Vintage Drum Sound

[fabiano83]

I am going to buy the first drumkit for my studio, it will be for the clients but also for me (always wanted to play drums ) I am looking for a drumkit that has a vintage classic rock sound, something like Beatles, CCR, Canned Heat etc etc... the problem is, i don't have a clue of what i should look for in terms of wood, sizes and so on... maximum budget is 1300 $... i've read that for recording suspended toms are better, so the gretsch catalina club rock and catalina club mod seems a good choice, especially for the price and the positive review, but will i be able to get the sound i am after with one of these two kits? i'm a total newbie with drums so any help will be appreciated

Fabiano

[chrisso]

Firstly you can suspend any toms.
Secondly, I certainly prefer the sound of isolated (suspended) toms, but you should remember none of those classic recordings were made like that.
Finally, the best value and truly authentic classic rock drum sound would be found with a Ludwig Keystone kit, usually found quite cheaply on Ebay.
Something 1960's would be best.
Sizes: 22" (most versatile), 12" and/or 13" mounted tom, 16" floor tom.

Use modern hardware though.

[Dr. Mordo]

+1

If you must buy a new kit for some reason, the Gretsch kits you mentioned are pretty good for a vintage tone, but a friend who works at a huge drum store has told me that quality control is more of issue with the cheapo Gretsch than with most cheapo drums. But the bearing edges and materials do add up to a sorta vintage sound to my ears.

Remember, I own and love an early Catalina Rock kit, but I do think the snare is slightly out of round, and it's not because of anything I have done. Be ready to call Gretsch if you get a bad drum. Speaking of which I guess I should call about my snare, but I have had it a few years now so I doubt they'll swap it. I use an Acrolite almost all the time anyhow.

[fabiano83]

Thanks for the replies!
So, the Ludwig Keystone seems a good drumkit, are there other good vintage drum kits from that era that are cheap and worth buying?

[JoeM'Geek]

If you want a classic sound it's important to get the right sort of heads on there. Single layer, coated Evans G1 maybe?. NOT the ones with oil in the middle

Couldn't say about the rest of the kit, but a friend of mine has a ludwig supraphonic snare in his studio, and it knocks spots off every other snare I've heard (which is also partly to do with the way he's tuned it)

[Admiral James T.]

Old Ludwig & Gretsch drums are the best in my oppinion, but they're not that cheap usually...
Have a look at old Rogers, Premier and Slingerland as well. You'll be able to find good deals & great tones there.

[Admiral James T.]

Originally Posted by Admiral James T.

Old Ludwig & Gretsch drums are the best in my oppinion, but they're not that cheap usually...
Have a look at old Rogers, Premier and Slingerland as well. You'll be able to find good deals & great tones there.

Oh, you're from Switzerland... look after Imperial. But beware of the tom size, they're mostly not international standard. But they still do manufacture these skins.

[DNORomer]

+1 for old Ludwigs

One thing to keep in mind, make sure you get a room sound you're really happy with. I recently recorded a 60s/70s hybrid Ludwig kit in a beautifully treated room, and the sound I got was a bit too pristine. Just the month before, I recorded a new oak Yamaha kit in a kinda bad sounding room, killed the overheads, and it sounded like fat 60s garage rock.

Good old bad sounding rooms.

[Dr. Mordo]

Head choice is important, but tuning is important too. You'll need to use single ply heads and tune them tighter than most contemporary drummers tune their drums.

Unless you are going for the later Ringo sound, which is tuned low and muffled so the drums have almost no ring.

[fabiano83]

Thanks everyone for the replies!
I think i still have to learn a lot, but i'm really fascinated with drums so it will be a pleasure...
my goal is to get a drumkit that allows me to get all the good drum sounds of the classic rock period... from the sound of "fortunate son" to the sound of "come together" etc etc...
i guess tuning plays a major parts in getting those sounds so i'll have to research that too
i've already learned a few important things on gearslutz, i love this forum

[beef]

the bearingedges on old drums were often rounded, which gives a more mellow attack .

[Beefsurgeon]

Tuning and head selection are definitely the most important things to consider. Seriously, you can get so many sounds out of the same drum just by using different kinds of heads.

Don't forget about cymbals, there's plenty of 60's Zildjians on ebay. The Paiste Giant Beat reissues are also pretty killer for an old school sound.

[Ardilla]

if you are into the jazz thing.....gretsch (50's..but this is a personal thing..only round badge)

for rock....ludwig

camco would be an option....(hmmm, i guess they are too expensive, sorry)


anyhow..i agree with Beefsurgeon
Tuning and head selection are definitely the most important things to consider. Seriously, you can get so many sounds out of the same drum just by using different kinds of heads.

yes, sir.....correct

[Vintageblue02]

Bearing edges aside, get a birch kit if you can. A lot of the kits in the 60's - mid 70's were in fact birch, not maple. I personally have always favored their sound over maple.

Single ply heads are a must as well. Preferably coated. REMO Ambassadors, EVANS G1s, etc.

Dampening is an important key to retro sounds. Moongel pads work wonders! Don't be afraid to get creative. an old bi-fold leather wallet (emptied) and lightly taped to a snare head can take you back to classic rock backbeat heaven!

Brass snare drums are the order for the day. You can't go wrong with Ludwig, but a lot of other companies make amazing brass shelled snares as well. Search around, try em out if you can. The drum guy at my local music shop lets me borrow snares for sessions/gigs when need be. Ask around.

Best wishes!