It's been a while since I checked into Blaemire drums, but I have a complete Blaemire kit that Al made for me in the mid-70s. I had them originally set up double-headed with Ludwig hardware, which was weird for a Blaemire kit in those days. Most guys built them single-headed with uncovered shells like Hal Blaine's. My kit is 15x22, 7x10, 8x12, 9x13, 15x16, which I usually paired with a rare 1950's WFL mahogany 6 1/2" snare. We all thought irregular sizes sounded better than say a 16x16, which is why the shell sizes are so unorthodox. The loudest, purest sounding black "Ludwig" kit ever made. Killer.
I played sessions and toured with them for years, played baseball stadiums in the rain, in 100-degree heat, in studios and clubs around the world, and they sounded exactly the same no matter where you played. I had three other kits are the same time and used them only if I needed something for a specific gig. Most of the time it was Blaemire all the way--they kept me well fed and amused or a number of years.
Not playing much these days, but thanks for the memory jog--glad people out there recognize just what a treasure those drums are. Your project looks great--the white version of my kit. I'll post a pic of them sometime.
