HOT TO SETUP A DRUM SET
You've got your new drum set and well.......there are a few pieces you need to put together before you can play right? Let's get you going so you can start jamming....just keep the volume down will ya? The info below is for our 7 piece Hawk drum sets but will work for almost any drum set.
You'll notice that the tension rod mounts for the heads are already on the toms and bass drum. So what you'll need are the drum heads, rims, tension rods (and washers), and the tuning key. Many people often ask us what should I tune the heads to? While tuning to exact notes was done in the past most people use their ear to get the tone and depth they want. Put on some music and listen to the toms and tune to what you like. Obviously the smaller the tom the higher pitch it should have. When tightening the tension rods you should always tighten the one DIRECTLY across from the last one you tightened, like on a car wheel. ALSO you don't need to tighten each one down immediately. I always find that using a system like 5 turns with the tuning key on each one and than check it, you may only need to do 3-4 more on each one. However you do it, do it systematically. Then to be sure you have tuned the head evenly you can lightly strike your drum stick about one inch from each tension rod on the head and listen carefully to see if the tone matches on all, if it does than you have an evenly tuned head, now you just need to be sure it has the overall pitch you want. So do this to each head and also to the bottom head for each drum(Bottom heads are usually tuned lower than the top heads, but expermentation in this area can provide different results. Sometimes you will get too much ring if they are too loose or a higher pitched 'dong' if they are tuned to high. Remember that the snare drum has a switch on the bottom for the strainer and also has some other adjustments on it. Also don't forget to insert the bass drum legs so your bass drum remains firm. Many people put a blanket or something like that inside the bass drum which can deaden the ring and give you more of a bass punch.
MOUNTING THE TOMS
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT that we note the Hawk 7 piece drum set comes with ONE tom holder that holds TWO toms. Our photo shows the biggest tom mounted to the cymbal stand on the left but we have found this tom is too heavy to be mounted. So we have an adapter that mounts the TWO SMALLEST TOMS onto one cymbal stand which is much more stable and than the two bigger toms mount right on the bass drum with the floor tom next to them. We have found this to be the best setup for the Hawk 7 piece set. So there will only be ONE adapter included with the set but it will mount the smallest toms to the stand on the right. The floor tom can be set up slanted or straight as it has three legs and these can be set at different heights.
THE STANDS
You'll notice the stands are in two pieces when you pull them out. They easily fit together buy inserting the top piece of each stand into the bottom piece and tightening the locks down to stabilize them. Be sure to extend the legs out as far as they go for the MOST STABILITY. The crash and ride cymbals should have some play in them when tightening the nut down on the stands. The hihat stand should have one cymbal lying face up on the stand and than the small clutch adapter is attached to the other hihat cymbal and than inserted on the small bar on the stand. You should than press your foot down on the pedal about 1-2 inches and than tighten the top cymbal to the bar. This should give you the play you need between the hihats to do open and closed runs on the hihats. The bass drum pedal should be mounted to the bottom area of the bass drum rim and tightened down to it.
HOW SHOULD I SET UP MY DRUMSET?
There are many different ways to set up a drum set, especially since it's a 7 piece! Some like to have their toms mounted high, others like them low close to the bass drum. You'll notice there are many different adjustment nuts and such on the stands and tom arms and other parts of the set so you can set these to suit your particular needs. Set the kit up the best way that feels comfortable to YOU!
ENHANCING MY DRUM SET
There are many accessory items you can purchase for your already growing drum set. Bell trees, hihat mounted tambourines, roto tom drums add 3 more toms to your set making it a 10 piece! You can also get stands to mount your toms separately and purchase more cymbals and stands also. We've seen drum sets with 13 cymbals before! Drum stick bags to hold your stix. and even an ashtray that mounts to your drum! So there are many ways to enhance your drum set, some are cheap and some are more expensive, but lots to choose from!!
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