New drums with old specs? ...

[BellsOfRhymney]

Anyone makin' drums like those of yesteryear? ...woods, plys, bearing edges etc.

thanx ...

[bermuda]

The trend towards classic sounds and sizes seemed to bloom in the last 10 years, and Keller rose to the occasion (somewhat) with their vintage shells. And there are companies offering thinner shells, but the old sounds & specs were more than just that.

Ludwig introduced the Legacy series last year, and is the only company making their own shells to the same specs that they had in the '60s and '70s. Same re-rings, same edges, same plies. As expected, they sound just fabulous... assuming you want that sound. And judging by the vintage drum mania of the last 10-15 years, it's apparent that a lot of drummers do crave the old sounds that have been missing from new drums for the last 3 decades.

So that's the answer - Ludwig.

Granted, the Legacies are expensive. Not quite DW/Sonor expensive, but higher than Ludwig's Classic lines. And they're also more costly than finding a sweet kit on ebay, but the old drums had inconsistencies, and it's not always possible to find a kit where the toms all sound like they're from the same family. To some, that's just part of the old sound: some toms sang, some didn't. But Ludwig's QC on the Legacy drums is excellent and every one is a winner.

Bermuda

[BellsOfRhymney]

Thanx Bermuda ..thats encouraging news. I'll be checking out the Ludwig Legacys.

[Jeremy Bender]

Yesteryear as in the fourties? I think Noble and Cooley has a close design to the Slingerland Radio King. Solid steam bent maple shell with great dynamic range and power for a wooden drum. Maybe a Slingerland expert can correct me on this if I'm mistaken.

[AlexM]

Check out USA Gretsch Drums. They are expensive, but it's because they are built to very high standards by very exacting people. The factory is large, but only staff by a few very experienced and knowledgeable craftsmen (and women). Their drums are being made today the exactly same way that they were being made in the 50's! (On most of the same machinery too.) It's actually an incredible labor of love by those dedicated employee's who live on giving the world "That Great Gretsch Sound." There simply is not a better sounding drum set, I think. I got to find out for myself first hand but better than me trying to explain to you is the video Gretsch just released, detailing their mantra and construction process for all those intriged by this company's magic. If you don't believe me, see for yourself! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=D5jl8PGUYuk) You'll have this drum kit for life.

[stasz]

Check out USA Gretsch Drums. They are expensive, but it's because they are built to very high standards by very exacting people. The factory is large, but only staff by a few very experienced and knowledgeable craftsmen (and women). Their drums are being made today the exactly same way that they were being made in the 50's! (On most of the same machinery too.) It's actually an incredible labor of love by those dedicated employee's who live on giving the world "That Great Gretsch Sound." There simply is not a better sounding drum set, I think. I got to find out for myself first hand but better than me trying to explain to you is the video Gretsch just released, detailing their mantra and construction process for all those intriged by this company's magic. If you don't believe me, see for yourself! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=D5jl8PGUYuk) You'll have this drum kit for life.

Nice video! I love seeing drums being made. Seems like they skipped the proprietary silver sealer, though... video 1 ends with a drum sans sealer and at the beginning of video 2 the drum has the coating on the inside. I suppose it's a company secret.

[harryconway]

Your question is rather vague. Yesteryear? Referring to what decade? And then how much money do you want to spend? Example. You can get a Yamaha Maple Custom. Kick sizes 20x14 or 22x14, rack 12x8, floor 16x16 or 18x16. Pearl has thick and thin (with re-inforcement rings) shells, in maple and birch, in their Masters Premium line, more traditional sizes available in the toms, unfortunately most of their kicks are 16" deep. Any custom boutique shop using Keller shells can build up a kit with vintage sizes and replica vintage shells.

[brdfan]

The reality is that it is truly a personal preference regarding the sound you want. Long as the plys of wood are pressed together correctly and of good stock, you will not notice the difference between maple, poplar, birch. etc...It is absolutely too subtle to really make a distinction - regardless of what may be posted on these boards. What will make your drums truly perform is having the bearing edges recut so that the heads fit on the shell properly. That is the single best operation you can have done to a set of drums to make them more tunable and achieve the sound you are looking for. With counter-cut bearing edges you will find a wider range in pitch within to work. The drums will also stay in tune longer and respond better. So, find a kit you are attracted to and play them for about a month or two. Then save up some cash and find a "truly qualified" drum tech or instrument repair engineer that knows how to recut your edges. Figure $50 - $60 bucks per drum. Enjoy!!!

[BellsOfRhymney]

Your question is rather vague. Yesteryear? Referring to what decade?
I'm meanin' pre 80's ...before the sound of drums drastically changed.

Like: 40s, 50s, 60s, and the best of the 70s.

[harryconway]

I'm meanin' pre 80's ...before the sound of drums drastically changed.

Like: 40s, 50s, 60s, and the best of the 70s.
Then look mostly for shell construction. Ludwig and their 3 ply shell with re-inforcement rings, changed to a 6 ply straight shell in 1976. Rogers changed their shell in 1978, I believe, with the XP-8. Gretsch was the "odd man out" so to speak, having done the re-inforcement ring to straight shell switch back in the 50's. I have conflicting info. stating the year to be 54, 55 or 57. You can find this kind of shell construction on modern kits, with some manufactures at least offering....but pretty much exclusive to pro-level kits only.

[bobdadruma]

In 1974 I purchased a high end Gretsch kit. Many times in the past thirty years I have sampled different manufactures drums with the intent of purchasing them. I find that all manufactures put quality and proven specs in their pro level kits. I have never purchased another kit. I always find myself gravitating back to my old Gretsch. I find that the same quality exist in their high end kits today. Find a high end kit from a company that you like and you won't be buying another set soon. Hardware and wood type selection also plays an important roll in the long term performance of your kit. Find the wood that produces the tone that you like. Look for sturdy mounting systems when you consider your purchase. You can keep a quality kit for life. Drums mellow with age just as do cymbals. If you buy a vintage kit you can benefit from that.