Drum Tension Rod Locks

The Problem Every Drummer Hates...

Almost every drummer is familiar with the issue of drum tension rods coming loose while playing.

For some drummers, it's a manageable inconvenience. For others, it's a nightmare! When the tension rods from the snare drum suddenly end up on the floor, you know you have a problem.

For some, it's more about the sound, resonance, and tonality of the drums not remaining consistent from the start to the finish of a performance.

How to Prevent Drum Tension Rods from Loosening

The paradox about the problem of loosening drum tension rods is that it's relatively easy to solve. In fact, there are two ways to do it:

1. Use locks on your tension rods.
2. Switch out the tension rods with TightScrews.

Which solution you choose is a bit of a matter of personal preference.

Solution 1: Locks on the Tension Rods

The good thing about this solution is that it's both affordable and easy to get started with.

It works by removing one tension rod at a time, placing a lock on it, and then returning the rod to its position and tuning it to where it was before removal. Once done, you tighten the lock, preventing future issues with the loose tension rod.

Are there drawbacks to Solution 1?

As mentioned, this solution is simple and inexpensive. However, sometimes it may require using a tool to tighten the lock to prevent it from loosening during heavy drumming (especially notable with the snare drum). The drawback occurs when you want to tune the drum because you'll need to first loosen the lock.

If you find this cumbersome, then Solution 2 might be more suitable for you...

Solution 2: Tight Screws

Tight Screws are special tension rods that fit very tightly into the threads. Practically, Tight Screws, unlike traditional tension rods, do not loosen while you play.

Unlike Solution 1, you can tune your drums without any extra steps. You don't have to remove or loosen anything – you just turn. Admittedly, the screw might feel quite tight, but you can still tune the drums.

Are there drawbacks to Solution 2?

If there's anything slightly negative to mention about Tight Screws, it's that they make it a bit harder to tune the drums from scratch. Because the screws are so tight, you cannot feel whether the screw is actually loose or tight.

But if you remember to replace your regular screws with Tight Screws one at a time, this isn't such a big issue. You just need to listen - not feel - when tuning (which, under all circumstances, is advisable).

If you're replacing all the screws with Tight Screws at once (e.g., when changing drumheads), start by getting all the screws evenly positioned from the beginning (down to the hoop). After that, be a bit more attentive while tuning to avoid any misalignment. But trust your ears - you'll be fine.