House kits

[2 hit wonder]

I'm down to 1 place that provides a backline kit. One just stopped. Supposedly stuff kept walking off. Last time the kit was provided I noticed Tama Speed Cobra pedals were there.
Did someone take the Ludwig Speed King they were providing?

 

[ravenson]

One of the finest housekits I've played was a Pearl Export bass and rack tom , 18" Gretsch floor , deep shell Pearl steel free floater , Meinl Raker hats , Sabian B- 8 ride and a cracked Paiste 2002 crash . Weekly rock/blues jam and that mongrel kit was phenomenal !

 

[Rattlin' Bones]

The backline kits I have used have been ok. Some better than OK.

I practice and play on a 12" rack tom, but many of them only use a 10" rack, which kinda throws me off in technique.

It seems, in my experience, that the worst are the kits used regularly daily or weekly. Like a local jazz club (FYI that never opened after COVID) had a Gretsch Cat. First time I played there the heads were all worn beyond use. Since our combo was starting to play there regularly, I volunteered to change the heads and tune kit up, as well as tighten and replace missing pieces.

A local blues club has a pretty decent backline but sound guy is in an eternally rotten mood and gets mad when I use my own snare because he has to re-mic. The thing is the club is long and narrow - I mean 30' wide narrow with brick walls - so loudest instrument all nite every nite is snare; would sound better un-mic'd.

Some have weird tom angles and positions that you gotta fiddle with, which is OK if you're first act of nite or only act, but if you're between other acts and short on time that becomes an issue to get everything to your liking, but Bermuda for someone like you that's played and toured professionally that may not be as much of an issue as it is for me you can probably sit down at any kit and and make set up and angles/ heights work as long as they're not ridiculously out of skew.

But biggest issue for me has been the hi-hat stands. Two festivals this year the hi-hats failed. On one the pedal got stuck on the 3rd tune of a 90 minute set and continued to get stuck through the entire performance such that I started to use my hand to close them. It was a jazz festival so I wasn't using my left hand to bang out the 2&4 very often anyway lol. But I did lose keeping a rhythm on hats. And at a blues festival the hats kept failing because the rod was bent and wonky. I had to ask band to wait a few times while I re-adjusted hats, which ate into our 45 minutes on stage.

I ALWAYS bring my own cymbals, snare, seat, and kick drum pedal (bass for you jazz cats) and use them, unless the house cymbals are better than mine lol.

 

[Super Phil]

My saying has always been, "I'll play on cardboard boxes if it means I don't have to haul my own drums."
Laziness rules the day.

 

[mikyok]

One in 20 years is quite a surprise, it doesn’t sound like you are that far away. Three out of four of mines in the last 2 weeks had everything provided. Here was a really nice one last week - Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute with cymbals and everything, just brought my stick bag. I don’t use my own gear as much as I used to, things changed a lot over covid, which is a shame as I just upgraded kits!

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They just don't happen for me but the covers scene has never been like that and definitely not wedding/corporate. I wish it was!

The only house kit was an electric kit this year but in fairness the venue owner was a sound engineer so it worked well

 

[epinson]

Twice last year, worked out well both times!

1. Technically not a 'house kit" but a shared kit. Four band show at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. If you've never been, parking and loading/unloading can be a nightmare (especially if multiple cars are trying to unload at once!). Luckily, one of the bands' drummer volunteered his kit for the evening, so it made it much easier. He had a Tama Superstar in great condition, lucky me! Just used my own snare, but everything else was great!

2. Outdoor festival in late fall up in Harmony, ME (fun time, but the middle of nowhere!). It was a five hour drive when gas was very expensive, but the festival had a house kit, so three of us fit in a hybrid car (bass, keyboard and drum kit breakables in the trunk) and made a long day out of it! I didn't even catch the brand of the kit as it was freezing, but it was a fairly used 4-piece kit, bass and toms were fairly dead, about what you'd expect from a house kit, but still playable. Also made it much easier and cheaper than driving up myself!

But I've never been much of a drum snob, unless it's a significant functional issue (broken snare/kick head, broken kick or high-hat pedal).

 

[2 hit wonder]

Someone who used to live in Nashville said that Broadway and the immediate surrounding area venues all use house kits because you can't block traffic or sidewalks to unload. Also, because they rotate bands quickly with only short breaks between.
And you mostly just play for tips at Broadway clubs by doing requests for cash. Devil Went Down To Georgia is a $100 song.

 

[No Way Jose]

Each venue has a different house kit. Some kits are better than others. Overall though, I'm pleased with the house drums that I've played.

 

[MrPockets]

The last house kit I used was a very good premier set that hadn't had new heads put on in 15+ years.

Was like hitting a trash bag.

 

[bermuda]

I'd like to know your impressions of the Vision kit. What would you change? How was the bass?
Our casino has an electronic kit.

It was fine, the rack tom sang, the floor tom was bit dead, and the kick muffled up. All a matter of the house trying to please everyone who uses the kit, which of course is impossible. Oddly, the only real issue I had was with the throne. there were two - one was a hydraulic which was pretty bouncy, and the other didn't go high enough. Not that I sit very high, but the snare stand wouldn't go low enough and I had to sit above it. Still didn't work so I tilted the snare towards me, which I normally never do. that throne was also sort of broken and uncomfortable, I may bring my own next time. HH clutch was also pretty weak, I'll use my own next time (there's always a spare in my cymbal bag.)

But overall it was fine, I doubt I would have been happier with my own kit and the coordination thereof.

 

[Cmdr. Ross]

but I really value not having to haul my gear when possible. Again, I haven't encountered any problem kits

This is me when encountering a house kit.
Not only that, but the opportunity to play a different brand & set up than what I usually play.
I'm the same way about gear I bring: Snare, cymbals & pedal. Other than this, I'll tune it up & go to town!

 

[Stickman]

I love playing house kits - just because I'm lazy!
The only time I've run into a terrible kit was for a multi-band charity event and the organizer supplied the kit.. I think he went through a dumpster and found a cheap no-name beginners kit.

 

[petrez]

I go out of my way to find out what type of supplied backline it is in good time before the show, if the owner has no real clue, which happens quite some times, I make them send me some pictures of it, at least, to have something to go by. I have some minimum requirements when it comes to the gear I'm using (Export/Stage Custom level at the very least, 3 toms, 4 cymbal stands + hihat and snare), if not those requirements are met, I will do what I can to bring my own, or at least to supply what is already there. Cymbals, pedals, snare and maybe a throne, I will bring even if I don't have to. There has been a while since I got really let down by a house kit, but usually over the last years, there has been more the case of a rented backline kit of higher standard, or a good kit supplied by the main band, if not my own kit. I don't usually do the bar gigs anymore that might have a beat up house kit...

 

[ottog1979]

Now & then I play house or back line kits. Generally, I enjoy it as it allows me to try out / listen to different drum brands/models and sometimes different cymbals. I've purchased various cymbals, heads & muffling due to my experience with house kits.

That said, if I haven't played a particular house kit before (in which case I know exactly what to bring of my gear), I'll bring snare, pedals, cymbas and most importantly throne. Sometimes they just stay in the car. Sometimes I use parts or all of my brought gear.

 

[Captain Bash]

I’ve had both good, average and absolutely terrible house kits, what’s interesting is your often given no idea as to what you are really going to be faced with. Promoters don’t speak drum gear. Also for me I found it’s NOT the drum brand or tonal quality level that matter but the head choice, mic choice and stability of the hardware that really help you deliver a set. Would I prefer to play my own Gretsch USA kit yes…can I do the set on standard sized ageing but well looked after Pearl Export from 1990 yes….can I play the gig on a poorly maintained, wobbly tom stand, non adjustable stool/ snare (set ultra low)m collapsing floor tom, moving kick drum because one spur is busted …………no sir I cannot, but I will try.

 

[BruceW]

Twice last year, worked out well both times!

1. Technically not a 'house kit" but a shared kit. Four band show at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. If you've never been, parking and loading/unloading can be a nightmare (especially if multiple cars are trying to unload at once!). Luckily, one of the bands' drummer volunteered his kit for the evening, so it made it much easier. He had a Tama Superstar in great condition, lucky me! Just used my own snare, but everything else was great!

2. Outdoor festival in late fall up in Harmony, ME (fun time, but the middle of nowhere!). It was a five hour drive when gas was very expensive, but the festival had a house kit, so three of us fit in a hybrid car (bass, keyboard and drum kit breakables in the trunk) and made a long day out of it! I didn't even catch the brand of the kit as it was freezing, but it was a fairly used 4-piece kit, bass and toms were fairly dead, about what you'd expect from a house kit, but still playable. Also made it much easier and cheaper than driving up myself!

But I've never been much of a drum snob, unless it's a significant functional issue (broken snare/kick head, broken kick or high-hat pedal).

I live in Maine, which many would consider the middle of nowhere, but Harmony is the middle of nowhere even for us

I'm wondering what festival that was, I try and keep up on stuff like that, but nothing is ringing my bell

 

[Living Dead Drummer]

I never had an opinion about house kits, they weren't that prevalent here in L.A. back in the day ('80/90s.) The few that I've encountered in the last 20 years or so were never problematic, certainly none of the horror stories that we've all heard. So I never really cared much when I was told there'd be a house kit, nor was I miffed when I discovered after loading up that there was a kit waiting for me. It was just an unexpected and pleasant surprise.

Flash forward a few (dozen) years, and when I hear there's a house kit, I'm actually excited! Of course I bring my snare & cymbals, and there's always a spare pedal in my car in case I need it, but I really value not having to haul my gear when possible. Again, I haven't encountered any problem kits so my old-drummer laziness hasn't bit me yet, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn last week that there's now a house kit a casino I play regularly, and also a kit at tonight's gig at a club in Santa Monica. I had already loaded the car, but cheerfully unloaded it and look forward to basically walking in, putting up my snare & cymbals, and sitting down to play. Load will take about 60 seconds.

You haven't played any of the Hollywood clubs in a while have you... lol

Although I think both the Whisky and Viper Room just got new Sawtooth kits, haven't had any experience with those yet, however the kits they had there previous were terrible. DW and high end Ludwig, in the worst condition you could imagine. Old heads covered in layers of tape, stripped hardware, cymbal and snare stands duck taped together, missing parts. The worst!

 

[epinson]

I live in Maine, which many would consider the middle of nowhere, but Harmony is the middle of nowhere even for us

I'm wondering what festival that was, I try and keep up on stuff like that, but nothing is ringing my bell

Maine is beautiful!

It’s this huge field called Freedom Field. Festival was called Heads in Harmony. September 2022, but I believe they have other festivals there too. Lots of stoners (among other things lol).