On drums...

Sent my Designer 8 to have its bearing edge trued (think I mentioned it has a miniscule wobble). The expert called me from the shop, told me that the wobble was miniscule, probably too small to make a difference, but that the way the bearing edge was cut is all wrong. "We cut ours so that they are farther in, about an eight of an inch from the outer edge, so that the distorted part of the head, where it curves to meet the collar isn't affecting the sound." ...

I was silenced for a bit, and then said, "Are you recommending they be cut like that with full knowledge that Sonor shells are standardly made about a quarter inch under the nominal size?"

No, he wasn't. Holy moly. He said he knew that Premier had metric sizes... "Not metric," I said. " Purposely undersized to clear the muck of that radius and to keep the shell away from the collar."

Then he wanted to know if I'd checked the reso edge. "Well no," I said. "It tunes perfectly. It's the batter side that won't tune." What is he thinking?

I'm not happy about having my drum in somebody's hands where I can't see it.

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Gregory

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

In contrast to Sonor's and Premier's 'undersize' shells, RB Gretsch snare drums are notorious for, in some cases, accepting modern heads with difficulty or, with regard to certain brand's models, not at all. It's not consistent. With respect to my two 6 ply RB snares, the older, c.'59-60, is very tight (Remos literally 'squeek' on). The other, c.'63-64, presents no such problem.

A Gretsch RB snare's bearing edge bevels straight away from the outer edge. Perhaps this is why many have claimed RB Gretsch snare drums 'difficult' or 'impossible' to tune satisfactorily. (Personally, I think that the tuning 'problem' lies with the deep snare beds. You've got to really crank the reso.)

Btw, Rogers snares from the mid 60s had quite similar bearing edges... re-rings notwithstanding... which I believe to be a vital component in their 'crisp', 'modern' response.

On the other hand, the bearing edges of RB Gretsch toms and kicks were rounded over from the outer edge to the crown. I believe in the case of their top line, they still are. This is why custom seating of calf heads on RB sets may be critical for achieving the best response.

More than one way to skin a drum.

Ron

Yes, there is hope!

Suggestions for insurance levels on return shipping?

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Gregory

Probably to read the fine print from your chosen shipper, as I suspect that even if you declare a value and select commensurate coverage, you may still have to present proof of loss to authenticate a claim.

Otherwise, people would be playing 'post office lottery', and with pretty good odds.

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

I get the post office lottery thing, but can you translate the first sentence?

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Gregory

To German:

Wahrscheinlich um das Kleingedruckte von Ihnen gewählten Absender zu lesen, wie ich vermute, dass selbst wenn Sie einen Wert, und wählen Sie angemessene Berichterstattung zu erklären, können Sie immer noch den Nachweis der gegenwärtigen Verlust, eine Forderung zu authentifizieren.

To French:

Probablement pour lire les petits caractères de votre expéditeur choisi, comme je soupçonne que même si vous déclarez une valeur et une couverture correspondant sélectionnez, vous mai ont encore de présenter une preuve de la perte d'authentification d'une réclamation.

To Spanish:

Probablemente para leer la letra pequeña de su cargador elegido, como sospecho que incluso si declara un valor y seleccione cobertura acorde, todavía podría tener que presentar pruebas de pérdida para autenticar a un reclamo.

To English:

You're gonna get screwed no matter what you insure it for.

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

Ouch.

I've had insurance companies attempt not to pay, but never one that didn't.

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Gregory

_________________
Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

I woould like to add something interesting to this post
except I can't stop laughing long enough.