s tend to do just that. You lose all volume from the drum, but you have the tone. It can be a pleasing sound if all drums are muffled in conjunction with another.
CHOOSING EQUIPMENT
Drum heads-what do I get?
This is a commonly asked question. If you remember these guidelines, there are clear, coated, one ply and two ply, and muffled heads. Your best bet is to ask a specialist. I prefer a coated one ply on my toms with a clear single ply on the bottom, unless I’m playing a tad harder, then I prefer a clear two ply on the top. I don’t muffle my snare or toms, and I prefer a self muffled bass drum head. In terms of selecting what works best for you, the more up front you are about your gear and your style, the easier it gets to make a proper suggestion.
How do you feel about electronic drums?
I LOVE them! They are not going away, and to be a real drummer, you have to learn programming and playing e-drums. They continue to improve and become easier to understand, so I would suggest checking out the varying products from the manufacters like Roland or Yamaha.
How do you feel about drum machines?
See the question above. As a drummer, I would suggest jumping into a kit over a drum machine. A drum machine is a great way to learn how to program beats, but doesn’t allow you to do much else. They are small and compact, but you can always take a brain (module) from an E-kit to do what a standard drum machine does. I find that drum machines work better for stringbending songwriters.
What should I be looking for when selecting a specific piece of gear?
Quality. As many wonderful products there are out there, there’s many that aren’t so wonderful. There are certain questions to ask, like the quality of the castings, and techniques used to make said product. You’ll be in the best hands with a non commissioned specialist who knows his or her stuff, like we do!
LESSONS
What do I bring to my lesson?
A pair of sticks, a notebook, and willingness to learn! There are two drumsets and bell sets in each lesson room.
Are the lessons in groups or one-on-one? How long are they?
All lessons are one-on-one. Lessons run for thirty minutes.
Does The Drum Shop offer lessons?
YES!! We have over 160 students a week here. All of our teachers are graduates of music programs who will teach reading and applied techniques. All ages and styles are welcomed. We teach Monday through Saturdays with varying hours to accomodate hectic schedules. Feel free to contact us directly at 874-6630 for more details.
FIRST TIME/ BEGINNER QUESTIONS
What should I look for when buying my first drumset?
Quality! We carry drumsets that start at $100. We don’t neccessarily reccomend them, but they’re available. What matters most to a first time buyer is HARDWARE and CYMBALS. Most drums in the $300 and up range tend to have quality drums, it’s just everything else you need to worry about. Talking to one of our non commissioned specialists will always help.
What if I can’t afford a drumset? Will a practice pad be OK to start?
Yes and no. While they will stimulate the mind and encourage drumming, it’s only a matter of time before all four limbs need to express themselves percussively. To be on the safe side, have a pad for a month, but don’t let that be the deciding factor as to whether or not you feel your child really wants to do it or not. Playing a full set of drums is a complete different excersize from hitting a rubber pad.
What brands do you carry for beginning level drums and what will I spend?
First off, BEWARE OF $200-300 complete drumsets! They are terrible, and a waste of money. We have access to them, but after talking to us, I GUARANTEE you will decide against it. For entry level drums, we carry Yamaha, Pearl, Premier, Sonor, Pacific, and Rockwood. The Rockwood kit is a lower level, while the others fall in the $600 range.
