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avid:
it seems that most "trad" drum kits follow the setup of
1940s and 1950s jazz kits. I have noticed most "trad"
drummers use a maple kit...Slingerland, Gretsch, Premier
all come to mind as "trad" makes. The more "experimental"
or "modern" drummers tend to gravitate towards Mapex and
Pearl and Ludwig...they are striving for that distinct
modern cutting and power tone.
In the olden days, most kits were "slapped together" sorts
of affairs. You know, hit the garage sales and pawn shops
and see what you could come up with. I mean, of course
Sandy Nelson and Mel Taylor of the Ventures had cool new
kits...most drummers just had something that they put
together in the garage.
Although I am a bassist and guitarist, I find that I prefer
the tone/sound of old Slingerland and Premier kits.
Zildjian cymbals always sound great, and a old-fashioned
"sizzled" or "riveted" ride cymbal works well in the surf
setting. The chime-sound of the bell of the ride is
crucial to decent surf.
Most good / great surf drumming is based on good jazz
technique: namely good cymbal work, "doubled" snarebeats,
subtle rimshots and consistent bass drum rhythm. Tom-tom
fills and rolls are secondary...the main pulse is produced
through tight snare, bass, ride/hi-hat coordination.
Truthfully, unless you are playing "Wipeout", toms are
really a luxury...most "trad surf" really doesn't even need
tom-toms. That would explain the simple mid-tom / floor
tom setup.
Maybe Dave Wronski of Slacktone could hook us up with more
in-depth opinion and insight?... Especially, since he works
with one of the best "surf" drummers that has ever lived!
Of course I mean the incredible Dusty Watson of Slacktone,
Agent Orange and Dick Dale...
good luck on your quest, grasshopper...
dp
--- avid <> wrote:
>
>
> Sorry if this is off topic, but there is really nowhere
> else to ask.
> My cousin and I noticed that most of the surf bands use
> the same
> exact setup, Floor tom, Mid tom, snare, bassdrum, and
> four cymbals.
> It seems that the snares are usually Ludwig and don't
> have a wood
> shell, that they are all metal. Could someone describe
> the typical
> setup? Are the cymbals a certain size and material?
> One last thing, how is the "typical" surf beat played?
> For instance,
> The Nebulas NEMATODE
> ().
> Does anybody know where to get surf drum tabs?
> Thanks!
>
>
>
>
>
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