Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL QUESTIONS:
1. If I’m buying drums for a school, what should I start with?
2. I’m a first time pan player, what should I start with?
3. How often should I get my pan tuned?
4. Do I need cases?
5. How long can I expect my steel drum to last?
6. Where did the Steel Pan come from?
7. What is the difference in a Steel Pan and a Steel Drum?
8. Does your company build custom pans?
9. Can I listen to your pans before I purchase one?
10. Are higher priced Steel Drums really better than mid-priced drums?
11. What should I expect in an instrument?
12. Why are there so many patterns and instruments?
13. What pattern is the best?
14. What’s the difference between a “Synchronized” pan and a “Standardized” pan?
15. What is a bore pan?
16. What are the pros and cons of the bore pan?
17. Are chrome pans brighter than painted pans?
18. Do all Pans sound the same?
19. Why do some pans “bark”?
20. Do pans go out of tune from shipping?
21. How do I clean a chrome pan?
22. How do I get rust off my pan?
23. How do I fix a buzz?
24. Should I use legs or stands for my Basses?

QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR COMPANY AND PRODUCTS:

1. Can I buy sheet music here?
2. What types of payment do you accept?
3. What kind of stand options do you have?
4. What types of cases do you carry?
5. What is the shipping time for stands, mallets, cases, apparel, etc.?
6. How long do the tips on the mallets usually last? Can they be replaced?
7. Do you have a return policy?
8. Will you retune my pan even if it’s not a Coyle Drum?
9. What should I do if my pan gets damaged?
10. Do you use new or used barrels to make your pans?
11. What colors do you offer with your painted instruments?
12. Where did you learn the craft?
13. How many people work at Coyle Drums?
14. Does Coyle Drums accept new apprentices?
15. How long does it take to learn the craft? 16. Does Coyle Drums offer different lines of pans?
17. Does Coyle Drums offer different quality levels of instruments?
18. Does Coyle Drums require deposits for instrument orders?
19. Does Coyle Drums sell used pans?

1. If I’m buying drums for a school, what should I start with?
Answer - We recommend starting with 1 Tenor, 1 Double Second, 1 Guitar and 1 Bass. If you have the budget for more, we’d suggest adding more instruments from the top down. If your budget is limited, try using a Bass Guitar in place of the Bass Pan.

2. I’m a first time pan player,what should I start with?
Answer - We recommend you start with a Tenor or Double Second. They are the most popular and versatile. The Tenor is an easier instrument to play and is good for soloing but the range can be limiting. The Double Second has a large range but takes a little longer to get proficient with.

3. How often should I get my pan tuned?
Answer - Pans need to be tuned about once a year given normal playing. A new instrument will go out of tune sooner (approx. 9 months) but they hold tune longer as they get older. The two biggest determining factors in how your pans hold tune is the quality of your instrument and how hard you play.

4. Do I need cases?
Answer - We strongly suggest purchasing cases. A good deal of pitch shifting occurs from poor handling, not playing. Cases will dramatically extend the life of your instrument.

5. How long can I expect my steel drum to last?
Answer - With proper care and regular maintenance a good quality chrome pan can last upwards of 20 plus years. Painted instruments seem to deteriorate sooner. Bass pans tend to develop cracks and wear out after 10 to 15 years.

6. Where did the Steel Pan come from?
Answer - The Steel Pan was created on the Island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, off the coast of Venezuela, South America.

7. What is the difference in a Steel Pan and a Steel Drum?
Answer - Nothing. Generally Trinidadians call them “Pans” while many Americans call them “Drums.”
Personally, I use the words interchangeably.

8. Does your company build custom pans?
Answer - Very rarely. All custom work is decided on a case by case basis. It doesn’t hurt to ask though!

9. Can I listen to your pans before I purchase one?
Answer - Most often yes, we’ll try to put you in touch with someone in your area who has one of our instruments or you can come to our shop…though I’m sure that’s not always possible. Our pans are hand crafted, so there is always some difference in sound from pan to pan. We have a “basic sound” that we shoot for but we make each instrument to suit the player. Some like um bright, some like um dark, some like um hard and tight, some like um sensitive, sometime you feel like a nut sometimes you don’t :).

10. Are higher priced Steel Drums really better than mid-priced drums?
Answer - In a word, yes. Generally you’ll find they are crafted better and have a more consistent tone throughout the instrument. More refined.

11. What should I expect in an instrument?
Answer - That it’s IN TUNE at a minimum! The following is our basic five point system in evaluating an instrument (regardless of tonal quality, which can be subjective). There are other areas of concern but these five are the most critical.

1. Pitch- Must be in tune with the fundamental, first octave, second octave, and harmonic.

2. Blend- Must have all note classes, i.e. all the C’s vibrating together. Too much of this “Coupling” will cause the upper note to wobble in pitch. The degree of “coupling” is one of the determining factors in whether a pan is bright or dark in tone.

3. Focus- This is the note’s ability to hold a true pitch when played soft or loud. If the note is not structured properly the note will actually bend (change pitch) under hard playing…not good.

4. Sustain- One would prefer to have the notes sustain at a consistent rate. What we shoot for is a slightly longer sustain as you go down in pitch from the highest to the lowest note.

5. Balance- This is hands down the most important area and the most difficult area to achieve. All of the above mentioned areas should be done properly plus, each note should carry a consistent tonal character. You wouldn’t be happy with a Piano that had a bright sounding “C” and a dark sounding “C Sharp” next to it, would you? So why settle for it in a Pan?

12. Why are there so many patterns and instruments?
Answer - OK, hopefully I won’t ruffle too many feathers here!!!! The instruments have been evolving and because of that some patterns have become somewhat “standardized” while others have fallen out of favor. I’m sure that each instrument was originally created to fill a need. Some have filled those needs better than others. If you look back through history you’ll find that there were originally many different “Saxophones” other than the four we use today. The same holds true in the “Violin” family. Shoot me if I’m incorrect but I believe there were 9 or 10 different string instruments in the Violin family. Now we use four.

I think of the instrument layout (pattern) as a platform for displaying the pitches. Any two pitches can be placed next to one another. That doesn’t mean they will sound good or work well together. It is my feeling that some of the inconsistencies throughout the instruments are a result of lack of skill and understanding in the early days of the instruments’ development. Though most of the decisions made back then were nothing less than remarkable.

Here is a listing of some of the different patterns out there.

Soprano voice:
Lead (Tenor): Invader (Low Lead), Cycle of 5th

Alto voice:
Double Tenor (3 patterns)
Double Second (5 patterns)
Double Alto

Tenor voice:
Double Guitar (3 patterns)
Triple Guitar (5 patterns)
Triple Cello (5 patterns)
Four Pan
Four Cello
Quadraphonic
Triple Tenor extension
Quadduet extension

Baritone voice:
Tenor Bass (2 patterns)

Bass voice: (numerous patterns of all)
Five Bass
Six Bass
Eight Bass
Nine Bass
Twelve Bass

13. What pattern is the best?
Answer - The one that fills your needs the best.

14. What’s the difference between a “Synchronized” pan and a “Standardized” pan?
Answer - A synchronized pan follows a consistent logical pattern in its layout of the pitches. For example, all the notes on one side of a “two drum” instrument are repeated on the other drum either up or down a half step respectively in the same relative place on the barrel. A standardized instrument is one that employs a “generally” accepted pattern (or layout sequence). This doesn’t mean that it is synchronized. For example there is a standard Double Tenor layout but it is not synchronized. The Lead(cycle of 5th Tenor) however is standardized and synchronized. Yes, it can get confusing.

15. What is a bore pan?
Answer - A bore pan is an instrument that has holes (usually 1/8”) drilled around the border of each note.

16. What are the pros and cons of the bore pan?
Answer -
Pros:
1. Increased dynamic range
2. Stronger notes that cut through…especially in the upper registers
3. Increased volume given the same velocity strike compared to a traditional pan
4. Brighter sound…upper partials speak more clearly

Cons:
1. Can be thinner in tone
2. If you like a darker sound, the bore is probably not for you.

17. Are chrome pans brighter than painted pans?
Answer - Well, yes and no. The paint that is applied to the playing surface tends to darken the sound of the painted pans. An unpainted pan will be just as bright as a chrome pan. It will have a slightly different timbre, though.

18. Do all Pans sound the same?
Answer - No. You can find the full spectrum of tonal quality from very bright to dark pans as well as excellent craftsmanship to poorly built instruments. Some pans are highly focused with pure resonant tones and some are raspy and unwieldy. Even among individual builders there are inconsistencies since all pans are hand made. With the best builders, the inconsistency between instruments is greatly reduced.

19. Why do some pans “bark”?
Answer - Because they’re dogs! He, he, he…When a note “barks” it is actually bending in pitch. They usually go sharp sometimes as much as 50 percent or more. If a note is structured properly it will hold tune under moderate to loud playing. This barking is common in low quality pans. It is my feeling that a note should not fluctuate in pitch from soft or loud playing. It should only change volume. One sign of a superior quality instrument is sensitivity in a note when struck soft yet still hold pitch and not become raspy under aggressive playing.

20. Do pans go out of tune from shipping?
Answer - Rarely! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say “I just got a new pan from so and so and it was out of tune when I got it. It must have been knocked out in shipping.” OK, in four years Coyle Drums had three pans get damaged (knocked out) in shipping. Maybe we’re the kings of packing but I doubt it.

Here’s the real deal…When an instrument is new, it MUST BE CONDITIONED TO STAY IN TUNE. This requires the tuner to retune and touch up the instrument a number of times over a few weeks before shipping it to the customer. It is my professional opinion that many tuners don’t take the extra time to do this. Thus, the pan is out of tune by the time it gets to you.
PS: If you’re one of the tuners that do condition your instruments…good for you! If you’re not, well, get with the program!

21. How do I clean a chrome pan?
Answer - For a quick and easy clean I use “Windex” glass cleaner. It’s best to use chrome cleaner, though. Try “Mother’s” chrome cleaner. It does a good job and isn’t too expensive.

22. How do I get rust off my pan?
Answer - Never use a rust removal chemical on a chrome pan! It will tarnish the chrome finish. For painted pans or the backside of chrome pans try “Starbright” rust remover. You can usually find it at West Marine boat stores. It stinks to high heaven but it works!

23. How do I fix a buzz?
Answer - A good temporary fix is…

1. Set the drum on it’s side
2. Put the buzzing part of the skirt down next to the floor
3. Then push on the rim (not the skirt) 180 degrees opposite the buzz i.e. the highest point
4. Push down about as hard as you would if you were giving CPR. This quick little push should stop
the buzz. It usually works and the most I’ve ever had to do it is 3 times.

For a permanent fix, pour heated Vaseline up into the skirt where the buzz is.

1. Get a Campbell’s soup can and put a blob of Vaseline into it (about the size of the first digit of your thumb).
2. Heat the Vaseline on the stove until it melts…. WATCH IT because it can catch on fire if you heat it too long.
3. Have your drum on the floor next to the stove with the belly side up.
4. Pour the melted Vaseline into the rim area where the buzz is.
5. After it sets up wipe away any extra Vaseline
6. It’s important to work quickly and I recommend practicing the pour a few times before you do it. The Vaseline will get hard in about 10 seconds. Needless to say you must move fast.

24. Should I use legs or stands for my Basses?
Answer - Well, there are pros and cons to both. Legs work very well and give your Bass a strong punchy bottom, but can be a pain when trying to put the drums into cases. The stands work well also. They will give your Bass a little more volume but you loose the punch. Also $600.00 for stands is a bit steep.

Questions about our company and products:

1. Can I buy sheet music here?
Answer - Yes, we have a few selections and will be adding more continually. If you’d like to publish anything with us or have us market your music, just give us a call.

2. What types of payment do you accept?
Answer - We accept Visa, Master Card, checks, money orders and purchase orders. We have a fully functional online shopping cart on our web site or you can call us toll free at 866-355-DRUM.

3. What kind of stand options do you have?
Answer - We have two fully collapsible chrome double braced tripod stands. We also have 3 different powdercoated stands to choose from.

4. What types of cases do you carry?
Answer - We carry a full line of XL cases and Humes & Berg cases for Tenors, Double, Guitars & Basses.

5. What is the shipping time for stands, mallets, cases, apparel, etc.?
Answer - Generally all items (excluding instruments) are shipped within 24 hours.

6. How long do the tips on the mallets usually last? Can they be replaced?
Answer - Tips tend to last about 6 months depending on how much you play. You can order new tips from our website or give us a call.

7. Do you have a return policy?
Answer - Yes, you can return just about anything (excluding worn apparel). Just do it within 30 days is all we ask.

8. Will you retune my pan even if it’s not a Coyle Drum?
Answer - Yes! We’re proficient in all styles of tuning and will give your pan the best care we can, regardless of who made it. We’ll retune anyone’s pan and do it in a way that maintains the integrity of the original tuner. We’ll also change them up to a different sound if that’s what you prefer. It makes no difference to us. We’re not the “Sound Police.”

9. What should I do if my pan gets damaged?
Answer - OK first panic then call us and we’ll make it all better. A drum has to be severely mangled before it’s unfixable.

10. Do you use new or used barrels to make your pans?
Answer - We always use new barrels that were manufactured specifically for this purpose. They are constructed to our exact specifications, which helps us to deliver a more consistent and higher quality product.

11. What colors do you offer with your painted instruments?
Answer - Just about anything you want…within reason. You can have any basic color at no additional cost. However, some paints are EXTREMELY expensive so sometimes we have to draw the line or charge extra.

12. Where did you learn the craft?
Answer - I (Alan Coyle) learned from the master tuner Ellie Mannette while I was at West Virginia University. I owe the majority of my knowledge and expertise to his generosity. The staff at Coyle drums has been fully trained by myself.

13. How many people work at Coyle Drums?
Answer - We have a staff of six people and growing.

14. Does Coyle Drums accept new apprentices?
Answer - Yes, we bring on new people as the company grows. If you’re interested give us a call.

15. How long does it take to learn the craft?
Answer - It will take about six years or more to fully understand all the intricacies of building and tuning all the voices.

16. Does Coyle Drums offer different lines of pans?
Answer - Yes, we have a Studio Series and a Performance Series line. There are timbre options as well within each line of instruments.

17. Does Coyle Drums offer different quality levels of instruments?
Answer - No, we try to make every instrument as best as we can.

18. Does Coyle Drums require deposits for instrument orders?
Answer - For individuals ordering instruments we require a $100.00 deposit per instrument. For school systems we ask for a valid Purchase Order number.

19. Does Coyle Drums sell used pans?
Answer - Occasionally we assist people in selling their used pans. If you need help selling an old pan don’t hesitate to call us.