I know I haven't been around for a while, but I popped back in, saw this and thought I'd update everyone on my kit...



So that's a 1983 Tama Swingstar in black with 12", 13" and 16" toms, and a 22" kick... and a new Tama Metalworks Steel 13" x 6.5" snare.

Cymbals are:

9" Sabian SR2 Splash with an 8" brass self-cut splash stacked on top
10" UFiP Rough Splash
14" Sabian HHX Evolution hihats
14" Zildjian Paper Thin Crash
16" UFiP Class Fast Crash
18" UFiP Extatic Crash
21" Istanbul Mehmet Traditional Ride, custom built to my specs

Not pictured:

14" Wuhan China
16" UFiP vintage crash modified by a local cymbalsmith
20" Meinl Sand Ride

And I have a set of ZBTs that I don't use anymore... I'm worried that I have a slight obsession with cymbals, although to be honest I just need a Paiste and a Dream (to round out the set) and I'll be satisfied with what I have.

On the UFiPs: LOVE LOVE LOVE them. They are seriously the best crashes and splashes around, combining characteristics of dark and bright cymbals in one somehow... dark crashes with bright overtones. I'm still trying to get my hands on a set of UFiP hats and possibly a ride, just so I can have a complete set of them around.

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Added on November 16, 2010, 7:42 pmThey look and sound like ZBTs, which honestly I don't find that horrible (the hats at any rate, the rides and crashes I wouldn't even look at).

This post has been edited by major_panic: Nov 16 2010, 07:42 PM

Do it. Don't let others convince you that any brand or type of cymbal is better than the other... let your ears be the guide.

Missed out on the discussion earlier about kits, but I wanted to add in a couple of points:

DON'T buy drums cause of their brand, looks, cost or wood. Whilst wood does make a difference in the sound, I'd say that about 70% of the high-end, really expensive drumkits I've heard sound terrible, or are heavily heavily dampened with tape or whatever. Having good drumheads that are properly tuned is what will make all the difference for drums, far more so than the wood. Simply put, all the wood does is provide a chamber that produces resonance - I'd be more worried about what I was hitting and whether or not that was done up correctly. So buy a kit that sounds good AFTER you've had the chance to tune it up and have a hit or two.

Thus, you could get a mid-range kit and make it sound amazing having learned how to tune, rather than get the most expensive kit available and then complain that it doesn't sound good, and save your money for cymbals! Cause you can tune a drum, but you can't fake cymbals.

Oh and AhBoy, that does look pretty legit, although I'd second what everyone else has said and advise you to fully test it out before buying. Look for the obvious stuff like dents and nicks, but also for cracks, not just along the edges but also along the lathing grooves of the cymbal - they can be hard to spot (although you'll be able to tell immediately through the sound).

This post has been edited by major_panic: Dec 7 2010, 05:09 PM

The only problem I have with the orange foam earplugs is that you lose a lot of the high frequencies, and it tends to block out a lot. Whenever I play with others and use the foam earplugs, I always end up taking them off as I can't hear anything else.

To AhBoy, if you're willing to spend a bit more, try something like the Etymotic hi-fi earplugs (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.html) which I've been using - they're amazing! I think Vater make a similar product (musician's earplugs) too, but haven't tried those.

Well that's why, as isaac said, you've gotta wear hearing protection when you're in it - or in-ear monitors to hear everyone else. Our church here has one - almost fully enclosed, with a roof! a roof!, and it's an absolute to play in - gets very hot, noisy, and you have absolutely no chemistry with any of the other instruments in the band at all, which is horrible. They only got it so their precious sound people would be able to mic the drums more easily, and not have to worry about the drum sound being picked up by other mics... which is what creates atmosphere. Sorry, went on a bit of a rant there. I really hate the bloody thing.

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Added on December 12, 2010, 5:43 pmVery true, although if the studio's small I tend just to play a bit quieter and go without earplugs. I'd personally never 'just follow the bassist' as I like to react to what the guitars and vocals are doing, but that's just me. I am glad that everyone's using hearing protection, though! I learned almost too late...

This post has been edited by major_panic: Dec 12 2010, 05:43 PM

Heck no! I'd rather have the shield, and play with the church's Pearl Masters kit, than have to play with e-drums. You lose so much sensitivity and range with the e-drums, I find... Besides, here in Aus, a good set of e-drums are heck of a lot more expensive than a decent kit. Plus, I can use my cymbals on a real kit!

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Added on December 13, 2010, 6:26 pmThis. Hillsong actually seem to vary depending on the drummer (at least cymbal-wise), I'm fairly sure Rolf uses Zildjians and whoever it is that plays for United uses Meinls (or at least used Meinls when I was last up there about a month ago for their album recording).

Most, actually all churches here in Aus that I've seen use an acoustic kit, simply because you can do a lot more with an acoustic kit if you know what you're doing than an e-kit. That being said, I see why some churches would prefer e-kits.

On a completely random and slightly related note, I've noticed here on the gigging scene that lots of bands are begining to use combined kits - lots of them use the octopad-type things mounted along with the rest of their kit.

This post has been edited by major_panic: Dec 13 2010, 06:26 PM

Look up Bob Gatzen on youtube, he has a whole video dedicated to tuning drums. It's pretty good, you'll definitely get a lot out of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ9Unab1OzU

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Added on January 7, 2011, 10:40 amThose are called hoops, and they're easily replaceable. Basically their function is to hold the head onto the drum.

There are three main kinds of hoops: triple-flanged (what you've shown), die-cast (more solid) and wood. Each have different characteristics and change the nature of the drum's sound...

Actually, this ties in with the question of tuning - I've heard it's easier to tune with die-cast hoops rather than triple-flanged, and that you get a more focused sound out of the die-cast. Another thing to do if you're having problems with drums going out of tune quickly would be to put in nylon washers with your lugs.

This post has been edited by major_panic: Jan 7 2011, 10:42 AM

It depends on the drum. Lots of people like die-cast hoops (which are made of steel IIRC), but apparently they can choke some drums. Wood hoops are cool, but more expensive.

I'm not sure how much they cost in Malaysia, so have a look around. It shouldn't be too expensive...

Yes and no. Some are very stable as they have a frame around the pedal link that goes all the way to the floor - they're designed so that you have more floor space for, say, a double pedal.



And I don't get what the fuss is about with regards to being able to play really really fast or whatever with one leg. It's a cool achievement, but generally limited to one style of music. If you could do that with all your limbs, on the other hand... or better yet play to the groove... :wink: Take the time to work out your left leg, and you'll be surprised at what can spontaneously happen when you're jamming.

Now THESE are the words of a drummer I wouldn't mind listening to...

Picked up a Ludwig Black Magic for $370 (what's that in RM? apparently around RM1125) the other day... can I get an amen?



13 x 7... certainly is a beauty, especially when you hit it!

This post has been edited by major_panic: Jan 31 2011, 08:19 PM

If anyone representing a US company wrote emails using grammar that atrocious, they'd be fired instantly. I'd say it's a definite scam. Like the others have said, buy local or buy with an established, well-reputed company.

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Added on April 10, 2011, 10:09 pmI often incorporate a cowbell mounted on the kick drum a la Stanton Moore and Benny Greb... IMO easiest if you're playing funk.

This post has been edited by major_panic: Apr 10 2011, 10:09 PM