# What is this? (possibly from a drum kit) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 5, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566 "2015-12-05T23:45:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/1 "2015-12-05T23:45:51Z")
[This photo](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208188444497359&set=a.1539617738918.70900.1489159275&type=3&theater)was just posted by a friend on FB with this text: > [@](#): > > A mystery plaguing our peace of mind! WHAT IS THIS?! 2 of them found under a drum kit in our basement. Seems too important to throw away but it’s been sitting around our house for months waiting for its purpose to be discovered. Help? Figured someone here might know. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/2 "2015-12-05T23:49:54Z")
I think they’re the head/ear pieces for a harmonica support (think Neil Young/Bob Dylan). ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/3 "2015-12-06T01:09:56Z")
Well, I posted that on my friend’s thread (not the one I linked) so I’ll see if I get a response. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/4 "2015-12-06T01:15:56Z")
I don’t think so though. From a google image search on ‘harmonica holders’, they don’t go over your ears but on your shoulders and around the back of your neck. ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/5 "2015-12-06T01:26:55Z")
Some sort of dentist’s equipment? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/6 "2015-12-06T01:36:25Z")
Might be the part that holds the harmonica to the rest of the frame. Nah, I’m grasping. Wait a minute, it’s part of someone’s retainer! Gross! I’m outta here! ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/7 "2015-12-06T02:26:38Z")
Off to bed. Hoping to wake up to find some of those miraculously insightful suggestions that I expect from this place (so I can be a FB hero for a day). Get on it boys and girls! ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/8 "2015-12-06T09:36:04Z")
Well, that’s disappointing. ETA: people on the FB thread are suggesting it’s part of a bass or snare drum pedal (which seems quite plausible to me), but no confirmation yet. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/9 "2015-12-06T10:13:06Z")
Where does it fit ? See the end is hex, is it nothing but a hex driver… basically a screw driver, but with the finger tip handle , so you can tighen up when you fingers are touching the drum’s skin. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/10 "2015-12-06T14:53:17Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > the end is hex, is it nothing but a hex driver. Is the long end hex? Or is it a spline? It’s hard to tell from the photo. ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/11 "2015-12-06T17:28:28Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > Where does it fit ? > > See the end is hex, is it nothing but a hex driver… basically a screw driver, but with the finger tip handle , so you can tighen up when you fingers are touching the drum’s skin. The end doesn’t look hex to me, blowing it up to 1000% view on my browser. It looks round to me. The image on the FB page with the guitar pick for scale seemed to have the best quality to zoom in and see the end. And even if it were hex, do they even make drum lugs with tension rods that are tightened with a male end? In my experience, the tension rods are adjusted with drum keys that have a female end. [https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1136&bih=549&q=drum+key&oq=drum+ke&gs\_l=img.1.0.0l10.1515.2697.0.4399.7.7.0.0.0.0.99.576.7.7.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.7.572.wnWw\_-4LOVU#imgrc=\_](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1136&bih=549&q=drum+key&oq=drum+ke&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.1515.2697.0.4399.7.7.0.0.0.0.99.576.7.7.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..0.7.572.wnWw_-4LOVU#imgrc=_) ETA: Found a drum key that includes hex ends but I still don’t think that’s it. Just my opinion. [http://az58332.vo.msecnd.net/e88dd2e9fff747f090c792316c22131c/Images/Products33204-1200x1200-473472.jpg](http://az58332.vo.msecnd.net/e88dd2e9fff747f090c792316c22131c/Images/Products33204-1200x1200-473472.jpg) Also, I’m not familiar with touching the drum head while (simultaneously) adjusting a tension rod but, if I wanted to, I could do it using a standard drum key. I certainly wouldn’t need several inches to do so like this thing would provide. (I’m aware of techniques using hands/fingers in tuning a drum but not literally at the same time as when turning the drum key.) > [@Moe](#): > > Well, that’s disappointing. > > ETA: people on the FB thread are suggesting it’s part of a bass or snare drum pedal (which seems quite plausible to me), but no confirmation yet. It doesn’t look like the rods underneath a bass drum or hi-hat pedal to me either. (Snares aren’t typically used with a pedal but, yes, some are and the pedals are similar to a bass drum pedal.) I was thinking maybe an L-rod that might be attached to a cymbal stand to mount an accessory like a cowbell, but none of the images I found really match that either. The weird shape on the one end, the lack of a textured area on the shaft to help it better stay in place once fastened in the clamp, and it’s kind of thin for example. It doesn’t look like anything on my drum set or any drum I’ve ever played but I don’t claim to be an expert. I’m sure there are some other drummers around here who could offer another opinion. Finally, it could have been used by a drummer in some way even if it is something that wasn’t originally meant for that. For example, I’ve used binder clips to hold washcloths to mute my drums and I’ve used a cinderblock to keep my hi-hat from sliding away from me. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/12 "2015-12-06T19:19:22Z")
> [@sich\_hinaufwinden](#): > > The end doesn’t look hex to me, blowing it up to 1000% view on my browser. It looks round to me. The image on the FB page with the guitar pick for scale seemed to have the best quality to zoom in and see the end. I’m not sure but it doesn’t seem round to me. There seem to be distinct bars of light/shadow instead of a gradual fade from light to shadow, but I’m not sure that’s reliable since that’s also the case near the bend where it does look round. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/13 "2015-12-06T19:41:13Z")
I know tons of percussionist. Shared to see if they can figure it out. I think if we haven’t gotten it soon we can safely conclude it’s not drum-related… ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/14 "2015-12-06T19:44:36Z")
Percussion hardware - a rod that clamps into a bracket? Like for a cow bell or something? > **[World Percussion Stands, Hardware | Steve Weiss Music - List All](https://www.steveweissmusic.com/category/world-percussion-hardware/a)** > > World Percussion Stands and Hardware including bongo stands, conga stands, djembe stands and more. Low prices and quick shipping on world percussion stands at Steve Weiss Music. List All. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/15 "2015-12-06T19:45:20Z")
It looks like any number of metal hangers that could be used for just about anything. If it was drum related I’d be looking a cymbal pedal mechanism or something like that. Rotate the funny bent end and it looks just like an IV drip bottle holder I used to have. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/16 "2015-12-06T20:04:58Z")
Another WAG: Go to google images and enter “sheet music metal music stand” (without the quotes). Many of the stands contain two metal rods for holding the pages down. And apparently they found two of these rods under the drum set. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/17 "2015-12-06T21:00:38Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Another WAG: > > Go to google images and enter “sheet music metal music stand” (without the quotes). > > Many of the stands contain two metal rods for holding the pages down. And apparently they found two of these rods under the drum set. Damn good guess. ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/18 "2015-12-06T22:14:55Z")
Well it took a bit of poking around but at least I have learned something new - there are drums that have a hex socket style top to the tension rods that would be adjusted with a male hex key. The ones I’ve found seem to be marching drums, which I haven’t been around in many years, and the ones I played had the square male heads I’m familiar with. Apparently some people also replace the stock tension rods with this type, even using bolts from a hardware store. Here’s an example of such a drum: [http://www.piperscorner.com/image/cache/data/product-189/Tuning-500x500.jpg](http://www.piperscorner.com/image/cache/data/product-189/Tuning-500x500.jpg) I still don’t think it’s a hex key because it doesn’t look hex to me, but I’m okay if I’m wrong. Someone on the FB page asked if it was a hex key but the person hasn’t answered yet. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Percussion hardware - a rod that clamps into a bracket? Like for a cow bell or something? > > [http://www.steveweissmusic.com/category/world-percussion-hardware/a](http://www.steveweissmusic.com/category/world-percussion-hardware/a) I don’t think so for the reasons I mentioned in my post above. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Another WAG: > > Go to google images and enter “sheet music metal music stand” (without the quotes). > > Many of the stands contain two metal rods for holding the pages down. And apparently they found two of these rods under the drum set. I agree with **Sicks** that this is the best guess so far. But since drummers don’t, and in fact can’t, read music, this means there must have been another, actual, real, musician in the house. Of course I only say this half jokingly - I was able to “read” the drum “music” back in symphonic and marching band and “play” my “instruments” fairly “well”. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/19 "2015-12-06T22:26:35Z")
I found a few things [here](https://www.google.com/search?q=drum+l-rod&espv=2&biw=1642&bih=873&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiTo-CTo8jJAhWC8z4KHUlqD30Q_AUIBygC&dpr=1) that look broadly similar. You might want to find what companies made the parts of the drum kit and search their websites to see if you can find it. ---
**Author:** ![sich\_hinaufwinden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sich\_hinaufwinden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sich_hinaufwinden)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566/20 "2015-12-06T22:37:13Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I found a few things [here](https://www.google.com/search?q=drum+l-rod&espv=2&biw=1642&bih=873&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiTo-CTo8jJAhWC8z4KHUlqD30Q_AUIBygC&dpr=1) that look broadly similar. You might want to find what companies made the parts of the drum kit and search their websites to see if you can find it. Your link goes to a google image search for L-rods, and I realize it was buried in a bunch of text, but as I mentioned in post #11: > [@sich\_hinaufwinden](#): > > …I was thinking maybe an L-rod that might be attached to a cymbal stand to mount an accessory like a cowbell, but none of the images I found really match that either. The weird shape on the one end, the lack of a textured area on the shaft to help it better stay in place once fastened in the clamp, and it’s kind of thin for example… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-possibly-from-a-drum-kit/739566.md?page=2)