Help setting up my drum set?

Question

Sorry, these are probably stupid questions. But I'm new at setting it up.

1. My cymbals don't have anything to be tightened with. They're just basically on the holder with a black foam thingy. What do I need to tighten them and where can I get it?

2. My toms are connected to the top of the bass and facing towards me. I want them connected to the cymbals and facing up. How can I do this?

3. When I play a song, I obviously have to use the bass drum through the whole thing. But it always somehow ends up scooting back and I have to keep pulling it up. Does it have to do with my pedal?
And also my pedal is really close to the bass so it dosen't make too much noise. Can I fix this?

4. It might just be that I have a lame set, but my hi-hats don't sound too good. When they're closed, they still make a really loud cymbal sound. And when they're open they move alot so they end up crashing against each other when I hit them. Just a bad set or can it be fixed?

Like I said sorry if these are stupid. But thanks :)

Answer 1

1.

http://www.vintagedrum.com/thumbimage/10147-PA547MCSA4-th.jpg



im pretty sure you're talking about that little metal thing? just go to a guitar center and buy them at the drum department



2.ummmm like this?

http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=392951&stc=1&d=1287970381



well if you want it like that, you just need to buy a snare stand, again you can buy that at guitar center



3.make sure your kit is on a carpet or rug where the little spear like things on the bass can set, also i had that problem too, just get like something heavy and place it on those prongs, i have a 25 pound plate right on it so it wont scoot,



for the pedal

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/mmMBCOM/images/dw_5000ad3.jpg



you see how far back the beater is? well to get it like that theres a little screw that you can untighten with a key, just untighten it a little and move the beater up enough so its not to close



4.what brand and series is your hi hat??? please tell me if i helped out, ive never tried this hard to

answer







hmmmm, thats weird..... theres nothing at all on the hi hat? maybe inside? but pulse is good brand, mainly good for starters but also has good equipment, i have a pacific set, its a branch of pearl haha

Answer 2

Good answer from Javier, above.



1. Wing nuts. Any drum shop will carry these.



2. Tom mounts can be done all kinds of ways. It is only a matter of money. Your local drum shop should be able to advise you on this as well. Toms should be placed somewhat flat, which is what you are trying to do.



3. Javier is right again. Those 'spear' things are called 'spurs' (like what a cowboy wears on his boots). They hold the front of the bass drum up off the floor an inch or two. The spike is suppose to poke a bit into the carpet to prevent 'creep'.



Take your whole kick pedal to the shop and have them explain the adjustments to you. There are several variables involved. If your local drum shop will not help you with that, walk out and never go back. (Buy the wing nuts AFTER they help you.)





4. Adjust the high hats (HH). Make sure the bottom cymbal is secure to the stand, finger tight. Make sure the rod moves freely and quietly. Use machine oil to lube if necessary. Pedal too. Adjust the top cymbal so that it rests on the bottom cymbal. Then press the rod down just a little bit (about ½ inch or so) with your hand or foot and tighten the clutch (wing nut on top of the cymbal) finger tight to hold it in place. That will give you a ½ inch gap. Rock and roll style. Try different gap sizes and see how they work. Do not be afraid to experiment.



Also, you might be hitting the HH too hard.



Note that the two HH cymbals will not fit exactly in line with each other; that is by design. If they lined up perfectly, they would 'suck' onto each other like suction cups. And that would, well, suck.





>"I see alot of drum sets with 3 cymbals. Is that 2 crashes or 2 rides?"



Normally, people have ONE ride and the rest are crashes or splashes (small crashes).





No questions are stupid. Do not buy anything used until you know a lot more about drums, or bring a drummer friend with you.



Good luck.

Answer 3

difficult point. browse on to the search engines. that can help!