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The sound of vintage drums

Posts: 16 Threads: 3

I used to play a '63 Rogers but stupidly sold them 7 years ago when I stopped playing drums. Well, I picked up the sticks again a year or so ago and picked up an inexpensive Pearl kit to kick around on. I'd like to get back on a vintage set and I'm open to different manufacturers, but I don't have experience with anything other than Rogers (which I do really like the sound of). In an effort to suss out the sound of different makes I've gone around to music stores and drum shops but I'm hard pressed to find vintage kits in playable condition. I've also been checking out Youtube videos but the recording quality of the sound is usually not so great and there are too many variables to be reliable.

I don't want to start any arguments about which brand is better but I was hoping that you all could explain some of the differences in sound/tone/boominess and other factors I might expect to hear from different makes of drum. I know the sound is influenced by so many factors year, construction, heads...... so I'm just looking for some generalizations that might help steer my search for kits to try.

I'm not a jazz player, I'm more looking for a sound that can cross between funk, rock, rockabilly and blues.

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 2433 Threads: 483

I,d stick with Rogers.You remember how great these drums were...and still are,probably even better.

Hit like you mean it!!
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 2212 Threads: 95

Slingerland!!!

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 16 Threads: 3

I know everyone has their favorite, what I'd like to find out in reference to sound/tone why you prefer a Slingerland to a Rogers or a Gretsch or vice versa.

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 2212 Threads: 95

In my opinion Slingerlands can be pretty versatile. You can tune em low for a cool rock sound, up for jazz, great for blues. Nice round and warm!

Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 4009 Threads: 209

From lucky

In my opinion Slingerlands can be pretty versatile. You can tune em low for a cool rock sound, up for jazz, great for blues. Nice round and warm!

Ditto for Ludwig.... :D

Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 3972 Threads: 180

Ludwig

quick attack

fairly quick decay

more of a hit in the chest

not much depth

very focused

Slingerland

deep round and warm

good attack with long decay

lots of character

great versatility with ALL drums

Gretsch

excellent attack at higher tensions

can sound boxy and contained

good attack at rock tensions

ok decay

floors are better than wing toms at warm tones

Rogers

excellent attack and decay

warm tones

somewhat round

good versitility

very open and live sound

Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 16 Threads: 3

Thanks mcjnic - that's very helpful!

Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 164 Threads: 53

I have a set of Rogers that I've had for 40 years, and they really are the best set of drums I've ever played -- and I've owned Gretsch, Premier, Ludwig, and even Ajax. However, the Rogers are heavy, and since I'm getting on in years, I've put them on the shelf and now play a light-weight Ludwig Accent set using the floor tom as a bass drum and a 3x13 Pearl Piccolo snare. It actually sounds pretty good, but, of course, doesn't compare to the Rogers. As far as sound is concerned, perhaps it's more important how you tune the drums and what kind of heads you use than what brand the drums are. But when it comes to appearance, the 60's Rogers were really up there. That said, I attended a drum clinic that featured Benny Greb, who played a white set of Sonors -- and they were beautiful. Sounded great, too. I've attached photos of the Ludwig, Rogers and Ajax drums.

Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 156 Threads: 22

McJnic:

That's a lovely categorization you've provided (being serious, NOT flip)...

So as not to feel left out in the alley behind the stage, would you care to share your thoughts regarding Camco (feel free to distinquish, say, between Oaklawn and L.A.)?

Jeff


- Current restoration Project: Geo Way 5 piece
- 60's Oaklawn Walnut Camco kit (12/12/14/20) matching Snare (Camco hardware and Paiste black logo 2002s)
- 70's LA Maple Camco kit (12/13/16/22) matching Oaklawn snare (Rogers hardware and Paiste Signatures/Mellow ride)
- 70's Blue Vistalite Ludwig Monster kit (6/8/12/13/14/15/16/18/24) matching snare (all Hercules hardware, all Zidljian shadow logos)
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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