Frequently Asked Questions
We hope the FAQs (Frequently asked questions) below are helpful in answering your questions or concerns about drums and services in general. Please do not hesitate to contact us any time for further explanations or answers to other questions you may have. We are here to serve you!
Q: What is your return policy?
A: Precision Drum return policy: If you need to return an item, please contact us within 30 days of receipt of item. A 20% restock fee may apply. We will not refund S&H cost. Custom items are not returnable. If you receive a damaged or defective product, please contact us immediately.
Q: What do you think about the double sided tape method of wrapping drums?
A: This is one of our most frequently asked questions, and it’s an important one. The tape method is easy, but it’s not high quality. You might notice that the large drum companies use tape on their student level drums. If wrap is adhered with tape, the wrap will dampen the sound of the shell – as if a blanket were wrapped around it. On the other hand, when wrap is glued to the shell completely, the wrap essentially becomes part of the shell, and resonates with the shell. As a result, drums with glued on wraps sound better.
Quote from Modern Drummer Magazine:
“And no, an outer covering shouldn’t affect drum sound, as long as it’s tightly glued all around. However, if there are air pockets or it’s loose in some way, it could deaden the shell”. Modern Drummer Magazine, March 2008, page 168, article on “Drum shells”.
Besides the sound issue, the tape method can allow the wrap to ripple, bubble, not lay flat, or simply crack, especially as the drum wrap ages. Picture at right shows what can happen when wrap is held on only by tape at the seam. . .
Q: What are bearing edges?
A: Bearing edges are the contours (angle or round) cut at the edges of a drum shell. The bearing edge is where the drum head “bears”, or makes contact with the drum shell. The style and quality of the bearing edge effects the sound of the drum greatly.
Precision Drum can re-cut your drums bearing edges. As a result, your drums will sound their best!
Q: What is a Snare Bed?
A: A snare bed is a shallow, gradual relief cut in the bottom bearing edge of a snare drum shell, at the area where the snare wire straps cross the bearing edge to meet the throwoff and butt end. When tightened, the drum head will follow the snare bed contour. This allows the snare wires to make contact with the head in the center of the shell diameter.
The picture to the right shows a snare bed on the bottom edge of the drum.
Precision Drum offers snare bed re-cutting services.
Q: Can you make custom drum coverings?
A: Yes, we can make custom wraps from photos or computer graphics. As a result, the options are endless.
In addition, we offer custom natural finishes such as stains, wax, oils, shellac, and urethane.
Q: I can’t tell the difference between the Rogers finish of 35 years ago and your swatch of Red Onyx. How is this possible?
A: It’s very possible. Even though the currently produced material has a different chemical makeup than that from the 60’s, our wrap material comes from the same manufacturer that supplied Rogers, Ludwig, Gretsch, Slingerland, etc. As a result, some of our current wraps may match wraps that are many years old.
Q: Can you explain the difference between a sparkle finish and a glitter?
A: The sparkle wraps contain silver colored aluminum “flakes”. On the other hand, the glass glitter wraps contain actual glass “flakes”. Glass glitters reflect light a bit more brilliantly, but are much more brittle and difficult to work with.