The Drums Pron Thread

[Handcruser 2805]

Wow…way to go Tommy!
 
I took a look thru their website, looks like a nice family owned business. Opened in 1978 I think. Was cruising thru the pics section…and sure looked like Chris Layton in one of the photos. 

Chris is in there often - I saw him on my last visit there. He’s a nice guy.

Tommy has all kinds of people come through his doors - a lot of touring guys killing time. He keeps talking about getting Fibes rolling again and I hope he does.

[Buzzrock 14901]

I feel like this qualifies

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxbAHILrZBU/?igshid=NzZhOTFlYzFmZQ==

[jimmyjazz 45877]

New Gretsch Renown kit in action, Oakland CA.  Thanks, mates!  Sounds awesome.  Such a dorky 70s tilted-two-tom setup, but hey, I can't play drums.

[ohchaucer 1443]

That kit looks awesome under the lights… And the tilted toms just reflect even more!

[Handcruser 2805]

That kit looks awesome under the lights… And the tilted toms just reflect even more!

Yep. Good call on the pearl.

[G650 14229]

 

[ohchaucer 1443]

 

Green fuckin’ drums? Check.
Offset rack toms? Check.
Psychedelic blanket up top? Check.
T-shirts randomly stuffed in places that seem like they will serve a purpose? Check.

Let’s rock.

[jimmyjazz 45877]

Sweet.

[rungeflash 322]

I just got this set…..it’s a 1986 Sonor Phonic in metallic silver wrap. 22-12-13-16

They’re a 9 ply German beechwood (cut from a grove in the 1970s) and they’re some of the sweetest sounding drums ever made. Gods of thunder.

 

 

 

 

 

[G650 14229]

Those look rad as hell

[ohchaucer 1443]

1 hour ago, G650 said:

Those look rad as hell

Yes, they sure as shit do. Put that 13” over to the left and keep the 16” in the floor and I’d be heaven. Then make some kinda of super high pitched, snared piccolo/roto/timbale out of the 12” tom and put it off to the left of your hihat. (Also, that floor tom looks really deep - curious what the dimensions are). Anywho, Fuck Yeah to that kit. Well done. 
 

I’m realizing that my recent dalliance into songwriting has me slacking off on purchasing new drum stuff. 

Rock on, Runge! 

Edited November 21, 2023 by ohchaucer

[rungeflash 322]

45 minutes ago, ohchaucer said:

Yes, they sure as shit do. Put that 13” over to the left and keep the 16” in the floor and I’d be heaven. Then make some kinda of super high pitched, snared piccolo/roto/timbale out of the 12” tom and put it off to the left of your hihat. (Also, that floor tom looks really deep - curious what the dimensions are). Anywho, Fuck Yeah to that kit. Well done. 
 

I’m realizing that my recent dalliance into songwriting has me slacking off on purchasing new drum stuff. 

Rock on, Runge! 

Thanks!

The sizes are 22x14, 12x8, 13x9, 16x16….but as I know you know, they sound MUCH deeper and larger than their dimensions. Super heavy, over-engineered pieces. Not exactly gig friendly lol….but oh that sound. I’m having a lot of fun just messing with different tunings…they have a wide range.
 

Those racks tuned high are something else, never heard that sound before in person out of a drum 
 

 

[ohchaucer 1443]

Just now, rungeflash said:

Thanks!

The sizes are 22x14, 12x8, 13x9, 16x16….but as I know you know, they sound MUCH deeper and larger than their dimensions. Super heavy, over-engineered pieces. Not exactly gig friendly lol….but oh that sound. I’m having a lot of fun just messing with different tunings…they have a wide range.
 

Those racks tuned high are something else, never heard that sound before in person out of a drum 
 

 

Very cool. Yeah that’s a lot of wood for a load-in/load-out for a Thursday night gig at Ego’s…. but in a studio… nice. 

[Handcruser 2805]

16x16/18x16 floor toms are the way.

I love mine.

As well as 14x22.

14” bass drums are awesome.

[ohchaucer 1443]

Just as an aside, I think right now is the first time in my (way too many) years (decades?) on this and the other site that TWO drum conversations are above guitars or anything else.

Won’t last long, but for now it’s a Thanksgiving Miracle….. Well done, little drummer boys!

[G650 14229]

This aggression will not stand

[rungeflash 322]

Sonor introduced this 9 ply phonic beech shell in 1975 for their centennial anniversary….and those Germans did not mess around. They decided to bring a bazooka to a knife fight.

This is the phonic 12 vs renown 12

 

[G650 14229]

Alright guys, it's a shameful day I thought would never come. For a few reasons I need to pickup a kit (please don't tell respectable folks).

 

I need to get something very flexible and middle of the road that I can get consistent sounds out of. I've kind of landed on a vintage Gretsch, and need the collective wisdom here to bring up any pitfalls I need to look out for.

[Handcruser 2805]

Alright guys, it's a shameful day I thought would never come. For a few reasons I need to pickup a kit (please don't tell respectable folks).
 
I need to get something very flexible and middle of the road that I can get consistent sounds out of. I've kind of landed on a vintage Gretsch, and need the collective wisdom here to bring up any pitfalls I need to look out for.

Make sure they’re round.

[G650 14229]

1 minute ago, Handcruser said:

Make sure they’re round.

[Handcruser 2805]

Do you have a pic?
What are you using them for?

[G650 14229]

1 minute ago, Handcruser said:

Do you have a pic?
What are you using them for?

I don't have a specific set in mind yet, just I've generally zeroed in on that general idea as it's a very flexible option. I need to be able to supply various drummers a kit for tracking if the need arises. Side mission, it would give me something to futz around on myself at times.

[Handcruser 2805]

I don't have a specific set in mind yet, just I've generally zeroed in on that general idea as it's a very flexible option. I need to be able to supply various drummers a kit for tracking if the need arises. Side mission, it would give me something to futz around on myself at times.

Ahhh- I gotcha.

We’ll make sure they’re round and no cracks and sound good.

I e got a set I’d sell. Somewhere on this thread.

[G650 14229]

57 minutes ago, Handcruser said:

Ahhh- I gotcha.

We’ll make sure they’re round and no cracks and sound good.

I e got a set I’d sell. Somewhere on this thread.

Oh no shit, whatcha got

[Handcruser 2805]

Oh no shit, whatcha got

Ludwig maple classics white marine pearl

Like new condition

[jimmyjazz 45877]

@G650 what's the budget for shells, and what configuration?

[G650 14229]

44 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

@G650 what's the budget for shells, and what configuration?

I'd like to keep it under 3k. I'm thinking round badge Gretsch, but I'm certainly open to other suggestions from people that actually know about drums.

I'd kind of like 2 rack toms, but a 13 with a 16 floor and a kick would certainly suffice for the time being. I plan on buying a Supraphonic snare separately.

[jimmyjazz 45877]

Is new product off the table?

[rungeflash 322]

Especially buying vintage….be careful. This phonic i just bought, the 16 floor has a crack in an inner ply. It does not affect the way it sounds because it sounds orgasmic and you’d never know looking at it because it’s fucking beautiful….but still pisses me off none the less. Besides some online pics, I bought sight unseen. And they were shipped from Germany. Not sure if the shipper did it or the seller was not truthful, but I bitched and got a partial refund. 

[G650 14229]

2 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Is new product off the table?

 

Pretty much, but I never say never.

 

Just now, rungeflash said:

Especially buying vintage….be careful. This phonic i just bought, the 16 floor has a crack in an inner ply. It does not affect the way it sounds because it sounds orgasmic and you’d never know looking at it because it’s fucking beautiful….but still pisses me off none the less. Besides some online pics, I bought sight unseen. And they were shipped from Germany. Not sure if the shipper did it or the seller was not truthful, but I bitched and got a partial refund. 

 

Indeed, this is why I want to pick actual drummers brains on what to look for and any sort of known pitfalls of that era.

[jimmyjazz 45877]

3 minutes ago, rungeflash said:

Especially buying vintage….be careful. This phonic i just bought, the 16 floor has a crack in an inner ply. It does not affect the way it sounds because it sounds orgasmic and you’d never know looking at it because it’s fucking beautiful….but still pisses me off none the less. Besides some online pics, I bought sight unseen. And they were shipped from Germany. Not sure if the shipper did it or the seller was not truthful, but I bitched and got a partial refund. 

Yeah, with vintage I'd buy retail and be very clear with my questions.  "Do you know of any issues, either cosmetic or functional, with these drums?"  Any reputable store isn't gonna lie to you.

When I was buying a kit last summer two different stores steered me away from kits that they surely would like to move because of damage, some of which was quite minor.  I appreciated it, because I really didn't know what I was doing.

[rungeflash 322]

2 minutes ago, G650 said:

 

Pretty much, but I never say never.

 

 

Indeed, this is why I want to pick actual drummers brains on what to look for and any sort of known pitfalls of that era.

You’ll get great advice.

Scenario A….try to buy local or known party. If that doesn’t work, and you still want vintage, even shipped….request pics of the shells bearing edges and interiors. If a seller will not do that….move on down the road. They probably have something to hide 

[G650 14229]

Yeah the bearing edge is a great point, will definitely have to see them.

[Handcruser 2805]

Yeah the bearing edge is a great point, will definitely have to see them.

[G650 14229]

20 minutes ago, Handcruser said:

Gotdamn that is sex

[ohchaucer 1443]

I was gonna say three things- bearing edges (especially batter side), dents or cracks, and hardware in good shape. Other than that, have a sense of priorities (wood type, shell thickness, wrap vs stain, etc). You should also be familiar with mounting and stands comparability (eg, Pearl is different and proprietary, some Sonor are, etc). Definitely good to play first but I’ve bought lots of things online and been overall fine. (More for things like snares vs overall kits though.)

Generally contemporary drums from any of the main companies are going to be of good quality and outside of recording, there diminishing returns above a certain point for maple kits.

Of the big brands, I’m partial to Ludwig, followed by Gretsch. DW I think you’re paying for brand and endorser fanboy-ism. Yamaha is the gold standard overall - especially for recording (in my opinion) but only really at the higher end maple and hybrid. Tama also fine. I played Pearl for a little while and they are okay but the mounting/hardware and overall quality aren’t my cup of tea. If you want to go more niche I like Sonor, Noble & Cooley and C&C but all those are going to be expensive.

Cruser, that is a sweet set. If I were buying a new kit that wasn’t a Yamaha any time soon, I’d be going straight for Ludwig classic maple. Great sounding kits and very nice finishes.

G650 I’m happy to look at anything if you want a second set of eyes. Generally it sounds like you know enough to be plenty dangerous. And remember, as long as their structural integrity is good, most any drum can be tuned to sound great.

[G650 14229]

58 minutes ago, ohchaucer said:

Generally it sounds like you know enough to be plenty dangerous

Knowing just enough to be dangerous is the story of my life!

 

Appreciate the thoughts, I could probably be persuaded into a vintage Ludwig kit if the right one popped up. I think jazz dudes really favor the Gretsch in my experience and I don't think rock guys care that much is how I've landed more on Gretsch.

[rungeflash 322]

I finally got the renowns out of the drum room and the phonics situated and tuned. I wasn’t for sure initially, but I’m really not missing the extra 14 floor the renowns had at all. I have more room 2 up 1 down and it’s easier not having to turn so far to reach the 16.

These fuckers rumble in the jungle 

 

 

[Handcruser 2805]

Can you do a front shot. I’m curious about something

[rungeflash 322]

37 minutes ago, Handcruser said:

Can you do a front shot. I’m curious about something

Sure here you go

 

 

[Handcruser 2805]

Sure here you go

 
 

Yup.

Just a preference thing.

Beautiful set.

[jimmyjazz 45877]

So drummers . . . is the idea of a virgin kick drum REALLY a thing?

[rungeflash 322]

21 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

So drummers . . . is the idea of a virgin kick drum REALLY a thing?

Well, it just means it’s not drilled for a mount. For example, Gretsch just calls their 22x14 “virgin” kick a “no-mount” on their spec sheet.  But….if you go to Sweetwaters website for their advertisement of that same kick, Sweetwater will call it a “virgin” kick. So the “virgin” description is used in the industry somewhat 
 

 

[jimmyjazz 45877]

7 hours ago, rungeflash said:

Well, it just means it’s not drilled for a mount. For example, Gretsch just calls their 22x14 “virgin” kick a “no-mount” on their spec sheet.  But….if you go to Sweetwaters website for their advertisement of that same kick, Sweetwater will call it a “virgin” kick. So the “virgin” description is used in the industry somewhat 
 

 

No, that's not what I meant.  I'm asking if it's "important" or "better" than a kick drum with a drilled hardware mount.

[ohchaucer 1443]

Opinion of one: it don’t make a shit. But I’m certainly no sound engineer so I could be wrong. More aesthetic preference and might make a difference in set-up depending on drum sizes and configuration.

[rungeflash 322]

2 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

No, that's not what I meant.  I'm asking if it's "important" or "better" than a kick drum with a drilled hardware mount.

Some aficionados would say yes and only buy virgins, they’ll say it resonates more “purely”. I have both and can’t tell a difference. My renown is virgin….the phonic is drilled, with a huge weighty mount, then a massive mount rod goes into the kick…..that phonic resonates the most pure kick sound I’ve ever heard. My opinion…snake oil 

 

 

[jimmyjazz 45877]

6 minutes ago, ohchaucer said:

Opinion of one: it don’t make a shit. But I’m certainly no sound engineer so I could be wrong. More aesthetic preference and might make a difference in set-up depending on drum sizes and configuration.

For my daughter I certainly think the mounted tom stand makes sense because of touring demands.  I just wondered if there was an ACTUAL sonic difference.  Sounds like it's minor if it exists at all.

[ohchaucer 1443]

Yeah for gigging/stage it’s simpler to have bass drum mounted toms. The labyrinth of stands and the amount of set up time, etc.

[rungeflash 322]

8 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

For my daughter I certainly think the mounted tom stand makes sense because of touring demands.  I just wondered if there was an ACTUAL sonic difference.  Sounds like it's minor if it exists at all.

I don’t dismiss the entire thing….because there are people that believe it. In fact, Tama was compelled enough to believe, or enough market forces were being applied…,but they made a tom rack system that attaches to their kick drum with no drilling at all IIRC. They claim the best of both worlds. It does look pretty slick, just not sure I believe the tonal difference hype

[rungeflash 322]

I got the itch to add a 14 tom but have struck out finding anything in metallic silver. So….I came across this one and decided I’d add an “orphan” to the set.

It’s a 14x10 rack, in outer oak veneer. It was built September 1979 and it has the internal “tone control” muffler which so far I really like. We’ll see if it stays rattle free…but so far so good. I’m running it in a low profile Pearl snare stand.