I think his opinion is crap and i think he is to much on the DW teat if you will, Yes in the past there has been shoddy workmanship but not just in drums but in all things but the upper high end vintage drums were better quality than DW . They had better wood better construction and much better sound than these new drums , Hardware i have to say for the most part is better today BUT Rogers swivo stuff was pretty much bullet proof if you knew how to care for it and maintenance on anything is critical....

The DW drums he was playing would drive me to drink with the floppy toms and he was barely hitting them! the floppy floortoms hanging drums where did this IMO dumb idea come from? the snare sorry to say did not impress me but i did like the bass drum sound and tone... Nope i am sorry i feel the same about cars too the old ones were better made and better cars it is why i still drive older stuff. but hey don't listen to me i am 62 years old i hate the new music, cars, bottled water, well most anything new, heck a pair of levi's barely lasts long enough to break them in Oh wait they come worn out when you get them! you asked!!!

Hanging floor toms? I believe the ones he was using had legs.

I think his opinion is just that, but it is a point well taken. I am of the mindset that the percentage of DW drums leaving the factory within acceptable tolerance is probably much higher than the major player's in the day. Has anyone ever had to pull up on the tension knob of a P83 or P85 strainer just to engage it? Anyone had to fumble around with slipping hardware or had a factory fresh drum show up out of round? Without any scientific research I would say DW, Yamaha and really most of the major player's elite lines are higher quality on average than what we used to get. I am talking about overall construction specs, finishes, fit, etc. There have certainly been a lot of technological advances that have improved te art of drum manufacture. Of course, some of these advancements don't fit everyone's taste.

That does not change the fact that many are drawn to vintage drums whether it's for nostalgic reasons, a perception that they "must sound better" because they are older, or they do just sound better or at least different. I think it is all of the above depending on the perspective of the end user. I also think this ties right back into the original thought behind Purdie's "which sound" thread.

I, for one, find great value in both contemporary drums using current state of the art technology, and vintage drums. I feel very different when I sit behind any kit and the sizes, finish and tone of a particular kit will lead me in a particular direction.

To me it gets back to why vintage drums are so unique? Is it that we can no longer make drums like that because of the availability of old growth wood, have trends and tastes changed, or is it just laziness on the part of manufacturers? When talking about current high end drums, I seriously doubt the latter, which leaves us with available woods and current trends.

Wow. This is great. I love it when we can get the 'inside scoop' from the people that really matter. I wonder if Madonna will ever give her opinion on vintage drums versus modern drums. OH, I HOPE SO!!! That would be ever so grand.

Well if she did, I am sure she would be strangely attracted to those goofy Ludwig congas as they were cone shaped.

:)

vear ee fuh knee

Hehe, when the camera stopped I bet he said "can I have those free drums now?"

yeah i think he was searching for things to say there. Look down list on my signature and you'll see I'm partial to DW drums, and Vintage U.S.A drums.

In the studio I know that the old stuff reigns as king. On the road DW perform beautifully, and i can trust them to stay up and in tune every night.

But in my opinion, those old drums (when side by side) have more tone and character, which I'm afraid mean they are better built, be it the construction or the woods used. or just 40 odd years of existence.

I would like to A/B 70's SS Gretsch with todays USA's though. I feel a change coming on, and IF modern Gretsch are bringing that sound and feel, I might swap out some of my DW's for a little Bop kit.

He said "uh" 32 times.

"They're having musical discussions about music."

That pretty much sums up this incredible wealth of drumming credibility. :p

I wonder where he was purchasing his equipment in the past. I'll match my Rogers and Pearl any day.

I was Dw owner. So just clearing that up, I own a lot of vintage drums, Jimmy is just doing what any corporate sponsor is paying you to do, promote there products. Experienced players no this it's not a secret. I don't care how he has those tuned, but me may not like how I tune mine. OK! Soap Box over, you can now tune to your regularly scheduled program.