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I've had it up to here! Last viewed: 5 hours ago

Posts: 100 Threads: 58

Hey Everyone -

ok - I just have to rant. What is it with practically every new kit on the market,particularly custom makes, that ALL have virgin bass drums?!

I know that resonance is the buzz word, but not everyone desires his drums to echo all over creation. Every time I zero in on a kit that looks appealing, there we go again - toms mounted on cymbal stands - even the floor toms now. Couple this with 45 degree edges that all drums have with the exception of Gretsch, and I spend all day trying to muffle the sound. If I go to thicker heads, there goes the stick response. One could always special order mounted toms from,say,DW, but I'd have to sell my first born to buy it. I'm almost 60 and have been playing on and off since 1964. Big deal,I know. But you can't tell me that, blindfolded, anybody could tell the difference between the standard mounted toms and the the latest craze of suspended drums. I'm not tall and I've tried playing a small tom taht is suspended on a stand. I can't get comfortable. And all this marketing nonsense about shells made from North American maple, bubinga, gum,ash, Australian,Brazilian,Canadian ,etc.etc.etc. Why is it that some of the most coveted drums available are the Radio Kings and the famous 3 ply Luddys of the 60's. Is it just me? Please, any empathy would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Dave why not just buy a nice vintage kit within your budget? You get the older bearing profiles, tom mounts etc..... It's a buyers market for the most part and there's some very nice deals out there. Many right here on the forum. :)

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 1041 Threads: 64

Yea, I wouldn't think of buying a new kit these days! Too many oldie 's but goodie's out there just itchin' to be bought and played!

-Justin

"People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different."- Bob Ross

"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music..." - Aldous Huxley
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 818 Threads: 10

If you're the paying customer of a custom kit, tell them you want a tom mount on your BD, that's all. If they baulk, go to another custom builder, after all it IS a custom drum kit, no?

The "virgin shell" is all marketing hype.

You can always re-fit the kit with your favorite tom mount on your own. Go with what you feel is right for you, forget all the hype.

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

for being in our age group here the appeal is, to a good verses a great sounding kit thats is why we all hang here because its true, vintage rules but u have to find the one that suits you and your needs either a well preserved example or one you restore yourself what ever choice its well worth it if Charlie Watts can play his vintage gretch kit all over the world so can every one else besides the vintage wood is great sounding good luck ...

1 attachment
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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 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 2264 Threads: 83

I totally agree. Worst offender is DW Drums. Yeah, let's all pay $5,000 for a snare made from part of the Titanic! Raised from the bottom of the ocean, aged perfectly for over 100 years.... etc. It's getting to the point where I need a dictionary to understand some of these woods. Bubinga, mappa burl, etc., etc. It's kinda pretentious to say the least. They're nice drums, don't get me wrong, but wildly expensive. Eh, just gimme an old Ludwig Pioneer. That should do the trick nicely.

The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

During the 60's, the major drum companies (Ludwig, Gretsch, Rogers, Slingerland) were pumping out product to keep up with the high demand. Drums weren't made by one single person, but by the assembly line approach.

Probably, one person cutting down shells, one person installing re-rings, one person cutting bearing edges/snare beds, and another person drilling holes.

Then the shell moved down the line and a person installed the badge/grommet, another installed lugs, another person installed throw-off/butt-end and another person the installed the heads and hoops.

Each person was responsible to ensure their piece of the puzzle was done to standard, but very quickly, because there were more shells/drums coming down the line.

My point is, they were not "custom" built by a "master craftsman", they were built by Americans just working a job and most were probably not even musicians. They went to work, completed their tasks and then went home. I'm not discrediting the workers at all. I'm just saying, it doesn't take exotic wood, a special build process or fancy marketing to make an awesome drum. These exact drums are in high demand today, because of their looks, sound and quality.

The one good thing about people buying the latest and greatest drums offered today is that there are more vintage kits left for us to choose from. :)

-Tim

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 1597 Threads: 96

I agree with all of the above today's drums are just atrocious... they flop around on the stands like fish out of water all the while the reps are praising how they resonate ... cough cough buy a good vintage kit ... you will be miles ahead and much happier.

Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 1819 Threads: 153

From dsansone

Hey Everyone - ok - I just have to rant. What is it with practically every new kit on the market,particularly custom makes, that ALL have virgin bass drums?!I know that resonance is the buzz word, but not everyone desires his drums to echo all over creation. Every time I zero in on a kit that looks appealing, there we go again - toms mounted on cymbal stands - even the floor toms now. Couple this with 45 degree edges that all drums have with the exception of Gretsch, and I spend all day trying to muffle the sound. If I go to thicker heads, there goes the stick response. One could always special order mounted toms from,say,DW, but I'd have to sell my first born to buy it. I'm almost 60 and have been playing on and off since 1964. Big deal,I know. But you can't tell me that, blindfolded, anybody could tell the difference between the standard mounted toms and the the latest craze of suspended drums. I'm not tall and I've tried playing a small tom taht is suspended on a stand. I can't get comfortable. And all this marketing nonsense about shells made from North American maple, bubinga, gum,ash, Australian,Brazilian,Canadian ,etc.etc.etc. Why is it that some of the most coveted drums available are the Radio Kings and the famous 3 ply Luddys of the 60's. Is it just me? Please, any empathy would be greatly appreciated.Dave

I share this opinion! Good points and post!

Bill

Bill
Cherryvale, Ks
"Redrums - Ks" on FB and Reverb
(also "billnvick" on eBay)
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 1142 Threads: 134

From jaghog

if Charlie Watts can play his vintage gretch kit all over the world so can every one else besides the vintage wood is great sounding good luck ...

How many times do you think Gretsch approached Charlie about endorsing/using one of their latest and greatest kits? I wouldn't want to be the product specialist tasked to ask that question. :eek:

-Tim

Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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