I'm thinking I read somewhere that the shells to both kits are the same with the lug set up being the only difference. Can't swear to that being fact but I know I currently have both sets torn down and everything looks the same...except where the lug holes are drilled. Pretty sure the aesthetics is what determines the difference. They sure sound the same to me and for sure, the Down beat commands a higher price. Hoping to have the 8 sets of these club date and down beat kits I have up for grabs here pretty quick.

Yes.

I have gone back and forth about this with other vintage drum guys here in town. The two sides of the argument are:

1. The Clubdate has less hardware on it, and less tension in different parts of the shell (centralized, single point of tension), therefore it resonates more.

2. The Downbeat has hardware that's not in the middle of the shell, so the shell is allowed to resonate more. Also, those long tension rods are a PITA to deal with.

Personally, I happen to have a Downbeat that I gig with, and also have owned a Clubdate. I just prefer the way the Downbeat looks. I couldn't really tell, one way or the other, which one was more resonant. I do agree about the tension rods on the Clubdates being extra long and a pain to deal with (some of them on the bass drum I had were bent, and they were hard to tune with, and finding replacements around town was pretty tough...)

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking DB is the way to go!

Was never a fan of the CD spurs. They were little rods that came straight out of the bass. I preferred the gull wings of the DB. They just look so much classier. That's a pretty significant difference.

Both of these models are excellent sets. The Downbeat was the choice of professionals, & marketed as such, so it carries a special prestige. However, for heavy gigging drummers, the lightweight of a Club Date may be a good choice. ( I wonder how many drummers could tell the difference in a blindfold test, or a recording ? )

Don't think Club Dates are significantly lighter--two single lugs can't weigh much more than a bowtie lug, especially the large ones on the CD floor tom & bass. They are definitely the same shells & wraps on both style kits.

Unfortunately, prices on Club Dates seem to be rising these days.....marko

I never liked the fact that the club date 14" floor tom had only have 6 lugs, otherwise they are both good sounding drums.

I've never owned a db but I absolutely love my club date.. The tangible differences between the two are very minimal. For whatever reason, it seems like club dates either strike a chord with you or not.. plain and simple.

What's weird with the Club Dates is that there were several sizes and lug configurations available. It's not just 12/14/20 kits with 6/6/8 lug configurations. I've seen 13/15/22 Club Dates. The 22" bass drums I've seen have had 8, 10, and 12 bowtie lugs. I've seen 20" CD bass drums with 8 and 10 lug casings. 14" floor toms with 6 and 8 lugs. It seemed a mish-mash to me. Maybe a couple of guys in the factory had differing plans...??? I dunno.

But, yeah, the 12/14/20 config. with the 6/6/8 lugs is the "catalog" version. I thought the floor tom tuned up alright on the ones I've played on, despite the lack of the appropriate number on lugs for its size...