Abstract: A drum beater comprises an elongated rod adapted to be mounted to a foot-operated beater drive mechanism and a beater head main body mounted to an end of the elongated rod. The beater head main body includes a recessed area disposed at an entry area where the elongated rod passes into the beater head main body and a shock absorber member is disposed in the recessed area such that the elongated rod directly engages both the beater head main body and the shock absorber to attenuate the transfer of vibration between the beater head main body and the elongated rod. In the preferred embodiment, the recessed area is formed as an annular opening facing away from said main body and the shock absorber member is removable disposed in the recessed area.

Abstract: A beater holder apparatus for a bass drum pedal enables adjustment of the amplitude of swing of a drum beater with respect to a drum head, comprises a beater holder that is configured to for radial adjustment with respect to the beater shaft. The assembly comprises a support; a shaft supported by the support and rotatable around the axis of the shaft. A pedal is pivotable between an operating position to which the pedal is operated by the operator and a return position. A connecting system connects the pedal to the shaft such that movement of the pedal between the operating and return positions rotates the shaft and rotates the beater head toward and away from the drum head for beating the drum head. The beater holder can be angled infinitely and can be mounted to the pedal's axle to provide a “LIGHT” or “HEAVY” feel to provide a dual adjustment structure. Further, the invention has a clam-shell design for easy change-over to the “LIGHT” and “HEAVY” positions without dismantling the pedal.

Abstract: A sound enhancement system for resonating chambers, in particular for drums, is provided. Specifically, at least one reflection plate is added within the drum cylinder whereby the reflection plate(s) vibrate sympathetically to add pleasing frequencies to the sound when a drum or other resonating chamber is struck. The reflecting plate(s) are preferably metallic elements mounted to the drum via the screws that attach the lugs. In the preferred embodiment, the reflecting elements are formed as tent-like or prism-shaped members that are mounted to vibrate within the resonating chamber. Other shapes are envisioned for the resonating elements.

Abstract: A drum comprising a hollow drum shell having opposite ends and first and second drumheads closing said opposite ends. At least one air vent opening is provided through the drum head for acoustic venting, such that at least one air vent opening is located at a position distanced from at least one of said opposite end by a preset distance range of distances calculated by using the Golden Ratio and an acceptable margin or range of variation therefrom.

Abstract: A percussion instrument, such as a shaker, has a first disc-shaped member having an outer annular flange defining a first outer perimeter and a second disc-shaped member defining a second outer perimeter different than the first outer perimeter. The first and second disc-shaped members are directly interconnected to form a cavity therebetween. A plurality of sound producing particles is disposed within said cavity defined by the first and second disc-shaped members. The instrument also includes a mounting system for mounting to a vehicle such as a tambourine, hi-hat, cymbal etc. for causing movement of the shaker instrument.

Abstract: A percussion instrument, comprising a plurality of wood blocks or staves interlocked to each other through tongue and groove joints, such that the interlocked blocks form a solid surface having the shape of a cylinder with two open ends. A drum head is in contact with one of the open ends of the body, and suitable fixing means, coupled to said head, retain the head under pressure against one of the ends. Preferably, the tongue and groove joints are defined by grooves in the blocks or staves with a spline member disposed in each groove.

Abstract: A tuning mechanism for tuning a drum having a head and a shell. The tuning mechanism includes a tuning bracket or receptacle mounted to the shell with a stabilizing portion formed thereon. A tuning rod has a first end attached to the head of the drum for varying the tension on the head and a second end passing through the tuning bracket and fitted with a nut for varying the applied tension to the head of the drum. Further a stabilizing washer positioned between the nut and the tuning bracket to improve a tuning procedure for said drum, whereby the stabilizer washer has a stabilizing tang that engages the stabilizing portion on the tuning bracket to prevent unwanted contact between the threads of the tuning rod and other structure of the percussion instrument.

Abstract: A percussion system for a percussion instrument, comprising: a cymbal or other percussion mechanism; an upright elongated support; a base frame from which the support extends upwardly; a drive linking system movable to actuate the sound generating mechanism; and a foot-operated pedal assembly. The pedal assembly actuates the sound generating mechanism through the drive linking system with the pedal assembly being selectively connected to the base frame in one of a play mode or a docking mode. In the play mode, the pedal assembly is connected in a horizontal orientation along a ground surface in which the pedal is adapted to actuate the sound generating mechanism, and in the docking mode the pedal assembly is connected to the base frame in a vertical orientation along the base frame whereby the pedal assembly is connected to a docking station for ease of storage and transport.

Abstract: A spike tip structure for a support leg for a stand, which may be used for supporting a musical instrument. The tip structure comprises a main body; an elongated spike member disposed in a first aperture of said main body; an end cap fitted around a bottom portion of said main body, where the end cap has an opening through which said spike member is adapted to pass; and an internal locking assembly for locking said spike member in position with respect to said main body, wherein said spike member is resiliently biased to translate in said aperture of said main body. The tip structure further comprises a button member slidingly disposed in a second aperture of said main body, where the button member selectively disengages the internal locking assembly.

Abstract: A drum tuning key comprises a handle portion, a barrel portion defining an axis connected to the handle portion, the barrel portion having internal walls defining a cavity extending inwardly along the axis from an end of the barrel portion, the cavity being square in cross section and adapted to turn a drum tension rod. The tuning key further comprises an indicator member removably disposed on at least one of the handle portion and the barrel portion. The indicator member may comprises a single plug member removably disposed on said handle portion, or a pair of plug members disposed on opposite lateral ends of said handle portion. The plug members may be different colors, different materials, and/or different hardness to enhance the assembly and tuning operation as well as pitch adjustment.

Abstract: A percussion musical instrument comprising a set of clave blocks each comprising a body having an open cavity therewithin. The bodies of the clave blocks have substantially equal exterior dimensions and assorted volumes of the open cavities therewithin provided to generate musical tones of assorted pitches, such as low pitch, medium pitch and high pitch. A volume of the open cavity of the low pitch clave block of the set is larger than a volume of the open cavity of the medium pitch clave block, while the volume of the open cavity of the medium pitch clave block is larger than a volume of the open cavity of the high pitch clave block. Each of the clave blocks of the set further includes a mounting rings.

Abstract: A tensioner system for a snare assembly adapted to be attached to a percussion instrument, comprising a main body adapted to be fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument; a snare fastener assembly for fastening snares with respect to the main body; a rotatable tension adjuster lever rotatably mounted with respect to the main body and the snare fastener. Rotating the tension adjuster changes a position of the snare fastener to change tension of said snares. A positive locking mechanism positively locks the rotatable tension adjuster in at least one of a plurality of snare tensioning positions, wherein the positive lock mechanism mechanically connects the tension adjuster with respect to the main body fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument. The positive locking mechanism comprises a movable knob that is movable relative to said main body to change the positive locking mechanism from a locking condition to an unlocking condition.

Abstract: A locking nut assembly for hi-hat clutch comprises a main body having a bolt hole, a locking nut is disposed in the main body, the locking nut a central threaded opening for receiving a threaded stem of the hi-hat clutch, and a key bolt. The locking nut further having a threaded aperture. The key bolt passes through the bolt hole of said main body, and is threaded into the threaded aperture of the locking nut, whereby the key bolt is selectively tightened to force the threaded portion of the locking nut into engagement with the threaded stem.

Abstract: A tensioning system for a snare assembly adapted to be attached to a percussion instrument, comprising a main body adapted to be fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument; a snare fastener assembly for fastening snares with respect to the main body; and a pivotable or rotatable tension adjuster mounted with respect to the main body and the snare fastener. Pivoting or rotating the tension adjuster changes a position of said snare fastener to change tension of said snares. A bearing assembly, preferably in the form of roller bearings or low-friction plates, is interposed between the slider/piston member and the main body of the snare tensioning system to reduce play and vibration between the slider/piston member and the main body mounted to the percussion instrument.

Abstract: A strainer for a snare assembly adapted to be attached to a percussion instrument, comprising a tensioning mechanism for applying a tension to snares of a percussion instrument; a lever having a first end and a second end, the lever being pivotably mounted to the tensioning mechanism, whereby pivoting the lever changes a position of the tensioning mechanism to change the tension in the snares; and a positive locking mechanism to positively lock said lever in at least one of a plurality of snare tensioning positions. The positive lock mechanism mechanically connects the lever to a body portion fixedly mounted to the percussion instrument. In the preferred embodiment, the positive locking mechanism comprises a movable button that is movable relative to the lever to change the positive locking mechanism to an unlocking condition where the lever is free to pivot with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A snare assembly for application in a snare drum including a cylindrical shell, a lower drum head and an upper drum head oppositely secured to the drum shell, and a snare strainer mounted to the drum shell for applying tension to the snare assembly. The snare assembly mounted adjacent the lower drum head of the drum and comprises a pair of end members and a plurality of generally parallel snare strands extending between and each permanently attached at opposite ends thereof to respective ones of the end members. The snare strands of the snare assembly have continuously graduated effective lengths for providing continuously graduated tension of the snare strands in a transverse direction of the snare assembly when the snare strands are elongated in an axial direction thereof by the snare strainer. Consequently, the snare assembly generates a musical tone continuously graduated in transverse direction of the snare assembly.

Abstract: The pedal hinge system comprises a hinge interconnecting a footboard and a heel plate, wherein the hinge includes a pair of threaded pins that are each successively fitted into two bearing sleeves with a set screw securely locking each threaded pin in place. The inner bearing sleeve fits into the heel plate to lock the hinge assembly together while the outer bearing sleeve fits into hinge ears of the footboard to insure smoother action and less unwanted play.

Abstract: An adjustable nut comprises a main body having an axial passageway and a locking insert. First and second wing members are pivotally mounted to the main body, whereby the wing members include respective cam surfaces that deflect the inner surface of the locking insert toward the threaded shaft. The assembly provides three different mounting arrangements. The first and second wing members are adapted to provide (1) a locking position where the main body is immovably locked to the threaded shaft, (2) an adjustment position where the first wing member is in the locking position and the second wing member is in an unlocking position to permit selective adjustment of the main body with respect to the threaded shaft, and (3) a sliding position where the first and second wing members are in an unlocking position to permit the main body to slide axially along the threaded member.

Abstract: A beater weight assembly for a drum pedal comprises an adjustable main weight member as well as add-on weights selectively affixed to the main weight member. The main weight member is carried by the beater shaft. By adjusting the position and amount of the weight, the distribution of weight acting on the rotary element is altered to affect the balance point of the stroke of the beater element as well as rotational forces influencing the character of the beater stroke. The add-on weights may be affixed to the main weight member without removing the main weight member from the beater shaft.

Abstract: A high hat stand includes a cymbal receiving plate journaled to a main mounting body. An adjustable bolt, for adjusting the pivot orientation around the journal of the receiving plate with respect to the mounting body, passes through the receiving plate so that as a nut is tightened on the bolt the receiving plate is tilted with respect to the mounting body. A biasing spring may also be interposed between the receiving plate and the mounting body. A cushion may be disposed between the plate and the cymbal.