My Bonham kit is all mic'd up !

[rgorke]

So, what makes a "Bonham kit" a "Bonham kit"? Is it the sizes? different materials? The green sparkles? Knowing nothing about drums, do different drum components matter like amps?

[VelvetGeorge]

Sounds awesome! More clips!!!

george

[chrisom]

[garbeaj]

Sounds fantastic...now if you can just get a vintage Binson Echorec

[JimiJames]

Thanks guys !
I'll post more as it comes along !

yeayea, You can never have enough anolog echo ! I should set up the Roland RE-201 Space Echo & hear how that would sound in the room !
I'm currently using both Strymon's with expression pedal & favorite switches and a Maxon 999 on my Battlestation pedalboard.
I need to resource a new tape and then give it a spin.

[JimiJames]

So, what makes a "Bonham kit" a "Bonham kit"? Is it the sizes? different materials? The green sparkles? Knowing nothing about drums, do different drum components matter like amps?

*

That's it Roger, green sparklies in the studio and he likes his Plexi's too
This is Ludwig's import kit and not U.S.A.
Here is a YouTube of drum tech Jeff Ocheltree describing John Bonham's kit that was used in the studio. Tuned up with mic placement and all. A great and informative video of Jeff sharing how he captured one of the most coveted drum sounds ever recorded.
He shows and talks in full details of how he achieved this as well as details about how Bonham pitched his drums and type of drum heads he used.

I learned how to tune drums at M.I. with a bud on the P.I.T. side of the hall, so dialing them in by ear was as easy as tuning a guitar, umm... but a lot longer.
I used a Vater Bomber beater for the kick. (fuzzy ball) Huge warm tone together with the felt strips. After the sheep skin covering wore out several times (expensive), I completely removed the material to reveal a cork core. By trial & error I found this to have the best feel & tone. The trick for me was to find a beater that is long enough to hit the center of the 26" kick without being soo top heavy. The kick also floats; never rests on the ground, letting the drum resonate.

I have the Ludwig cowbell which is not mounted yet, and absolutely dig the "ching-ring" (tambourine) on the hi-hat. I use a similar one, but wouldn't mind acquiring an original to complete the kit's mojo. I'd like to try the newer double row LP-Latin Percussion (ballistic plastic type) made so you can hit & play just on the ring. Not as fragile, and have already broken off some of the mini cymbals... ain't Jazz ya' know...

All the cymbals are the same Paiste spec that he used and I have "modernized" the kit with a 10" Splash and a Pang/China, which I obtained from former KISS drummer - the late Eric Carr. Bringing the kit up-to-speed; a drummer friend suggested to cut a 3" - 4" port to move the air a little quicker for utilizing the double bass pedal. He also recommended placing a double beater pad on the kick drum which tightens things up. (Couple years ago I found out that's how Heavy Metal drummers get that "click" sound in the double bass as the use a metal pad. I always thought that was done in post production ? )

I wouldn't know who my Bass player would be, but Drummer of choice from day-one has always been Bonzo. Obviously would sound nothing like Led Zeppelin, but what core !
Mix in a little Cozy Powell and *Carmine Appice and I think that would make up my style.

I've been at it for the past several years out of necessity. I had this kit set up in the livingroom for the past several years, and when we moved from our old jamspot Bottom Rung Records that had a little 18" Mapex blues kit, it was a great opportunity to bring this monster set over !

Love listening to these guys do their business:
Neil Peart
Terry Bozio
Bill Bruford
Jeff Picaro
Stewart Copeland (on hi-hat)
Bernard Purdie (on hh/snare/kick)
Joakim Sjöberg's caveman style drumming from Freak Kitchen's Appetizer CD. An animal, but not like this guy with neanderthal mentality ?! http://youtu.be/TYtUYw3t0wA

[JimiJames]

New aresenal ! The double whammy !



More new additions !



ice-cold beer !


Needed another "guest" hanger too.


These are always great for the room look !

[JimiJames]

Multi-record label Blues drummer Tino Cortes
made some time and graced our humble studio. Tino is one of the most recorded Blues drummers in Chicago and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the Blues community and world as he tours overseas with other Blues Acts.
Not surprising; he was Buddy Guy's drummer in the '90's !
He gave me some huge tips. Said the kit sounded great too, but was too big ?
Bonham was a big early influence on this 63 year old Army Vietnam Veteran, as well as Bill Bruford. His practice regiment is pretty serious as he has a similar type room in his house.
He warms up the kit here with some beats & fills the blends right into Zep's Dancin' Days.
His meter is insane. He's on it !




Thank You Tino !

[rgorke]

Super duper cool!!! How did you get him to come by?

[garbeaj]

It is Chicago, that's how!

[JimiJames]

Tino was generous enough to also offer up a pair of rubber tipped practice drum sticks out of his bag. I was surprised they made these in stick form opposed to the straight (xylophone?) type.
Seems to be a better option to the stick/pad. Convenient for most any surface, most any where, most any time.

[JimiJames]

Super duper cool!!! How did you get him to come by?

It is Chicago, that's how!

Right you are, my man ...and some shots from fourteen years ago, nearly to the day !

Playing with the house band here.

[JimiJames]

.

Check this out !
Too cold to go on right away so I took some pic's while it defrosts & acclimates to the room.

Is this not just insane ?!

[garbeaj]

Righteous!

[Strat78]

Looks like heaven to me. My marriage would be over if I had a hideout like that, I wouldn't even know she left!