If my world caved in and I had a choice of only one kit to save it would be the RB's. I could do just about anything in my stylistic vocabulary on that little kit. Drumming isn't always about power, it's about sitting pretty within the dynamic of the given playing situation. I occasionally play with a Jazz Violinist and that kit is like playing silk. if I need volume then there's usually at least a mic to shove into the Kik drum. The Toms tune down to a great Rock sound!

But for louder playing right know, I have my lovely DW Jazzers that fit that bill beatifully. The 24" kik speaks back to me even when hell is kicking off around me. And for a DW it actually sounds amazing(DW haters would be surprised) and a bit vintage! BUT NO!!! Vintagemore2000 has released the addict in me and has wet my appetite for one of these Stainless steel things AAAARRGGHHH!!! You Git! Ok there are a couple for sale on ebay uk right now. They are not cheap, and I'm married. And my day job band has 2 indentical rigs, which will mean buying 2 OF EM!! Thats why I'm using RCI shelled DW acrylics, they're bloody loud and quite cheap. Breeeaatheee..........calm down...... phew.

Ok I need to try one of these out but I've never ever come across anyone anywhere with one.

That I can only guess, I only know of two companies that can afford to produce Stainless, it`s very expensive metal and brutal on machinery. In the 70`s, Sonor relized that it was gonna cost them a tom arm and Ft leg to do it, so they made and filled a quote then stopped. Ludwig was doing better than Sonor in the early 70`s and could afford to continue. Maybe Sonor will do it again.

I will guess Pearl and can`t think of any other with the money to do it.

OK, how did this turn into a thread about SS drums? I thought this was about wood Ludwigs vs. wood DW's, I mean really, how many guys own a SS kit, or even played one.

So let's get back on topic, any kit with sharper bearing edges are going to resonate a bit more than rounded bearing edges that make more contact with the head. We all know that, so it's just a matter of what you prefer.

Let`s not forget user friendly (no tools required), appearence, and the all frustrating tom shakeing do to engineering flaws. Also, who uses hardened steel trim, cast or forged hoops, seamless not seamless, ya know, the little thigs that make a wood kit dead, ring, or sing, and keep the buyer happy or not !i

When it comes to build cost and sales cost versing performance,..some makers do the little tricks of the trade.

Bearring edges are just one of a drums performance, there are other things that come into play !i

But I still like the SS talk too !i

Ya gotta admit, Sonor nailed it with SS appearence !i

oddball, it is a shame that Sonor didn't import them to the good ole USA, the 5 production stainless steel companies are. Ludwig which where the best ones seriously, Sonor, ASBA, Leeman, and Apache. The production cost as you mentioned was the end result of them all.

What You hear behind the kit and what you hear in front also makes a difference.

I was blown away by dynamics, tonality and warm of sound coming from my super classic.

You cannot replicate exactly the sound of aged wood. You will always hear the difference, especially when studio mik'ed.

3 ply LUDWIG.......there is no substitute!Car Driving2

I have and they were pretty cool. A 22/13/14/16. However, I don't remember the heads my friend was running, but they were too dry-sounding, for me. Pretty sure they were B/O badge from the early 80's. I've always liked my Jasper Gretsch tom's sound, better - more "liquidy". But it's totally subjective. What heads on what drums with what tuning? Silly!

Anyway.....

B