NotSoModernDrummer.com hosted their 10th annual Snare Drum Olympics on July 27th. Dixon’s 6″ x 13″ model DS-0613-RWD Rosewood Snare ranked first in Cumulative Scoring and more importantly, ranked first for Blind Scoring, both in the Plywood Category. This drum received a 189 out of a perfect 200 score for the blind category! From NotSoModernDrummer.com:

In the objective blind judging the drums were played behind the judge’s backs for two to three minutes each, using the same series of rudiments, patterns and beats on each drum as the judges voted from 1 to 10 on five criteria; sensitivity, tone quality, dynamic range, rim sounds, and blend of the drum with the drum kit. The judge had no idea of the manufacturer or model of the drum and could not see it. They were told the sequence number of the drum, what the shell construction was, and the size. Otherwise the only thing they had to go on was their ears. A perfect score of 50 from each judge would equal a total score of 200.

Lou Mars, winner of Dixon Drum’s “Drum Your Way to Hollywood” contest has drummed his way back to Hollywood once again.

From his MySpace blog:

July 16, 2009 Lou Mars at the Whiskey A-Go-Go with ‘One High Five,’ Los Angeles, California

Lou Mars to perform with “One High Five” at the famous Whiskey A Go-Go located on the Sunset Strip. Doors open at 7:30 PM, however the act is slated for the 11:00 PM performance on Thursday, July 16th. The Whiskey is the premiere rock club to play in Los Angeles, therefore this will be a show you will not want to miss!

LouMarsDrums.com

Why do some drummers tend to over-tighten their cymbal stands, hi hat stands, and snare stands? We have probably all seen it- hardware with dents where tightening blots make contact with the shaft.

I think most of us feel that it needs to be as tight as possible so there is no equipment failure. I have seen touring pros and their techs using vice grips and pliers to tighten various wing nuts and bolts, to the point of denting the down tubes on the stands. The problem then becomes, tear down. At the end of the gig the last thing you want to do is fight to loosen your stand, so that you can pack it up.

To alleviate this problem in our stands, we have utilize alignment tube inserts, as well as hinged height adjustments at all the height adjustment points. This is a fixed nylon piece that is inserted into the metal down tubes so that there is no metal to metal contact inside the stand, and also allows for smooth height adjustments.

So stop using vise grips and pliers, and your hardware will last much longer. This damages your hardware and it is unnecessary. Better yet, make sure your stands have a way to prevent overtightening and the damage that results from this.