HOME GROWN RATTLE CHAINS by Ron Petitt 06  
 

Sometimes you just want a little more sizzle in your ride or crash cymbals.  One way to acheive this is to purchase a rattle chain like the one made by Pro Mark.  Better yet, you can make your own rattle/sizzle chains for a fraction of the cost and get more variety.  Here is how.....

 
 

Tools and Materials needed:

1 ) You will need to purchase some different types of light chain from the hardware store.  I got 24 inch lengths of steel and brass beaded chain and a 24 inch length of brass link chain for around $5.00

2 ) Glue - preferably contact cement that works with a dry bond.

3 ) Sharp knife or box blade.

4 ) Cymbal felts.

 
 
If you only have thick felts you will need to cut them in half.  Work slowly so you do not cut yourself.  
 
Once you have the felts cut, apply contact cement to both felts.  
 
Carfully place one end of your chain onto the felt looping it around the center.  Allow both felts to dry before putting them together.  It is importat for it to dry to form a proper bond when pressed together.  
 
For a double chain you should lay it out like this.  
 
Once the contact cement is dry, firmly press the top felt onto the bottom felt with the chain.  Press and hold for one minute.  The 2 dried glue surfaces should bond.  
 
The length that you cut your chain all depends on the cymbal you plan to use the chain on.  Take the cymbal diameter and divide by 2 and then subtract 1.  I am making this one for a 21 inch ride so I cut the length from the felt to 9.5 inches.  This keeps the chain about an inch from the edge of the cymbal so it will bounce around under the vibration.  
 
 
 
Now go play some drums and make them cymbals sizzle....
 
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