So Buddy didn't tune or have someone tune a kit he was using to his liking? I would had thought as much as a perfectionist he was, that any kit he was using would had be tuned and setup to exactly how he liked them, even if it was just for one performance.

Amazingly... no ... he just showed up and played! Many times the drums were COMPLETELY out of whack set-up and tension wise... but it didn't bother him at all! Remember, we are talking about "backline" kits here, not his personal drums. Truth be told, and to be completely honest, Buddy didn't "seem" to care about the drums/hardware... he cared about the playing of them and the band. Of course he DID care though, but nowhere near what any of us do, or even other drummers from that time. I honestly think that when you're THAT GOOD, that's what you carry with you regardless of what you're playing for equipment. You have to remember that I have spent decades with this stuff, so I have seen most everything when it comes to BR and how he was with regard to his drums, band, etc. Plus, I have chatted at length with guys on his band, set-up personnel, etc. I loved it all!

Tommyp

That is amazing and I learned something I never new about the great Buddy Rich.

I think the reason why most of us "lesser" drummers put so much emphasis on the sound of the kit is because no one could, can or will play like Buddy. Bowing