Entering the Edrum home stretch

[JLee]

Well, in my last post on my pending edrum set, I realized that there was still quite a lot left to do.

I just got a little closer, as my shipment arrived from Andy at DSH. Very good to deal with. I had previously worked with John Riolo and he did a great job on drilling and edges for my snare, but DSH had very inexpensive Pearl lugs that were considerably cheaper than anything else I could find. Since this set is not likely to leave the house much, there is not much reason to make a style statement this time around.

So, I just got back from Home Depot, where I bought a 24" x 48" piece of melamine (sp) to make a router table top. My 45 degree chamfer bit with guide bearing arrived a few days ago, and I already had a Ryobi 1 1/2hp router, so I need to use the posted router table instructions to get the router up and running, do the edges, drill the shells and then pick out a module.

Decided to go with three rack e-toms (8",10", 12"), one mounted "floor" tom (14") and a 13" e snare. All with have mesh heads, bridged piezos and are mounted on a Gibraltar 350 series rack with two 24" wings. I went and got a third 24" piece to mount the snare so that most of the rack can be folded up. Picked up an Alessis cymbal trigger (the one shaped like a pie slice (MMMM PIE!!) and that will be my hi hat.

A couple of questions on the way:

1) Is the TD 6 module really that much better than say, a DM5? Or is the difference only obvious for those with exacting standards?

2) Will Pearl Rhythm Traveller mesh heads suffice for this use, or do I really need something more substantial, like a Silentech, etc.?

3) SImilarly, is the Roland TD7 hi hat controller that much better than a Hart Dyanmic, Pintech or similar?

Thanks in advance

[tcraw1010]

A couple of questions on the way:

1) Is the TD 6 module really that much better than say, a DM5? Or is the difference only obvious for those with exacting standards?

2) Will Pearl Rhythm Traveller mesh heads suffice for this use, or do I really need something more substantial, like a Silentech, etc.?

3) SImilarly, is the Roland TD7 hi hat controller that much better than a Hart Dyanmic, Pintech or similar?

Thanks in advance

I would dare say that the Roland Drum Modules are superior to Alesis, Yamaha or any other drum modules. (I have heard/sampled several of them). I used to own a TD-10 (with my then V-Drum kit) and the sounds and variations I was able to get from the Roland products were fabulous.

Rhythm Traveler heads will do . . . but in my opinion, they are little better than rubber bands. Why not go for actual Roland V-Drum heads? In the alternative, I do know that Hart Dynamics offers a variety of mesh heads in a variety of sizes - in both black and white. (Personally, I would go with white).

I don't really have that much experience with any other eHi-Hat controllers other than the Roland products, so I don't feel qualified to comment on whether it is "better" or not. I just happen to be of the opinion that you can't go wrong with Roland.



TOM

[JLee]

Tom

Thanks for the input.

[tcraw1010]

Jon:

When are we going to see some progress pics ??

Heck I would love to see all the parts layed out accross a table as you are preparing to start.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_15.gif

TOM

[JLee]

Tom

Progress pictures might be a little misleading term, as I don't seem to be moving ahead at too torrid a pace. However, an inventory picture can soon be in the offing. I will get everything together for that shortly.

Once I get the router table together to do the edges, i should move a little more rapidly. I had originally thought that edges were not really necessary on Edrums, but apparently if they are not cut, it will wear out the heads very quickly.

Plus, it will be good practice for my next set of drums, as I doubt whether or not it would matter if the 45 degree edge was to the inside or outside, etc.

[tcraw1010]

So where are these pics you promised ??


:(





TOM

[JLee]

Tom

Actually, I posted them in a different thread (entitled "Cut My First Bearing Edges This Afternoon"). There are pictures of the router table I made, the materials used to build the e-set and a finished shell ready for drilling. And I am told that, since I appear in one of the shots, I should be prepared to be "photoshopped", which I assume will be the equivalent of graphic arts graffiti.

[tcraw1010]

Well, for reference sake, http://forum.ghostnote.net/showthread.php?t=9190 (http://forum.ghostnote.net/showthread.php?t=9190)

NICE JOB !!!

Looks like the makings of a nice e-kit thus far.
What's your next step ???



TOM

[JLee]

What's next?

Well, I am trying to be logical and sequential with this, but there is still a lot left to do

For starters, gloss tung oil is not as easy to work with as I thought. The finish is pretty free of any blemishes, but it is pretty hard to get much of a gloss out of it as well. I think maybe another coat or two will be needed, then sanding with just .0000 steel wool.

Then:

1) Need to get a good price on mesh heads for the shells in 8,10,12,13 and 14 so that I can test fit the hoops before drilling. Pearl Travellers are easy to come by, but I understand they loosen easily and will not last long, so I will likely try to get some Hart Dynamic heads

2) Drill the shells for lugs, and in the case of the 10,12,13 and 14, also for the piezo bridge. These are all six lug hoops, so I can use the existing positions to mount L brackets and some 12 gauge straps for the piezo. The 8" shell will not accomodate a six lug hoop, so I will likely just use contact cement for the bridge on this one.

Will also need to drill the shells for the jack holes (could not resist saying that).

3) Mount the piezos to the bridges and mount the cones to the piezo with silicone and connect up the piezos to the jacks with solder.

From there, it is just a matter of aquiring the balance of the equipment I need - Hi hat controller, kick trigger (double bass sized, as I want to be the geriatric Virgil Donati one day) , Pintech practice cymbals (to be converted to ecymbals with piezos and a sheet of neoprene for the striking surfaces) and of course

a good module to power all this stuff - probably a TD6, as I cannot see the point of using a DM5 with only an open and closed hi hat sound. The DM Pro might also be another option.

Then just play away

[drummerdan]

Jon, I can tell you only from my experience, but the TD-6 is a very good brain for the price. Is it as good as the TD10 or TD20? Nope. But still pretty darn good. Lots of sounds and you can tweak them pretty well. I've built an edrum using the Peral heads and so far, so good. Can beat the price and I actually like the feel of them pretty well.

Good luck!

[JLee]

Drummerdan

Thanks for the input. I am seriously looking at the TD6 once everything is finished.

[Stoovey]

The TD-6 looks cheap to me. I recommend the TD-8 for maximum features for the price, since most people don't really need to spend their retirement savings on a TD-12 or TD-20. :D

I've got the TD-8 and have used several other Roland modules. The TD-8 is honestly the best bang for the buck.

[tcraw1010]

How's it coming along, Jon ???




TOM

[JLee]

Tom

Thanks for asking.

The mesh heads just came in from music123.com. Since I am new to this whole electronic drum thing, I am starting with cheap heads (Rhythm Travellers on the toms and Hart Dynamics on the snare).

The shells are all finished, and now that the heads arrived (so that I can test fit before drilling) I am ready to drill all the shells. All the hardware got here a while ago, and I picked up a brad point bit to start the holes, and a couple more graduated sizes to drill them out appropriately.

Picked up metal straps and L brackets from the hardware store to make the bridges, so once the shells are drilled, that will be next. (Also need to pick up a glue gun and the cones).

I picked up an Alessis cymbal trigger, kind of wedge shaped, that will be used for the hi hat, and already have the clamps and L rods necessary for attaching the shells. Of course, I still need a hi hat controller and a kick trigger. In the interest of space, I will probably just get a trigger that mounts onto an existing pedal, as opposed to building a Hart or Roland type e kick bass drum.

Not quite there yet, but the end is in sight.

[tcraw1010]

Post Parts Pics !!!!

Post Parts Pics !!!!


:)




TOM

[JLee]

Actually, I put some up a while back, but I will get the digital camera from work
and take pictures of the new stuff I picked up.

Just have to keep making progress
so that the kit will be together sooner rather than later.