Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 137.68685%

My friend's first drums

Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

Hi y'all!

One of my friends, previously limited more to stringed instruments and flutes, recently expressed a desire to own a drumkit. I helped him to this Amati set and visited him today to take a look at the sorry pile of junk I made him buy.

(The ad pics were blurry as hell).

For 150 dollars, he got:

-20" bass, 12" tom and 16" floor, all of them without reso hoops and in case of the tom even without bottom lugs

-Tama snare

-20" PowerBeat ride and unusable hack-together pair of hats

-Old Amati bass pedal

-wild mix of mismatched hardware from various countries and decades, including homamade snare basket

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1001/4/4412/4412091_b50cfdc073137e0ecf7ef5c6a45e4991/images/IMG_2976.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

At first I was little uneasy upon the look, but after closer examination, I think he didn't do all that bad. Despite spending quite some time without bottom hoops, the drums' edges are in remarkably good shape and there's no to minor ply-splitting. Wrap, although scratched is holding tight and nice and it's the first specimen of this particular color I've ever seen.

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1001/4/4412/4412091_b50cfdc073137e0ecf7ef5c6a45e4991/images/IMG_2979.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

Looks blue here but is actually kinda green and with very fine sparkly bits.

Unfortunately, floor tom is missing the white plastic logo and the tomholder brackets on the BD seem to have stripped threads.

Snare stand is completely unusable, but all hi-hat stand and cymbal stand are missing is just a couple of screws and some rubber feet. Interestingly, the boom stand is built together from 70s Amati and some (most likely) Tama Ludwig knock-off (judging by the legs' design). Bass pedal is worn and the original leather strap was replaced with actual leather belt at some point, but it could be working just fine, if it didn't miss that onle little screw for regulating the spring tension. It's hard to come by, so we might have to manufacture on on our own. The tomholder is stripped and does not hold anything.

The PowerBeat ride is cheap, but very nice for the beginning. The Amati hi-hat consisted of some brass 15" and terribly bent nicklebrass something. The nicklebrass cymbal makes a quite interesting china sound, but doesn't work like hi-hat at all.

All in all, it wouldn't be that much of a deal, were it not for the snare. Not only it has good heads and 42 strand strainer, it seems like a quality model too. Supraphonic-style shell, apparently brass, 8 lugs, it sounds really good. Anyone familiar with the model and possible year of manufacture?

[IMG]http://img10.rajce.idnes.cz/d1001/4/4412/4412091_b50cfdc073137e0ecf7ef5c6a45e4991/images/IMG_2977.jpg?ver=2[/IMG]

I must say that I am kinda jealous of my friend for having this as his first drumset. Once they're cleaned up and completed, they're gonna sound just fine. My first drumset was chinese Stagg and those drums wouldn't sound or function good no matter what I did. Oh well.

I am also proud to say that upon recieving his new old drums, my friend joined this forum!

Everyone have a happy new year and take care!

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 1570 Threads: 66

I've always been bothered by the bad rap ,Amati drums usually get---especially from those in their homeland. While I don't have any Amati drums, I am pretty knowledgeable about European Beech shells and the construction methods of the European makers. I can imagine ,easily that a well groomed Amati kit would be as good as any. I recently aquired a bunch of Amati flat based hardware and it is first rate. Hard to believe that any hi-hat stand , anywhere could top the ones that I have.

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

Like I said in the other thread, it is possible that exported Amatis were better. Also, Amati is typical Czech drummer's first kit and is usually found in a condition such as this one - in other words, pile of trash. Young drummer who doesn't know anything about tuning only remembers that Amatis were horrible drums, when he used to play them. Tuning itself might also prove kinda tricky. I found out that Amatis usually sound good only with certain type of drumheads and only in quite limited tuning range - but I'm not too skilled in tuning drums generally, so the problem might be in me.

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 36 Threads: 4

I had a Majestic kit w/ remo soundmasters, and a Krut 20" cymbal.and a slingerland pedal....in '73/74...the humble beginnings lol

Posted on 11 years ago
#4
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here