Why vintage gear??

What is it about vintage gear that makes me drool?

I’m 23 years old, born in 1985.  So “vintage” drums (in my eyes) were created at least ten years before I was born.  I own a early to mid seventies Gretch “stop-sign” badge kit, and every time I play it, I fall in love all over again.

I’m wondering why exactly these drums and other drums like them hold such a high place in my heart.  There’s a few things I feel like I need to be clear about first though; why these drums shouldn’t make me drool…

• The hardware isn’t as solid.  This is an easy one.  I don’t care how many people rave about the Rogers Swiv-O-Matic pedals/mounts, they simply aren’t as solid.  I see absolutely no reason to use these things, especially the tom mounts (unless you’re trying to keep it all original):  In fact, when Gary Gauger created RIMS mounts in 1980, everything else was immediately rendered outdated and useless.  And pedals and hi-hat stands are the same way… I’m sure some people still swear by Ludwig Speed Kings, but I’ll take a modern DW 5000 or my Tama Iron Cobra any day of the week.
• The drums weren’t necessarily as well made.  Interestingly enough, the idea of the “sound reinforcing ring” is coming back into vogue.  I know Tama and DW offer them currently, and I’m sure most custom companies do as well.  People like them now for the effect they supposedly have on the tone, “warming up” the sound of the drum.  But what is used now as a sort of tone-enhancer was originally used for a much more utilitarian purpose-keeping the drums in round.  For an interesting article on this topic you can check out this page.
• The shells were not as 100% anything.  To my knowledge, the shells on my Gretsch kit (Jasper) are maple/gumwood.  Gumwood, eh?

That aside, let me say I obsess over the sound of my kit.  “That Great Gretsch Sound” is due not to the alchemic silver sealer (GASP) but a combination of the maple/gumwood shells, die-cast hoops (which choke the drum a little), clunky hardware, and 30 degree or less bearing edges.  In other words, the reasons we SHOULDN’T like these drums are actually the reasons we do! I love the sound of vintage drums because they capture a way of making musical instruments that the world will never again see.

Trust me, I like technology.  My Tama Starclassics have precision bearing edges, perfectly rounded, thin shells, and the latest suspension mounts and hardware designs, all designed to optimize performance and resonance and minimize weight.  I love these drums.  But part of my heart will go out to my way-too-heavy-for-their-sizes 22×14 kick (ten lugs, mind you!), 13×9 rack tom, and 16×16 floor tom.

A Warning.

By the way…  I chose to update this because I’m going to start writing a little more regarding my first love, drums/music.  I’m only 23, so I’m wrong about a lot of stuff (and please let me know if I am).  However, I’ve been blessed enough to teach private lessons for about five years now, and have anywhere from 25-30 students a week, so I’ll be sharing any insight I might glean from them.

I also will review any gear that might come in to my hands, along with the occasional album that fits my fancy.  I am really going to try to update this thing at least once a week.  However, those of you who know and just read that sentence are undoubtedly rolling your eyes, so we shall see.

Have a good sunday!

RE: Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus

I will come out and say it:  I completely support Miley Cyrus’s place in the music business. 

Yesterday at the music store I heard a few kids making fun of her and how bad the music is and whatnot, and I about joined in the conversation.  However, after a few moments I realized that most of her fans are around fourteen and under, I realized what she is doing is absolutely fantastic.  Here’s why:

• Kids are excited about pop music.  Guaranteed it’s not the Beatles, but I teach drum lessons in a music store and three years ago I couldn’t get any ten-year-old kid pumped about music.  Hitting drums, maybe, but not music.  Now every single kid under fourteen that’s enrolled in my studio has her albums and listens to them religiously.
• Kids are excited about musical instruments.  At the music store we have kids coming in all the time wanting to learn how to play guitar and sing like Miley Cyrus.  And as a result of that, I have a twelve year old student that’s starting a band with a few of his friends that are trying to play her songs.  Twelve year olds playing in a rock band!  Again, they’re not playing Zeppelin, but hey, you have to start somewhere.  Guaranteed when I was that age I was listening to STP, the Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden, but I was a weirdo.  Most kids were listening to Puff Daddy and Britney Spears, and a musical diet like that is akin to growing up eating nothing but Ho Hos and Slim Jims for every meal.
• Kids are excited about concerts!  Miley Cyrus sold out a 12,000 seat auditorium in eight minutes flat.  12,000 seats.  In eight minutes.  Guess who most of the concert goers were?  Kids.  Young kids.  I wasn’t excited about going to concerts until I was at least a 7th grader, let alone seven years old.  Geez.

Just some thoughts:)