Tension rods coming lose easily.

[Boy_Narf]

Are the stainless steel rods a free replacement from Pearl or did you have to pay for them? I picked up an 18" kick recently and intend to start using it live so I'm curious.

Thanks,

[StickS707]

I'm gonna test the Stainless Steel tension rods on the 10 and 14 toms this weekend during a 3 set gig. I was originally just going to test the 14 as it is the worst culprit (and probably hit the most...and hardest), but it is tuned pretty low, so I'm adding the 10 to the test as it is probably the next most hit, but tuned quite a bit higher and tighter (comparaitively).

BTW, the rest of the toms still have teflon tape on the tension rods from the gig a couple of weekends ago and only needed very, very, minor tuning adjustments (the adjustments were well within normal tolerances). So I'll be able to compare the teflon-covered vs. SS rods. Will update on Sunday.

I forgot to post the results of the SS tension rod test....in a word: SOLID! Both the 10 and 14 toms stayed in tune all night (and still are a week later). I used nylon washers, btw. The teflon tape solution is still solid, also.

[StickS707]

I'm gonna test the Stainless Steel tension rods on the 10 and 14 toms this weekend during a 3 set gig. I was originally just going to test the 14 as it is the worst culprit (and probably hit the most...and hardest), but it is tuned pretty low, so I'm adding the 10 to the test as it is probably the next most hit, but tuned quite a bit higher and tighter (comparaitively).

BTW, the rest of the toms still have teflon tape on the tension rods from the gig a couple of weekends ago and only needed very, very, minor tuning adjustments (the adjustments were well within normal tolerances). So I'll be able to compare the teflon-covered vs. SS rods. Will update on Sunday.

[Kevin Packard]

Forum Members and Pearl Family,

This thread just came to my attention and I must apologize to anyone that feels their query has gone ignored. As excellently as the Forum is moderated by giants like Al and D (as well as personally monitored by our CEO,) there are times when things slip by. All apologies and no excuses, we were remiss and ask for your forgiveness and patience.

Please remember that if you ever have an immediate issue that needs attention, you have a DIRECT line to the company via our Contact Ticket Portal on the website:

http://pearldrum.com/support/contact-us/

The messages submitted there go directly to (and are answered by,) our Customer Service and Product Managers. Our goal is to personally answer each query within 24-48 hours (depending on Holidays, schedules, ect.)

That being said, the detuning issue several have discussed in this thread has come to our attention in rare instances before. The answer you received was actually correct; in most cases a more rigid shell like Acrylic doesn't often absorb the vibrations coming from impact, thus allowing rods to come loose as the vibration is transferred through the lugs. As Pearl's Crystal Beat's are seamless cast shells (and not rolled like RCI/Ludwig/OCDP, ect.) they are more solid for that no-overtone sound and feel, but have been known to have this affect on some tuning points.

I liked the thought of using Teflon Tape (hadn't considered that before but definitely a valid fix,) but to each point, we want to make sure you are getting the most from your instrument. One solid fix would be our Stainless Steel tension rods, which will have a more secure fit and are available on our Reference and Masterworks drums. Please reach out to us through the Contact portal mentioned above, we would love to be able to assist you further.

Thanks again for all your support and patience!

KPack @ Pearl

[The Kurgan]

Glad it helped. Plus as an added bonus you won't have any leaks !!!

[StickS707]

You can try teflon thread tape...works on snares great.

Gig Tested and verified!
I tried the telfon tape thing for a gig this weekend. Wrapped all tension rods (batter and reso sides) on the 10, 12, 14, and 16 toms (the 14 and 16 being the worse offenders, possibly due to their low tuning). Worked like a charm!! The 8 had a bit of loosening, but it was my control tom...it will be getting the teflon tape treatment prior to the next gig. I basically started from the bottom of the tension rod and wrapped approximately half way up the rod.

That being said...it's still BS that I have a '97 Export Select that stays in tune better than the Crystal Beat without any after-market mods. I'll have to check the other manufacturer forums to see if they are having issues with their acrylic kits (has anyone heard of issues with DW, Tama, or Crush?).

[The Kurgan]

You can try teflon thread tape...works on snares great.

[rollracer]

MAYBE , the tension rods's threads are a little undersized to avoid any gripping or to avoid transfering some extra torsional tension to the lugs when turning the rods, this to avoid cracking at the lugs attachement points . i try to find some kind of logical explanation ,and undersized threads of the rods seems to be the problem.

[The Kurgan]

This is the explanation from Pearl that I received. I have searched and searched online for another source to confirm that this is true, and can not find anything. You would think that after 50 years of existence, this would be a more known issue with acrylic drums, which is leading me to believe this is a BS answer... "The Crystal Beat acrylic shells are extremely rigid, and, unlike multiple-ply wood drum shells, offer no way to subdue the sound waves and subsequent vibrations that they cause. This means that most of the energy that is generated goes straight into the tension rods and causes the de-tuning. This is the nature of this type of shell. We recommend using any type of product that prevents tension rod de-tuning such as Lug Locks as they are inexpensive and can be used for the entire kit." Any thoughts? Does anyone have experience with other acrylic kits that can verify that they had this issue as well?

I have a friend that gigs with an OCPD acrylic kit & he hasn't had any issues. He gigs & practices with it all the time.

[Sethiroth]

This is the explanation from Pearl that I received. I have searched and searched online for another source to confirm that this is true, and can not find anything.
You would think that after 50 years of existence, this would be a more known issue with acrylic drums, which is leading me to believe this is a BS answer...

"The Crystal Beat acrylic shells are extremely rigid, and, unlike multiple-ply wood drum shells, offer no way to subdue the sound waves and subsequent vibrations that they cause. This means that most of the energy that is generated goes straight into the tension rods and causes the de-tuning. This is the nature of this type of shell. We recommend using any type of product that prevents tension rod de-tuning such as Lug Locks as they are inexpensive and can be used for the entire kit."


Any thoughts? Does anyone have experience with other acrylic kits that can verify that they had this issue as well?

[Sethiroth]

in the wait for a permanent solution to this problem, isn't such cheap device like the lug locks shouldn't be considered ?

seems to works at least. maybe not visually attractive, but it's better than having to tune your drums at every session.

Whats better is for there to be a correct fix, instead of adding a bunch of stupid looking squares to my fairly expensive kit at my own expense.

[rollracer]

in the wait for a permanent solution to this problem, isn't such cheap device like the lug locks shouldn't be considered ?

seems to works at least. maybe not visually attractive, but it's better than having to tune your drums at every session.

[Stuffed Chimp]

Have you ever had a chance to try the Master Works rods w/ metal washers, or the Pearl rods with the plastic washers? It would be silly if this whole problem is because of some cheap washers.

I had the metal washer, machined rods on my MMP and they detuned in minutes. It's not just the crystal beats that this issue is affecting: I'm in the same boat.

I've now stacked my ridiculously expensive and absolutely stunning to look at yellow MMP kit in the corner of the drum room and play exclusively on a Yamaha stage custom nouveau kit that I picked up in an unusual configuration for a SC (13,16,18,24) and was literally 10% of the price of the MMP and it's just amazing: tunes up in seconds, never drops out of tune no matter how much I beat those floor toms, so simple and easy to play, NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER. This is what drumming should be like, not a constant battle with a supposed top line kit.

[GreenDrummer]

I am pissed. I cannot play more than 2 songs in a studio with losing tune... rods keep falling out...

[Sethiroth]

So - I tried the rods from my Masterworks tom on my 12" tom and it DID make a significant difference... Although I only played for an hour and a half, no rods were coming loose.

I don't know if it's the rod itself or if it's the plastic skewers that keeps them in place. I'll find out by glueing the metal skewers on the CB rods to rod-head and then putting the plastic skewers underneath.

At least it's a kind of a break through :-)

Have you ever had a chance to try the Master Works rods w/ metal washers, or the Pearl rods with the plastic washers?
It would be silly if this whole problem is because of some cheap washers.