Yesterday I put on brand new Puresounds on my 58 5x14 Super Krupa hoping the problem has been stretched or worn out original wires.

Not the case though........

I tried everyhing I know including the tricks of the trade I have picked up around here and bottom line is the strainer is just poorly designed.

The single mounting screw for the wires allows for a pivoting movement and if you tighten down enough to eliminate that, it bows the assembly. I put washers on the screws under the wires to narrow the gap between them and the mounting bar, and this places the wires too high.

After two hours of trying all the combos of altered methods of assembly I could think of, I just went back to the way it comes stock, and said SCREW IT !!

Like Mr. Curotto said, it's a looker and collectible , but not a player.

Kevins thank you for your knowledge and sharing it! Very much appreicated. Too bad it's such a poor design I bet they are great sounding drums otherwise. I would want a drum to play not really look at. Although they are very pretty to look at too!

I haven't bought another since this one.

The models with the 3-point strainers I have, I truly love.

There's not another snare that sounds like them.

agreed, that is one nice looking drum. Thanks so much for sharing. You all saved me a head ache and what looks like a disappointment. Rich

I've had several RK snares w/ the Super Strainer (Clamshell), & they were poorly designed. Instead of movement up & down, which would engage & release the wires from the head, the movement of the Clamshell was back & forth Horizontally. This would barely change the position of the wires at all. The movement is only as much as the small crimp that is put on the center part of the clamshell, (This is hardly enough to be effective), & creates a chronic problem w/ rattle when the throw is "off". (If anyone knows of a trick to finely adjust this mechanism , please post your information).

Yeah Mike, keep bad-mouthing the Clamshell! Those who know better may still profit from the disinformation... until the reality of the Clam's sophistication penetrates.

Ron

Enlighten us, Ron ?

First off, there's nothing wrong with the older 3 point... other than 15 screws required to mount the throw and bridges... it functions reliably.

The clam is mounted with just 2 screws on each side, plus 1 small diameter hole on each side for the throw off and tension adjustment.

Compared to the 'quaint', old-fashioned charm of the 3 point, the Clam is an elegant example of modern industrial design which functions quite reliably and efficiently, provided it's not carelessly abused!

Slingerland must have thought the clamshell was a design advance... they not only charged more for it, it was in production for 25 years (with various incidental mods) until the advent of the Zoomatic.

The Clamshells on my 1940 Super RK, with its original wire set, and my 1958 Super GK both function flawlessly.

I believe the player... as opposed to collector... who desires the fairly unique tonal quality of the RK shell, can benefit price-wise from the undeserved criticism of the Clam.

Ron

Thanks for that.

I was hoping for a tip or two as far as tuning these devils, as I am having the same

problems as apparently many who own a RK with a clamshell strainer.

Perhaps the more expensive price tag might be more cosmetically driven than by functionality?

It didn't replace any strainer models, it was added into the lineup, and was itself replaced as you said after a respectable run of 25 years by the also cosmetically appealing Zoomatic. Which replaced no other models as well, besides its eye-catching but now defunct predecessor.

Just a side note, and not really relative to the discussion, but a juicy factoid none-the-less.

The 3-point had continuous production run of 54 years from '28 to '82, and another 9 from '99 to 2008.

I really think you hit on a good point in that the clamshell would operate correctly if not abused.

But how about just plain old use for 40 years? Is it just not designed sturdily enough to withstand thousands of engagements and disengagements. Or maybe just hundreds?

Anyhow, anything to look for as far as casing misalignment, improper washer sequencing, tensioning, head choice, facial grimacing, whatever it takes to get these puppies on a leash?

I'm stressin, man !!!......Mind BlowiMind Blowi

Hey y'all, I started a new thread for tips on tuning up a clamshell.

Please post any responses about it there.

Thanks

Link to new thread........