If you can confirm the other guy isn't a pounder, and you're planning to stay anyway, offer your kit for the evening, minus breakables of course. I've done this and been disappointed the other guy didn't hit a little harder - I wanted to hear my kit!

Mitch

Jeff-

As you and I are about the same skill level, both publicly professed so not poking fun or anything...., it could possibly cause some mechanical issues playing some other set, no? I have a hard enough time finding the sweet spot of the drums I never move, I couldn't imagine playing a totally different kit, with probably differently sized drums, possible different kit altogether in terms of layout. It could turn into hitting more rims, mounts and knuckles than drumheads! LOL Not trying to go negative, as I am a total force of positive energy, but mentioning this to strongly urge you to insist on using your own drums. Guys like TommyP, Bermuda, Latzy, Grantro and the hundreds of other accomplished drummers on here could play any kit blindfolded after ten seconds of practice. I don't think we are at that level and again, think you should insist on using your own drums so you can focus on the songs, not where the damned drums are!

You know I am not making fun so this won't come across badly I trust.

Toodles,

Drumhack x-mas3flowerBurger KinMallet Player2Sailing2

Insist you play your kit Jeff. Tell him you`re not wearing his underwear either.

See where I`m going ?

Go for your own drums. I was in this situation a time or two and I was routinely gigging with one of my beautiful sets of Rogers........ or a set of Ayotte Customs. There was this guy who insisted he had to have his own drums, because their songs needed what he had. So..... I said fine. I brought nothing to the gig, and sat behind the worst pile of S I had ever been pleasured to play. Oh, and same guy... HAD played on the Ayotte Custom set a few months before. I wondered what kind of idiot would turn that down. Those drums looked great, sounded better, and were a joy to play. I never had a complaint, sound guys loved them. They were good under mics or not. But he had to have something called Export. with 6 or 7 toms, every drum had different heads, I remember tape, lots of tape, some of the cymbals were actually real brass.

Jeff, insist on your drums. You know you have good stuff.

The main issue is with the sound guy and the amount of space available on the platform or whatever surface you're playing on. If you go with two sets, you need enough space and they will have to either mic both or move the mic's later on, and that might **** someone off on the sound board. Since you know his gear isn't good and you know yours are good, force their hand on it.

I did a triple-band gig a couple of weeks ago. I got lucky in that the other guys were coming from a distance and didn't bring their gear, except a double Iron Cobra pedal that we all used, though I moved the second pedal out of the way when we did the clean up set. Everyone did fine, though one guy couldn't believe I didn't have double toms. He got by just fine.

I say this as someone who would always rather use his own kit for all of the reasons you gave. Your motives are pure. But it's not your gig.

As the opening drummer, insistence would be bad form. Ask, by all means, but be prepared for disappointment. From what you wrote, it sounds as if you already received your answer.

Now depending on the following unanswered questions, there may be some partial solutions.

Are you opening at the request of the party host or the headlining band? If the former, perhaps you can press your case with the host. If you try again with the headlining band, first follow Mitch's advice and offer your kit for the evening (but the headlining drummer may feel the same way about his kit as you do about yours).

What is the stage like? There may be logistical reasons for denying your request beyond the time required for a changeover: The stage may not be easily accessible and/or moving your equipment might be disruptive to the party. The stage may simply not be large enough for two drum kits, and why should the headlining drummer have to do a quick setup after you're finished, especially if there's a sound person (and even more so if the headliner is paying for that)?

Are your bandmates using the other band's back line? If so, you don't have much of a case.

Even if you "man up" (which is my suggestion), you should still be able to use your own snare drum, bass pedal, and select cymbals (ride and hats—bring your clutch). You should also be able to make minor adjustments to the supplied kit, subject to standard etiquette that has been covered elsewhere on this forum.

If it's really that big of a deal, perhaps your band should seek another gig for its only show of the year. I don't know anything about this gig, but my guess it that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and that it could result in further opportunities for your band if you play your cards right. Don't blow it: Be a pro, go up there and do the best possible job that you can.

Sorry for being a hard case. I'm sympathetic to your cause, but you're not really in a position to make demands. No matter who invited you to play this gig, why give them any reason to regret that decision?

Worst case: Chalk it up to experience.

Al

Thank you everyone.

All of these response's are very good, they all make sense. A few more details, last year we did the same gig/party but we played in a different building and had all of our own gear. The party host do not want to do that this time so that option is out. We were asked by the host to play the party, not the other band. Last year I got to sit in on a few tunes with the other band (same one as this year), and that's when I played those Tama's. This is a party, both bands are playing for fun, no money. The audience is our friends and as last year they will be very supportive of us even though we are not that good yet. That's why we only have one gig a year so far, we just started this band in August of 2013. We have jobs ( I know so do you guys) and I run a business all by myself, and the other guys have other hobbies also. So we don't get a lot of time to practice together and its hard to find time to practice individually at home.

Our guitar players will be using the other bands amps and PA. I cant remember if the drum kit was miced or not last year, I need to find out. And, Wayne, the other drummer might agree to play my kit and I have no problem with that. If the drums are not miced then I dont see why changing kits would be a big deal. I could have mine all set up and ready to move. The crowd wont care, heck they would help! And that area we call the stage is way too small for two kits. My kit is 2 up 2 down, The Tama's are 2 up one down. If I had to leave my 18 behind for space then that would be fine.

I do thank you guys for chiming in. Dan is right, I really need my kit to deliver my best performance. I have spent a lot of time adjusting the height and distance to make me comfortable at my kit.

Al is also correct, it is not my gig and I should not insist on making more work for other people. So I guess I need to talk with the other drummer and work something out. If I have to play the TAMA'S then I will but like I say, it just wont be fun for me, and that's too bad because I am in this band, for fun, not money.

Thanks again everyone! I will use this info to state my case over the next few days! Very interesting responses.

"...I am in this band, for fun, not money."

Exactly! Play your drums. You're a vintage guy. Tamas? Eh....

Stop perseverating on it, play the snot out of the guy's drums and definitely don't let it ruin your good time!