Really expensive kits are nice...

[tomk]

...but are really expensive...I bought an old Stewart drumkit from the 50's, 60's, or 70's, not sure. For those who don't know, Stewart was one of those generic brands that were made in Japan by the companies we know now as Pearl, or Tama. Anyways, I found the kit on craigslist, refirbished it, made it playable again. I got it very cheap. Sizes are 12x8, 14x14, 20x14, 14x5. Anyways, I recorded a little something with them using two overheads and a regular vocal mic for the bass drum, facing the batter head instead of the resonant head.. It's not really a solo, well i guess it is, it's pretty random. Anyways, moral is, don't overlook these cheap old sets. And remember, it's not really about the gear, but what you can do with what you have. Andways, enjoy the sounds.

www.myspace.com/tomkamusic

[tomk]

btw, the snare is not the one that came with the kit, it's a 14x4 Dixon brass snare that I found at the music store, used, $90.

[noirengineer]

yes.. i dig the japanese snares!
No doubt their drums sound good (only tried snares(
You have any pics by chance?? I SAY Good show, sir!

[harryconway]

Yes, my first 60's kit was a Japanese kit. I don't know what your definition of "really expensive" is. If you dropped $200 on your Japanese kit, and it's in good condition, cool. Once you get into the $300-400 range, then I'd rather start buying beater Ludwig, Rogers, or Slingerland drums. They sounded better in the 60's, and they sound better now. And 40 or 50 years timeline has proven that they hold their value extremely well. One thing the cheap Japanese 60's and 70's kits have going for them is some really cool wraps. The woods they used are basically the same "cheesewoods" they use today, in entry level kits. The big difference is fit and finish. Modern assembly techniques makes even entry level drums look good (or at least better). The competition in the sub $1K market is fierce, so makers have to put out a product that looks good, but Luan is still Luan. I too, would take a 60"s Japanese kit over any new $500-800 kit. Just because I like vintage drums.

[Bart Hodge]

I think I read that Dave Weckl plays a Stewart snare still. He used it on the Master Plan CD.