1. Adams uses Padouk wood bars on their less expensive Soloist Series Marimbas, what is this wood and how does it differ from Rosewood?

Padouk is an African wood that is softer and more porous than rosewood, and due to its softness it tends to have a little less sustain than rosewood.


2. What type of material is used to manufacture the Adams synthetic bars?

The Adams synthetic bars are made of a proprietary material design of fibers and resins. The material creates a warming sounding bar then our competition, and the sound is not effected by heat or the sun making it ideal for outdoor use.


3. What makes the Adams Artist Series Marimbas different from those made by other manufacturers?

The Artist Series Marimbas offer a height adjustable frame, unlike any other manufacturer of a five octave marimba. Additionally, the Adams resonators are welding, rather then riveted, to eliminate any possibility for rattles. The Adams square resonator design allows them to use a thinner bar width on the low end, making the large mallet reaches easier and without sacrificing sound quality.


4. Adams has a one of a kind bar tuning system, how do they do it?

Adams is the only mallet instrument manufacture to use a computer assisted tuning method. Using a computer sound analyzer then can tune each bar through the sixth overtone, creating a pure sound and unmatched sustain.


5. Adams timpani are offered with smooth cooper and hammered cooper bowls. How does the hammering effect the sound?

Hammering the copper bowls improves the overall sound of the timpani by eliminating the slight downward pitch bend on initial mallet contact. Additional, the hammering creates a purer tone by reducing any pitch wavering in the sustained sound.


6. What is a cambered timpani bowl?

Unlike the standard dome shaped or parabolic timpani bowl, Adams offers a cambered bowl on their Philharmonic Light series drums as well as by special order on their Symphonic and Professional Series timpani. The cambered bowl shape has flat sides and a rounded bottom, which creates a church bell type shape for the ultimate timpani tone quality and sustain.


7. How does the balanced action timpani pedal work?

A balanced action system uses the timpani head tension and the spring tension to hold the pedal in place at a particular pitch. By balancing the tension of the head with the spring tension, the pedal moves smoothly and will not slip or effect the drums pitch.


8. Can I use calfskin drumheads on my Symphonic Series timpani?

Yes. The Symphonic Series timpani use a post and clutch system to control drumhead tension, and you do not have to rely on drumhead tension for the pedal performance. This system is ideal for calf heads, as weather changes will affect the drumheads but not affect the pedal feel and performance.


9. What is the pedal range of each Philharmonic Light timpani?

Unlike other timpani models with a range of a fifth or sixth, the Adams Philharmonic timpani with a post and clutch or "Berliner" style pedal system offers a range of one octave on each drum.


10. Adams is one of the few, if not only, manufacturer to offer a 1/2 Octave extension for their Symphonic Series chimes. What is the range of their chimes?

The Symphonic Series chimes, with 1.5" tubes, are offered in a 1.5 octave set with a range of C4 to F6. The 1/2 octave extension is mounted on a separate frame, and offers a range of F4 to B4. 


11. How do I adjust my Philharmonic Timpani?

These state of the art instruments feature some of the best advancements in timpani design and sound in the world today. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with their unique features in order to fully understand the proper way to make adjustments, transport the drums, and make full use of their technical and musical capabilities.
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A. FLOATING STAR OR SPIDER
The star or "spider" of an Adams Philharmonic has a round nut securing it to the center piston as well as an oversized center hole. This enables the star to move more freely on an unrestricted horizontal plane. Although this movement is very slight, it is just enough to ensure that your timpani heads will pull down straight and not to any one side.

B. SPLIT ROCKER ARM
The split rocker arm essentially serves three important functions. First, it contributes to the smoothness and lightness of the pedal feel. Second, it contributes to the smoothness and ease of turning the fine tuner, and third, it re-distributes the system of leverage employed to the center piston, thereby relieving some of the stress to the frame. An added extra to the rocker arm system is the use of the spring under the star. This makes changing your timpani heads as easy as changing a tom-tom head because the rocker arm is suspended in place, never falling to the floor and requiring a block or jack to raise it up.

C. FINE TUNER
The fine tuner utilizes a universal joint near its base. This is to ensure smoothness in turning, even in the very high registers of the drums, as all struts must bend a few millimeters in extreme high ranges. This again compensates for any angle changes and re-distributes stress forces instead of fighting them.

D. TILTING DEVICE AND STABILIZING DEVICE
These two devices operate in essentially the same manner. The piston on the front of the drum can act as a tilter for the drum or as a stabilizer for the drum if you play with the drums level or "flat." The piston in the back nearest the pedal only acts as a stabilizer for added solidity to the feel of the drum on the floor. With both pistons in the "UP" position, the drum is conveniently lowered to the level of its casters for easy maneuverability.

E. SPRING TENSION MECHANISM
This device assists greatly in the evenness of pedal feel and resistance throughout the entire pedal range. You will find this particularly useful when switching from calf to plastic heads. The player can select the desired amount of pedal resistance from very light and even, to near natural head resistance with pedal resistance increasing as you move it into higher pitch ranges.

F. FULLY ADJUSTABLE TUNING GUAGE
The Adams tuning gauge system offers the player a wide range of choices in viewing angle without ever binding or making contact with other frame parts.

G. HEAD CENTERING DEVICES
These are positioned at four places on each drum, and prevent the head from being pulled off center during transport or when being moved improperly via the counter hoop. they are also fully adjustable and provide great protection while again offering the unrestricted movement of the tension rods.

H. UNI-LOCKING CASTERS
The caster system locks positively in two directions at once ensuring that the wheel will not turn AND the entire caster cannot move in any direction so as not to rattle or generate any noise while playing. They are easily accessed and easy to lock and release.

I. ADJUSTABLE TRANSFER BAR
There are three different positions that the transfer bar can be placed in. These adjustments are to facilitate the transition from calf to plastic heads, so that the pedal feel can be maintained and the proper range of the instruments can be achieved without damaging plastic heads.

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PHILHARMONIC TIMPANI ADJUSTMENT INSTRUCTIONS

A. MOVING THE DRUMS AND ADJUSTING THE CASTERS
WARNING! Always be sure that both the stabilizer piston and the tilting devices are in their "UP" positions, and of course that your casters are unlocked before moving the timpani. When rolling the timpani, be sure to "drive" the drums from the players side because of the third wheel which is built into the leg of the frame base and acts as a "rudder" to help steer and guide the drum. When you are in position and ready to play, point your casters toward you for easy access of the break release. (see diagram A number 1 and 2)

B. USING THE TILTING DEVICE AND STABILIZER PISTON
If you wish to tilt the timpani, simply lift the drum from the front by grasping the suspension ring (never the counter hoop!) and raise to the desired height while depressing the tilting piston from the top with your foot. This will lock in place automatically. Note, when lowering the timpani from a tilted position, repeat this process in reverse order to drop the drum back down to caster level gently! To engage the stabilizing piston next to the pedal, simply depress from the top with your foot in exactly the same manner as above. To disengage either of these devices, simply flip the round black toe release lever on the side of either piston downward with your toe.

C. ADJUSTING THE SPRING TENSION MECHANISM
You may adjust the amount of pedal resistance to your desired taste. As they come from the factory, the pedal "feel" should be very even throughout the entire range, that is, almost no increased resistance as you move to higher registers. To change the feel, simply turn the hand knob on the spring tension mechanism clockwise for INCREASED TENSION or counterclockwise for DECREASED TENSION until you achieve the pedal feel you desire. We suggest turning in increments of four full turns at a time, and then testing the feel of the pedal before going too far in either direction.

D. ADJUSTING THE TUNING GUAGE
The tuning gauge can be adjusted to your preference of viewing angle. Simply loosen the two large socket head screws on each side of the gauge to position the gauge where you like, then adjust the position of the indicator rod receiver near the base of the drum until you achieve a full range out of your pointer from top to bottom without making metal contact at either end.

E. ADJUSTING TRANSFER BAR POSITION
The position of the transfer bar can be manipulated if necessary when switching from calf to plastic heads. Without this feature, you would experience too minimal a pitch range when using calf heads, and too wide a range when using plastic, possibly damaging the heads. If your drums were purchased with calf heads you need not adjust anything until you switch to plastic. Likewise, if you purchased your drums with plastic, you need not adjust anything until you switch to calf. When making a switch to one or the other, be sure to move the transfer bar to the hole closest to the audience or "front" of the drum for calf skin heads, and closest to the player or the "back" of the drum for plastic heads. You will need only an adjustable wrench and an allen wrench to do this procedure. It is easiest when elevating the drum on some chairs or a work table and make sure the pedal is on the lowest note possible. *note: no diagram available

F. ADJUSTING THE HEAD CENTERING DEVICES
Make sure your heads are centered over the bowl and that your tension rods are equidistant from each strut. Make sure the star is also equidistant from each strut as well. Loosen the socket head screw which secures the centering device to the suspension ring and position it so that the tension rod does not touch on either side.

G. CHANGING HEADS (removal and replacement)
Place the pedal in the lowest register or "all the way back" and turn the fine tuner counter clockwise until it stops. Unscrew each tension rod completely and remove. Remove the counter hoop and head. Before placing the new head on the bowl, check the cleanliness of the lip and clean and re-lubricate if necessary. We recommend using simple "naptha" based solvents to clean, and a dry Teflon spray as a superior lubricant. Mount the new head, place counter hoop on top and re-insert tension rods. Before screwing in the tension rods make sure that the star is relatively LEVEL, and that its points are equidistant from each strut. Next, begin to screw in the tension rods and bring them down about one inch above their respective eye hole. DO NOT BRING RODS TOO FAR DOWN, BE PATIENT! Once all rods are equally about one inch from each hole, place a small lightweight level (or commercially available timpani measuring device) near the lip of the bowl facing in toward the center of the head and pointing at your first tension rod. Begin screwing down each rod SLOWLY until it is just seated in the hole without causing ANY head tension whatsoever. Repeat this on each rod moving to the opposite rod across the drum in that order. Next, make sure the head is perfectly centered and turn the fine tuner clockwise until the head reaches a recognizable pitch (for example on a 26" drum the note C) and listen to the head. If the tone is good and the pitch is relatively clear, unscrew the fine tuner again and tighten the tension rods until reaching the bottom range of the drum, again do this in opposites always turning in complete and even HALF TURNS and moving across the drum. The optimum range should be obtained by a combination of tightening the tension rods AND tightening the fine tuner until it is approximately one third of the way down. It is this relationship of tension rod tension and fine tuner tension that will determine the drums correct range and pedal feel. It is always recommended to SLOWLY bring the rods and fine tuner up to range rather than over shooting.

SUGGESTED SCALE RANGES, FROM LOWEST NOTE TO HIGHEST NOTE:
20" from E up to B
23" from D up to A
26" from Bb up to F#
29" from E up to D
32" from C up to B

These ranges are relative and are subject to the age and condition of the head used, particularly calf. Adams timpani can frequently achieve a full octave range on each drum, however it is not suggested that you adjust your drums in this manner as it may damage your plastic heads. It is however very common to achieve a SLIGHTLY wider range than the suggested scale range.

A NOTE ABOUT HEADS:
Timpani heads, both plastic and calf, are very sensitive and never perfect. You should always use the best calf available, and plastic heads that are perfectly flat, round, and devoid of wrinkles or any defects. BEFORE you blame the drum, we suggest you try another head. Often, one must try two, or even three heads before finding one that sounds beautiful right away. With very high quality calf, this is much less frequent. On occasion, you may have a perfect "looking" plastic head without wrinkles, which is flat, and devoid of any visible defects that simply do not sing.

For a more in depth approach to "clearing" the heads, or "fine tuning" , please refer to Pearl’s head clearing literature.

TROUBLESHOOTING

A. PEDAL FEELS TOO TIGHT/TOO LOOSE
Read above instructions regarding SPRING TENSION MECHANISM. Turn counterclockwise for less pedal resistance, and clockwise for increased pedal resistance.

B. PEDAL FALLS FORWARD
Check position of transfer bar relative to type of head. Check relationship of tension rods to fine tuner distance. Make sure drum is tuned to its proper range.

C. CANNOT ACHIEVE THE RANGE I NEED
Check position of transfer bar relative to type of head. Check relationship of tension rods to fine tuner distance. Make sure drum is tuned to its proper range. Try another head.

D. STAR IS NOT LEVEL
Head is tuned improperly. Follow instructions for mounting a head and check to see star is level before screwing in tension rods. Do not over tighten tension rods on one side of the drum, follow the above instructions.

E. HEAD IS NOT PULLING ON CENTER
Star is not level due to extremely uneven head tensioning. Start over, following above instructions on mounting a head. Check to make sure tension rods are pulled down perfectly even.

F. DRUM SOUNDS DULL AND NOT A CLEAR PITCH
Try another head.


12.TROUBLESHOOTING - My Adams Vibraphone Bars are not fully dampening.

Adams vibraphones feature a fully adjustable dampening mechanism system.

Rail #2 (second from player) features two separate rail height adjustment screws-located on the top of the rail near the small and large end pieces.

Rail #3 features one rail height adjustment screw located near the large end piece.

1. If the natural bars in the upper register are ringing while the dampening pedal is in the up position, lower the rail (by turning the screw on Rail #2 near the small end piece).

2. If the natural bars in the lower register are ringing while the dampening pedal is in the up position, lower the rail (by turning the screw on Rail #2 near the large end piece).

3. If the accidental bars in either register are ringing while the dampening pedal is in the up position, lower the rail (by turning the screw on Rail #3 near the large end piece).

For further instruction on adjusting the tension of the entire dampening pedal mechanism, please see Adams Vibraphone Assembly Instructions -Voyager and Endurance Field Frames (located ONLINE at www.pearldrum.com/admsvibr_assembly.asp).