I agree with Jim. Different shell layups, shell sizes, shell age and bearing edges are going to produce a wide variety of sounds. Your DDrum kick will never sound the same as a Slingerland or a vintage MIJ shell. That doesn't mean it won't sound good. I always tend to figure out what a particular drum does best and let it do it. That includes tuning range and head selection and occasionally a little muffling.

It sounds like you are drawn to a vintage tone and there is not going to be a particularly good way to reproduce that with a more contemporary layup, bearing edge and that extra deep shell. Find out what your DDrums do well and make an educated decision from there.

When I was in the right room, finely tune, and mic'ed up, these ddrums sounded fine. It's just now I have moved them into another room, am used to the warm MIJ so much and they have fallen out of tune evidently.....

Well, it would solve a big problem and allow me to keep a great vintage kit fully equipped with original hardware. Did I mention that this Slinger is in about MINT condition. The wrap looks brand new as these were always stored in the old vinyl cases (which were also included).

It is my understanding that these Maples call for a very fine tuning and result in a specific loud projection sound. I guess I am just realizing that while I have always wanted a pure Maple kit, I have wanted them for the wrong reasons and am now learning my preference for warmer tone producing drums. I also have another maple kit (modern) - though it is a 9 ply and not pure - Map/Mahogany/Map. Now I don't know if that means it alternates plies/type or if it has 3/3/3. It has been a while since I looked at them and have not yet set them up (with proper heads and tuning) since I bought them used. That BD is more like a 16 deep or so and the Mahogany can only warm them up compared to pure Maples. I look forward to getting those set up, though I will likely be cutting the toms down - too deep for my liking.

John

SICKENING UPDATE -

Lost the Slinger. My friend who had loaned me the money and needed repayment went and sold it to recoup the cash.

Moral of the story - when you have money allocated to paying for something (like a mint condition '68 Slinger) stick to the plan and do not borrow from yourself.

This one hurts - selling the ddrum anyway as I have alot of interest - and so I can also......pay rent.

Lost my top 2 kits in recent weeks.

Underemployment sucks.

John

Sad news! Pm me

Tell me about underemployment! I've gone from owning a couple of dozen great kits and snares to only two kits in the past few years.