I see many things mentioned, to which I can say "I resemble that!"

One thing I haven't noticed yet though: when setting-up\tearing-down my kits I always handle my drums by the shells or bottom edges of the rims (where most of the contact is with the drumhead hoop)....not by lugs or the outside portion of the rims.

I started this habit very early in my drumming career: immediatly after the 1st time I tore apart my WFL set to clean\polish the nickel plated hardware.

Sometimes others would try to help me pack-up after a gig and looked at me as if I were crazy when I told them not to touch the 'chrome'. With all the work it takes to disassemble\reassemble a set of drums for complete rehab, I still do this in an effort to get the most longevity between such tasks.

Call me OCD if you wish...but they're my drums & I'm the one who has to care for them.

Actually, I have found that guitar players are the ones who best understand and accept my 'quirk'.

MarkE

P.S. At least I haven't started wearing white cotton gloves when packing & unpacking, Yet.

My teeth go on edge when a drum has to sit on concrete or tarmac. Anything else other than a carpet, or a wooden surface makes me feel ill. When I've done gigs over the years in those circumstances I've had do gooders try to help me un-pack and look at me like I was gone out when I've begged them to leave me alone.

Also occasionally a crazy person will advertise they're beautiful "mintage" (see what I did there? I think I just invented a new word!!!) kit for sale sat on they're drive-way, not only do I feel like I'm chewing aluminium foil but I could not buy that kit knowing how scratched up that chrome would be.

I wear gloves when handling my drums. Silver sparkle isn't that big of a deal, but Blakrome, clear acrylic, and my sweet walnuts will show fingerprints.

It's more a matter of deferring a cleaning than being persnickety, although I suppose there's an element of that, too.

Al

I have a pair of cotton white gloves I use when tearing down my kit and hardware. cleaning chrome and stainless steel gets old so a little preventive maintenance is well worth it.

Ditto on the gloves idea as that makes total sense without being anal retentive on the subject.I do use gloves for the first while after i`ve cleaned them and then slowly slide off that effort after awhile only to repeat the process.Guess that makes me forgetfull anal retentive,lol.

Wayne

Looks like Im the only normal guy here. I just set em up and play. But, I have only done two gigs in the last 30 years lol.

jeff when you start using kits that are very vintage its gets crazy like your taking something out of your vault lol

This is the most entertaining thread I've ever read. Keep it going. :D

So what are we up to now, at least 2 members wearing the white gloves?

Boy, I can't count the habits and practices in this thread that I also have adopted over the years, but very, very few of these habits everyone describes could be classified as OCD. All these habits regarding setup, breakdown, cymbal placement, pedal location, etc, have a practicality to them in that they contribute to either playing ease or efficiency. Such precision is essential in many occupations (ask any surgeon, engineer or pilot) and isn't considered OCD.

OCD practices are impractical compulsions that serve no real purpose, like turning the lock on your front door exactly three times to ensure it's locked or, yes E.D., feeling compelled to smell the inside of your drums every time you take a head off. My wife has mild OCD and I've learned to live with a lot of annoying, unnecessary practices, but then again, she's learned to live with a lot of "unnecessary" drums in the basement.:D

And as far as the white gloves go, I thought a close friend was just a little bit "obsessive" when I saw him set up and break down his all-original COW Slingerland set wearing disposable cotton gloves. I posted a picture of this set a while ago (see below); it looks just like it did when he purchased it new in the 70's, so I guess there's some validity to a little obsession.

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Mike