Humdrum

If you have questions about the custom options on the kit you want to build, don't hesitate to call us at (800) 643-2849

• Diameter and Depth
• Shell
• Hoops
• Lugs
• Powder Coating
• Vents
• Bearing Edge
• Pitch Block
• Bass Ports
• Woofer
• Suspension Mounts

DIAMETER AND DEPTH

A smaller diameter drum will give you a higher pitched sound. Conversely, the larger diameter will give you lower ptich. You will find two popular configurations when shopping for kits. "Standard" kit which consists of 12" and 13" Toms, 16" Floor tom, 22" kick, and 14" snare. And "Fusion" kits which consist of 10" and 12" Toms, 14" Floor tom, 22" Kick and 14" Snare. Over the years these have become your most common kit configurations but hey, you're ordering a custom kit...so do what feels right!

For snare drums, you will find that the most common diameter to be 14". A couple of common sized snares would be a popcorn snare which is 10x5, piccolo that is 13x3, and the most common would be 14x5, 14x5.5, 14x6, and 14x6.5.

Depth works the same as diameter, the shorter the depth of the shell the higher the pitch, and a deeper shell results in a deeper pitch.

SHELL

A thicker shell will give you a higher pitch, a thinner shell gives you a lower pitch.
The different types of shells can also have an affect on the sound:

• Maple: Warm, deeper in pitch, with more resonance.



• Birch: More “attack”, brighter,cuts through.



• Acrylic: LOUD, and bright. Not much warmth here.



• Hybrids: Wood shell that has been split w/acrylic or vice versa. If the bearing edge is made of wood, you will get the woods' sound qualities. If the bearing edge is made of acrylic you will get the acrylics' sound qualities. These drums are mostly for visual appeal.



• Segmented: Warmth and full bodied sound.



• Mahogany: African mahogany, not the cheap stuff. The most warmth of ‘em all... great bottom end and still has attack.



• Metal: Higher pitched and very resonant.

HOOPS

The most common hoops on a drum will be either triple flanged or die cast. Die cast are heavier and will dampen the resonance of the drum. Wood hoops are mostly about aesthics, however you will get a different sound from your drum. The sound can be compared to triple flanged hoops...more open and resonate.

LUGS

Lugs are the pieces that attach directly to the drum by screws. The lugs are crucial in attaching the head and this is done by tension rods going through the hoop that is then placed on top of the drum head. These are all about the image you want to give your drum. Feel free to pick the ones you like because it won't effect the drums' sound one bit.

POWDER COATING

Powder coating is just that...a paint that is a powder instead of a liquid. It is sprayed on and is much stronger and lasts longer than conventional paint. This paint will be able to stand against any punishment it might encounter.

VENTS

Grommet Vents: It's the small hole that you can find on every drum. It allows the drum to "breath". The more vents you add to your drum the "drier" your drum will sound, it will resonate less.



Large Vents: Take the grommet vent and put it on steroids! These vents start off at 1" and grow from there. The larger the vent the more air that escapes with each hit, which will give you more volume and a much drier sound (less resonance).

BEARING EDGE

The bearing edge is where the drum head comes into contact with the drum shell. There are several bearing edge shapes which are currently used in drum production. Single 45 degree, Single 45 with slight roll over, and Double 45. It is expected that different bearing edges will have a significant affect on the sound of drums. One possible reason for the importance of bearing edges is that the edge is the primary outlet for energy to transfer between the drum head and the drum shell. Basically the less contact the bearing edge makes with the drum head the better resonance you will receive.

PITCH BLOCK, a.k.a. CHOP BLOCK or JAM BLOCK

This is a percussive instrument that first hit the scene with Latin music but later made it's way into other styles as well. They can come in a variety of materials and pitches to give you different sounds.

BASS PORTS, a.k.a HOLZ

These are mostly used to help mic the drums but now they are becoming an artwork in and of themselves. Just know that the more holes placed in the resonant drum head the drier the sound will be, meaning it will resonate much less.

WOOFER

An extension for the kick drum. This will lower the pitch of your drum. The nice part is that you can add or remove it as you need it.

SUSPENSION MOUNTS

These attach to the tension rods instead of having to be drilled into the wood. This allows for greater stability and durability over time since it is not putting pressure on the wood but instead onto the metal.