Bill-

Nicely said- I figured you would be the Guru to mention on this thread. Had you in mind-

By the way is this a recording of your Elvin Jones RB Kit you just bought?

http://www.classicvintagedrums.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_79&products_id=957

Sounds good-

http://www.drummagazine.com/gear/post/a-glimpse-of-elvin-jones-gear/

Cheers-

Mike

I just wanted to add that, in most cases, having a Gretsch bop kit won't make you sound "just like Elvin". -just FYI!

;)

Thanks Mike! That is a recording of a kit I just bought, but it was never Elvin's. I wish it was! I don't know who owns the Elvin kit from that article.

-Bill

I saw Elvin for the first time with J.J. in Pittsburgh at the Crawford Grill in 1958. It was after the tour he spoke of. I don't remember that set specifically but I sure remember Elvin! At that time, his playing style bewildered some people. They said things like, "He keeps turning the time around!" and "He's draggin'!"... but of course the tempos never slowed down.

At that time, Philly Joe had been my main model, but that changed when I saw and heard Elvin, as it did for many others!

Of course, the drums he played then... pictured in the article... were 3-ply shells with COB hoops and calf heads.... The real deal!

In 1958 I had just acquired the drum set of my dreams; a Progressive Jazz set in black nitron with a 20", which was stolen 6 years later in Rome, sadly.:(

Fortunately, I was able to acquire the identical set 2 years ago, with calf heads! flowers2

I'm quite content with the 20" for more than just sentimental reasons.

Ron

Great story, Ron!

Even though a lot of people associate Elvin with an 18" bass drum, he actually played a 20-12-14 during the late '50s and early '60s. Some of his most famous recordings were done on Gretsch 20-12-14 kits.

First he had a 3 ply 20-12-14 BDP kit, with COB stickchopper hoops:

[img]http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drumpics34/elvinjones450.jpg[/img]

Then at some point he switched to a 6 ply 20-12-14 BDP kit. This kit is in tons of famous photos and videos of Elvin:

[img]http://jumpstreet-band.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/Elvin-Jones.jpg[/img]

At some point in the early '60s Elvin switched to a White Satin Flame 18-12-14 kit, and also toured with a 16-12-14 kit in a sparkle finish (all of the pics/videos are black and white). He continued to use the smaller bass drums for the rest of his career, unless playing on a house kit with bigger sizes.

So, Ron, when you bought your 3 ply 20-12-14 kit in 1958, that was exactly what Elvin was playing during those years!

As for the 6 ply BDP 18-12-14 kit in the article, I've never seen any photos or film of Elvin playing that kit. I'm not saying that he didn't, I've just never seen any evidence of it. It's likely he had this kit around the same time as the 6 ply 20-12-14, or maybe just had two different bass drums with the same toms, and didn't use the 18 much.

Thanks,

Bill

For you guys with 18 envy, but lacking the $5100 or missing the 18,12,14 for 2k on eBay by fractions of second like I did, work with the heads and felts on your 20's. If you don't have 18 in your ear, you will do fine with a little bit of care. Just think, Art Blakey got by with a 20. I don't know how he could do it, but where there's a will, there's a way. It's a little thing.

I sold a 20,12,14 fanatic a 20,12,16 in the late 90's with 10 minutes of tuning to his ear. His kit had been stolen and was convinced he had to have a 14 to replace his original. Not so once he heard a 16 properly tuned.

In addition, I saw Elvin and Art Blakey live at Lenny's iin the late 60's and Elvin again at the DeCordva in the late 80's; also set up for Max Roach at MIT Black History month in the mid 90's all with 20" basses. I don't know how they did it, but it worked.

Sorry. It's just a drum. Way too much. Gotta say, I just don't get the Gretsch thing. They're cool. But not anywhere near that cool. Some people are really sick.

DaSwans- Agreed 100% with you- All Tho if Gretsch made their drums with real gold. Then for todays economy that would make sense. We Buy Gold.Cool DudeCool Dude

Actually..Gretsch RB 18's..may appreaciate faster than gold..

I bought this one last year..then had it rewrapped to go along with my RWP set..

Before..

[IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/templsounds/Firma1822inRB18inBDTessie.jpg[/IMG]

After..

[IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/templsounds/Gretsch18inchRBrewrapped.jpg[/IMG]

On the gig..

[IMG]http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/templsounds/GretschRWPongigsept2011cropped-1.jpg[/IMG]

I'm just playing the Gretsch RB 18 set now..and I also own.. an 18" BD phonic set as well..

The phonic 18" BD is truly great too..but only in certain rooms.. and the same for the Gretsch 18..only in certain rooms..do they shine..

Gretsch snares are getting pricey too.......I offered 4500 for a 6.5 Cadi snare that's for sale on the web and no go....it's at $7500. I think it's a mid-50's model. The 5.5 that sold recently on eBay (for $2700 I think)...is for sale again but I didn't ask how much. That snare is a 60's.

Just saying.....same that has been brought up here already.....supply and demand. I'm not surprised at the $5K end result of the auction. If I had the cash I might have gotten involved.