DJ Fontana played on Gretsch Broadkaster:

[IMG]http://www.drumforum.org/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-73-0-91611100-1350945244.jpg[/IMG]

Looks like 20/12/16 + 4155 snare. 3-ply.

Unshaven calfskin head on front.

It's hard to tell what Zildjians he used, but K's I assume.

WS Holland played on Rogers R-360 kit. Looks 20/12/12 to me

[IMG]http://lounge.obviousmag.org/sphere/2013/01/09/johnny-cash-san-quentin-prison.jpg[/IMG]

Sorry for giant pictures, no bloody idea how to resize them

Looks like DJ took a bite out of his ride....That looks more like deer than cow !i

Back in the early 60's when Rock-A-Billy was 'contemporary' music, my set-up was just snare, bass drum, floor tom (no rack tom,) 1 ride cymbal and the hats. Bare-bones, stripped down, no crashes, no rack toms. It was perfect for all the bass/snare/ride grooves and when I needed bottom end the floor tom was there. Simple but effective set-up and the limited number of drums will lend a more 'traditional sound' to the drumming. We all used stripped down kits for 'sock-hops' and dances where a lot of old 50's rock & roll was being played. It was all about 'keeping the beat' back then. You didn't need an elaborate kit for the music.

Take it from a cat who played it when it was new! Snare, bass and a ride is all you need.

John

This is exactly my setup for gig today :)

22 bass, 14 snare, 13 hihat, 20 ride...less is more they say!

snurf - I had a friend who played with a three piece rock-a-billy band and all he used was a snare drum! Guitar, stand-up bass and a snare drum. He played it standing up and he used brushes a lot, and I'm here to tell you that that band kicked butt and took names later! All three of them sang and played their as$es off.

Just a snare drum! You really have to know your stuff to be able to say everything you have to say with just one drum. This guy was an amazing drummer. I know I wouldn't want to do an entire gig with just a snare. Not an easy trick to pull off. The bass player helps him by thumping on the stand-up bass as he plays so there is a 'bass drum rhythm' that my buddy plays off of. The music sounds 'full' and great.

John