George Way Drumset

styles2281 · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:26 pm Post subject: George Way Drumset

Hey, all I thought I'd show you guys my jazz kit. The reason I'm posting this in the DW section is because of the history of DW. George Way was a worker for Ludwig & Leedy who left (after making many innovations to the kit) to start his own drum company. While his kits (most known the Aristocrat) were good, he couldn't compete with the big companies of the time. After two years (in 1962, I believe) he was bought out by Camco. Camco proceeded to produce kits until 1975, when they were bought out, by a young aspiring company called Drum Workshop. So, here is a picture of one of the ORIGINAL DW kits, the George Way Aristocrat.

This kit is the most comfortable kit I've ever played on, and has the best snare and floor tom ever (and the hi-tom and bass are right up there!) My dad traded in a Slingerland RadioKing for this kit, and while the Radiokings are probably worth more, this is rarer, and in my opinion, a better kit. My dad got this kit when he was 17 and gave it to me when I was 13 (and just starting drums), so it's been in my family for almost 30 years. I intend to give it to my kids (when they come). Let me know what you think! It's a Beauty isn't it?
_________________
"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

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5223 Location: Kansas

Dang right it's a beauty. I've seen pictures of it before, but I'm glad you posted more pics now. It's been a while. That's a very classy looking kit.

Does the floor tom sound best with that dotted head on there? I must say it looks a little out of place on a jazz kit, especially with coated heads on the snare and high tom.

styles2281 · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:44 am Post subject:

Haha, you're right Bytor. the Floor tom used to have a Renaissance head, but it broke (which is what's currently on the tom and snare). It does still sound good. the head that's currently on the floor tom is over twenty years old, and been used for almost as long. It's one of the reasons I use Remo. Unfortunately, there's been a recent problem with the renaissance heads and I can't currently get another two for that drum. So, I'll either play with that for now, or pick up something similar to go with it. But it still sounds good with that head, so I won't complain. Somewhere I have pics of it with all renaissance heads, and It looks quite cool like that.
_________________
"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

babse · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:53 am Post subject:

B-E-A-U-T-I-*Surely This Member Has Better Things To Do With Their Time Than Try To Bypass Censor Controls*-L-!-!-!

really nice kit you've got there. and the fact it has got a history makes it even nicer.
What are the sizes? I assume they aren't regular ones, so I'm afraid it's hard to find new heads, right?
Otherwise, I'd suggest some fiberskyns or some clear ambassadors for an even classier look.
Lucky you! I'm sure you are treating it well.

styles2281 · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 1:55 pm Post subject:

Oh, yeah...the funny thing is that, as old as it is, I still use it sometimes for gigging. Always sounds great, always performs. It's like 'Old Reliable'. The sizes (if I remember correctly) are; 10 x12, 16x16, 16x20, and 5.5x14. The heads used to be(batter/reso); Snare- fiberskyn3 ambassador/remo snare head, toms- Renaissance emperor/ Renaissance ambassador, Bass- Renaissance powerstroke 3/ Fiberskyn3 ambassador. That was the best set up for it, but I went through the Fiberskyn on the snare fast, and the toms Renaissance (emperors) busted quick too. The bass heads have held up well. I now have a Renaissance ambassador on the snare (which sounds quite good as well), and mixed heads on the toms. I'm hoping to get the updated Renaissance when they come out for it. They really brought out the best in the kit. Someday, I may invest in Real skin heads for it.
_________________
"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

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5223 Location: Kansas

Hey styles, 3 words... Aquarian Modern Vintage. Wink

styles2281 · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 4:55 pm Post subject:

mmm....you'd be quite hard pressed to get me to change from Remo, but I check them out at the store, see what I think... Maybe just get a floor tome and go from there. I'm not gonna change my bass heads though, sounds and looks great. I love the Fiberskyn as a reso head (at least on the bass. Maybe a combination of heads would work 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

bytor · Admin Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 5223 Location: Kansas

That's a good idea. Try a Modern Vintage on the floor tom batter and go from there. They have a nice warm tone and are amazingly durable for a single-ply head.

They also have that cream yellow color that I think would look great on that vintage kit. Let me know what you think if you try one.

styles2281 · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:35 am Post subject:

Think I'll stop at Dynamic percussion tonight and check that out. I really want to replace some of the older heads on there. When I do, I'll take some clearer pics for you to see.
_________________
"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

styles2281 · Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:30 am Post subject:

Hey, what happened to the further posts on here?

Anyways, By-tor, that second drumsolo in the solo section of the Doghouse is with the Aquarians. They've settled in quite a bit, and I like them a bit more, they're still not the Rennaissance though. But, these a completely different sound, so it's not really fair to compare them. I'll repost the pictures soon.
_________________
"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

styles2281 · Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:22 am Post subject:

Just to re-put them up.

Oh, and Bytor, the heads have settled down finally. They're still not the full sound that I had been looking for, but they are open and jazzy. Overall Grade B+/A-
_________________
"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

tizzdizz · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject:

I'd love to sit behind a kit like that man.
_________________
"Ray, when someone asks you if you're a GOD you say YES!!"

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

Ron Dunnett just purchased the George Way drum co.

styles2281 · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:34 am Post subject:

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