What drum kits do you consider to be "legendary"?

[TK-421]

I'm limiting this list to just kits, not snares, not pedals, not cymbals, or anything else.

The first two that come to mind are Yamaha Recording Customs and Gretsch USA Custom. Hands-down some of the best sounding and most recorded drums in history.

Speaking of Gretsch, Broadkaster comes to mind, but I'm hesitant to add them since they've changed so much over the years. The original Broadkasters had nothing to do with the version that came out in the '90s (which were just USA shells with gun metal hardware), which has nothing to do with the current Broadkasters. I'll say that the Broadkaster name is legendary though.

Another legendary kit could be Ludwig Vistalites. They've been around since the '70s (or possibly even earlier?), Bonham made them famous, and I don't think they've changed much over the years. Their stainless steel kits also come to mind, but a bit less so since they weren't nearly as popular.

The Sonor SQ2 has only been around for I think maybe 15 years or so, but they're so good they could probably qualify as legendary. But I don't feel that anything newer than this could qualify. Case in point: I think Tama Star drums are super nice. But they've only been around for a few years, so I think they're too new to be considered legendary. Perhaps in another 10-15 years?

So what kits would you consider to be legendary?

 

[Hewitt2]

Pearl Export

Pretty much everyone had one or played on one at some point. Legendary consistency and quality at a very reasonable price point with a history going back a few decades now.

 

[Seafroggys]

Ludwig Vistalites, maybe even the Hollywood Maple.

Pearl Exports are legendary in their own way.

Gretsch Roundbadge. Slingerland Radio Kings.

 

[Super Phil]

Recording Customs

 

[C.M. Jones]

Another Pearl Export submission. The best kit ever constructed? No. But one of the most recognizable and heavily gigged kits in drumming history? That argument is easy to frame.

 

[Living Dead Drummer]

Yamaha Recording Customs
Yamaha Stage Customs
Pear Exports
Ludwig Vistalites
Slingerland Radio Kings

Interesting how mid-range kits like the Export or Stage Customs can make a list like this. But it's easy to see why. When first introduced, and even today, they were some of the best kits constructed and outstanding value for the price.

 

[Pootle]

Premier Resonators with the double shell. Used to rehearse at a place donkeys years ago which had a set in Pete Kircher blue. Fab iconic drums.

 

[force3005]

Slingerlands kits and snares made Niles & Nashville.

 

[toddbishop]

The Gretsch Progressive Jazz Set-- 12/14/20, and their 12/14/18 set.
Any Gretsch made before they introduced the sub-pro lines.
Sonor Phonic bop set
Yamaha Recording Custom with a 10/12 on the BD, plus whatever else.
Ludwig Octa-Plus
I guess a Ludwig Classic Maple 12/13/16/22 is sort of the zenith of that configuration.
Slingerland Radio King, any configuration.
Eames drums are special, and Ayotte drums from the 80s

 

[TK-421]

The Gretsch Progressive Jazz Set-- 12/14/20, and their 12/14/18 set.
Any Gretsch made before they introduced the sub-pro lines.
Sonor Phonic bop set
Yamaha Recording Custom with a 10/12 on the BD, plus whatever else.
Ludwig Octa-Plus
I guess a Ludwig Classic Maple 12/13/16/22 is sort of the zenith of that configuration.
Slingerland Radio King, any configuration.
Eames drums are special, and Ayotte drums from the 80s

Oh yes, those original Ayottes. I would rank them as legendary.

 

[Neal Pert]

It'd be interesting to do a poll to gauge how much agreement we'd have on various things.

I'd list a lot of the same things people have listed already:

• Slingerland Radio King
• Gretsch Progressive Jazz
• Ludwig Classic in a Ringo-ish or Bonham-ish configuration
• Horst Link Sonors, probably either Phonics or Signatures
• Yamaha Recording Custom, especially with the Gadd/Weckl/Vinnie type configuration
• DW Collectors in FAST sizes
• Simmons SDS 5

As much as I love Ayotte (and I do-- they're some of my favorite drums) I don't know that they ever got the market share or had the staying power that the others did. And there has to be a nod to the phenomenon of "custom" boutique drum kits, which everyone was getting back around 2000. Doesn't seem anyone really rose to the top of that pile, necessarily, but man, were there a lot of them.

My cutoff for thinking about it is this: If I close my eyes, can I hear that sound in my head? Could other drummers? And: Did other drum companies change what they made to address the changes brought by the introduction of those kits? I think with all the ones listed I definitely could.

I'd want to put the low-end kits in their own category. And Pearl Export and Yamaha Stage Custom have been so varied over the years that it's hard to ascribe one sound to them. But hey, your rules may vary. lol.

 

[Juniper]

For me it’s Slingerland Radio King’s. Absolutely brilliant drums and the snares are still coveted.

Gretsch Roundbadge.

Ludwig Super Classic

Ludwig Vistalite’s too.

 

[ToneT]

Ludwig classics; the only toms and basses I ever play.

 

[yammyfan]

Gretsch Renown will have its 20th anniversary next year. That's saying something.

 

[pgm554]

Fibes acrylic.
Amazing how many legends played those sets.

 

[A J]

Pearl Export and Yamaha Stage Custom. Great kits that everyone can afford. Slap some nice heads on them and they sound just as good as any boutique designer drums.

 

[DrummerJustLikeDad]

Sonor Phonic, rosewood inside and out.

 

[Iristone]

Any Ludwig 3-ply (and their Slingerland counterparts)

 

[Ransan]

Ayotte Custom
Ludwig Super Classic
Pearl Export, MLX, MX, BLX
Rogers Holiday (Cleveland, Dayton eras)

 

[Superman]

Mapex Saturn?