Tuning le toms?

[Lad.]

When I tune my toms, I try to get the top head as tight as I can, while leaving the bottom head looser so that the audience gets a deeper sound.
Now, something in the back of my head tells me that this is dreadfully wrong.
What are some of your guys' methods on tuning toms to where they sound not too high, but not too deep, all while having good rebound?

[MaltBuddow3]

I use the Weckl method and it works perfectly every time.....

detune top and bottom heads and finger tighten the lugs...
starting with the bottom head, press in with your fingers in the middle of the head and with the other hand give each lug one turn.
now do the same on top, if that's not high enough for you tune up some more, or down if it's too high.
you want both heads to be the same tension for max resonance. To really get down, after you do the major turns tap the head by each lug on the top and bottom and adjust them until the harmonics match, that's the key... listen past the main tone of the drum and try to match the harmonics... anyways, it's kinda hard to explain, check out Weckl's "Developing Your Sound" video from the Natural Evolution series, he explains it really well.

[Lad.]

I remember Virgil did something like that at the North Canton clinic for tuning his heads.
Thank ya Malt.

[jimi]

Then there's slight variations, like tuning the resonant side slightly higher or lower for different effects/sounds. type drum tuning or something like that into any search engine on the net and you'll find alot of reading on this!

[Lad.]

Well, I tried the Weckl method. It's tooooooo friggin high. I tried that on my 14" and 12" toms, and compared to the way I had them tuned before, it sounds like I'm playing an african bongo set. They go "booooooooooooongggggggggggggg(to be continued)"

Is this the way I should want them? Something tells me "hell no", but then again, I only know what I read.

[jimi]

its the technique we recommend, it's up to you how many times you turn the lugs, you get me? A well tuned kit needs no dampening and can sound just great! That being said i still use moongel pads, i mean its advice and you dont have to do it if you dont want ...

[DavidPartay]

*plugs his site again*

Try my tuning technique that I explain in the 'tips' section at http://www.davidpardy.live.com.au ;)

I'm such an attention whore ;)

[Adam]

"booooooooooooongggggggggggggg(to be continued)

hahahahahahahahahahaah

[Lad.]

I think I found the right way to do it.
When I read your first post, I was under the impression that I turn the lugs a full turn each. That, was just entirely too much. Now, I turn the lugs at quarter turns until I'm happy with the pitch, and then I do it with the head on the opposite side.
It would be much, much better to do with NEW drumheads though. Sheesh, I haven't changed heads since last July or so...

[DavidPartay]

I haven't changed drumheads since I bought my kit in... I think the end of June last year.

My kit still sounds fine. It went through a few performances, and has survived my practise routines. I just need to retune it occasionally.

I do need to get more sticks though... Down to my last pair of 5Bs.

[D.W.A.]

*plugs his site again*

Try my tuning technique that I explain in the 'tips' section at http://www.davidpardy.live.com.au ;)

I'm such an attention whore ;)
not a bad website....................