O-Lugs - I totally understand where you're coming from. I too associate Bonham with his mondo-huge Ludwigs and if a true Bonham fanatic wanted to get as close to his sound as possible, it would require a big ol' set of vintage Luddy's... and the ability to channel Bonham's spirit through their own hands :)
The point I was trying to make really, was that any kit can be a (insert musical style of choice here) kit. Sure, trying to get power toms to sound jazzy is a challenge, but it CAN be done. And really, no jazz player in his right mind is going to be banging on a set of North drums, or similar.
Having said that, i feel that there can never be a "best sounding kit". Drums, heads, sticks, tuning, muffling and technique all combine to make a drummer sound the way he/she does.
And when we talk about Buddy's sound or Bonham's sound, we're really talking about the recorded sound (those who have seen the legends live excluded). Not only are we hearing the drums and the drummer, but the room, where the mic's were placed, signal processing, etc...
Usually for most jazz greats, the sound was pretty pure, with little or no processing involved. With the rock drummers of yore however, there was a lot more going on "behind the glass", so to speak, than we'll ever know.
Lastly, I know that in many classic recording sessions, drum kits were mixed and matched to get a desired sound. Often times, drummers would use their favorite sounding kick with their favorite sounding toms, and of course a host of snares. They weren't all necessarily the same brand or even the same kits they used on stage.
Maybe we should start a few other threads which are more specific. e.g. Best recorded Jazz Sound. Best Recorded Rock Sound. Best Live Rock Sound, etc... Even with those, there would still be no clear winner I think.
I live for threads like this Clapping Happy2
Keep 'em coming!
p.s. Speaking of Sonor drums... who were some Sonor players and what could I listen to in order to hear these drums at their best?
