Tuning the Bass Drum Bonham style

[Slammintone]

All I can say is IT WORKED!!! In 15yrs of playing drums and learning to tune them I never could nail the best bass sounds. Good info on bass tuning does not abound on the internet or anywhere else. I couldn't even get close to a decent bass drum tone unless I used fancy premuffled heads. Now my Ludwig is dialed in as never before and has an amazing character it NEVER had as well as being physically more play-responsive and gives a much better pedal feel as a bonus. Best $4.75 I ever spent!

[GrooveDrumming]

I like that it holds the shell from two sides. One side under the top hoop and the other side under the bottom hoop. Also, much more stable than the RIMS mounting system.

[JMayfieldArtist]

@GrooveDrummin Man thanks so much for the advise! My kick now sounds monstrous! I found that because the kick is 2" bigger than a regular 26'', it requires just a tad more muffling.... but the sound is unbelievable. Thanks again!

[GrooveDrumming]

@Slammintone
Very cool!!! You finally got the "sound"....This is what I LOVE to hear!!!

[iommiSGblack]

I ordered your videos. Outstanding dude!!! Thanks. REALLY made my Supraphonic sing.

[XxStrongDrumsxX]

Just for the record, I've found that yarn is also a substantial way of muffling. Place on roll of it on the batter head, and one on the resonant head. It makes the harmonics dry, but the attack is big and airy, which is the sound you want (the sound that is being achieved here). If you aren't liking felt strips, give it a go!

[TheColbles]

Awesome video man! And the the way you said the word "coated" makes me think you're from florida lol :P

[LukeSnyderMusic]

Sounds great man! I usually don't like that open sound, but yours sounds very good.

[GrooveDrumming]

@bumjmm
yes, it sure will. Do the felt strip on either side, don't tune too high and you should be good to go. If you find it still doesn't sound to your liking then you may want to try an offset port the size of a cd. Let me know how you make out.

[ebdrummer]

@GrooveDrummin Ok, i always thought that the felt strips were to help focus the sound of the drum. Mine has a 4 or 5 inch hole in it. Im going to check out your website for the rest of the video.

[XxStrongDrumsxX]

I think I might try this on my 20" bass drum.

[Slammintone]

Hey Dan, I just recieved the download from you for this tuning lesson. Looks great. Got to wait till later to try it on my 26" Ludwig Classic Maple from my 2011 Green Sparkle Zep kit. So far I have a coated Ludwig Heavy reso head and a new Emperor I just got but honestly I must be doing something wrong because instead of deep and boomy it sounds flat an papery! Which, of course is why I ordered your download. I'll let you know how I made out after doing your method of tuning.

[artistgmg]

sounds great! Thats actually how we used to muffle our bass drums in marching band.

[pedrolarrompe]

@GrooveDrummin thanks a lot Dan, in my place in 26 only have the coated ambassador i buy it and the result it´s good. i have the reso opened with a little hole like a cd. thanks for your coment. you

[GrooveDrumming]

@ebdrummer07
The felt strips add just enough dampening but not too much to kill the sound. My tuning technique will work for all bass drums but when you have a port, no felt is required on the reso. Thanks!

[GrooveDrumming]

With my tuning method you will achieve a bigger, more open sound. A 22" will sound a little different than a 26" and the added depth your bass drum has will create a very deep tone.

[GrooveDrumming]

@ebdrummer07
Yes, correct. When you dampen you help to focus the sound because the overtones that mud up the sound are removed. I suggest that you don't need a strip on the reso just the batter.

[GrooveDrumming]

@vintageboom
Front head is the stock ludwig head that came with it. Similar to a smooth ambassador. The reso head should always be a lighter or thinner head than the batter.

[SlugPercussionProducts]

Good sounding bass drum! LOVE old school tuning trix! Thanks for posting.
Slug has high quality felt strips. Check out our MUFFELT dampening strips. They are 3" wide for bass drums, and we have 2" wide ones for floor toms.

[GrooveDrumming]

@CloudOfDarkness9999
No, any size. I don't like putting anything inside the shell except a felt strip on either side. If you have a port then no felt strip on the reso.