Question for the Drummers - Rattling Rogers Tom Mutes

[A.David.MacKinnon]

I just picked up a beautiful 1965 Rogers Holiday kit. It's made a world of difference in my drum sounds but I'm having a problem with the tom mutes. They rattle like a moterfucker. It doesn't seem to matter if they're engaged or not. The rattle will sometimes go away after a lengthy bout of fiddling but it always comes back, usually by the end of the take.
Is there any solution besides just taking them out altogether?

[Jarvis]

I play Holidays but I pulled the mufflers long ago. I don't exactly remember the style. Is it sprung metal or a spring? Either way there's metal on metal contact. Maybe something can be replaced with plastic.
The only drum I muffle from the inside is my kick.

[GooberNumber9]

The only drum I muffle period is kick. Get a DrumDial and learn to tune them just perfect, then if you still need it, a piece or half a piece of moon gel should do it. The mics "hear" the drums differently from your ears. You'll get a better sound in recordings if they sound too resonant from the throne.

And by that I mean to agree that the best solution is probably to just take the mufflers out.

[drumsound]

Why is it that you don't want them there? If you're thinking resale, you can keep them and sell them with the drums later (though why you'd want to sell a vintage Rodgers is beyond me). I doubt you'd even have to re-instal them because most people take those things out as a matter of course if they in fact, find a vintage drum-set that still has them installed.

[digitaldrummer]

and if you look at any modern drum - how many of them have those spring loaded muffling things? none. because while they may have been innovative at the time, time has proven that they suck!

take em out and hold on to them just in case someone finds a use for them 50 years from now... and get some moongel.

Mike

[Jarvis]

Is it a Swiv-O-Matic?
schweeet!

[Electro-Voice 664]

I had a set of Blue Onyx for a while and had the same issue.
I pulled the mute assembly apart and put little felt strips around the screws, between the springs.
It helped. I also stuffed all the Beavertail lugs with more felt, as some of those springs were kinda loose and would make noise too.

[A.David.MacKinnon]

Thanks everyone. I had a feeling that was the answer. Just looking for confirmation I guess. It's otherwise a great, great kit and I doubt I will ever be selling it anyway.

[Gregg Juke]

My very belated and superfluous reply-- yank those joints! Useless hardware.

GJ