Show us your personal drum set history - with pics

Mick_Link

Junior Member
1984
my first drum set. A "Supersonic" 5-piece set in White.
Unfortunately there are no photos of it alone.
The photo shows a hybrid set of the Supersonic and my first Newsound drums.
83FCCA58-F968-4168-A88F-392559D0C3C8.jpeg

1986
I bought Newsound drums in Metallic White. Traded in for a Sonor D 425 vintage snare.
1AF9415E-9781-458D-8496-41F791343820.jpeg

1994
I bought my first Sonor Signature in Bubinga, a classic 5-piece set.
5F5AF7DF-ECE7-4D31-938E-7F007054FDDB.jpeg

It became more Signature drums as time went on!
5011A691-C291-4FD1-A8F1-EB9D7E9B5E8A.jpeg

1997
I bought a used Sonor Signature in Tornado Red (as played by Steve Smith, Journey).
The poster of my set was signed by Steve himself during a clinic!
Sold. Sadly!!!
A7980877-EADC-4A06-8972-1E6C71B001C7.jpeg


2008
I bought my first used Sonor Hi Tech set.
A29BE638-0777-4C33-8D7E-556026E7EE37.jpeg

It became more Hi Tech drums as time went on!
751993F1-9838-4E4D-8C1B-62490FC2F096.jpeg

2014
A trip to the Gretsch company: Catalina Maple. Sold.
4D4AD781-E264-418F-92D6-E7FC63A82F76.jpeg

2017
I bought a used Sonor Phonic in Metallic Pewter. Sold.
AC4977AC-D4DA-4786-ACE8-443D48B2E704.jpeg

2018
I bought a used Sonor Performer Plus in White Sparkle.
0B9A0E98-E75F-4C56-AABE-483B9CB123ED.jpeg

Eight sets in 37 years :cool:
Plus a Roland TD-7.

Thanks for looking!
 
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Well, the man did say to show a timeline so I'll play along

1988- Linko 5-piece
Linko5.jpg

1998- Pearl Export 9-piece
Pearl front.jpg

2002- Roland TD-6
Can't believe I never took a single pic of this kit the whole time I had it (not that it was much to look at) but this was pretty much it.
top_L.jpg

2009- Roland TD-10
IMG_1036.JPG

2012- Ludwig Element A2E 8-piece (Roland TD-10 module)
Drum 2.jpg

2017- Roland TD-10 with custom made e-pads
thumbnail_20200216_103548.jpg

2020- Present- Roland TD-30KV
20201104_163810 - Copy.jpg
 
1984
my first drum set. A "Supersonic" 5-piece set in White.
Unfortunately there are no photos of it alone.
The photo shows a hybrid set of the Supersonic and my first Newsound drums.
View attachment 101289

1986
I bought Newsound drums in Metallic White. Traded in for a Sonor D 425 vintage snare.
View attachment 101290

1994
I bought my first Sonor Signature in Bubinga, a classic 5-piece set.
View attachment 101291

It became more Signature drums as time went on!
View attachment 101292

1997
I bought a used Sonor Signature in Tornado Red (as played by Steve Smith, Journey).
Sold. Sadly!!!
View attachment 101293

2008
I bought my first used Sonor Hi Tech set.
View attachment 101294

It became more Hi Tech drums as time went on!
View attachment 101295

2014
A trip to the Gretsch company: Catalina Maple. Sold.
View attachment 101296

2017
I bought a used Sonor Phonic in Metallic Pewter. Sold.
View attachment 101297

2018
I bought a used Sonor Performer Plus in White Sparkle.
View attachment 101298

Eight sets in 37 years :cool:

Thanks for looking!

The Sonor kits look beautiful. How does the Performer Plus sound and play? I am looking for one at this time. Thanks
 
Thank you!
There were some differences in the Performa drums.
The first Performa (badge with a yellow lightning) had poplar shells.
In 1987 there was the Performa with beech shells (badge without the yellow lightning).
Both had foiled shells and 16 tension rods on the bass drum.
In 1986 there was a Performa Plus with a mixed birch/beech shell, painted shells, gaskets under the lugs and 20 tension screws on the bass drum (see my photo).
These sets are very rare, because they were produced only a short time.
These sets sounds like a Phonic, only with short shells. And it cost only a fraction of a Phonic at that time.
Performa are great sets!
Absolute buy recommendation from me!
 
Thanks for your history & pics, toddmc!

Okay, so you're a Roland guy ;)
Do you play the e-drums because of the low volume, or do you not want to carry heavy sets anymore?

But thanks to you I noticed that I still have one set missing: a Roland TD-7.
Unfortunately there is no photo of it.

PS: cool posters in the background(y)
 
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I'd show my drum set history, but at easily 50+ sets in my 40+ years of drumming, I think I'd grind the entire site to a halt if I tried to post pics of them all. That being said, I'll just post my two current sets. Early 80's Yamaha 9000GA drum bank and 1997 DW. I'm a fan of matte natural finishes and these do the trick for me. High-end Japanese birch and high-end USA maple. Best of all worlds for my purposes.

EA9DA810-2C90-44D5-8D34-4BDBE1DD2FB3.jpeg

BDB18DB0-7957-4ED7-A32C-0C89D9152E97.jpeg
 
I'd show my drum set history, but at easily 50+ sets in my 40+ years of drumming, I think I'd grind the entire site to a halt if I tried to post pics of them all. That being said, I'll just post my two current sets. Early 80's Yamaha 9000GA drum bank and 1997 DW. I'm a fan of matte natural finishes and these do the trick for me. High-end Japanese birch and high-end USA maple. Best of all worlds for my purposes.

View attachment 101431

View attachment 101432

Like the look of the 9000 kit. Sweet looking.
 
Okay, so you're a Roland guy ;)
Do you play the e-drums because of the low volume, or do you not want to carry heavy sets anymore?

But thanks to you I noticed that I still have one set missing: a Roland TD-7.
Unfortunately there is no photo of it.

PS: cool posters in the background(y)
Believe me, if I could afford an acoustic kit with all the trimmings like yourself (plus a sound proof space to play it in) I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I was very fortunate growing up to live in a rural area (hence the double bass A-kit) but since leaving home switched to e-kits for low volume reasons (bet you really miss that TD-7) ?
 
I'd show my drum set history, but at easily 50+ sets in my 40+ years of drumming, I think I'd grind the entire site to a halt if I tried to post pics of them all. That being said, I'll just post my two current sets. Early 80's Yamaha 9000GA drum bank and 1997 DW. I'm a fan of matte natural finishes and these do the trick for me. High-end Japanese birch and high-end USA maple. Best of all worlds for my purposes.

View attachment 101431

View attachment 101432
Wow! 50 sets in 40 years! Thats 1,25 set per year :eek:
Why do you change so often your sets?
Are you a collector, or did you sell the sets you don‘t play?
 
1984
my first drum set. A "Supersonic" 5-piece set in White.
Unfortunately there are no photos of it alone.
The photo shows a hybrid set of the Supersonic and my first Newsound drums.
View attachment 101289

1986
I bought Newsound drums in Metallic White. Traded in for a Sonor D 425 vintage snare.
View attachment 101290

1994
I bought my first Sonor Signature in Bubinga, a classic 5-piece set.
View attachment 101291

It became more Signature drums as time went on!
View attachment 101292

1997
I bought a used Sonor Signature in Tornado Red (as played by Steve Smith, Journey).
Sold. Sadly!!!
View attachment 101293

2008
I bought my first used Sonor Hi Tech set.
View attachment 101294

It became more Hi Tech drums as time went on!
View attachment 101295

2014
A trip to the Gretsch company: Catalina Maple. Sold.
View attachment 101296

2017
I bought a used Sonor Phonic in Metallic Pewter. Sold.
View attachment 101297

2018
I bought a used Sonor Performer Plus in White Sparkle.
View attachment 101298

Eight sets in 37 years :cool:
Plus a Roland TD-7.

Thanks for looking!
Fire extinguisher? You that hot?
 
First kit, Ludwig 1959. Most recent kit, Ludwig Neusonics, 2020. And more than 50 kits in-between from Slingerland, Corder, Tama, Gretsch, Remo, Staccato, North, Yamaha, Sonor, Impact, Premier, Blaemire, and lots more Ludwigs!

jbskit6sm.jpg

_drum__Neusonics.jpg
 
I have always been drumming on things from a young age. I was 12 years old when I got my first kit, here goes my short history.

1995: My first kit (not pictured) was a 5 piece CB700 in silver flash. Had a set of 13” vintage hi hats that had a crack on the bell of the bottom hat, and 2 16” MX cymbals one had to be the ride.

1999: (Purchased new) Pearl Export Mirror Chrome look at the tom configuration and note the reso head. ?
C8567DA5-6989-42DD-9EBB-0F849D788B97.jpeg

2002: (Purchased new) Roland TD-6 V Kit.
5BB5F863-111C-4BFA-8CBB-5276ED27ABF3.jpeg

2007: (Purchased new) This was photo was just a year or two ago. Pacific FS series birch 5 piece 10” tom not in photo in natural burst fade.
(sold last year)
7FE7D8DF-A820-4286-9561-25A9EFF8FB2F.jpeg


These are current:

2018: 70s Ludwig Vistalite Power factory in red.
I had RCI make the 6” and 8” melodic concert toms to complete octaplus configuration.
F50BB65B-F4C6-4B2A-B72D-B99EF8069493.jpeg

2020: (Purchased new) Pearl Session Studio Select in black halo glitter lacquer that is sadly discontinued, it’s a beautiful finish.
C1493DF1-E115-421A-9D2B-C838AB9D14CD.jpeg

2021: 50s Rogers Cleveland Holiday in sparkling Mardi Gras pearl.
57F83288-26E2-492D-B5FC-C986B81CA281.jpeg

And in a little over 2 years a nice snare collection.
7B5BD8F4-4514-4AF6-8CFA-8C8C495B9216.jpeg
 
I have always been drumming on things from a young age. I was 12 years old when I got my first kit, here goes my short history.
Good old Roland TD-6 again hey?
I would have loved that first Pearl kit you had when I was a young whipper-snapper (except for the tom angles) ?
 
Thanks for your pics!
Wow, that Ludwig set looks really cool!
Thanks Mick! Your Sonor collection is nice as well thanks for sharing.

I love that kit! (y)
Thank you J-W, I can’t wait for warmer weather to fully set them up.

Good old Roland TD-6 again hey?
I would have loved that first Pearl kit you had when I was a young whipper-snapper (except for the tom angles) ?
Yes I moved to an apartment and had to find an alternative. About 5 years of having Rolands, I traded to my best friend for a 5 string Ibanez Ergodyne bass and 120 watt Behringer amp ?

Thanks I still think about the Pearl Export kit, but grew up and had them about 4-5 years, daughter was on the way so I had to sell.

I was a young whipper snapper when I purchased the Exports working at fast food restaurant at 16 years old. After a few years of tinkering I eventually settled on reversing the tom arms (pipes sticking up) and that flattened the toms out more to my liking, not Eric Singer flat though.
 
I’m 36 now, and I bought my first kit when I was 14 after a failed experiment with guitar.

14 years old- 1998
Mismatch Ludwig vintage kit (beat to death)
- no picture but it was a mismatch 5 piece Ludwig blue sparkle kit with a leather strap drive base drum pedal I broke in the first week. I paid 250 bucks for it and spray painted it black. I beat the shit out of this kit. Wish I had known what a gem I had.

17 years old- 2001
- 8 piece Pearl export (sold)
Only picture I have of this kit. I worked all summer and saved and saved to buy this kit. I grew up poor, I was so damn proud of this kid and what it meant for me to buy it myself. Ended up selling it when apartment living meant I could no longer play. Broke my heart lol
CC28EA3B-7DDE-4974-A0E3-EA3E2020CC6D.jpeg

22 years old- 2005
- 5 piece Tama Hyperdrive kit (sold 2x lol)
I felt the itch to play again and could keep them in my step dads garage. First kit I financed and learned some lessons about zero percent interest lol. I hated this kit. But it was fun to play again. Ended meeting a girl who would become my wife, moving into an apartment and selling the kit to pay towards our honeymoon. Oddly enough I sold it to a friend and years later I owned this kit a 2nd time when I bought our first house 6 years ago. This kit got me back into drumming twice. I hated the shallow toms, in combo with birch shells and die cast hoops. Just no soul in them
9A32E95B-693C-4E59-8930-F860459CCAB8.jpeg

34 years old- mid 2019
PDP concept Maple 5 piece (sold)
-found a set of PDP concept maple on sale brand new for $450 bucks. I bought them and sold the Tama kit. 2019 would be the start of my gear obsession. Before 2019, I owned 1 kit, 1 snare and mostly cracked cheap cymbals.
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35 years old- late 2019
DW Design Series 4 piece (sold)
- when I bought the PDP kit I had my eye on a DW Design series kit. And I kept watching its price drop lower and lower. I eventually traded the PDP kit in for the design series, a boom stand and a drum throne. It was an insane deal.
82B38309-0084-4C21-8BA8-AA3A5C6A6E82.jpeg

35 years old- Spring 2020
Ludwig Classic Oak
- by this time the pandemic had struck. I was bored out of my mind working from home and was already a gear addict who’d added multiple Ludwig snares to my collection. I always dreamed of owning a Ludwig Kit. And Sweetwater knocked 500 bucks off the price, how could I say no ? Still own this kid and will never sell.
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36 years old- Late 2020
Sonor SQ1 6 piece
- Complete crime of opportunity. DCP had these for 1700 bucks, a 1000 off normal price. I had to do it. Sonor & Ludwig are my dream kit drum manufacturers. Still haven’t regretted it.
F7CDF8FD-9C37-462F-AD3B-2D431F7E08B9.jpeg
 
god I love threads like this!!!

and LOVE all of the huge kit love!!! You can tell the avg age of the people here

my first set; used from 1974 till now: dads 1955 Ludwig. I still use it today in my jazz and rockabilly band.

1955Ludsfront.JPG

1955Ludstop.JPG

and my 2nd set ever. Bought new. 1994 Pearl Master Custom Maple. Also still in use in my rock and metal bands

set1.jpg

set2.jpg

I have only owned 2 lits, but I also have my own marimba, marching snare and quads, and a bunch of aux percussion stuff.

I "collect" cymbals though
 
god I love threads like this!!!

and LOVE all of the huge kit love!!! You can tell the avg age of the people here

my first set; used from 1974 till now: dads 1955 Ludwig. I still use it today in my jazz and rockabilly band.

View attachment 101522



and my 2nd set ever. Bought new. 1994 Pearl Master Custom Maple. Also still in use in my rock and metal bands

View attachment 101524

I have only owned 2 lits, but I also have my own marimba, marching snare and quads, and a bunch of aux percussion stuff.

I "collect" cymbals though
I'm amazed you've only had 2 x kits after all this time!

Also, have you ever considered one of those offset double bass pedals to put the bass drum in the centre?
 
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