FIRST TIME SET UP/FINE TUNING

A. HEADS: Your Pearl Symphonic Snare Drum is shipped with a Remo Diplomat batter head and a Remo Diplomat snare head. Plastic heads generally take about three months to settle and reach an optimum point of stretch. You may tune your drum as you wish, however we recommend that you initially tune your batter head in the range of G-Bb for 6.5 drum and Ab-B for a 5.5 drum. The bottom head should sound a harmonic fifth above the batter head on a 6.5 drum and a harmonic fourth above on a 5.5 drum. Note: It is extremely difficult to hear the harmonic pitch described. However, if you simply place your drum on a stand with the snare strainers turned OFF and lightly tap both heads individually about two inches from the rim, you should be able to hear it. You must do this in a good quiet environment. It is also recommended that you check the pull down evenness of the heads via a ruler or a veneer caliper. Either one will help make sure that you are at a good starting point by measuring the relation of the counter hoop to the head or the counter hoop to the top of the lugs. You should then listen and clear the head by ear once you have made these initial adjustments. Be sure not to try and bring your drum up to its highest possible range right away. Allow your heads to stretch and settle slowly at least over a few weeks or you will only over torque them and render them useless. The sound will become dull and devoid of tone and ring.

B. STRAINER: The unique Triple Throw-Off Strainer requires virtually no adjustment whatsoever. Designed with that in mind, it offers the smoothest and most quiet operation possible, even with one finger and at high snare tension levels. The feel remains light and smooth no matter how you like your snares adjusted, and they can be turned on and off quickly and effortlessly during the softest musical passages.
REMOVING SNARES: If you wish to change a set of snares and create your own combinations from original Pearl parts, simply unscrew the drum key knob on the strainer side completely, then unscrew the corresponding drum key screw on the butt side. It's that simple!

C. SNARE FEATURES: Your Pearl Symphonic Snare System has several unique features. The three snare types can be used all ON together to create a seamless snare timbral overlap or in any 7 combinations to create the snare timbres of your choice. The BLUE COATED CABLE is designed to respond perfectly and effectively from ff to mf respectively without any gaps in that range and without distorting or choking the sound of the bottom head. The UNCOATED cable is designed to respond perfectly and effectively for the mf to mp dynamic range without distorting the sound of the bottom head due to their significantly lower tension level. The SNAPPY WIRE snares are placed in the middle of the other two to assure perfect flat contact with the snare head which minimizes excess snare buzz, and provides a superior soft dynamic snare response. They are intended for the mp to ppp dynamic range.

D. SNARE BRIDGE: The snare bridge is designed to assist the way all snares lay on the snare head thus providing perfect snare level contact with the snare head. The snare bed is specifically designed so as not to overly affect the pitch of the bottom head and facilitate complete snare contact.

E. FINE TUNING THE SNARES: Turn the three strainers to the ON position. First, make sure all three sets of snares are completely disengaged and are not touching the bottom head-turn each finger knob to loosen all three snares. Flip down all three strainers to the OFF position. Begin with your BLUE COATED CABLE by flipping the strainer to the ON position, turning the finger screw clockwise until they begin to engage. As they come into range, strike the drum at a f to ff volume so that they are filling that dynamic range. Turn the BLUE COATED CABLE strainer to the OFF position. Next, repeat this procedure with your UNCOATED cable. Turn the finger knob clockwise until they fill the mf to mp dynamic range while striking the drum at that volume. Next, repeat this procedure with your SNAPPY WIRE snares while tapping the drum about an inch from the edge at the mp to ppp dynamic range. Turn the finger knob clockwise until they fill the mp to ppp dynamic range.