I believe what everyone is seeing is an optical illusion. It's probably a shadow captured by the camera since this was a daytime concert that was photographed. "Ritchie-rings", Rem-os or whatever you want to call them didn't exsist until the late 80's/early 90's.

Ain't no way that's an optical illusion or a shadow. There is obviously something on the inside of that reso bass drum head that extends in a couple of inches. No telling what it is, but is definitely there.

C'mon, Ludwig-dude, as one of the most abrasive, mean-spirited dudes on this forum, I would expect a little more from you... electricit

Ok...you asked for it....here's the proof that it IS a shadow......some black & white pics from the SAME CONCERT TOUR, SAME PHOTOGRAPHER (Australian Tour 1972)....note how it's a shadow ring that disappears as the direction of the sun changed during the performance......

Shadow. NOT something inside the drum. The drum is a smooth white head and those have the capabilities to cast strange light reflections as well due to their glossy finish.

If you don't believe me, study the pics in detail. The "ring" is there in the first picture at the top and gradually changes shape and almost disappears by the last pic.

Again, Shadows and reflections. NOT something inside the drum or mounted to the head.

[IMG]http://forums.ledzeppelin.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=117[/IMG]

[IMG]http://forums.ledzeppelin.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=118[/IMG]

Now, not to continue with the other argument occurring here, but rather to answer your question jeebee, Bonham used plain felt strips under the bass drum heads to control some of the ring. Listen to the Zeppelin recordings in detail and you will hear a nice open bass drum sound (all the drums for that matter) with some "over-ring". That's how they recorded them back then, and it sounds like you may be close to that sound yourself now.

How are you recording your drums? Close micing? the best way to record your kit for a Bonham-esque sound (you can never duplicate the exact sound...why? Because YOU are NOT Bonham! :D ) is with the Glyn Johns method of recording drums: http://en.wikiaudio.org/Drum_micing:Glyn_Johns_technique

not wanting to argue here just stating that the Ludwig Logo fits into this circle that we see on the bass drum fits perfect and if it is or was a shadow there is no way the sun up in the sky could cast the same ring all the way around the drum is there? i bet it is just a logo made for Led zep it is too perfect in shape IM humble O

I kinda thought the same thing. Maybe it's a big sticker type decal thing they put on the head.

Guys I'm telling you, its a shadow/reflection! Look at the third black & white picture down. See how in the left side of the drum the shape of the "ring" has changed and is completely missing from view from the left side of the head? Now look at the fourth picture down......the ring is almost completely gone! These are the way the actual photos are, I have photoshopped nothing here.

I stand behind the fact that there is nothing solid or removable behind the head, nor that it is a sticker/decal. It is a shadow/reflection.

Its the way the light was hitting the drumhead that day while the photos were being taken. Any real photographer that knows anything about his craft can confirm this. Why do you guys continue to argue this when there is solid proof there that there is nothing on or behind the edge of the drumhead?? DOH

Lame

I personal think it's a piece of foam measuring 3"x 12" by interior cercumferance of the bass drum. I did this very same thing back in 72. Back then you would improvise and not actually realize you where inventing something. I'm certain it's a piece of foam rubber in John Bonham's bass drum.

I agree with Mike. Certainly not a shadow as there is no physical way the sun could produce that kind of shadow.

I would like to say that reducing something as involved as high end studio micing techniques to a couple of paragraphs is a severe over simplification of the art of studio engineering. Not trying to start an argument here. This document doesn't take into account the type of room, the type of console, pre-amps, tape machine and everything else that went into creating the Bonham sound, not the least if which was a great sounding kit and a great drummer. In some cases Bonham's kit was set up in stone stairwells and mics were placed up the stairs as well as near mic'ing techniques to create that sound.

Back to the original post, it can be difficult to deal with some of the sustain and overtones associated with an open kick. If you are looking for that Bonham sound, you do want it open though. You might want a little more focused, controlled sound. To that end, experiment with felt strips or just some duct tape or duct tape/paper towel combinations. I say this because these are cost effective options. If you find a sound you like, then reproduce that with something that looks better. Of course felt strips are fine in and of themselves.

It could very well be that you really need to define the sound you are looking for. I've seen a lot of guys who "say" they want the Bonham kick sound, but in reality they only feel comfortable with a moderate to heavily dampened kick drum. A wide open kick feels quite different than a dampened kick and the technique in playing them is very different as well, at least in my opinion. This may be no news to you so I apologize if this seems like I am talking down to you. I am just hoping to help you get where you would like to be.

I don`t know how to get this pic sized for here so, second to last photo on this page shows the shadow dissappear`n !!

http://www.ledzeppelin.com/image-galleries/led-zeppelin/1970-1971?page=28