Oh hell no. I'm outta there. I need to get back home after a stop and In-N-Out.
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Yet another drummer woe thread
- Thread starter Volunteerk9
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- drummer
It has to be there but, where's the cowbell?
I had a drummer with a 13 piece kit with 8 cymbals and his own drum mics but he would DESTROY that kit putting it up and down in like 10 minutes. The Gibraltar rack was always assembled and he had 80% of it put together at any time, so he'd lift the whole thing out of his van and walk it in, kick drum, floor tom, kick mic and throne and he was good to go. It was impressive. It would take me longer to get a good sound in the room.
The best drummer I know is like this. One of his favourite kits is a Woodskin Cajon used as a kick-drum, a snare, high-hats and one cymbal.
As for the wife of drummer, i'd be telling her that if he brought only as much as what was needed I'd happily help him lug it in and out. If he want's to bring so much more then she can help. I'll be at the bar with a beer talking to the bar owner/manager organising some more gigs.
Start talking about the baddassery that is a suitcase drum kit. Maybe he'll wanna be one of the cool kids.
Build a Suitcase Drum Set
Played plenty of shows with guys rockin these things.
Build a Suitcase Drum Set
Played plenty of shows with guys rockin these things.
My drummer complains about the set already sitting on stage for him to use (while I have to lug in my bass rig, pedal board and two basses almost everytime), then will complain about having to go back out to his van and get his snare drum, throne, and /or cymbals to use with it.. While I have to lug in my bass rig, pedal board, and two basses almost every time..
I gotta tell ya, if you really like the sound and setup of your own drums, you just ain't gonna be happy with any old kit. Some of them sound downright awful. Personally I can't just sit on anyone else's kit and play without a lot of adjusting. May as well have my own set if I am gonna go thru that.
As to size, well, 5pc is perfect. Unless you are Dave Weckl, who having watched him live, plays every freaking bit of his monster kit. And when I say 'plays', i'm not talking he hits a few pieces once during the show.
Me, I wouldn't even know where to begin with it.
**sidebar story: i'm in a Guitar Center wasting time on the various kits, and some guy walks in, must be early 60's. Starts trying the kits and he's a monster on them. This guy could really play. Now like everyone else, I know what I like, and it's not necessarily what everyone else likes, but then that's why we all tend to like different basses. Anyway, as he comes near me I tell him i'm sitting on the best drums in the whole plays. He looks at me, I get off them, he sits down and goes at them. Stops, looks at me and says "you're right". Yamaha Recording Customs -- most recorded drums ever. favorites of guys like Garabaldi of Tower of Power (nice guy!), Vinnie Coliauta, and Steve Gadd (Aja album). He bought them.
Best drums I have ever heard were the YRC's and the earlier wood-hoop Ayotte's. Better than any DW kit (which I think are just way over-rated) that everyone thinks are da' best.
If you guys can not talk him into reason you are out of options.
A good sane practical drummer is a rare pleasure when you can find one.
Good luck!
A good sane practical drummer is a rare pleasure when you can find one.
Good luck!
Currently playing in a band that is average at best. The drummer is a likable guy, but his drumming veskills leave a little to be desired. My biggest beef is that he insists on taking a Tommy Lee inspired kit to every gig we manage to get. (100 people would be the equivelant to a stadium for us). His kit consists of a kick, snare, 3 toms, 2 floor toms, hi hat, ride, 3 crashes, a gibraltar rack, lexan panels and mics on everything and an in ear monitoring system complete with his own mixing board. Needless to say it takes a loooong time for set up and tear downs. My wife is my roadie.. We've got my stuff set up or taken back down in 10 minutes. We then start helping with the pa. Then its back to the drums. I'm not too good to help the guy out, but good god. Me and the other bandmates have tried some tough love - jedi mind tricks on him to no avail. We just casually stood back to let let him deal with all the crap he chose to bring. That just led to his wife making some pretty snarky comments that had us all hacked off. Anyone else deal with this nonsense? If so, outside of replacing him what did you do?
Experience has shown me that the worst drummers hide behind huge kits, with few exceptions (Peart, for example). If he can keep basic time and get gigs, keep him.
sounds like a silly kid. Anyone that takes more than 15 minutes to set up and be ready is blowin' it. It's *just not that hard* - but people like to make things complicated.
Tough one, I guess since he brings it all, sets it all up, takes it all down it is ok,,,but it is the point of time. Plus, if he insists on all the equipment, it is his responsibility. His GF needs to know that. We had a drummer who was great, never over-played, perfect timing, but was a cymbal junkie !! He would have 7 or 8 cymbals. But he would use every one. Is the drummer young ? Well, a bunch of stuff doesn't make him better, maybe look better. Sometimes when we would trio practice, the cymbal junkie would have high hat, & a snare only. We actually sounded good for a coffee shop.
One of the greatest experiences in playing music is dealing with a drummer who has $20k invested and isn't all that great... Then start jamming with a drummer who uses a 3 piece kit with 2 cymbals and a ride/hat who completely blows away anyone you've ever jammed with before.
Unfortunately the really good drummer has lots of work and is really busy.
Unfortunately the really good drummer has lots of work and is really busy.
His kit isnt too big but if he doesn't know how to set up the mics, mixing board, and kit in a timely manner that's an issue. This becomes a huge problem for you and your band, the next band up to play, and the venue.
He needs to practice setting up, or simplify the set up.
He needs to practice setting up, or simplify the set up.
I'd rather he play his Pearl set every time but he has complained either way.. <g>
