The sound of vintage drums

[HammerG]

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.

[wayne]

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

[lucky]

Slingerland!!!

[HammerG]

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.

[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!

[Ludwig-dude]

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

[mcjnic]

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

[HammerG]

Thanks mcjnic - that's very helpful!

[donothorpe]

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.

[jegellman]

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

[mcjnic]

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

Thank you. I couldn't do the description justice. I've not spent much time behind those particular makes. There are others here that are definitely more qualified than me. Someone will speak up.

[HammerG]

Thanks for your input donothorpe. I never thought about the Rogers drums being heavier, I wonder if it's the hardware, wood or both.