Why I own the drums I do

[Bo Eder]

So, as an aside post to my last thread/rant about drums sounding good, I thought I'd share with you why I own pro drums, and why it doesn't really have anything to do with how great they sound.

Today I packed up my kit into their unlined Humes&Berg black Enduro cases, and then loaded them into the back of my open-bed pickup. I drove 250 miles for four hours through the hot central California area almost ending up in Yosemite. I get to the gig and uncase the drums and they literally felt like they were going to melt. You know how everyone says to leave your drums in the cases for a bit so they can adjust to their environment? Well NOT TODAY! They immediately got set up on this outside stage. I had to tune 'em up a bit, but they sounded fine. Then they turned on stage lighting on an already hot day and the stage felt even hotter.

I never cried out for a shower more than today.

Three hours later I'm packed up again and loading the truck, and did the same drive to get home (of course, by now the sun was beginning to relent so they weren't cooking this time, but I'm sure the temperature changes had to be affecting them).

I got them home and unpacked them in the garage and they seemed happy. Thank God they weren't a wrap, I shudder to think what would've happened if they actually were wrapped. I know alot of us here subject their stuff to extremes (I think Larry says his stuff lives in his van everyday), but today had me a little worried, but I knew the drums could take it, that's why they were made. I just thought I'd share this bit today - I'm sure everyone has a similar story.

After hauling all this stuff around in the heat, I think I'll pull the trigger on more flat-based cymbals stands and lighten that load, though. I've got a mixture of Tama Roadpro stuff and Pearl 900-series stands, and as much as I love that stuff for its durability and stability, going crazy from the heat during the drive and then having to rush to do what I did today, I'll do anything to keep my sanity.

Maybe next time I'll just give $20 to some other drummer and rent his stuff for something like this!

[Anon La Ply]

Maybe renting would be cheaper in the long run if you're going to do this?

I play a Rhythm Traveler for lightness and portability. I don't play lots of fills and since I have a good quality vintage snare drum it works for me.

It also fits into tight places and this is the kind of band that can find itself in very small spaces - and our keys player has a full size keyboard plus he plays a guitar in a few tunes so he hogs a fair bit of the setup area.

I'd like to get a Gretsch Catalina too and see about getting a second band.

[Cameo]

I love my flat base stands from DW. Though, I'd like to swap one of my booms for another straight stand. I play small drums, too, both because I like the sound and they're sweet sounding.

[Soupy]

I thought Bo owns the drums he owns because Bo goes through drums like a cop goes through donuts, and the current set is flavor du jour / impulse purchase of the week? This is a thread you post when you keep a set of drums for ten years, not ten days. :]

[Bull]

My main kit is a wrap. It probably won't see its first gig for a few more months. I ordered gray,rather than black, Humes and Berg cases(which i am still waiting on) in hopes they would attract/retain less heat in the Florida sunshine.I have a topper on my truck and we have a van for longer trips.I think my wrap will be safe or a at least I hope it will be.

[Piebe]

I like my small mapex kit way too much to take it out on a gig. In the near future i just might, but only if there is no other kit available! No, i am simply too fond of my kit to have it scratched and i can't afford another.

[Midnite Zephyr]

I look at my drums and say, "Why do I own these drums and not the vintage Tama set that I had last year"?

Then I kick myself in the a$$ and go about my day.

Thanks for the heads up on wrap warping in the hot sun. I'll have to keep that in mind.

I used to own a Ludwig set from 1969 -- blue oyster pearl, but they were so "old fashioned' by the 1980's both in decor and in construction, that I got rid of them. They also had reinforcement rings which were considered "bad." Now those drugs are a coveted vintage instrument. Everything old becomes a "classic."

I've used Gretch walnut finish drums for years because a wood finish never goes out of style.

Don't get caught up in fashions. If a drum is functional -- just hit it.

And as Elvin said when asked what was the sonic inspiration and/or creative justification for using an 18" bass drum, his answer was -- "It fit in the back seat of the car."

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by Soupy

I thought Bo owns the drums he owns because Bo goes through drums like a cop goes through donuts, and the current set is flavor du jour / impulse purchase of the week? This is a thread you post when you keep a set of drums for ten years, not ten days. :]

Well, thanks for the sympathies but my point was that every kit I've ever owned has been pro stuff (with the exception of one or two that I had as 'second' kits). But the weather and the conditions made me glad I didn't bring something out that was cheaply made - I don't think a Yamaha Gigmaker would survive in the beating sun. Or it would have, if I didn't mind the wrap bubbling ;)

If I was just doing little indoor clubs or weddings, then anything will do, but you go into extreme environmental conditions.....

[mikel]

Well I play a mid range/fairly cheap Mapex M Birch kit and it has survived three winters and two summers in the French Pyrenees. Temperature variation in one day this Autumn from 3 to 32 degrees, with no problems, so I don't believe, In my experience anyway, that a so called pro level kit copes any better with the weather.

The bearing edges, finish and components will be better quality/more precise on a top end kit but as for shell and finish durability, it is debatable.

I use Stagg soft bags for my kit and so far I had had no problems with the drums. About 50% of the gigs I play in France are outdoor, with temperatures up to 42 degrees and it would seem it is me that suffers not my beloved kit.
Also I use the Mapex cos I love the small sizes (20, 10,12,14) and the sound it makes, and until a drum company makes a shell that sounds three times as good for the three times the money they charge for the so called "Pro" drums I will stick with my M Birch.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by mikel

Well I play a mid range/fairly cheap Mapex M Birch kit and it has survived three winters and two summers in the French Pyrenees. Temperature variation in one day this Autumn from 3 to 32 degrees, with no problems, so I don't believe, In my experience anyway, that a so called pro level kit copes any better with the weather.

The bearing edges, finish and components will be better quality/more precise on a top end kit but as for shell and finish durability, it is debatable.

I use Stagg soft bags for my kit and so far I had had no problems with the drums. About 50% of the gigs I play in France are outdoor, with temperatures up to 42 degrees and it would seem it is me that suffers not my beloved kit.
Also I use the Mapex cos I love the small sizes (20, 10,12,14) and the sound it makes, and until a drum company makes a shell that sounds three times as good for the three times the money they charge for the so called "Pro" drums I will stick with my M Birch.

Its funny how different this would all be if we were talking about an older Martin guitar, or a Stradivarius violin, eh? But our drums? Subject them to the extreme environment!

[mikel]

Originally Posted by Bo Eder

Its funny how different this would all be if we were talking about an older Martin guitar, or a Stradivarius violin, eh? But our drums? Subject them to the extreme environment!

By the way Bo, I was not taking a pop at you with my post, just talking about my experiences. If I came into lots of cash I would have a top spec kit, but until then my old Mapex performs fine and will continue to do so, I hope.

Cheers.

[NerfLad]

I'm glad to hear your pro-level kit held up well. I'm still very nervous about leaving my gear (the drums themselves, anyway, not so much anything else) in the heat. Interesting...

[samdrum]

I guess my question to you would be why the heck are you using a flat-bed truck to haul drums 250 miles in the blazing heat? You couldn't get an SUV or Van that would at least be somewhat temperature controlled from the inside? I have a small truck too, l but no way would I use it to drive for 4 hours in the heat with my drums in back. Glad they made it back alive.!! :)

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by samdrum

I guess my question to you would be why the heck are you using a flat-bed truck to haul drums 250 miles in the blazing heat? You couldn't get an SUV or Van that would at least be somewhat temperature controlled from the inside? I have a small truck too, l but no way would I use it to drive for 4 hours in the heat with my drums in back. Glad they made it back alive.!! :)

I had considered putting a shell on my truck but I occasionally haul my motorcycle places. Perhaps next time I go with a white cover if I go that far.

[larryace]

Bo do you secure the drums or are they just slip sliding all around? Do you take curves at 50 mph with them back there? We all know you're a crazy nut, you crazy nut...JK lol :)

The drums obviously can take what Bo dishes out. As long as they don't get damaged, the less care I have to give to my drums, the better I like it.

My gigging drums, an exotic veneered lacquered set cost me $5800.00. I treat them like exports. That's just how I roll. I just don't worry about a scratch. Of course I try and avoid it, but if it happens, I don't really give a care. I just sharpie over it. You can't even notice it unless you are looking for it. which no one does. They look great, sound great, and take the abuse great. No one would ever know I don't use cases.

[Bo Eder]

Originally Posted by larryace

Bo do you secure the drums or are they just slip sliding all around? Do you take curves at 50 mph with them back there? We all know you're a crazy nut, you crazy nut...JK lol :)

The drums obviously can take what Bo dishes out. As long as they don't get damaged, the less care I have to give to my drums, the better I like it.

My gigging drums, an exotic veneered lacquered set cost me $5800.00. I treat them like exports. That's just how I roll. I just don't worry about a scratch. Of course I try and avoid it, but if it happens, I don't really give a care. I just sharpie over it. You can't even notice it unless you are looking for it. which no one does. They look great, sound great, and take the abuse great. No one would ever know I don't use cases.

The drums in cases take up about 3/4 of the bed of the truck so there's not much sliding around. But man this last drive going northeast through California was just one straight line. In the heat I was ready to die of boredom! In the cases there's no worry of any slip sliding physical damage, but cooking 'em like that had me a little worried.

I gave them a quick clean and set them up last night at home and they seem to have recovered ;)

I try not to baby my stuff either but I like to keep my abuse to the drums happening on stage!