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Restoration
Tips
ARTICLES
Curb
Appeal
By
Steve (Father Time) Katz
We
all (those of us who are caring home-owners, that is) strive towards
giving our homes that dazzling outward appearance, that flawlessly
beautiful outside profile, getting everything perfect for
the eye of the beholder. And why not display your pride for all
the world to see? It sends out a message, lets everyone know
what kind of person you are. One can tell a lot about
a person by the way they keep their home. (Or their drumkit)
Pride is a very powerful emotional thing isn’t
it? The more work you put in aimed at reaching your
desired goal, the more pride and satisfaction you’ll get back in
return once accomplished.
Whenever
you ride by a really dramatic place and look hard at it you feel
many things. First, it’s the “Curb Appeal”. That
initial power of impact. Then as your eyes take in the
whole visual image, tiny little details begin to reveal themselves,
adding to the look and feel of the place justifying those many feelings
you’ve experienced during that brief moment. The main
idea to understand here is: Realize it’s the little
extra details that make this image so strong it can burn
its way into your memory, is what draws you in and captivates you
along with everyone else who sees it. “HEY! That place
has got some tremendous curb appeal!” What does
this tell you about that home-owner? (Sending that message!)
This happens so incredibly fast unless you stop to analyze
every detail as if under the microscope but that’s not what “Curb
Appeal” is all about. It’s about that first-glance impression, that
powerful initial impact I spoke of just moments ago.
It’s getting everyone else to experience this when they ride by
your house that we wanna talk about. You’ve taken all the
necessary steps including fresh paint, (a pleasing distinctive color
scheme) thoroughly manicured landscaping, (lush colorful flora,
various structures, pavers, fencing and the like) elaborate fountains,
decorative lighting, all these extra steps are done in
order to successfully achieve this very important “Curb Appeal”.
Now
let’s carry this concept of “Curb Appeal” over to your drumkit.
There’s many extra steps one can take to achieve
this same powerful visual impact. We’ll discuss a few of these ideas
here today that will produce quite favorable results when your drumkit
is seen out there in the public eye. Ya wanna puff up with
pride everywhere your kit goes as you observe all the positive reactions
from everyone? Well then, keep reading.
Many
obvious deterrents of this “Curb Appeal” are: Weather, (climate
both indoors and out-radical changes) Over-handling,
(either by you or by friendly untrained hands eager to help)
Exposure to the wrong abrasive cleaning chemicals, Age, Physical
destructive abuse, (ever seen what happens to a drumkit that
goes out on a 40-city tour with a popular Thrash-Metal band?
It’s literally turned into oatmeal by both Roadies and Players!
When the drumkit gets home, if it survives long enough to make it
home, it’s dumpster food!) Improper storage, (long-term and
short) Even a simple thing as neglect and soon like your home,
signs of wear begin to show up leading to that rundown look that
turns everyone off immediately. That’s why going after this “Curb
Appeal” is so vitally important. Not only to get that
striking visual impact, but for the prolonged lifespan and increased
structural integrity of your drumkit. Ya DO want it to last
a long time, don’t you? Remember; like your home, your drumkit should
also be viewed as an investment !
Since
we’re talkin’ extra steps here, we won’t be discussing
any regular maintenance or servicing such as: proper cleaning, lubricating
working parts, frequent periodic inspections, careful handling,
correct storage and the replacing of damaged, broken or missing
components. You should be familiar with all this and have been doing
these things right along so we’ll just move on. By the way,
if anyone out there reading this needs detailed info concerning
any of these necessary service steps, just ask.
Let’s
start down at the floor shall we, and work our way up. Concert
stages in large venues often provide risers that measure a square
at least 8’x 8’ and from 12 up to 60 inches high for major performers.
Did you know there are several do-it-yourself riser KITS on the
market today? Comes complete with clear easy-to-follow instructions,
they’re individually customizable and most are very affordable.
Many showing their assembled parts as foldable, ,collapsible for
somewhat easier transport and storage, but they can still take up
a ton of room and weigh far more than any one person can carry around
from date to date unless you got a red “S” on your chest.
(Risers always do give a good impression, getting the crowd’s attention
in a BIG WAY! Your fans are looking UP to you. There’s
something SO magical, almost command-like, amazing view from up
there too I might add, playing out to the crowd from high atop while
your kingdom’s loyal subjects are down below performing at your
feet. Why do you think they call our drum-seats thrones?)
You have to admit, risers are cool !
However most club-stages are considerably smaller, often forcing
us to leave half our gear in the truck in order to do the gig. Your
basic 5-pc kit could cover an area more like 4’x 5’ or even far
less. Your Flat-kit could go in a 3 ft square space!
Personally, risers smaller than 8’x 8’ are way too confining
for my rig, but that’s just me. Besides, not all of
us can drive around doing the club-scene in a moving van with 10
invisible Elves as helpers! Now that’s Elfen-Magic!
While
we’re down here at the floor level: Carpet shops always keep
lots of cut-offs or remnants on hand to satisfy customers like us
with much smaller carpet needs. Find a carpet remnant that
will completely cover the entire area your kit will occupy.
Choose the carpet color and style that will effectively match and/or
compliment the finish of your kit. My wife, an established Interior
Designer would offer, “If you’re tryin’ to match new carpet
to your couch, bring in a cushion or pillow to serve as your color
guide”. Might I suggest, bring a small Rack-Tom with you to
the carpet place, try to match using this same proven method.
To save on cash, extend your carpet search to include Discount or
Odd-Lot stores, Walmart, or even local Flea Markets to see what
they have. You may be pleasantly surprised. If you buy new
that’s fine of course but if you buy used, absolutely clean steam
shampoo, everything you can do to freshen it up before using it
under your kit. Much less bringing it into your home.
Unless you really savor that fine rich scent of stale cat pee, preserved
specimens of dog poop or even - well never mind!
Moving
up an inch or two from the floor, riser or carpet: What about
all those stands, do their legs ALL have their big rubber “feet”
on them? In fact are there any arms, tubes, braces, rack-components
ANY naked ends on your drumkit? These little rubber caps we’ll
call them for now, can be obtained anywhere for a few pennies each
and in all the appropriate sizes. Try to find them in corresponding
colors if possible or do the basic black. Put them on all
around your kit. Leave no bare ends anywhere. If they’re loose fitting,
simply wrap the part just where the cap will fit on with a small
piece of black electrical tape, then press the cap on. Lightly tap
in place if need be. This also stops any interior rust or
corrosion that would occur from elements getting inside hollow places,
which (without you even being aware of it) could eventually destroy
the piece literally from the inside out. This step will also
complete as well as unify your total hardware
configuration, especially if a wide variety of brands are being
utilized together.
Speaking
of enhancing your hardware: Try delicately sanding (using
only extra-fine gauge sandpaper OR steel wool for that matter)
away any rust and shooting the piece with chrome-colored spray paint.
3 bucks for a can of fancy spray paint will work wonders OR maybe
you’d rather spend hundreds per stand on all new hardware, you decide.
If painting isn’t your thing: For reconditioning your
hardware, try talking to Plating Shops, they do re-chroming of car
bumpers and other things, you should consider this before replacing
anything. Might save a bundle, enough to purchase that new
China cymbal you’ve been eyeing at the drumshop! HEY!
While you’re in the plating shop, why not ask about
color plating! He’ll wanna see all the parts of course for
a more accurate estimate of the cost but could be FUN, a learning
experience to say the least.
About
Tension Rods: If they’re rusted you might refer to “Vintage
Drum Center’s” newsletter and do what they suggest. (See footnote)
However if your Tension Rods are rusted, for 50
cents each it might be better to replace them altogether (rather
than having any spray paint get transferred from the rods to their
threaded inserts inside the lug-casings) AND
if they were mixed and didn’t match before, they certainly will
now. Don’t bother replacing just a few bad ones risking even
further mixing. AND don’t bother having them re-plated, that’s way
too costly! Simply replace ‘em all. This process will improve
the overall look of the drums themselves while allowing you to more
accurately keep them in tune provided you’ve got fresh heads on.
( Mixed tension rod lengths and different thread-counts
are often responsible for difficulties in drum tuning, while creating
hoop/rim damage along the way). Take all the Rods out, keeping
them separated from tops to bottoms and from drum to drum.
Then closely examine them and from this, make your determination,
whether to clean/restore or to discard and replace.
Personally
speaking: I would replace all the Tension Rods if
they actually needed replacing, with all new BRASS Rods. The
beautiful golden color acts as a wonderful new accent feature to
the visual impact you’re going after. This includes the T-Rods
and Claws for the bass drum. Let me say here that lugs, rods,
hoops, mount-brackets and various other component parts can be found
in stock colors of Brass, Copper, Black and traditional Chrome plated
finishes so design concepts are virtually limitless using one’s
imagination! Custom colors are available too at a substantially
higher cost and will vary from company to company. In
the last 20 years or so, Powder-Coated hardware (stands, complete
hardware packages, in fact every piece of metal on the kit) in spectacular
new colors, has become very popular among endorsed pro players who
desire this visually stunning appearance all around their kit! Now
that’s “Curb Appeal” BIG TIME!
While
we’re talkin’ bass drums: Why not spray paint those wood hoops
a contrasting, matching, or corresponding color. Or why not
sand them all the way down to natural and stain them? For
painting: First, cover the color inlay strip with the same
width of masking tape. (They’re all either ½ inch or 1 inch
wide). Then shoot the hoops, lightly sanding them before-hand
smoothing out any roughness. After enough dry-time, carefully
remove the masking tape covering the inlay strip and you’re done.
If you’re blessed with GASP! metal hoops, remove the inlay
strip then lightly sand over the chrome just enough to re-tooth
the surface. This will allow the new spray paint
to better adhere to the metal. After sufficient dry-time, you can
then re-attach the inlay strip using the appropriate adhesive material.
Be careful, these color inlay strips are extremely fragile.
For
sanding/staining: Remove the inlay strip first, then do your thing.
Get creative with it. Make it be FUN . DON’T RUSH! Take
your time. Remember: For best results, always work outside in well-ventilated
areas AND ALWAYS read product labels for directions and safety.
Everyone
still with me here? Very well then, on to props, scenery, lighting,
accessories, Star Trek, -- just a minute! When we’re talkin’ “Cool
Factor”, I’m sure everyone has their individual interpretation
of what that is. Do we all get the idea now of what “Curb
Appeal” is and how to apply this concept to our drumkits?
EXCELLENT ! These few suggestions I’ve brought up
here today are just that, merely suggestions. Certainly enough
though to start you thinking in this direction, YES! Use
them if you will, but I’d rather you decide just what cool is concerning
your drumkit and then go give it that character, that life-of-its-own.
Have some fun with it ! Express yourself !
Give it a name. Allow it to develop its own personality.
Buy it flowers. Take it to dinner. Fall in love
with it all over again. HEY! Don’t
go gettin’ kinky ! Wait till ya get home alright
!
Keep
in mind: “Curb Appeal” has two basic elements: The practical
side, AND the aesthetic side both equally integral. Two points
I wanna touch on briefly;
#1)
The practical side: These extra steps can prove
to be crucial to longevity while improving structural well-being
of your drumkit, and
#2) The aesthetics or “Cool Factor” is a visual concept you apply
towards successfully attaining “Curb Appeal” using this ARTFUL approach.
Your rewar - > the pride you feel, as a result, is a side-product
of this increased dedication to your gear. Remember my
“Tech-Tip” on commitment? We talked about exuding an
air of “confidence” and “Competence” both on and off the stage and
in ALL areas of your life as well. Remember?
Just checking. Now we’ll just sprinkle in a little COOL
to complete the picture and really SELL THE PRODUCT!
Most
importantly - It’s all about conquering your audience through exciting
visual impact in your musical presentation. Your look
is cool, your drumming is getting very hip, and now your gear really
sez something about its owner. (HELLO Sending that
message! )
Lastly:
The end-result, your drumkit is no longer simply a tool for your
work, like a wrench in a toolbox. Though some players DO see
their drumkits as such . This is after all YOUR PERSONALIZED
precision-crafted musical instrument that you must rely on for years
to faithfully deliver your rhythmic ideas in all their splendor
and passion across to the World’s ears and should ALWAYS
be treated accordingly, Or had you forgotten that !
footnote:
Seeking
info about restoring Tension Rods? An article on this subject can
be found on-line at www.vintagedrumcenter.com
OR you can contact us here at DDA for this same info,
we’d be happy to mail you a copy.
Call/Fax
our office # 305-621-9022 or you can write to us at:
DDA
--Tension Rod Info 18901 N.W. 19 th Ave. Miami, Fla. 33056
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