Does anyone have any information on Remo drums? There is a 1980's 3 piece kit in jazz sizes 20 - 12 - 14 - no snare - for $199 on CR here in Pennsylvania. Lousy picture but they seem to be a solid blue or maybe blue sparkle. I know Louie Bellson played Remos periodically but I'm sure Remo paid him a pretty penny for the sponsorship. Thanks.
Dave
I've played a couple of their 'acousticon' composite-shell kits, and I was surprised by how warm and traditional they sounded... much more woody sounding than vistalites. I never liked the look of them personally (remo used some really weird finishes), so I never owned any - but the ones I have played have sounded great.
If I'm not mistaken, even their "high end" shells were made of MDF.
That said, I do remember them tuning up nicely and having a decent tone.
I used to have a set with an 18" bass back in the 90's. Never had any issues. Sounded good!
I still have a Remo "Encore" kit from the 1980s: 14x22, 8x8, 9x10, 10x12, 16x14. Acousticon shells, Super Gripper-style lugs. Great kit! I used it live for about 5 years, never had a problem with it, and it always sounded good.
I have a Remo Louis Bellson 5x14 WMP Acousticon Shell, Limited Edition 75th Bellson Birthday Snare drum. Golly, thats a mouthfull. Its nice.
I went to Musicians' Institute in 90/91 and most of the classrooms had two sets. One righty and one lefty set. I used all of the lefty sets. I got to play many different sets while I was there as we would use the classrooms at night for project rehearsals. Anyway, One of the sets was a Remo Acousticon set and I loved it. They were incredibly loud and sounded great compared to most of the Swingstars, Exports, Stage Customs etc. most of the rooms were equipped with. There was even a DW set that I had to use sometimes and it sounded horrible, although, it had seen better days. But I loved that Remo set. I don't think I'd buy one though because I've seen what damaged bearing edges look like on them. Take a paperback book or a magazine with the pages held tightly together and hit the edge with a drumstick and look at the results. That's what acousticon shells will look like if they take a whack. I can't say enough about how they project though.
REMO made some incredible drums through the years. I have a one of a kind snare they built for me that is one of the best playing snares I have ever ever ever owned or sat behind. Absolutely amazing. That said, there was a very brief time in the 80s when REMO made some shells that were of questionable quality and sound. All ... Repeat ... ALL of the others were and are flat out stunning shells. I love them.
Thank you all for the good information.Now I have to ask the wife.....nicely. One more kit and I'll be in divorce court.
Dave
For that money, buy them and flip them here. I would figure that several of us might be interested in them. Just a thought.
