Edge Service
Poorly shaped edges come with many frustrations.Most of these problems are buzzes at low tuning,uncontrollable over-tones,and a flat stick response. Not to mention the classic cry, "I can't get this drum to tune!"
We offer an alternative to the moon gels,duct tape and heavy drum heads while adding a larger tuning range and clearer tone.With several edge types to chose from,we can adapt your current kit to fit your new needs.
Edge Types
Full round - Warm and punchy with a slightly shorter decay. This hand drum type edge was made famous by the original Yamaha Recording Custom.This edge works perfectly in the studio due to its shorter sustain and warmth without using muffling devices that remove volume, tone and dynamics.
Double 45 degree - Bright,open and loud with a long sustain.This can work well for brush work or players with a lite touch.This edge is considered the modern sound.
Round-over to 45 degree - The best of both worlds, this edges combines the warmth of the round-over with the openness of the 45 degree.This is the most versatile and user friendly edge.
Single 45 degree - We greatly do not recommend the single 45(or33)degree edge. This edge creates too much outside diameter for all drum head brands and causes the head and shell to fight each other. Due to the minimal labor and skill required, this edge has become very popular with most manufactures.In my personal opinion this cheaper and easier to produce edge is the worst thing to happen to drums since mass production began.Click here to check out the Kirsch drums blog for more info.
Edge Service Price List
10" $25
12" $27
13" $30
14" $41
16" $45
18" $55
20" $59
22" $60
These are "per drum" prices.Edging multiple drums saves labor and lowers the over all kit price.Average lead times are between 24 and 48 hours.This fast service time was established to be sure you don't miss any shows or rehearsals.Call for a quote at 503-254-8959.
Vintage Edge Service
Many well known brands have become known due in large part to their edge types.Over the years these edges have changed because of new ownership, labor cut backs,ect. Some brands have even gone through three or four edge profiles.With years of research I've developed era specific bearing edge reproductions. For example,Gretsch used a full rounded edge to create that "Great Gretsch sound",and then moved to a sharp cut edge.Camco and early DW edges were rounded on the outside and they also moved to a sharp edge.These drums can be restored to the original manufacturer designs and returned to what made them sought after legends.In the case of Ludwig and Slingerland,we had to make special bits to reproduce tooling that is no longer used.This dedication to detail and history has made Kirsch Drums the trusted choice for restoring vintage drums or returning modern drums to the makers original sound concept.
Modded Edge Service
In most cases,re-edging a kit won't change the character of your favorite brand.Edge restoration generally adds more control and easier tuning over that character but doesn't make one brand into another.We can "mod" certain brands to be vastly different than their original design.Personally,I don't recommend these types of changes as they can lower the value of a kit.If you need a largely different sound you may want to consider another drum set.All that being said,if you need something really different than your current sound without buying a new kit,modded edges are available.
Do I need edges?
If you've had problems with wild over-tones,buzzes or wrinkles in the heads or an inability to tune low,your likely in need of new edges.There is a simple test you can do to find out if you need edges.This is called a level check.Remove the heads form your trouble drum and find a flat as possible surface. If the drum rocks back and forth on this surface your drum is missing a great amount of tuning range and control.As mentioned earlier a single 45 degree edge cut can also cause a lot of missed potential.So look for that as well.
Like a guitar,bass,violin,etc.,drums need an adjustment every few years to get the most out of them.The difference between these instruments and drums is that a drum will still make a sound when defective.A guitar with a bent neck is basically useless but a drum can still produce...something. While we have all had to except "good enough," there is much more potential to be had with a relatively small investment .Often less than the price of new heads.