would it be worth investigating a pre ignition system for each pin by a small plasma current path that is pre initiated before the shot?
rather than hoping that each rod successfully establishes a filament, create the filament. the main shot would follow the small plasma line to each rod ensuring symmetry, it may in fact relieve the hat insulator from being subject to high currents along the sides.
it would also be useful in turning on or off a number of rods to find a suitable combination. a high voltage flyback transformer for each pin could easily control a small streamer with a small insulated electrode close to the center electrode. just a thought.
