I've been looking up fine blowtorches! (the finer the better) I'm wondering maybe this could be the best way? Sounds extreme but they look quite small, I'm thinking hopefully accurate as well....now I'm thinking about it- maybe it would be tricky to not get too much heat on the neighbouring wires, it lookes like I need to lose two end ones. Anyone think this would be a good way? It would be cheaper than buying more RK extended wires I think.

I think slightly less wires on these drums is better anyway I'm sure others might agree.

I use the little clippers as suggested above. Work a treat, and useful for other stuff. I have read some advice somewhere that you should also cut the opposing wire to keep the tension even. (So if you need to remove #3 wire on the left, remove #3 on the right.) I haven't had to cut a wire in a while but will try this method next time--even though any wire-ectomy hurts at the cost of snares.

Good point!! I forgot to mention this in my other post...Keep the wires even in number...Sometimes, I`ll cut a 20 strand down to a 16 or even a 12 to remove broken or bent wires...This will also reduce snare buzz as well...

Cheers

To bad they can't be straighten out

Question is why they stretch in the first place. I'd say it's overtightening the wires. I know there are sounds that require this (like 70s Gadd) but I would only use cheap generic snappies for that, not Canopus etc. With the right snare bed and the right way of mounting the wires you don't need much tension in order to achieve a crisp sound. My 2c.

Well what I think has happened is I took the drum to a local drum builder to have him look at it and just basically clean the inside shell up- (he's coated it with beeswax) it was actually in true. he has just sanded one high spot of the edge. I stressed not to 'really' do anything to the original edges). I think a couple of the wires got loose when they removed them. I don't tighten the wires too tight at all cos it does choke the drum.

Not worth the mini blow torch risk-small clipper cuts/or complete new ones.

Wayne