So a buddy asks me on Friday if I can fill in on timpani and auxiliary percussion for a Saturday concert with a 50 piece concert band (two out of the four percussionists couldn't make it). Since I had played most of the program pieces already (Copeland, Dvorak, etc.), I told him I'd have no problem sight reading the concert.
When he asked if I'd like to play the set part for Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, I jumped at the chance. He told me not to bring any equipment as he was bringing his "old" set. Well, I watched him unpack his "old" set from the cases; he was wearing white cotton gloves the whole time. He said he bought the set new in the early seventies, and bare fingers have never touched the shells. He asked me not to touch the drums or his cymbals with my hands, which I respected. Likewise, he asked that I not assist in packing them back into the cases (gladly!). His OCD has resulted in an original, unrestored set that looks like it just came out of the packing boxes from the factory.
In 45 years of drumming, I've never played on a Slingerland set, and I must admit, these COW's could give my Rogers sets a run for the money. Thought some of you might appreciate these...
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