Contest idea for DrummerWorld

[aydee]

I've spent over a year on Drummerworld, gaining a wealth of drum wisdom, making some great friends and chatting to some very fine folk & some great drummers.

A happy by product of this association has been some of the gorgeous drum sets I get to see carousing through these threads

I have expelled umpteen gallons of drool looking at Joeybeat's red hot Dubs, Xopethx's cool, elegant and sophisticated Sonors, Fourstrings yet-to-be-born Unix...Baz's understated & stark marine pearl Dubs, not to mention Wavelength's Nordic Kumus...

.... and of course the millions of other knee-weakening beauties out there that drive us all crazy.

... and I'm thinking which is the MOST POPULAR KIT ON DRUMMERWORLD.

and I'm thinking many of us are thinking the same thing.
There has got to be a way to do a drum- kit Beauty Contest.

Maybe a time frame ( by a given date? ), maybe the votes go in on a sticky moderated by ( who else ) the mods and we have a winner or winners.
DB can think of a prize ; )

If nothing else, at least we get to see which kits got the most votes.

How about it, Bernhard, DB, JH?

[DogBreath]

Hmmm... I think this is a better idea than some previous suggestions for contests because the playing field is more level as we all have basically the same ability to spend money on our kits, regardless of our talent (or lack thereof). Perhaps at least a cutoff on total value of the kits, say one winner each for kits above and below $1,500 total value? That could still be hard to determine, but it's something to consider.

For instance, my set of Pacifics started life as a 5-piece kit with stock heads, low-end hardware, and four Zildjian ZBTs, and was worth maybe $450. Since then I've replaced the heads and upgraded the hardware, added four toms, swapped out the cymbals with A Customs and K Prototypes (in many cases signed by the artists who designed them), and added plenty of bells and whistles. The point being that the value of the kit is probably approaching $3,000 by now, but at heart it's still just a set of low-end Pacifics (that I wouldn't trade for anything). How could they compete with a new set of Starclassic Bubingas or a Ludwig Maple Bonham kit that retails for the same amount?

If we're just going by beauty or value we might as well just vote on the nicest kit that any maker puts out, regardless of whether or not any of us owns one. If we only vote on kits owned by members, again do we place more weight on value or beauty, or do we include artistic judgment used in upgrading the kit? Do we care if someone's mom bought it as is for Christmas or if someone had to work to buy the kit piece by piece? Should the contest only be for long-time forum members? What if someone just joins the forum and posts pictures of a kit they don't even own just so they can win the contest?

Let's have some input (positive and negative) and see where this goes. Oh, and it so happens that I do have an idea for a prize.

[GRUNTERSDAD]

What if you broke it down to Custom kits and "stock" kits. Most DW's are custom I think, and there are the Luddies, Yamahas, Gretschs, Tama, etc that can be had from any number of on-line houses. Just a thought.

I'm not sure about the money, for instance, I paid 650.00 for my Gretschs and have great cymbals that cost half of what Zildjians cost, so I may feel that my set is great for the under 1500.00 class when it is actually worth more.

[Ironcobra]

If we try to eliminate factors such as money, even what brand it is, it would be a much easier process. Sit back and simply look at the overall visuals, ignore where it came from or how much money you put into it. About the new members joining and posting, I think restrictions are needed, say two months or 100 posts minimum?

Perhaps even have a nomination thread where some well respected people can choose the top 10, then have a vote from there. I imagine problems would arise with the whole Big Kit vs Small Kit, maybe it could be two categories 6pc> and 6pc<. A question for the all powerful mods, once it comes down to voting, do you have the tools to make a voting box somewhere on the site, or will it simply just be a thread where you post your vote?

Another side thought I had recently, since many of us here on DW are buying Unix kits, maybe a Unix snare, or Unix kit vote or thread should be arranged. Maybe not now, but by the end of the year we could have quite the arsenal of custom snares all piled into one thread, enough to easily score a ten on the drool scale.

[oldrockdrummer]

May be a category for vintage kits I guess you would have to allow upgrades as long as the core kit is vintage. sounds like a hard contest to come up with rules for.

[Joe P]

How about categories like "Best Yamaha", "Best Mapex", and "Best DW" or something like "Best Rock kit", "Best Jazz kit"...

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Thats a good idea. Best of brand and then a final vote of those selected.

[Joe P]

Whoever has the most money will probably win ultimately...

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Trust me, I don't have a lot of money, but think my Gretsch drums look great. I found a great deal, but please don't eliminate me for that. Good time to take out the dust rag, clean up the bedroom, or the garage and take some good photos. One thing that may kill ones attempt is a lousy photo taken with the cell phone in an under lit environment. So maybe the guy with the best camera will win. Just thoughts.

[Michael G]

I think there should be a minimum of at least 6 months being here and a fairly active posting record to participate, just to be safe. But there dhould definitely be exceptions for some people though,

I also think there should be categories, not alot, just a nice coverage but I am not sure wwhat would be good categories...

except of course for a "classiest vintage kit" category, while not only does it have many great kits to compete, I have a small chance lol

[stasz]

I think this is a great idea that we should totally organize. There are actually a lot of different categories we could put together if we do this right. Vintage, custom, big kits, little kits, drums over a certain price, drums under a certain price, coolest looking, best cymbals... Although we won't be able to put together everything I'm sure I'm really starting to like this idea. This is awesome Aydee- thanks for posting it.

[Mr. Pasquini]

lets see my kit went from $450 to $2500... I'd love to see if my kit gets any votes, maybe a metamorphosis category or something....

[aydee]

Hmmm... I think this is a better idea than some previous suggestions for contests because the playing field is more level as we all have basically the same ability to spend money on our kits, regardless of our talent (or lack thereof). Perhaps at least a cutoff on total value of the kits, say one winner each for kits above and below $1,500 total value? That could still be hard to determine, but it's something to consider.

For instance, my set of Pacifics started life as a 5-piece kit with stock heads, low-end hardware, and four Zildjian ZBTs, and was worth maybe $450. Since then I've replaced the heads and upgraded the hardware, added four toms, swapped out the cymbals with A Customs and K Prototypes (in many cases signed by the artists who designed them), and added plenty of bells and whistles. The point being that the value of the kit is probably approaching $3,000 by now, but at heart it's still just a set of low-end Pacifics (that I wouldn't trade for anything). How could they compete with a new set of Starclassic Bubingas or a Ludwig Maple Bonham kit that retails for the same amount?

If we're just going by beauty or value we might as well just vote on the nicest kit that any maker puts out, regardless of whether or not any of us owns one. If we only vote on kits owned by members, again do we place more weight on value or beauty, or do we include artistic judgment used in upgrading the kit? Do we care if someone's mom bought it as is for Christmas or if someone had to work to buy the kit piece by piece? Should the contest only be for long-time forum members? What if someone just joins the forum and posts pictures of a kit they don't even own just so they can win the contest?

Let's have some input (positive and negative) and see where this goes. Oh, and it so happens that I do have an idea for a prize.

The idea

DB, see in principle, its a beauty contest. Pure & simple.It doesn't pretend to be much more than that.

Its also a pretty democratic idea in that does'nt take into account expenditure on drums, total value, choice of cymbals etc, because it goes by simply by a member's personal preference and vote.

And lord knows we've got all kinds here, where any 2 wouldn't agree with any other two on anything.( each member can vote 1 kit ; or 1 in each category : except their own, between say date A & date B ).

Concerns

Regarding your other concerns, as an example I could personally just as easily vote for a beautifully set up 3 pieceTama Stagestarwith the right heads, finish, color ( according to me ), and my favorite crash cymbal over a 9 piece monster Starclassic Bubinga with toms angled in a manner I hate, with cymbals that don't work for me,.. and so on.

Excecution

You could sub-divide the contest further if you like into Tamas -of the-year, Sonors, Yamahas ,Customs, Staves, beginner kits, intermediates, snares etc if you like too, but I wouldn't go too crazy with the fractions because I'm fundamentally asking a very basic simple honest question. " which is the most popular kit on the forum' ?.. or at best, the "Forums favorite Tama" Sonor etc..

I'm sure this a question that has crossed the minds of every member who has uploaded their kit on Drummerworld.

Photographs

GD's point about lousy photos is a good one, but hey.. its about the prettiest girl on the day, right ? Maybe some of us can see the innate beauty & the classic elegance of a Cherry maple Gretsch Renown despite the crappy phone pic. Most will re-load some pics, if they think its a big deal. If not , its cool anyway.

Cheaters

Yeah, about the fakers & scam artists...that comes with the internet territory, I guess where y'all have a lot more experience than I do. I'm a novice and wouldn't know how to curtail or deal with this issue..

You've got a great nose for trouble,DB, maybe you can weed out the fakers without them ever knowing their vote was excluded.

However I do think the contest should be open to each and every member. It is a moderated forum to start with, so you're not doing anything unethical. ( unless of course, you win, in the end ; )

Why do it

If done right, I honestly think this will generate a very high degree of involvement & excitement amongst all the members. You could disclose the number of votes each kit got ( or not ) , have like a quarterfinals, semis, etc ( by category or not ) ....

Maybe the prize is just simply... knowing that you won..?

Anyhow, those are my thoughts fer y'all to chew on.

[Ironcobra]

After reading aydee's post, I came up with a few more ideas. Since we haven't done this yet, the only way to tell if many of these problems are to occur is if we try. I say we start out with a smaller vote, say "Most Attractive Tama" and see what happens. We can see if people will join just to post, or any other problems. From there we will be able to more accurately make rules for other posts.

About having a winner in each brand, and then having the top from each go for the top prize, I don't think that could work. What if the top 5 nicest kits are in DW or Unix? We would still get a number 1 winner each way, but 2nd and 3rd place would be corrupt.

Last thought that I had, this one is cool I promise. Whoever wins, as a prize, maybe they could get a name status change from "Senior Member" to maybe something like "Drummer World Number 1 Tama Kit 2008" or something along those lines.

[Bob Smith]

i like that last idea

[GRUNTERSDAD]

After reading aydee's post, I came up with a few more ideas. Since we haven't done this yet, the only way to tell if many of these problems are to occur is if we try. I say we start out with a smaller vote, say "Most Attractive Tama" and see what happens. We can see if people will join just to post, or any other problems. From there we will be able to more accurately make rules for other posts.

About having a winner in each brand, and then having the top from each go for the top prize, I don't think that could work. What if the top 5 nicest kits are in DW or Unix? We would still get a number 1 winner each way, but 2nd and 3rd place would be corrupt.

Last thought that I had, this one is cool I promise. Whoever wins, as a prize, maybe they could get a name status change from "Senior Member" to maybe something like "Drummer World Number 1 Tama Kit 2008" or something along those lines.


If you pick one Unix, one Gretsch, one Tama etc and then they go head to head, how could the top 5 be Unix, or DW. There would only be one finalist in each brand..Understand??

[Ironcobra]

If you pick one Unix, one Gretsch, one Tama etc and then they go head to head, how could the top 5 be Unix, or DW. There would only be one finalist in each brand..Understand??

Someone said have a top winner from each brand, and take those winners and put them in an Overall vote, but for example say the top 3 kits were DW's, only the top DW would go up against say the nicest Pearl. The results would be...

1. DW kit
2. Pearl Kit
3. Something else

when the actual rank would be this if you were to enter every kit into the same overall vote...

1. DW
2. DW
3. DW
4. Pearl
etc.

Understand? lol

lol, I'm getting a little to worked up over this, which DB has just indirectly pointed out, (i hope)

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Someone said have a top winner from each brand, and take those winners and put them in an Overall vote, but for example say the top 3 kits were DW's, only the top DW would go up against say the nicest Pearl. The results would be...

1. DW kit
2. Pearl Kit
3. Something else

when the actual rank would be this if you were to enter every kit into the same overall vote...

1. DW
2. DW
3. DW
4. Pearl
etc.

Understand? lol

lol, I'm getting a little to worked up over this, which DB has just indirectly pointed out, (i hope)


Well its all moot now, but you would have 1 DW, 1 Unix, 1Tama, 1Gretsch, 1 Ludwig,
1CB, 1Whatever, 1Who Knows, and 1 Watchmacallit. 1 from EACH brand as brand winners, then everyone would vote on these 12 or 15 sets only and you may have, DW 1st, Unix 2nd , Gretsch 3rd, but you couldn't have DW, DW, Unix, because there is only 1 DW in the final vote to pick from. Understand? Its elementary my dear. Like the baseball playoffs if you have one team from each division, and they play, you can't have a 2 winners from one division.

Or to make it more simple. Miss America is chosen from 1 girl representing each state. The state of DW, the state of Gretsch etc. If DW wins, then DW can't be first runner up or 2nd runner up, only one from the state of DW will be miss Drum. And no other brand will have 2 winners.

And i see what you are saying. The 3rd place DW may be better looking than the first place Gretsch, but oh well. The runner up to Miss Arizona may be better looking that the first place winner of California. But thats the chance you take.

[Joe P]

I have an idea. How about an entire sub-forum dedicated to the contest. One topic for each class.

[Ironcobra]

I have an idea. How about an entire sub-forum dedicated to the contest. One topic for each class.

Good Idea

That's all I've got to say about that...

lol, over the head

[Tuxido]

or maybe instead of a winner for each make, a winner for each "size", like 5 piece and lower, 6 pieces and higher... blablabla......

[maddrummr]

I don't think size should be our sub category. I think we should have 3 winners of each brand and then those top kits will go off against each other.

[frank0072]

I like the idea. Could we have a catagory for people who have been saving money to marry in april 2008? (that would be me :-))

[Big_Philly]

I like the idea. Could we have a catagory for people who have been saving money to marry in april 2008? (that would be me :-))

And how about a category for people struggling to get by on scholarship money? ;)

And by the way: When's the big day for you, Frank?

[frank0072]

And how about a category for people struggling to get by on scholarship money? ;)

And by the way: When's the big day for you, Frank?

April the 25th will be the big day for me. That pretty soon actually, only 193 hours, 55 minutes and 30 seconds untill that day. Not that I am counting down or anything :-P.

[mystic fred]

great idea! the voting system could be in the form of an e-poll; each member to vote on one kit from each category (except their own of course) and go through the process of elimination to reach the "final", no values allowed, just looks or points of ingenuity ....just my suggestion. ( - :

[Ironcobra]

April the 25th will be the big day for me. That pretty soon actually, only 193 hours, 55 minutes and 30 seconds untill that day. Not that I am counting down or anything :-P.

I hope we see pics! And hopefully you have live music with you on the drums for a song or two.

[frank0072]

I hope we see pics! And hopefully you have live music with you on the drums for a song or two.

there will absolutely be pictures. Not a live band though, the location for our party doesn't permit that. We'll have a great band in church but I won't be playing there. I will do the part where you have to be on your knees :-).

Tommorow I will move my drumset to my new place, so I will post pictures of that too, I am so proud of our little crib :-).

(I am so sorry for going offtopic, but I am excited with getting married and stuff)

[Big_Philly]

(I am so sorry for going offtopic, but I am excited with getting married and stuff)
That's alright (as far as I'm concerned though, but I am not a mod ;) ). I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures!

[Ironcobra]

Well, the thread has been up for a while, I'm pretty sure we have most of the ideas down, the question is, is it going to happen. Mods?

[aydee]

(I am so sorry for going offtopic, but I am excited with getting married and stuff)

Frank, you have to do a wedding thread.

[Latin Groover]

Well, the thread has been up for a while, I'm pretty sure we have most of the ideas down, the question is, is it going to happen. Mods?

Didn't DB post they had already given out a prize?..

[GRUNTERSDAD]

Yes he did, and the winner has already been on The Letterman show, with Anton Fig.

[blastface]

I would come in last place in this contest.

[asht89]

This sounds like a pretty good idea, you could sub divide the kits into makes, or price mabye. Also, you could mix it up a bit and judje by originality and set up, as well as nicest finish etc. I do agree to an extent though that ultimatley, the most expensive kits will win, not that there is a problem with that. I know im generalising quite a bit but the expensive kits almost always come with the nicest finish, nicer wood, hardware etc etc. To sum up, it would be a great competition, so long as there were clear merits on which kits can be judged on, other than most prestigious make and/or make of cymbals etc. But getting back to the thread, i think it would be great to see another drummer's pride and joy, i'd love to see it.

[Unix]

I will fix something right away, from now on all Unix kit will be ugly therefor you won't have to bother with us...:)

[zambizzi]

I will fix something right away, from now on all Unix kit will be ugly therefor you won't have to bother with us...:)

When exactly is this rule going to go into effect, Francois? :)

I think dividing them by price isn't exactly fair and doesn't make a lot of sense.

You could split it between setups based on genre, i.e. jazz kits, fusion kits, rock kits, metal kits - since this is generally how stock brand-name drums are marketed and sold.

You could also add another category for "complete custom" for kits like what Unix builds...or DMC's ironwood monster.

[Unix]

When exactly is this rule going to go into effect, Francois? :


With yours lol...Joke aside, I don't want all that attention, I just want to build the best drums possible for my clients, that is all...

[Deathmetalconga]

This sounds like a pretty good idea, you could sub divide the kits into makes, or price mabye. Also, you could mix it up a bit and judje by originality and set up, as well as nicest finish etc. I do agree to an extent though that ultimatley, the most expensive kits will win, not that there is a problem with that. I know im generalising quite a bit but the expensive kits almost always come with the nicest finish, nicer wood, hardware etc etc. To sum up, it would be a great competition, so long as there were clear merits on which kits can be judged on, other than most prestigious make and/or make of cymbals etc. But getting back to the thread, i think it would be great to see another drummer's pride and joy, i'd love to see it.

I think these are some good criteria. Maybe even the "best low-end kit." I suspect mine would be in the running for most exotic kit, unless we had a glass kit here. I think you might need to have as many as 20 categories (biggest, smallest, strangest, oldest, coolest, most expensive, least expensive, best overall, most mongrel, most customized, best stave, best plastic, most ingenious - Leo Battery from Cuba would get most ingenious!). There is such diversity among drum sets that you'd need a fair number of categories to really show it.

[Bob Smith]

Hey don't joke about glass kits Alan white has one.
Take a look http://alanwhite.net/equipment.html
it's at the bottom of the page.

[Deathmetalconga]

Hey don't joke about glass kits Alan white has one.
Take a look http://alanwhite.net/equipment.html
it's at the bottom of the page.

Glass kits are beautiful. I would love to have one. There was a thread here where Orlich talked about his shells and answered questions. I would love to get a glass kit someday.

[aydee]

Trkdrummer's "Rhaphsody in Aluminum" is in the house, y'all.

The Trick kit is the Miss Venezuela of drumkits on the forum.

[joshisaces]

I didn't read the whole thread, but what about a section where people put their transformed kits! Alot of people here refurbish old luddies and stuff.

Maybe the best recovery?

[joshisaces]

Another input... If we did "The coolest looking Tama" the people with the imperial stars that do look pretty cool will automatically be put off by the starclassics...

We should do the best looking beginner/intermediate kit that got cleaned up! or something along those lines

[Ian Williams]

Trkdrummer's "Rhaphsody in Aluminum" is in the house, y'all.

The Trick kit is the Miss Venezuela of drumkits on the forum.

You bet...!!!
& 1 & 2 & 3 &, Venezuela, & 1 & 2 & 3 &, Venezuela...:)

Cheers,

[tbmills]

i think we could do categories like superlatives...

best beginner kit
best intermediate
best high end
best custom
best 4 pc
best 1 up 2 down
best 2 up 1 down
best 6 or 7 pc
best "monster" kit (8+ pc)
best "micro" kit (4 pc or less w/ 18" or smaller kick)
best finish
best jazz kit
best rock kit
best metal kit
best world kit (dmc wins)

and finally, the winner of each category goes toward

best in show