I used to play for my friends in the old days and then all of a sudden they didn`t go out any more. Now it is their kids i`m playing to and not far off will be the grandchildren of my friends,as a matter of fact...that has started already.Time does have a way of getting away on us.Kind of cool to have played for three generations,but then again that`s what playing for 50 years will do.Wayne
Wayne,
Much respect for playing that long. I got away from playing during the dark days of my PTSD after the war and hard times during the construction bust. Anyway I can't imagine going without playing now. Even if I quit all my bands and just jammed to some bebop Jazz or Classic rock its chicken soup for the soul.
The very cool thing I have learned with vintage drums is that I could take what someone else views as old junk and make it shine. Not only that but even if I sold off everything - now that I know what most of the major drum makers sound like I could piece together one heck of a great players kit from the shells of my favorite manufacturers.
FWIW I have started to give in a little with my vintage kits. I used to only want coated heads on the bass drum batter side but actually playing with an EMAD on the Camco and a PS3 on the Clubdates make them sound awesome. It's hard to argue that for live performances. Heck I might even try clear heads on tom batters for kicks.
Also while I used to think 13,16 and 20 were strange sizes I am really digging these setups. A 20" bass drum is easy to transport and very punchy and the combination of 13 and 16 on the toms make for a wide tuning range.
Crazy as it sounds I think I will get an Sonor SQ2 made in 13x8, 16x14 and 20x14. Maybe go 13x9 on the rack tom but the other drums I am set on those sizes. With a 16x14 floor tom I can throw my drum throne stool in the same bag. I have got my hardware all to fit in one very compact rolling suitcase and I love it!
Ok post late night jog rambling complete! band2
