Evans DATK Drum Key

This is a drum key that works like a torque wrench - using the dial on the bottom, you set the torque; when the lug reaches that torque, the top of the key 'snaps' open.

Works perfectly, it's super fast and easy to use. It's important to realise that is sets lugs to the same *tightness*, not pitch - just becasue the lugs are all at the same tension doens't mean they'll all be in tune with each other, especially on a cheaper drum.

With a new skin however, it'll get you in the ball park really quickly. From there, you can use it like a normal drum tune to fine tune things. The socket end is magnetic so it sticks on the lugs, and the grip end is nice and big so even on stubborn lugs it's easy to turn. It might seem a bit expensive, but if you're a drummer or an engineer, you should own one of these.

I never really got on with this keys main feature, but simply on the fact of how east it is to use and turn lugs I love it. The magnet feature is great. I can't tell you the amount of times that I'll be tuning a drum and it will slip and fall....and never be found again. And even if I did drop this thing, because of the size it sticks out like a soar thumb. I've had this key for over 5 years now and I still use it/ haven't lost it. Which can't be said for almost all the other drum keys I've bought over the years. Which probably accumulates to over the price of the Evans DATK key.

This gadget is fantastic for quick and easy tuning. It takes a a while to figure out and remember which number you're tuning each head to but once you have you can tune the whole kit in a couple of minutes.

I would definitely recommend putting fresh oil in the lugs, as it relies on tension and if you have a screw thread that's a bit dry with a bit more friction then it will taint the results.

I also recommend that you learn to tune by ear first as I think that this is a brilliant gadget to support a quick tune up, but knowing what to listen for and learning how you like your kit sounding is very important.

It took me a while to get the hang of this. The packaging has definite lack of instructions with it and after some initial tuning I put this away and went back to a normal tuning key.

After a while i dug it out again and looked at from a different view....it's basically a torque wrench. I did some more tuning and was delighted to finally get the hang of it !! This is a great little accessory for your drums. I can now dial in the same tension in each lug and can tune my drums the same each time. I noted down how I set the dial for each tom for future reference and I'm set going forward.

Although I initially benched this with a little patience and testing you can get a constant tuning for your drums.