So for me as well.

I'm with you and leedybdp on this. Witness TommyP and the 5 Dynas only one of which was "the one". I guess it boils down to how much fairy dust was at hand when a given drum was made lol. On the other end, I figure any wood cylinder with tensioned skins at either end is probably going to sound pretty neat. Hence the widespread enthusiasm for MIJ.

To be fair though in regard to the myth you mention, I think the consensus is more like, if all the optimal parameters you mention are present, then the drum has the most chance of sounding its best....better than good. :)

[edit] Also, why not five? :)

Mitch

The bearing edges on my B/O 3ply ludwig super classics are terrible, my god specially the 13". But somehow it all works. It maybe age. They are rewraps so they've been through the mill over the years. But despite all that I've been told by two different producers that they are their favourite ever recording set. And both have borrowed/rented them off me for projects. They only cost me £400. I made that back in one hit renting them out for a session.

I could never sell them, they've made too many records and been on too many films(yeah the type you see at the cinema). To anyone else they're just a set of rewraps with dodgy bearing edges.

There has only been once when I really couldn't stick or work with a Drum. A Pearl reference series. I was an Pearl endorsee. I had the first reference kit brought into the UK. Kit had both 22 and 18" kiks. Both sounded like a plank of wood. Honestly, no sub rumble, no milky doof, just a hard knock sound. They were even ejected from a session I did by the producer who refused to work with them and potentially me! Lucky I also had the Luddies in the car! I tried out some Ref's Ive seen since and they sounded the same! Clack! I don't get it. Nice toms though. Although I can add I did buy a nice 80's yammy 9000 once, then sold it all a month later. It was perfect, it just bored me to death.

Let me just say that I enjoyed reading your paragraph above very much. If you wrote a book I do believe I would read it.

Also, I would like to see a picture of these storied drums, please. :)

Mitch

Oh I think I love you! X I'll pm you tomorrow.