Cutting 6" Hole in Bass Drum

MonsoonDrummer · Big Goldfish Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 69

Has any person here ever cut a hole in their Bass Drum Skin?
I want to mic' up my kit and want to cut a 6" Hole in the skin
Having never done this before ...HELP!!!
In regards to cutting and Fitting the Retaining Rings

Like i said thinking about a 6" hole ..so do i cut it exactly 6"
also how do the Retaining rings fit in place ??

Many Many Thanks in advance.

Cale · Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:01 am Post subject:

ohhh good times!

I cut my own hole by heating up a coffee tin and melting the hole with it... It worked PERFECTLY. In terms of making a perfect 6" hole, I would think you'd have to either get really lucky and find the perfect sized can, or create something that you can heat yourself!

It's pretty sketchy business really, I wish you good luck!
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seeker1834 · Little Guppy Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 32

I managed to mic up my bass drum pretty nicely, and it doesnt have a hole at all. I heard that having a hole in the drum head can have some pretty adverse effects on the sound (though im not sure about that)

sfauts · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:57 am Post subject:

nedbrower · Not So Newbie Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 7 Location: l.a.

are good and cheap. you can stick them on in place and then use the ring as a guide and cut with an exacto blade/razor blade. the snap together plastic 2 piece ones are cool but they are a pain in the dick to snap into place and cost more. i think you should reinforce the hole or you can easily tear your skin when a roughneck stage hand goes to grab a mic.

sfauts · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:46 am Post subject:

Alot of Evans resonant heads have holes pre-cut on them.

You can also just put the mic next to the resonant skin and it will pick up the sound.

gdawson44 · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Cutting 6" Hole in Bass Drum

Bish · King of the Jungle Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 1861

This has been posted before.

I've done this very simply.

Put the removed bass drum head on a flat surface. I took a regular old CD and laid it down on the inside of the head and used a Stanley box knife (with fresh blade) and cut around the CD. I made a very completely round opening and didn't require any protective rings or anything.

That was over a year ago and it works great. Plus the whole is big enough to get my hand inside if need be.
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gladkins · Tadpole Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

spend 13 bucks and buy a holz. it will give you the size you need. they come in 2, 4, and 6 inch.

metal head · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:17 pm Post subject:

my aquarian reso head came with a 4 inch hole. i would suggest that you start with a 4 inch hole then mic it. the bigger the hole, the less bass there is. and having a 7 inch hole or bigger is like having no resonant head at all.
and of you think having a 4 inch hole is not enough, make it bigger by half an inch until you get the soud you want.
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gigeoffro · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

I used a holz but they are a pain in the *Horse's Patoot* to snap into place. I can't seem to get mine too and now it makes this annoying rattle when ever I hit my bass drum. But it sure does look nice and professional.
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