Clip on drum mufflers...

[Jules]

Screenshot 2025-06-16 at 6.53.50 AM.png (111.4 KiB) Viewed 7587 times

When I got my D 500 back in '93, not only was the weight, hoops and general build of the drum a big surprise to me, but the clip on external muffler was a nice, unexpected surprise.

But, as time moved on, I noticed scratch marks on the shell from the metal to metal contact. I lined the inside of the clip with electrical tape which helped eliminate more scratching, but eventually stopped using that muffler.

Who else used, or at least had one of these mufflers? What did you think of it?

[SonorBart]

My Sonorlites came with 3 small (rack toms) and 2 large (floor toms) clip on mufflers in '84. I used them for a few years and then switched to other methods. For the past couple of years I've been using them again on the Lite toms for my 70's & 80's band. My 10 and 12 rack tom cases are deep enough that I just leave them on those and remove the ones on the 14 and 16. I haven't noticed any scratches on the shells and am happy with how they function. I use Drum Dots on my other kits and different width muffle rings cut from old heads for my snares. I remember Rogers had black clip on mufflers in the late 70's.

[Jules]

I think the point of contact was a little different when clipped onto the Hella hoops. I thought I had some clip ons around here, but I guess not. I wanted to take pictures on the D 500 reissue I have now.

[SonorBart]

I had a Sig/Symph Brass 1406 with Hellas and still have a D-506 with Hellas, but have never tried a clip on muffler with them.

[Jules]

Be careful if you do.

[SonorBart]

Thanks, I won't. The muffle ring works fine.