Hi Jim,

Just a note, and possible suggestion / idea for you.......

I quite using springs. They are just buzzers that annoy and cause alot of searching time when one is heard. I saw this idea online somewhere and ever since, I use PVC tubing (which I also use for cymbal post sleeves). They seem to work just fine and no more buzzing.

John

That may have been a production upgrade that they did on the later ones. They wrapped the masking tape around them to keep them from rattling/buzzing against the tension casing. At best that is a sort of "MacGyver" solution to the problem and it's interesting that that is all they did for many years. Perhaps the rubber filler in the center is the solution to that problem (a solution that was slow in coming). To me it looks like it would solve the problem handily and also allow them to have to order/stock one less spring length.

Then again you may be right. The rubber thing might be the stopgap solution to running out of the longer springs. That would be a typical Ludwig solution to keep drums coming off the production line no matter what.

Does the rubber piece appear to be specifically made for this purpose or does it appear to be made for some other purpose and pressed into service for this usage? Another question would be: Do all later CD drums with the longer lugs have this set-up or did they go back to the tape?

Tough to tell. The rubber bits are all the same, small rectangle with an elongated hole in the middle. They are hard (as in old). Appears that they were cut with a knife to make this size. Mystery.

That's a good idea.