Is good 6-lug hardware available? HELP !!!

[Allan Speers]

I just purchased a very old snare on Ebay. Jumped on it because it's a single-ply maple shell, with single-node lugs. looks a lot like an early N&C (and probably is.)

 

Fortunately, the drum is perfectly round and the bearing edges are excellent.

 

Unfortunately, the hoops are dog doo. I'm not sure I can repair them to perfect roundness, though maybe.

 

Additionally, this drum uses a "claw" type piece to attach to the hoops, there are no holes in the hoop itself for the tension-rods.

 

I did find a supplier of flanged 6-lug hoops. I would prefer die-cast if possible, especially as it's a 6-lug. Any ideas where?

 

Either way, i also have to change the lugs, unless someone actually makes claw-type hardware. again, any ideas?

 

If it's going to be new hoops AND new lugs, then I need to find a supplier of N&C type (one center-node only) lugs. I can't find this anywhere.

 

-Last, I suppose I could turn this into a ten-lug snare, and plug the old holes, but that seems like a terrible idea somehow. Do you think that the advantage of a ten-lug hoop would outweigh the aesthetic damage of plugging the original holes?

 

Thanks as always.

[Allan Speers]

Ahhhhh you guys are lettin' me down here! Maybe there just is no source for the hardware I need.

 

I'd still like to know if a six-lug snare is a bad thing in general. Yes / no ?

[Rod Gervais]

Allan,

 

Try this company:

 

http://www.leecustom.com/drum.hardware.htm#Counter%20Hoops

 

NOthing die-cast - but 6 lug up to 14" for snares......

 

Then this company :

 

http://www.precisiondrum.com/hardware.html

 

They have die cast rims to 12" (you never said what size drum this was)

 

One other company with up to 13" 6 hole rims:

 

http://www.drumchops.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=98174-935434067-108&Product_Code=T13B-6&Category_Code=rims

 

One last shot here - on the chance that this is a 13".

 

Gretsch makes a 13" 6 lud die cast snare.... a special edition - perhaps you can contact them :

 

Don't know if this is their snare hoops or not - but here:

 

http://www.lidrum.com/browse.html?loc1=Parts&loc2=Drum-Parts&loc3=255

 

Rod

[Allan Speers]

Rod,

 

i can always depend on you (and usually also Djarrett) for help when no-one else can. thanks!

 

These are great sources. Unfortunately, I am dealing with a 14".

 

I feel fairly strongly that a 6-lug is not a good idea. ESPECIALLY with flanged hoops. Not enough tension for 24-wires, and questionable straightness under higher tunings. Would you agree?

 

Luckily, the drum in question uses N&C-type lugs, with only one hole dead center. I'm going to fill the existing holes with maple doweling, then re-finish the shell. If it looks too funky this way, I can always add a center stripe of oak.

 

With this plan, i can use the 10-lug hoop of my choice. I'm considering Standbridge maple or hickory hoops:

 

http://www.stanbridgedrums.com/

 

Yowsa!

 

Any suggestions for the "best" snare system (strainer, throw-off, springs, etc) This would be for pop & rock. 5 X 14" SOLID maple shell.

 

-thanks.

[Allan Speers]

BTW,

 

Here are two other good suppliers, though unfortunately they also don't have what I had hoped to find:

 

http://www.amdrumparts.com/

 

http://drumMaker.com/

[Allan Speers]

Rod,

 

Precisiondrum.com is a serious find for me! they do all manner of cutting and drilling -lug holes, bearing edges, snare beds. They even sell maple hoops both with rod holes and plain (for my claws!)

 

-And they're less than an hour drive from my studio. I think I died and went north!

 

Thanks again.

[Rod Gervais]

Allan,

 

I was happy to be of assistance.

 

Enjoy.

 

Rod