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Question about quality drums Last viewed: 1 second ago

Posts: 26 Threads: 4

I've been playing drums for a long time, I started 26 years ago. Despite playing all that time I don't know much about drums, what makes a quality kit, what heads do what to the sound, etc. I've just pounded away on my 1999 Pearl Export series kit in my friends and I's cover band. When I was a teenager I had a CB700 kit which wasn't that good. For a brief time I had a hodge podge vintage kit, which I preferred in a way to the Pearl's I bought new. What I want to get into is a nice kit, nice enough to be the drum kit in a recording studio, not a professional level, but something really capable of getting solid sound on a recording. What should I be looking for? I don't need them to be museum quality and would want to pay $1500 max. I've been reading some that the number of ply's don't necessarily matter. I'm leaning towards a mid 60's to mid 70's Ludwig, or maybe the 2014 Gretsch Catalina club, which really appeals to me visually. Also thinking of piecing a kit together slowly to make it more affordable for me. If this is an annoying question, I would appreciate a point in the right direction to someplace where I can learn so I can know what I'm doing.

Thanks -- Matt

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Hi Matt,

I have 3 -1960's-70's Premier top of the range kits I am thinking of selling....

Way less then $1,500 each..!

PM me please.....Blair

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 2197 Threads: 202

Type of music? # of drums? Sizes wanted/needed? Cymbals included? You will ALWAYS get more bang for the buck used over new. I buy used mid-line drums and upgrade the hardware so it is practical. Exports, Tama Rockstars and stencils can all be made to sound good with good heads. I just bought 3/4 of a Rockstar set for $89. It came with good used Emperor coated over Ambassador clear and 3 cymbal arms,one of which sold for $25.

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Welcome to VDF!

For a $1500 budget you can afford several excellent vintage kits that will fit all the needs you listed. Consider a 60's Round Badge, or early 70's Stop Sign Badge Gretsch kit. A 50's/60's Ludwig kit with either; a JazzFest, or Supraphonic would kill in the studio. Consider a 50's Slingerland Radio King set-up. For $1500 you might find a nice vintage Camco kit! It shouldn't be hard to find a nice player-grade kit from any of those companies and era's given your budget.

Take your time. Look for your best deal!

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 6432 Threads: 290

For 1500 you could get a very nice set up with cymbals and all, Im talking used of course. If I were you I would contact blairdrums on those Premiers. Blair is a good honest seller that will not sell you crap and will pack it so good it could be dropped from a helicopter.


Thank you!
Jeff C

"Enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

You can`t go wrong with Phonics, in that price range and you will be able to bring them to a recording studio and professional level.

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 1461 Threads: 75

And don`t forget to check out 60`s Rogers Drums-they are incredible sounding instruments that fit into any type of situation.IMHO-the best US drums made in that era period !!!

Wayne

1967 Rogers Cleveland Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1967/68 Rogers Dayton Champagne Sparkle
20,16,13,13.
1966 Rogers cob 7 Line Dynasonic Snare.
1967 Rogers "Humberto Morales" Timbales.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge 14x 6.5 Black Beauty Snare.
1980 Ludwig B/O badge Red Cortex
22,22,18,16,15,14,13.
1988 Sonor "Horst Link" HLD 590 14x8 Bronze Snare
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 2115 Threads: 26

Teverson hit the nail on the head. What type of music do you play? What set-up configuration (1 up-1 down, 2 up-1 down, 1-up-2 down, double bass with 8 toms, that sort of thing) Do you need to include cymbals and hardware?

Used is always a good bet but you need to know what to look for. As mentioned there are plenty of really great players grade kits from the 60's and 70's. Ludwig, Gretsch, Slingerland, Rogers, Premier, Sonor, Camco, Fibes, etc. would all potentially work very well if found in decent condition. Some might work better than others depending on style of music.

tnsquint
Very proud owner of a new Blaemire Snare 6.5 x 14 made by Jerry Jenkins "Drumjinx"
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 26 Threads: 4

Thanks guys. I play rock and roll, but I've also always loved old school Jazz drummers. The kit configuration I would want would be 9x13 Tom mounted to bass drum, 16 x16 floor Tom, snare, and 22 or maybe 20 (I don't know depth) bass drum. I have nice Zildian cymbals that I upgraded 10 years ago, and don't need hardware. Ludwig interests me the most, but I also like Gretsch, Slingerland, and Rogers. I'm interested in what the number of ply's does to the quality level. I saw where someone on here just bought a 2014 Gretsch Catalina club that is a beautiful kit and noticed that its 7 ply.

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 91 Threads: 19

youtube has a lot of videos of different vintage drums, you can get a vague idea of the different sounds the drums, as well as heads have. I think if you listen to enough of those, you can get an idea of the differences. There are a lot of drum comparison videos also on youtube. There are a lot of different recording devices also, so that has to be taken into account. Some Sonor Phonics near you possibly.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/msg/4329573014.html

In a land of chimpanzees I was a monkey.
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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