This past Friday and Saturday I had gigs both nights (a real rarity for me these days) and decided to use the 1971 Psychedelic Red set I bought from the original owner this past September.
They sounded and looked great and I got more questions about them from people at the events than any of my other sets.
The 14" floor tom is actually a 13x14 Ludwig tom that I rewrapped in wrap from Bum Wrap (Red Psychedelic, More Blue), I'd much prefer the real deal but finding, and affording, a real PR 14x14 of similar vintage is going to be a long term quest. This drum fills the bill, looks good and didn't cost a fortune to make. Likewise the snare I used on the second night was made in the same way from the shell of a vintage Standard snare that had damaged wrap on it. Pretty much impossible that I'd ever find a real matching snare and I definitely couldn't afford it if I did...or justify gigging with such a valuable drum.
I can remember a time when these were still available new and looking at the Pro Beat set in PR that was illustrated in the catalog. I never expected I'd own one someday but another drummer from my town a few years older than me did have the wherewithal to order such a set, which proved a lucky thing for me 46 years later, when after 20-some years of me pestering him about it, he finally sold them to me. Mostly he did so due to a divorce he was going though but also because he knew I'd take good care of them...and I will.
