Yahoo Groups archive

Vintage Simmons Drums (UK) Users Group

Index last updated: 2026-03-31 23:16 UTC

Thread

SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by spindrum

Hello everyone -

Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass drum stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both were ok, so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about 4 months and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no problems. I know very little about how these were constructed, so not sure how to further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how to fix it once I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point me in some direction?

Thanks,

Nick

Re: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by jesper

spindrum skrev:
> Hello everyone -
>
> Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass
> drum stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both
> were ok, so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about
> 4 months and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no
> problems. I know very little about how these were constructed, so not
> sure how to further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how
> to fix it once I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point
> me in some direction?

I bet a few of the Simmons GODS (tm) in here can answer but I want to
start by calming you down and say, it can be fixed.

The pads are basically a box with a piezo trigger mounted inside. This
is then connected to the socket with or without a resistor etc. None of
these components are expensive or hard to replace for anyone equipped
with two hands and a soldering iron and very basic soldering skills.

My bet is that it's a broken soldering joint or simply a worn out socket
in the pad. A long time of storage and then suddenly a new life with
gigs and general vibrations in cars and on stage can have this effect...

Opening the pad is often the hardest. I know Wolfgang, Michael, Patrice
or someone else here will return with a tutorial. :D

Good luck,
--
electronically yours, jesper

- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
www.electronic-obsession.se

Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by superwolle70

Hi Nick,
unless it is really an SDS8 bassdrum pad: to get access to the inside you need to curve the rubber edge away to get access to the staple nails. You have to pull them all out. After it you can remove the shell. Now you see the piezzo and the wiring. Check all solder connections. If they are all ok: Replace the piezzo. Before you assemble the pad again, fix the solder joins with hot-glur. This will keep them from getting loose while playing. It is really no rocket science
Best Wolfgang

Show quoted textHide quoted text
--- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "spindrum" <spindrum@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone -
>
> Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass drum stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both were ok, so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about 4 months and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no problems. I know very little about how these were constructed, so not sure how to further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how to fix it once I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point me in some direction?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Nick
>

Re: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by Jacquot.Patrice@free.fr

;-)

... No tutorial from me, as Wolfgang or Michael have probably opened more pads
that I will ever do.
but you're right...I would check for sure socket solders, & the piezo...



Selon jesper <jesper@...>:

Show quoted textHide quoted text
> spindrum skrev:
> > Hello everyone -
> >
> > Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass
> > drum stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both
> > were ok, so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about
> > 4 months and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no
> > problems. I know very little about how these were constructed, so not
> > sure how to further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how
> > to fix it once I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point
> > me in some direction?
>
> I bet a few of the Simmons GODS (tm) in here can answer but I want to
> start by calming you down and say, it can be fixed.
>
> The pads are basically a box with a piezo trigger mounted inside. This
> is then connected to the socket with or without a resistor etc. None of
> these components are expensive or hard to replace for anyone equipped
> with two hands and a soldering iron and very basic soldering skills.
>
> My bet is that it's a broken soldering joint or simply a worn out socket
> in the pad. A long time of storage and then suddenly a new life with
> gigs and general vibrations in cars and on stage can have this effect...
>
> Opening the pad is often the hardest. I know Wolfgang, Michael, Patrice
> or someone else here will return with a tutorial. :D
>
> Good luck,
> --
> electronically yours, jesper
>
> - -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
> www.electronic-obsession.se
>

Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by Jacquot.Patrice@free.fr

A real Tutorial though ! :-)

I wonder sometimes if Wolfgang & Michaël didn't work at Simmons in another life.


Selon superwolle70 <superwolle70@...>:

Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Hi Nick,
> unless it is really an SDS8 bassdrum pad: to get access to the inside you
> need to curve the rubber edge away to get access to the staple nails. You
> have to pull them all out. After it you can remove the shell. Now you see the
> piezzo and the wiring. Check all solder connections. If they are all ok:
> Replace the piezzo. Before you assemble the pad again, fix the solder joins
> with hot-glur. This will keep them from getting loose while playing. It is
> really no rocket science
> Best Wolfgang
>
> --- In Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com, "spindrum" <spindrum@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone -
> >
> > Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass drum
> stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both were ok, so
> I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about 4 months and
> have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no problems. I know
> very little about how these were constructed, so not sure how to further
> diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how to fix it once I find
> out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point me in some direction?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Nick
> >
>
>
>

Betr: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by Berk Aarts

Hi
don't wanna be a jerk, are you sure it's the pad (did you plug it in another
input on the module??) Did you check the bassdruminput with another pad,
so it's not the channel??
Sorry but I know most drummers are better with their sticks then with a soldering
iron.
If it's the jacksocket, it should trigger sometimes when playing and wiggling
with the jack.
Perhaps the legs off the connector are a bit open so you have contact all
the time.

remember, construction edrumpads ain't no rocket science!

groet Berk

Show quoted textHide quoted text
>-- Oorspronkelijk bericht --
>To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>From: "spindrum" <spindrum@...>
>Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 06:55:29 -0000
>Subject: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering
>Reply-To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>Hello everyone -
>
>Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass drum
>stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both were ok,
>so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about 4 months
>and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no problems.
> I know very little about how these were constructed, so not sure how to
>further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how to fix it once
>I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point me in some direction?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Nick
>

Re: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-17 by Nick Laquintano

Hi everyone - Thanks for the replies on this.

Yeah I'm pretty sure its the pad. This happened right in the middle of a
packed and crazee show, so i did not have much time to get it figured out.
We did switch out the cord real quick, and that did not work. I did move
the chord around in the jack to see if that was the issue, and it wasn't.
The pad also did not trigger in any of the other outputs of the module. For
a quick fix that night i removed the bass drum from the setup and angled the
pad I had been using as a floor tom down low by the bass drum pedal to use
that as the kick drum. I plugged that small pad into the bass drum part of
the module and it worked perfectly....so i was able to get through the show
that way.

Tonight I will crack open the pad and see what I find. Again, I have never
done this before nor any type of soldering in my life, so this should be
interesting :-D

Nick
San Francisco,CA

Show quoted textHide quoted text
On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 8:00 AM, Berk Aarts <B.E.R.K@...> wrote:

> Hi
> don't wanna be a jerk, are you sure it's the pad (did you plug it in
> another
> input on the module??) Did you check the bassdruminput with another pad,
> so it's not the channel??
> Sorry but I know most drummers are better with their sticks then with a
> soldering
> iron.
> If it's the jacksocket, it should trigger sometimes when playing and
> wiggling
> with the jack.
> Perhaps the legs off the connector are a bit open so you have contact all
> the time.
>
> remember, construction edrumpads ain't no rocket science!
>
> groet Berk
>
> >-- Oorspronkelijk bericht --
> >To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
> >From: "spindrum" <spindrum@...>
> >Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 06:55:29 -0000
> >Subject: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering
> >Reply-To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >Hello everyone -
> >
> >Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass drum
> >stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both were ok,
> >so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about 4 months
> >and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no problems.
> > I know very little about how these were constructed, so not sure how to
> >further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how to fix it
> once
> >I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point me in some
> direction?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Nick
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-18 by jesper

Nick Laquintano skrev:
> Hi everyone - Thanks for the replies on this.
---
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Tonight I will crack open the pad and see what I find. Again, I have never
> done this before nor any type of soldering in my life, so this should be
> interesting :-D

When a newbie (remember, all of us have been!), see to that you've got
two hours. Take small steps, never use force and change angles to the
occuring problems. This helps a lot. Rushing it is often the worst enemy...

When inside, describe/photograph what you see and the lsit can probably
help. A simple and cheap ohm-meter can be very helpful too and worth it
in the future. You can get one at 10-15 bucks in a decent electronic store.

Good luck!

--
electronically yours, jesper

- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
www.electronic-obsession.se

Betr: Re: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-18 by Berk Aarts

good luck! and be careful

Berk


>-- Oorspronkelijk bericht --
>To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>From: Nick Laquintano <spindrum@...>
>Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 15:12:01 -0700
>Subject: Re: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering
>Reply-To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>Hi everyone - Thanks for the replies on this.
>
>Yeah I'm pretty sure its the pad. This happened right in the middle of
a
>packed and crazee show, so i did not have much time to get it figured out.
>We did switch out the cord real quick, and that did not work. I did move
>the chord around in the jack to see if that was the issue, and it wasn't.
>The pad also did not trigger in any of the other outputs of the module.

>For
>a quick fix that night i removed the bass drum from the setup and angled
>the
>pad I had been using as a floor tom down low by the bass drum pedal to use
>that as the kick drum. I plugged that small pad into the bass drum part
>of
>the module and it worked perfectly....so i was able to get through the show
>that way.
>
>Tonight I will crack open the pad and see what I find. Again, I have never
>done this before nor any type of soldering in my life, so this should be
>interesting :-D
>
>Nick
>San Francisco,CA
>
>On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 8:00 AM, Berk Aarts <B.E.R.K@...> wrote:
>
>> Hi
>> don't wanna be a jerk, are you sure it's the pad (did you plug it in
>> another
>> input on the module??) Did you check the bassdruminput with another pad,
>> so it's not the channel??
>> Sorry but I know most drummers are better with their sticks then with
a
>> soldering
>> iron.
>> If it's the jacksocket, it should trigger sometimes when playing and
>> wiggling
>> with the jack.
>> Perhaps the legs off the connector are a bit open so you have contact
all
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>> the time.
>>
>> remember, construction edrumpads ain't no rocket science!
>>
>> groet Berk
>>
>> >-- Oorspronkelijk bericht --
>> >To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>> >From: "spindrum" <spindrum@...>
>> >Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 06:55:29 -0000
>> >Subject: [Simmons Drums] SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering
>> >Reply-To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>> >
>> >
>> >Hello everyone -
>> >
>> >Last night in the middle of a show I was performing at, my SDS-8 bass
>drum
>> >stopped triggering. I checked the chord and the module and both were
>ok,
>> >so I know it is the bass drum. I have had these pads for about 4 months
>> >and have performed live with them probably 4 or 5 times with no problems.
>> > I know very little about how these were constructed, so not sure how
>to
>> >further diagnose the problem, what to look for, and even how to fix it
>> once
>> >I find out what the problem is. Can anyone help or point me in some
>> direction?
>> >
>> >Thanks,
>> >
>> >Nick
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-27 by Nick Laquintano

Hi everyone - Thanks for the adivce y'all gave me a few weeks ago
regarding my Simmons bass that was no longer triggering. I got inside
the drum and did find one of the two wires that connect to the trigger
was disconnected. I was only able to get to this last night as I was
on the road performing for several shows up until this weekend. I will
get to the soldering this weekend.

I did find something else out when I finally got inside the drum. I
recall one of you indicating that for me to remove the rubber or to be
able to get inside the drum I would have to remove staples. There
were no staples to remove. The rubber was glued to the wood frame
inside...and once the rubber was removed I pulled the wood frame out
of the shell to get to the trigger.

Based on all this, are these drums actually SDS9 instead of SDS8?

I also found a "inspected by" sticker inside that has several numbers
that indicate it might have been manufactured in November 1985 (the
numbers were something like "261185")

What do y'all think?

Thanks,

Nick
San Francisco,CA

Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-28 by superwolle70

The SDS9 bassdrum pads have a thin plastic frame which is screwed through the bowl to the wooden board. If you loose these screws, both board and bowl will come off. If you have an SDS8 pad, you don't have this frame. You only have the rubber surface which is wrapped and glued around the bowl while the bowl itself is stapeled to the board.

If you are still not sure: Post a picture


Show quoted textHide quoted text
> I also found a "inspected by" sticker inside that has several numbers
> that indicate it might have been manufactured in November 1985 (the
> numbers were something like "261185")
>

in 1985 it could be both: SDS8 or SDS9 :-)

Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-28 by jesper

Nick Laquintano skrev:
> Hi everyone - Thanks for the adivce y'all gave me a few weeks ago
> regarding my Simmons bass that was no longer triggering. I got inside
> the drum and did find one of the two wires that connect to the trigger
> was disconnected.

Great to hear you found it and great to hear I was right! ;)

--
electronically yours, jesper

- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
www.electronic-obsession.se

Betr: Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-28 by Berk Aarts

Off course you are right Jesper!!!

Is the soldering on the piezo loose or onto the plug??
soldering a piezo is really difficult, check the internet on how to.

good luck Berk




Show quoted textHide quoted text
>-- Oorspronkelijk bericht --
>To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>From: jesper <jesper@...>
>Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 17:18:20 +0200
>Subject: Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering
>Reply-To: Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>Nick Laquintano skrev:
>> Hi everyone - Thanks for the adivce y'all gave me a few weeks ago
>> regarding my Simmons bass that was no longer triggering. I got inside
>> the drum and did find one of the two wires that connect to the trigger
>> was disconnected.
>
>Great to hear you found it and great to hear I was right! ;)
>
>--
>electronically yours, jesper
>
>- -- --- ---- ----- ---- --- -- -
>www.electronic-obsession.se

Re: SDS-8 bass drum no longer triggering

2010-05-31 by Nick Laquintano

Hi everyone -

So i finally got around to soldering the one wire that had come loose
inside my SDS-9 bass drum. This was my first time soldering. It
wasn't pretty, but I got it done. Only thing is that the signal must
be weaker now as the bass drum is not triggering as loud as it was
before. I tried solderiing in a couple diffferent spots on the piezo
trigger, but got the same results. Any idea what it could be or what
I should do at this point?

Nick