My Ludwig 6 piece drumset, Paiste cymbals (SOLD)
| This is (obviously) the front view. I moved the cymbal stands a bit so you can get a better picture of the drums. They are quite impressive. Since I live in an apartment complex, I can't very well enjoy the full power of the set, so I have to play with the "mufflers" on. With these babies, you can hardly hear the set from the next room, so no bitchy neighbors. The response is not quite the same as a real head, but then you should be using your fingers anyway (according to god Dave Weckl). |
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| Here's another pic from the front, this time with the Crash cymbal mounted on the bass drum. This is how I usually have it otherwise the great Yamaha stands can't get close enough without a boom arm. The bass drums are huge 22x24 and trust me, you want to have them stuffed with blankets just like I did. Or, if you don't care about hearing loss, pound them raw by any means. These Rockers are definitely made to take any punishment you can dole them. Now the boom stand is actually a hybrid---the base is Ludwig but the extension on top is actually swiped from one of the Yamaha stands (there are two, both can be seen leaning beahind the throne). The tom stand is also great and quite stable. It is at its maximum height because I'm 6'5'' tall and it never moves. Yeah, yeah, I know about the weird left corner, but I had to cut it for it had the unspeakable... |
| Here's yet another view of the entire set, this time from the side where I go in to sit (not much space in my tiny room). I moved the Crash cymbal from its usual position on the bass drum and mounted it on the Yamaha stand (both these stands are absolutely new, in mint condition). You can see the stand and cymbal to the left and you can also see the legs of the second Yamaha stand, whose upper extension is mounted on the Ludwig boom-stand base. The paper on the floor tom is the "Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer," really useful, if almost impossible at times, stuff. This one I am not selling but you should be able to find it somewhere. I also have two Remo Pinstripe heads (snare and small tom) which you will get as a bonus. I really prefer the Remos but I kept the original Rockers on the set. |
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| This is a closup of the two toms as they sit mounted on the stand. You can see the Ludwig plates on both of them. If you really want to, I can give you the serial numbers for all components. This tom-stand is pretty nifty and versatile---it can point the toms in just about every imaginable direction and then some. As I mentioned before, despite the fact that the stand is at its uppermost position (which tends to make normal stands unstable), the Ludwig does not mind. This stand has never tipped over, something which has happened to me with other stands. These designers really should think that there are people out there that are not 5 feet tall (the average drummer?) |
| Sorry for the dark picture, it is really hard to get the camera there without moving everything around. Moving everything around is not as simple as it sounds. The room is so small that I need to carry stuff out just so I can move stuff around. Anyway, here's the snare drum with two somewhat used Ludwig sticks (Ian Pace model). The head has definitely seen better days but that's why you are getting the great Remo for the snare. You can either mount it immediately or use it as a backup. The springs are in excellent condition and the snare is tuned very well to a high sound that can really bother the squeamish. Not for the fainthearted, or for normal people. This is a full-size snare, not one of the whimpy shallow ones. And yes, you can get the deep booming sound, but why? |
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| Here's an aerial view of the floor tom with a set of Zildjian sticks (which I don't like because they are too light). The head is an Evans, the only non-Remo on the set. I am usually not a fan of the transparent heads, but this one is cool, you can see the dirty carpet through it at all times. What an insipration! This means the bottom head is also see-thru, which you can see too. This floor tom is also deep. I am starting to repeat myself here but what the heck! If you are going to rock, this is the right stuff, man. If you are going to jazz, damnit, it's your business. I won't sell the set to anyone who plays disco or country. On second thought, I need the dough, so I will sacrifice my aesthetic standards for money, that's the kind of guy I am. |
| As I mentioned in the ad, the Pearl hi-hat stand is the second piece of non-Ludwig hardware, the other one being the Yamaha stands. This is a spring-action fast response system, which you won't be using much because you'll be kicking the two bass drums. You are not going to? Well, in that case, get your funky groove on the hi-hat, the Pearl can take it. I've disliked hi-hats ever since I grew taller. Now they are just way too close to the snare drum to get a good hit with the crossed position. Maybe I should relent and move to the left-hand-hi-hat-right-hand-snare thingie? I don't know, it does not look cool. Here, by the way, is a closeup of the two Remo Pinstripes and a great view of the dirty carpet I was talking about. |
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| This is the Ludwig pedal for the left bass drum, the other one is its twin brother. It features the infinitely adjustable spring system, which sports brand new screws because I like them tight. Although this particular model is not my first choice for a pedal, the Speed King, which is my first choice, is too small for my size 15 foot. I am getting the feeling I am being discriminated against by someone somewhere. It is a conspiracy... no tall drummers. Incidentally, you can see the dampening plate which the pedal strikes. This is what got me out of forced premature lease termination, and this is what will keep your parents liking you even after you start practicing. |
| Time for a closer look at the brand new mint great excellent powerful crystal crispy legendary.... the two Paiste Alpha Series cymbals. The Paiste brochure claims these deliver professional sound and it ain't lying, trust me. The Alpha series looks cool (notice the darker circles?) and although not as ridiculously priced as the 2002, it gives the Swiss sound that Paiste cymbals are known for. Since I am a sucker for power (MORE POWER), I obviously have the Power series Crash and Ride... and the biggest baddest ones too. This is the 20" Power Ride. You can ride it, crash it, ping it, and whatever, it is the greatest. Now, as I mentioned before, this cymbal is brand new and I never had the chance to play it, so check your local music shoppe and see what a great deal you are getting here. I will consider selling the cymbals separately from the drum set, but it will cost you extra. This thing is enormous! |
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| Now that I've spent my energy praising the Alphas, I should talk only about the Crash, right? WRONG! Do you know why you should get Paiste cymbals? Because they are the best. Do you know why they are the best? Because they are Swiss-made. Yes, the same dudes who bring you the best watches, the tastiest chocolate, the most expensive ski vacations, and the ugliest women in Europe. And by the way, they probably own your bank too. One thing these people know well is quality, and Paiste's is unsurpassed, just put one of those next to a Zildjian or a Sabian. Hear the difference, see it, feel it? If you don't, you are dead. Here's the 18" Power Crash beauty that packs a punch no concert or studio performance should be without. Mint condition, never used. |
| Here I eat humble pie as a photographer, I set the aperture so high (f/1.4) that nothing is on focus except the center dot, which you can't see. This is why I did not put up a picture of the hi-hat bottom, it's just too embarrasing. In addition, that one suffered the double whammy of tripodless camera shake. So here's the top of the 13" Paiste 2002 Sound Edge hi-hat cymbals. Yeah, baby, sound edge! The one no hard rocking, ass-kicking, drum-beating scoundrel should be without. This one (with the uneven bottom) is made so air can't get trapped when you close the hi-hat, so you never get the annoying woosh that every studio drummer seems to love. The Sound Edge is meant for pounding (check out the best drummers that use it). In addition, this is the real deal, a Formula 2002, Made in Switzerland, yada-yada. The hi-hat has admittedly seen better days and is quite old. However, it is in top shape, with no cracks, or anything like that. I kept it in a special lined box when not in use, so it hasn't oxidized either! Wow! |
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