Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-02 by edrose1@...

Hey all.

My ZI playing surfaces are starting to crumble at a frightening rate - like visible disintegration with each hit. I've tried about every rubber reconditioner out there and nothing is helping slow the process. So, I'm writing to see if someone has a stockpile of NOS surfaces or if there's interest in having new ones made. I'm inclined to favor having new ones made as NOS ones will likely develop the same problem. Anyway, let me know if you're interested and I'll get with the local rubber company to get pricing info together.

Re : [Simmons Drums] ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-02 by Jacquot.Patrice@...

Hi Ed, I'm interested.

I've only one pad in that extreme condition ...
it seems it's not all of them. I have some quite new ones still smelling the new rubber & having the sweet new aspect & rebound.
maybe there has been several series, I don't know. the sun & UVs exposure may have been changing the chemical reaction of the rubber... who knows...

I think every SDX owner should be interested ;)
Let us know .
Patrice.

----- Mail d'origine -----
De: edrose1@... [Simmons_Drums] <Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com>
À: Simmons Drums <Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com>
Envoyé: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 17:05:41 +0200 (CEST)
Objet: [Simmons Drums] ZI Playing Surfaces

Hey all.

My ZI playing surfaces are starting to crumble at a frightening rate - like visible disintegration with each hit. I've tried about every rubber reconditioner out there and nothing is helping slow the process. So, I'm writing to see if someone has a stockpile of NOS surfaces or if there's interest in having new ones made. I'm inclined to favor having new ones made as NOS ones will likely develop the same problem. Anyway, let me know if you're interested and I'll get with the local rubber company to get pricing info together.

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-02 by music@...

Count me in!

BTW, I am testing some newly designed and complete FSRs for SDX. So far, they are amazing. Will keep you all posted.

Cheers

Alan
- Teknik14

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-03 by Anthony Piecoro

Hello,

I noticed the same thing on my pads and when I first got my SDX, I used every solvent that I could find around the house to try to clean them up. The one that worked the best was Acetone, but it will also damage any plastic pieces so you have to be very careful when using it. One of the interesting things that happened is that it seemed to recondition the surface to a certain degree, but nothing will stop the decay process once it's started, so use it as an temporary measure until replacement pads are available. And by the way, I would also be interested in replacement SDX pads, including the bass drum pad. So between Alan having new SDX sensors made and new pads that hopefully you can have made, the SDX owner on this forum will get an opportunity for an expanded life span for their kits!

Tony

Sent from my iPad

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-03 by edrose1@...

I met with Hanna Rubber Co. this morning and here's what I found out:

To replicate 100 of them would run ~ $2500 - $7000 depending on where the moulds are made and the quality of material. If they're made in China with a similar material it'd be closer to the bottom of that scale. If they're made in the US with a more robust material it'd be closer to the top. But, these are just estimates. Without formally submitting an existing surface to the moulding company it's impossible to put an exact number on it. But, expect at least $50/surface.

The other option is to go with something simpler (would lack the graphic elements and just be a plain, featureless pad) that could be die cut or CNCd from sheets of neoprene or silicon with a similar weight and durometer for around $600 per 100. Sure, they wouldn't look as cool but they'd be cheap and give you another 30 years of playability. Plus, they could be done quickly. I'm waiting on samples of different materials and durometers and would be happy to send them out to folks to check out before proceeding. Neoprene would be on the cheaper end of the spectrum but is only available in black. With silicon, skies the limit as far as color goes but, of course, the cost would go up.

Finally, I'm still waiting for a response from the folks at Alternate Mode to see about getting the material they use on their DrumKat pads. I'll let you all know as soon as I hear from them.

Please let me know what you all are thinking and if you have any other ideas.

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-03 by morrisphilco@...

It all sounds good to me, i'll go with what ever the majority goes with.

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-03 by Anthony Piecoro

FYI for the SDX owners in the group.

Hi Tony….

Not sure what the deal is with the Simmons Forum but my posts are not showing up. I seem to be on “ignore”. Very frustrating. I’ve asked Jesper to explain and he says it’s because my posts need to be approved or something…

Anyway, I tried to post an FSR update.. I just received and am testing the new “One-piece” FSR Prototypes… and so far are performing amazingly well.

I believe that after 2 years of trial and error we now finally have a working unit. :-)

(These actually out-perform the originals in all aspects. The one I notice the most is the sensitivity/velocity curve is greatly improved.)

I also wanted to clarify to the group that these beauties are a “complete Circuit Foil & Resistor” assembly.. not just the top resistor sheet bit. The manufacturer did a fantastic job!!

I’d like to start taking orders for a run of the production units. The goal is to have at least 25 ordered…. but the more the better as the cost will drop with larger quantities as indicated a few months ago.

Can you please let the group know for me? This not being able to see my posts is very annoying!

Thanks and Cheers!!

Alan

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-04 by music@...

Ed...
Ill buy a few of whatever you can have made up to test..

Cheers
T14

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-04 by music@...

Testing testing 1... 2... 3...

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-07 by edrose1@...

All of you that mentioned having contacts at Alternate Mode - please contact them as they are not responding to my emails and Facebook messages. I want to get moving on this and I'm getting frustrated with their inability to respond in a timely manner.

Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-07 by music@...

Ed.. check your email..

Cheers
T14

Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-09 by Roland Brenner

I've used this product on the surfaces and it works GREAT !

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Black-Magic-Bleche-Wite-tire-cleaner/_/N-257l?itemIdentifier=552729_0_0_

- Roland

---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Anthony Piecoro a700256@... [Simmons_Drums]" <Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com>
To: "Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com" <Simmons_Drums@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Simmons Drums] Re: ZI Playing Surfaces
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2014 06:42:25 -0400

Hello,

I noticed the same thing on my pads and when I first got my SDX, I used every solvent that I could find around the house to try to clean them up. The one that worked the best was Acetone, but it will also damage any plastic pieces so you have to be very careful when using it. One of the interesting things that happened is that it seemed to recondition the surface to a certain degree, but nothing will stop the decay process once it's started, so use it as an temporary measure until replacement pads are available. And by the way, I would also be interested in replacement SDX pads, including the bass drum pad. So between Alan having new SDX sensors made and new pads that hopefully you can have made, the SDX owner on this forum will get an opportunity for an expanded life span for their kits!

Tony

Sent from my iPad

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Re: [Simmons Drums] Re: ZI Playing Surfaces

2014-10-10 by music@...

I use this in conjunction with a Shark Steam cleaner:

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The important thing is to rinse, rinse, then rinse again after. Get it all off. Don't let it sit too long or dry up. After, I spray on and work in some Auto Glym. Reapplying the Auto Glym every 6 months or so helps to keep the rubber in fine form.

Cheers
T14