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Do drums age after 20-25 years? Last viewed: 19 hours ago

Posts: 1163 Threads: 36

What's your thoughts guys?

Do Drums, Cymbals, metal Snares etc age after a period of time, and then become, or fulfil their true sound potential?

I've definitely had a conversation with a drum builder years ago saying whatever age of the wood, when you first manipulate it into the shape of a drum it's under pressure and will always have a brighter if not pingy sound. It takes sometime for it to relax into that form.

I'm sure Ive had a similar discussion about cymbals years ago. That actually they are always changing.

Is that part of the key to the magic of our beloved vintage drums? Some of you remember them new, but can you track the ageing process, or is it all just codswallop?

40's Slingerland Radio King WMP
60's Ludwig Downbeat Silver Spark
70's Ludwig Super Classic White Marine
60's Gretsch RB Champaigne Spark
70's Rogers Big R Black
90's Sonor Hilite (Red maple)
00's DW Collectors Broken Glass
00's DW Jazz Series Tangerine Glass
10's DW Collectors (Acrylic) Matt Black Wrap
10's PDP Concept Wood Hoop kit (Maple)
Proud ambassador of the British Drum Company
Posted on 10 years ago
#1
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

No doubt that the timber dries out which must certainly affect the tone, I reckon it mellows the tone somewhat but that's just me.. Read an article somewhere where Leo Fender disputed that his guitar body's improve over time ...he was of the codswallop camp.. hell knows..

Cheers

John

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 10 years ago
#2
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Not in any way, shape or form is it "codswallop." It's always good to compare our beloved wood drums to other quality instruments made of wood. Violins is a well-known example of age 'mellowing/improving' the sound of a wood instrument. The same goes for fine wood acoustic guitars, the sound gets mellower, better tone, with age. Drums are no different. I have a 59' 3-ply African mahogany kit that is as warm, deep and rich in tone as any drums can be. It's a qualitative thing that I can hear when I'm playing them. Not codswallop at all... I think there's a lot to it.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 10 years ago
#3
Posts: 142 Threads: 8

Well- I have a NEW (3 yr. old Luddy set) - an older '68 Luddy set- and an older (yet) '47 WFL set..... The oldest is 'warmest' and 'deep'- if that makes sense.... the '68 is 'mellow' and 'full'... and my new set is... 'bright' and 'clean'....all are resonant when left undampened... and I love the tone of all of them.... but- different styles of music 'speak' to me and I use the different sets for them.... oh yeah- and my 8 tom double bass single-headed '68 Slingerland is just..... bombastic.... so I think age DOES affect the wood, the plies, the glue, the tension involved in the hardware- is it GOOD or BAD?- I think good! A 'woodologist' would know about the expansion or contraction of the wood cells causing better or worse resonance....but I'm no scientist! so.... Let it get OLD..... (I am...)!

Posted on 10 years ago
#4
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

yes. they always continue to age.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 10 years ago
#5
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

From vintagemore2000

yes. they always continue to age.

Right to the point,,,Laughing H

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 10 years ago
#6
Posts: 727 Threads: 96

Metal(cymbals and snares) and wood instruments both improve with age in my opinion. Wood is easier to define as the plies settle, dry, etc., and the same goes for solid shell snares. My 59 RK sounds superb next to a Craviotto that is nearly new in comparison. Brass and aluminum are perhaps more debatable. Cymbals tend to age, why wouldn't drums them?

If it's never been proven, then it would have to be left to more experienced drummers than my 30 years, but I say, without a doubt!

Drum Kits
1965 Ludwig Clubdate Oyster Blue
1966 Ludwig Clubdate Oyster Black
1969 Ludwig BB Blue Oyster Keystone Clubdate
1971 Ludwig BB Black Oyster
Early 60's Camco Oaklawns Champagne Sparkle
Posted on 10 years ago
#7
Posts: 5240 Threads: 1231

I think it's more to do with the wood used, how many plys and the bearing edges. Most modern drums are all maple with thicker shells and sharper bearing edges. I honestly don't think a 40 year old kit sounds any different now than it did when it was new. Go listen to old recordings of our now be-loved vintage drums when they were new.

Posted on 10 years ago
#8
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

My kit sounds better than new from 67

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 10 years ago
#9
Posts: 5240 Threads: 1231

Check out this video with Roy Hanes from 1966, his Ludwig kit sounds very much like kits I've owned from the same time period.

[ame]http://youtu.be/07HBRUwPj7I[/ame]

Or this one with John Bonham....

[ame]http://youtu.be/cRuTcnd8YLU[/ame]

Posted on 10 years ago
#10
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