Bongo tuning problems

[Doc Washboard]

I don't know what to do here.

The first problem is this: whenever I tune my hembra, I do my level best to ensure that all lugs get the same amount of tension. When I do that, however, there are always two lugs that are way, way lower than the other two. The sound, of course, is awful: ringing and dissonant. Should I go ahead and crank the lower lugs up until they meet the higher ones? Won't that differential tension be bad for the drum?

The second problem: my macho head gradually but inevitably gets pulled down on one side so the rim is lopsided. It doesn't matter if I'm using skin heads or synthetics (except that it happens faster with skin heads). Again, when I tune the drums I finger-tighten the lugs and then give them all the same number of turns, but I'm obviously doing something wrong. I just don't know what it is.

It might be helpful information to point out that this is a set of LP Matadors and that I care for the drums well--I keep the lugs oiled and I never leave the drums tuned up overnight.

Any help you could give me would be appreciated.

Michael

[Raymond]

Based on my experience, there are some factors here that could be affecting what you are trying to do... There is no specific solution and you have to play with what you have....Recommendation here is that if you must have those heads even, to try to achieve it and "play" with it until you achieve your desired tuning/sound...If it requires having to loosen everything and start again, do it...If not, play a little bit with it...(Let it break in a little bit). A recommendation given to me by a pro to avoid this problem and require less "tuning" is to put washers between the base and the "screw" of the tuning lug..but that has other problems too! (There are lots of tricks and you have to find out what works for you...)

The tuning lugs and their "state" are a big factor and the head is another. Some tuning lugs could "give up" more than others and do not provide the same "tightening effect" or do not provide the same pressure all around the head. (It happens...due to the pressures that the tuning lugs are subject to...the friction of the tuning lug with the base or the crown/rim could have some tunign lugs working more, hence, losing their round shape and losing their pressure in the crown...Take a look at your lugs and see if all look the same or have lost their S shape in the top...Also, the crowns or rims could lose their shapes when you open the "ears" of the rim or crown). If lubrication is not even in all lugs that could be a problem too... The other one is the head...don't know what type of natural heads are you using, manufacturer's "treated", or thicker types not made by manufacturers, etc...I mention this because some times the heads have "irregularities" in the mounting, i.e., a "folded part is thicker in other sides than others, etc....Here you have also the factor of the head not being "equal" or perfect... All this "mambo jambo" is to tell you that your problem is not one of quick fix.....You have to know your instrument and its flaws, know the sound your are looking for and that is by knowing your heads...and your playing....
,
Going to your situation...I am personally very critical with my "hembras"... Hembras that are thin and not broken in, I do not buy or get them...Why? My hand is big and the sound that I acheive is one that is ringy...Looking for my sound I tend to overtune them or under tune them and still hate the sound In my experience these heads need to break in a little bit before they sound righfor me...So I tend to go with thick that require less tuning or break in for me (Fyberskin in synthetic is what I prefer). With the macho I go for medium thick too for the same reason...Recommendation, play with it and know yourself so you can achieve what you want in regards to sound...

[Raymond]

I didn't finished my answer....(Somehow it does not allow me to write more in the previous post...).

Anyway...in summary check your hardware and/or your heads ...If you want that perfect look of even heads then you might have to do that...change the whole hardware or the faulty ones or change your heads.....If not...go for the sound... but know your heads so you could avoid the problem in achieving the sound you want....(Be aware that Matadors do not have the best hardware and the manufacturer's treated "see through" heads need break in...).

I hope this helps!!!! Saludos!!!!

[pcastag]

I'd start over with some new heads, preferably plastic, that way you know that you'll get an even tension all the way around due to the uniformity of the counter hoop. Some pics might helps us diagnose the problem a a little more effectively.
PC

[roberthelpus]

Why are you so focused on maintaining the same amount of turns on each lug? That is what you are doing, as the tension is obviously not uniform. Without going into an inordinate amount of detail here's what I suggest. Finger tighten the lugs and then bring the head up, evenly, to enough tension to make a tone. Tap the head near each lug and tighten each lug to match the notes produced till you get the overall pitch that you desire.

If all of that causes things to be too lopsided, then you might be looking at such things as bent hardware, uneven bearing edges, out of round or other asymmetries in the shells. Of course skins are not a homogeneous man made product and will have an effect as well.

The hembra on my Matadors has an uneven bearing edge that causes it to be out of tune with itself. I worked on evening it out with rasps and sandpaper. I did this by eye and now it's better. The next time I have the head off I will do some more. Otherwise, the search function is you friend, and I am sure that you can find more detail on this subject.

[skinslapper]

i do not have this problem .
But that is maybe because i buy loos skins without ring and with even thicknes. And put all my skins on myself.
And always lube my lug threads !

I only use natural skin!
For me thats the only really nice sound .(But eachs to its one)

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[skinslapper]

Leedy 2 No offence taken .(Check my other post and you can see a litle bit of wat i am doing )

I think i was not clear here !
I put my own ring in a wet skin . Put it on the drum tighten it a little . And let it dry .After drying i put a lot of washerrs on each lug Then wet the rim and tune in small strokes
I dont cross span! but one of mij lugs hase a mark . That is alway s the first i tune . So i know the tension is evenly spread .

I put skins on for more than 20 years and (for me this way works fine)

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[skinslapper]

As you please , It works for me . wat you think dous not really matter to me .
You seem to think you are right and you know it all!! Fine with me.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[skinslapper]

I did not ask for help .
i don t know where (in your infinit wisdom ) you got that from .

i just shared my experience .
And obviously you cannot read verry well !!
Hopefully you play better than you read . "Master "

I am surprised your ego fits in this forem

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Dicemanb]

Peace, Love and Woodstock guys, lets just talk and play

[Psych1]

I've given up on this "peace & love" stuff a long time ago. It is one thing stepping between two young kids on the playground. This is something else. One guy knows what he is talking about and was trying to help, the other guy is refusing help and wasting our time. " Peace & love" doesn't work here.