The ‘68 Slingerland catalogue describes the Buddy Rich snare model as solid shell. Two years later Slingerland came out with the 4 x 14. Before the 4 x 14, did Buddy actually play a solid shell?
And there’s been some discussion here about how a chrome wrap affects the sound of a drum (Tommy P).
My question is, how?
Scotty A
The ‘68 Slingerland catalogue describes the Buddy Rich snare model as solid shell. Two years later Slingerland came out with the 4 x 14. Before the 4 x 14, did Buddy actually play a solid shell?And there’s been some discussion here about how a chrome wrap affects the sound of a drum (Tommy P). My question is, how?Scotty A
Hello Scotty A!
A BR query always seems to lure me out!
... Buddy was playing that drum as early as 1969!, well before it's actual release in 1970! Typical though, as Slingerland did that a lot with Buddy. He started with the 3 ply/rings in WMP, but quickly went over to the COW 4X14, which was also 3 ply/rings. Having both those drums in the collection, I was able to A/B both using identical tunings and heads. The COW was indeed brighter than the wrapped in WMP model! Not by a lot, but enough where I could actually hear the difference. My thought on that is that the REAL spring steel/chrome wrap is just brighter sounding .. plus .. it's a bit thinner than the WMP wrap, allowing the drum to "open up" a bit more. Buddy stayed with the COW 4X14 up until Slingerland presented him with the Buddy Rich TDR model which was a 5 ply no rings NEW shell. I want to add that ALL these drums featured Slingerland's StickChopper hoops which Buddy really liked. So, hopefully this answered your questions! I will say, and this is my quote too, although it's been borrowed by MANY over the years: When it comes to snare drums, Buddy LOVED the drum! ... until he didn't!
Tommyp
Hi TP!
Very glad that you were "lured out" with this one! Always great to hear about Buddy...and his snare drums in particular!
-Mark
Mark!
THANK YOU kindly! .. and .. whereas I am here every day keeping things neat and tidy, I rarely comment, but ... Buddy will do it every time!
Slingerfan!
You are correct on that! The catalogs weren’t infallible by any means, and especially so with dates and models actually shown in the catalogs!
Tommyp
Mark!THANK YOU kindly! .. and .. whereas I am here every day keeping things neat and tidy, I rarely comment, but ... Buddy will do it every time!
AMEN! To all the catalog-retentive members in here.
^Yeah, well it really doesn't matter about the catalog references IF Buddy Rich's name is associated with a particular type of drum. Celebrity-association is an exception (as I have stated about a billion times already). But, if there is no celebrity association to a drum or a configuration, then a catalog referenced configuration is what a collector would more than likely look for.
Catalogs were not infallible,(and were never meant to be, as such, back then). However, most of the time, they help to distinguish a level of collectibility and value in the modern world of today. Some members *cough* don't seem to be able to get their minds out of the past. None of these details mattered much 50 or 60 years ago. That's for certain. But, now they DO matter.
I don't really get into the celebrity-associated drums or configurations...just not my thing....but Buddy Rich, Ringo and Bonham are exceptions to the catalog referenced drums, as far as value and collectibility. No one will ever look to collect a configuration that was thought up by Joe Shmoe from down the street....unless Joe Shmoe from down the street happens to become one of the most influential drummers of our time. And, in my personal opinion, the era of that ilk of drummers is gone and will never return. In other words, there will never be the equivalent of Buddy Rich, Ringo or Bonham, again. Sure there will be great drummers...but not in the way that those guys were great.
Tommy P’s response raises a couple more questions fro me.
I’m a Slingerland COW fanatic. Is there anyone besides me that wishes the new Slingerland would bring back this wrap finish?
More importantly, and more Tommy P bait, why did Buddy prefer stick choppers? And what did they do for the sound of a snare?
Scott A
