SlippyFingers
Joined: Jul 20, 2016
Posts: 18
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Posted on Jul 20 2016 05:24 PM
Hi guys, I'm a new user from Germany and quite new to surf rock too.
I'm a drummer and discovered this music "by accident". I already had my drum set by then, which is a Tama Starclassic Maple, 10', 12', 16' and 22', with a 14' x 7' Maple Snaredrum.
This is quite a good and expensive set, but it doesn't really match with surf rock, it's more a kind of Foo Fighters rock set (very powerful toms and base, dry snare drum). It's kind of impossible to "tune" it to surf.
My question to you: What set would you recommend for surf rock? I'm looking for a set you can buy or order without a big hassle in a drum store, so nothing antique from the 60s.
What brand / product line would you suggest? It should have a steel snare, right? What tom sizes are adequate?
Big thx to you!
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Jul 20 2016 05:59 PM
Welcome! I'm not a drummer but here's an old thread on the subject.
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/6638/
Where are you located? We have quite a few members that would be interested in your services.
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Jul 20 2016 08:44 PM
Check out Mel Taylor's 70's kits - the opposite of simple
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
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SlippyFingers
Joined: Jul 20, 2016
Posts: 18
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 03:56 AM
@Surf_Skater: Thanks, I checked that thread. I guess Gretch and Ludwig are a good choice for retro drums. Slingerland is out of business, as far as I know.
Ludwig just set up a new club date line from the 60s:
http://www.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/ludwig/products/drumkits/club-date
I like it in terms of drum sizes and mounting, but there's no finish that I would really go with instantly. And it's quite expensive too.
P.S. I'm located in Cologne (in the far west). I was surprised how many people are involved in surf rock around here.
@tubeswell: lol, I had to look up that guy, shame on me.
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 342
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 08:02 AM
Gretsch makes an affordable kit called the Catalina Club. They come in various sizes, configurations (mounted or non-mounted rack tom), and finishes. All of these kits are in the $600-$1,000 range. Not bad for a shiny new set of Gretsch drums... especially as a 2nd kit.
I'd recommend at least a 20" BD. In my experience an 18" is fine for jazz but too small for surf. I prefer to not use any sort of muffling/damping of my drums (let them sing!) and find that a 20" or 22" BD can be tuned to a deep pitch that still resonates nicely.
Also, if you get the mounted tom option, bass drum diameter can effect final height of rack tom batter head. If you're tall or have octopus arms this is less of a factor. I prefer a non-mounted rack tom, so I can put it in a snare stand next to the BD and get it nice and low.
Since you already have the Starclassics with a 16" FT, maybe mix things up with a 14" FT and a 12" rack tom? These sizes pair well together. You can tune them up like a jazz kit and get a great tone for playing surf/instro.
As for snare, that's mostly personal preference. Several Catalina Club kits come as a 4-piece (with snare) or 3-piece (without snare). It's been my experience that even entry-level snares can be setup/tuned to sound really good. Of course "really good" is totally subjective and will vary between live performance, close mic'd in a studio, etc. High-end snares are prone to these same variations. I'd recommend getting the matching snare if you go with one of these kits. If nothing else, if you ever decided to sell the kit, it would be more attractive to a potential buyer.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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drumsdick
Joined: May 29, 2007
Posts: 225
Central CT, USA
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 05:59 PM
If you're going for the trad surf vibe, Gretch now offers those Catalina Clubs in retro "Satin Flame" finishes. About $650-$750 US for kick and two toms. Very nice!
— *Dick B.
The Aquatudes
http://www.aquatudes.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Aquatudes/107419619521
Last edited: Jul 21, 2016 18:22:18
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devinomatic
Joined: Feb 02, 2016
Posts: 61
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Posted on Jul 21 2016 09:26 PM
I have a teal Gretsch Catalina Club Birch set that's built to surf. Huge kick drum that sounds enormous. I play it open, with no pillow. Just a strip of felt tightened across the width of the inside of the reso head. It's a virgin kick, so I can mount the rack tom low.
I have coated Remo Vintage Emperor heads on them, and simple Yamaha hardware that gets the job done. It came with a matching wood snare that sounds appropriate as well. Hope this helps!
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SlippyFingers
Joined: Jul 20, 2016
Posts: 18
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Posted on Jul 23 2016 11:20 AM
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BC4DdrummerAK
Joined: Oct 07, 2012
Posts: 66
Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted on Jul 27 2016 02:16 PM
I'll post pictures of my kit later on, but I play on a Pearl Reference series kit, in Emerald Fade (green to black fade). It's a pretty versatile kit, and I'd recently been gigging using just my kick, 12" tom, and 16" floor tom. Snares get switched up. It's not a retro kit by any means, but here's what I do (keep in mind my band, Bottle Caps for Dollars, is NOT a 'classic', 'traditional', surf band...more surf inspired. Or I guess modern surf..anyway...): My kick I keep tuned the way I've always had it: Medium-low. Plenty of 'oomph' and thump out of a kick that is a blend of mahogany and maple. It is a little bigger than I would like for this kind of music (22x18), but I play in other bands and styles, so it's versatile. Ideally I would love a 20x16. That would probably complete the sound I'm aiming for. Someday. lol. My toms have Remo coated Emperors on it (with Aquarian classic clears for resos), and I've actually tuned them up a bit higher than normal, and it does give off a more 'retro' tone.
It's not a perfect retro kit with retro plies and wood and retro sound, but I make it work, and have gotten compliments on how the drums sound with everything else, so I'm just gonna keep it going this way for awhile. 
EDIT In regards to snares, I feel it's as much of how you tune, how you play, how you hit the drum. I don't have retro gear, but I've made a 14x7 maple snare, a 14x6 brass, a 13x9 African Mahogany, and a 14x3 free floating maple shelled piccolo snare ALL work for surf applications. Again, not ideal, but I work with what I have. 
— Gear:Kit:Pearl Reference series in Emerald Fade,Pearl rack,Pearl Demon Drive pedals,Tama Iron Cobra hi-hat stand, Sabian & UFiP cymbals.
Last edited: Jul 27, 2016 14:20:58
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