whats the real deal on ddrum?

[samccart]

Does anybody out there deal with ddrum accoustic drums? I know they have a decent rep for electronics and I am intrigued with the accoustic drums, sound, quality,value per dollar spent etc...

There are 2 dealers within 70 miles of me.

I called one to see if he had any in stock, a woman answered and said "the music store isnt home right now, call back later!

The second dealer had the beginner set (great for a 7-10 year old player, i guess, but hardly well enough put together for my obnoxious banging!) in stock and would GLADLY order me anything that I want! (provided that I bought the set of course!)

The prices on these drums seem very reasonable considering some of the more well known drum makers and their prices. Anyone have any experience with these ddrums? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Scott

[brandondrury]

Ddrums are known for their triggers. I didn't even know they sold drums.

From what I hear, the way to go with budget drums is Pacifica. They are supposed to be pretty much the same as their upper line (DW drums) but with not-so-good hardware.

I've heard that Blink 182 actually used Pacifica on one of their albums, but I wasn't there.

Brandon

[D2dadub]

Scott,

I have never heard or played DDrum acoustic. You can however steal them on ebay. That leads me to believe they may not sound to good.

I think they are made of Ash versus Maple, or Birch. In the studio I'd go with Maple or Birch. Although I love the Yamaha oak, but never recorded...

Another steal is RMV drums. Made in Brazil and these actually crank. Brazillian Maple.

I have also turned crappy drums into good sounding drums by having the bearing edges cut. My preference is double 45 degree cut.
Then I have paid a fortune for bad sounding drums as well...

Many will dissagree but drums with wraps actually seem to record a little easier than wood veneers. Personal preference. Less ring...

Let me know what you find through discovery and I'm happy to offer advice.
I currently use Brady, and C&C. Have used Spaun (Which I Love), Tama, Premier, Ludwig, Slingerland, DW, Yamaha...

[samccart]

Wow once again thanks one and all! A special thanks to Brandon Bro for this awesome place to share!

You guys have made me feel at home and I appreciate that, I have also shared with my bandmates so maybe we will see them here from time to time.

Now to the juice, banging heads ummm I mean drum heads!

I currently play a set of Ludwig Rockers (black and white badges) which were a step up from the beginner set (that I still have after 30+ years). These rockers are probably mid-late 80s model and were a steal with all the hardware (stands) not to mention a handful of Zildians A series thrown in. They are either birch or maple (hard to tell with the petina of the wood and the grain doesnt help me much either). They dont sound bad, however like everything else time wears on stuff.

I have looked about as far as I can on the ddrum issue. I have their catalog and they make all levels of kits. What attracts me to the idea of moving to them is that they offer some exotic touches. Powder coated hardware is one (man cymbal polishing is tedious, but chrome lugs and rims just downright suck to keep pristine after all the years!) Changing hardware out for NOS Ludwig isnt even an option. I'd rather put the $$ into more cymbals (can never have enough in my book) ! Another thing they offer is some really wild custom wood and wraps for reasonable money.

The other reason is that I have a basic 5 piece and would love to add more toms ( I also have a set of 5 rototoms that supplement the basic toms). A double bass with more toms is what I have in mind (I already play a double bass pedal on my 22x16). For the money to buy vintage Ludwig I can almost get a brand new upper line ddrum set. Biggest thing now is to actually hear someone that has heard the better ddrum accoustics unless I can find someone that will let me sit behind their kit for a few minutes.

I have heard that the Pacifica drums themselves are decent but the hardware is the fly in the ointment. I'm aware that some cheaper drums can sound pretty decent with proper head selection and tuning, but quality hardware is a must for me! You would think that at the price that the ddrums are going for that someone somewhere must be buying them. Of course all the testimonials on the ddrum site will be biased to the product. From the pictures of the hardware in the catalog it looks like ddrum has the right idea. Even at the moderate price that they offer their product at I wouldnt justify taking a chance without hands on or at least some good reveiws!
Thanks again all for your time in responding to my questions!

As far as the bearing edge work, who do you look to for such treatment?

I tend to like the wrap drums a bit myself, although I wasnt aware of the sonic properties. Simple fact is that I make viscious love ummmm music with my drums and the wraps are just more durable to the abuse

[D2dadub]

Bearing edges...

You can try Maryland Drum Co in Sparks. Georges drums in Ohio. Google custom drums, Virginia. Start surfing and you will find someone close. I live in NC and use Saluda in Columbia SC...

DW

[lumpy]

samccart,
I just got a catalog and someone aquired the rights to the old Rogers name and is marketing a couple of entry level sets with the revered monkier. Probably the same douche that ran the Slingerland name back into the ground a few years back.

Be warned about entry level drum wraps. They usually do not hold up to to temperature changes very well.

If your old hardware is holding up, and you like it, just keep it. Put the shells on eBay. Also, how are your old Ludwig lugs holding up? Mine are late 70's vintage and aren't even slightly pitted. The rims are another story though.

Those Rocker shells are 4-ply maple and poplar. I used to own the Rocker series' ancestor; Standards. Mine were early 70's vintage with a green onyx wrap. Sold em for a song back when I "retired". The hardware sucked on those drums. Do you have the old Atlas hardware? That stuff is actually pretty good.

Honestly if I were you, I would hold onto those Rockers and add a couple of toms. You won't find a set of entry level drums that sound as good. Try different drumheads and consider re-wrapping them. Everytime I've traded an old drum set in on something new I was disappointed and went back to vintage soon enough.

Visit the Ludwig website. They offer individual Accent toms on stands in various finishes.

You probably won't have any trouble selling them if that's what you decide. I would like to see a picture or two before you do though.

Lump

[samccart]

Once again, thanks for the awesome words guys!

About a week ago I went and changed out my clear pinstripes for ebony pinstripes and added ebony ambassador resonant heads. I also played around with the tuning a bit. Can you say falling in love again with my old drums? What a difference in tone! Lumpy, I had to laugh when I read your post about adding a few toms because that is exactly what I intend to do! As far as the hardware, some of the lugs are starting to pit a bit as well as the rims. I really cant stand chrome!!! I havent gigged this kit much in the 10+ years Ive owned it but that is about to change! Now as to the hardware issue, you know the old ludwig oversized wingnuts that you have to use 290 foot/lbs of torque to keep the toms from sliding? Thankfully my keyboard player owns his own machine shop and my guitarist does as well. I think we will custom make something if the hardware gets to be more of an issue! Atlas stands? Some of my ludwig stands have b/o badges and some red. Some are single braced and some double. Im not sure what qualifies the stand as atlas. I will certainly take some pics and post them or email just let me know where and how! All in all I am so glad I came across this site! Some wonderful people here that are gracious in sharing their knowledge and its much appreciated!! Im also now working on an idea for some custom drum cases and will post a thread as I get the protoypes finished! Cheers and thanks all! Scott

[lumpy]

samccart,
Those B/O badged stands would be the old Atlas stands. Sometimes they are called Hercules. Guess the fine folks at Ludwig were all mythology majors back in the 70's.

Those are pretty good stands. They are not as cosmetically attractive as some newer stands, and they may not be as smooth operating, but they are tough and hold up very well. A lot of collectors buy them up on eBay to keep their vintage Luddies authentic. Of coarse anytime collectors get involved the price goes up, which is another reason I use new hardware. I always liked the "chair leg" feet on the bottom of the tripods; no fear of those things falling off like the rubber feet of today.

I had a set of Ludwig timbales mounted on Atlas stands.

The red label stands are 90's vintage or newer, probably made in China like every drum companies' stands are these days. Should be the same design as the Ludwig 600 or 700 series hardware.

All this talk has got me thinking about my old Ludwig Standards. The guy I sold them to won't sell them back, even though he has never used them and I offered twice the price he paid for them. Foiled again!

The Ludwig Club Date (60's entry level), Standard and Combo (70's entry level) and Rocker (80's entry level)series have their own dedicated little quirky cults these days. Kinda like the Chevy Corvair guys.

The unique thing about the American drum companies, up until the 80's, always cut costs on their entry level drums by doing something to make the hardware cheaper. The shells were always the same as their higher priced brethren.

Later on, after such revered American drum makers like Slingerland and Rogers (and almost Gretsch) went under did they smart up to contracting their entry level drums overseas. Almost all these drums are made in the same factory; just different badges and (slightly) different hardware. That's why a set of Pearl Exports is going to sound the same as a set of Ludwig Accents outta the box.

Not to mention that the new hardware is made different and is not very receptive to the Do-It-Yourself guys (like you and me). I have drilled and re-drilled holes in my old Modular tom holders.

I could go on and on. As you can tell I prefer vintage American drums. They are maintenance intensive, and a bitch to tune, but well worth the investment. I could buy a set of new maple Yamahas and be totally content, not to mention more rested. But, if you are walking down the street and a red 2003 Mustang GT drives by closely followed by a red 1966 Mustang GT, which car is gonna make you take notice?

It's the same way with vintage drums.

Thanks for holding onto those Rockers!

Lump

[samccart]

Hey Lumpy, I took some pics of the way my rockers sit as of now. If you would like to see, tell me how to post them here or send me an email at samccart at hotmail dot com and I will send you the pics! Really nice to meet someone that is as passionate about the US drums as I am! Cheers! Scott

[lumpy]

samccart,
Post them pics here. I don't want 200 ads for dick cream in my inbox as a result of me posting my e-mail address. I'll put some up of my tom tom rash infected '79 Luddies.

Lump