Old Drummer Needs Help

hobbs · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:39 am Post subject: Old Drummer Needs Help

I am 54 years old and have'nt played steady since the early 70's.
At that time, I played Slingerland sets only (4 & 5 piece), classic Rock & Blues.
Have been playing drums in Church lately, contemporary Christian music on an old Premier set (not sure of the age or model). Not too bad a set, just old and filthy and not mine.
In looking in Sam Ash, all the new sets look much "smaller" than my old Slingerland set (which I stupidly sold in 1972).
What current model sets in the under $1000 range would mimic the "large" and deep sounds of my older sets ?
Would appreciate any input.
Thanks & God Bless...Hobbs
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God is good All the Time

styles2281 · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:01 am Post subject:

Are you talking only Slingerland or any brand?

Your best bet (for your tastes) is to keep an eye out on ebay and pawn shops for good used vintage kits. That may be more to your liking. Rusty and I just went to a drumshow where they had a bunch of stuff like that for sale. Just keep an eye out, and I'm sure you'll find a beauty.
_________________
"One day I feel I'm on top of the world
And the next it's falling in on me
I can get back on, I can get back on
One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel
And the next it's rolling over me
I can get back on, I can get back on "
- Neil Peart, Rush, Snakes and Arrows, Far Cry, 2007

lilblakdak · Labrador Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 313

Most of the kits nowadays have the smaller fusion style toms instead of the big deep powertoms we are used to. Checkout Yamaha Recording Customs if you want the big drums.
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D2742%2526CTID%253D211600,00.html

hobbs · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 8:51 am Post subject:

No, not Slingerland (new ones are way expensive).
Just a newer model set with the "big" sound; definitely not fusion sizes.
I may be better off re-heading and cleaning up the set I'm using now.
Thanks & God Bless
_________________
God is good All the Time

lilblakdak · Labrador Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 313

Ludwig also sells some of the deep toms as well. BTW Im with you I hate the smaller drums.

styles2281 · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:40 am Post subject:

http://www.pacificdrums.com/pdp/fxr/fxr.htm
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=7662413/mode=googlegfmi
I think this might be your best bet.

Other options that I'd recommend (based on experience)-
http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMSCN2F57

http://www.idahopercussion.com/page/idp/CTGY/Drumsets_Sonor_Force2005

Also, a nice used 4 Piece DW (12 and 16 toms) might be in your price range, as well.
_________________
"One day I feel I'm on top of the world
And the next it's falling in on me
I can get back on, I can get back on
One day I feel I'm ahead of the wheel
And the next it's rolling over me
I can get back on, I can get back on "
- Neil Peart, Rush, Snakes and Arrows, Far Cry, 2007

rritter · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:01 pm Post subject:

The Gretsch Catalina Birch in the standard size would fit your budget and give you the size you’re looking for. 12 & 13 inch mounted toms and a 16 inch floor tom. I have this kit with a 10 inch add on tom and I love them. I also have an 81 Slingerland kit.
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Now playing Slingerland, Gretsch, & Sonor Drums
http://www.j4fmusic.com

Shambles · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject: me too

Hi Hobbs. I just turned 54 last Friday. I played with some serious bands back in the '70s. Well, serious for Tuscaloosa Alabama. My best story is the one about turning down a chance to audition for Alabama, you know.. the band Ala freakin bama. Sad but true. The agent said I was a perfect fit. Nobody had heard of them back then so I declined and finished college instead. Look where that got me.. lol.

My brother has my kit in his studio now (shamblinsound.com) and I still do an occasional jingle track for him. It's a set of original clear Ludwig Vista Lites, vintage 1972. People thought it was just for show when I bought them new way back then, but *Holy Censor, Batman* they mike up good! You shoulda heard them through some of the huge sound systems we used.

My wife and I moved to an even smaller town in the 80s and I pretty much gave up playing. So a couple of years ago I bought a set of Roland digital drums and some Zildjan cymbals and now I just play with myself (drums too). Some other beginners around here have asked me to join them but I would rather come home, crank up my sound system and play along with the best music in the world that I download off of iTunes. I mean, after you play with some really good musicians, it's hard to go back to playing with rank amateurs. The Roland kit has some awesome sampling and always sounds the same no matter what room they are in.

Anyway, hope you find the Slingerland stuff you want. eBay is a good source.
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Yeah that's right.. nineteen fifty freakin' two. Hey I played bars back in the 70's before most of you guys were even born. Still playing with myself... Roland V's with Zildjans and a kick-*Horse's Patoot* system in my den. OK?

Shambles · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject: oh I forgot...

When I bought the Roland kit a couple of years ago, they had a set of Vista Lites on the show room floor. I said, "hey, I got a set of those.. how old are yours?" Ludwig has started making them again and that kit, less cymbals, hi hat, stands, throne... about $3500. The sales guy told me the vintage sets are worth at least that much in good condition. I had cases and everything.
_________________
Yeah that's right.. nineteen fifty freakin' two. Hey I played bars back in the 70's before most of you guys were even born. Still playing with myself... Roland V's with Zildjans and a kick-*Horse's Patoot* system in my den. OK?

Black Panther · Little Hamster Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 77

wow shambles u seem to have had a well interesting life and i like the see through drums look ace
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What i use : Mapex Black Panther snare, pearl drums and hardware, sabian cymbals, Pro-mark sticks

SyntheticTubs · Puppy Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 205 Location: Washington

I would not let the "new" market separate you from your beloved Slingerland sound. Ebay would be an option.

However:

The old Slingerland had reinforcement hoops inside shells which (I forget) had a few plies.

For around $1K, Mapex Saturn (maple outer plies/walnut inner plies) have a deep, rich-almost vintage sound.

There is a couple other places you can get that sound: a custom kit from either conawaydrums (Texas) or Kirsch (Oregon) drums. Just request that they use keller shells, and add internal rings. They can even get mahogany shells like the old days...and (something else cool)

They both can get a steambent maple shell (14x5.5) from Keller that can sound for all the world like a radio king (very close) for about $300.