bonham kit

Ok guys can you help me out? I'm trying to put together a reasonably priced bonham style kit. Not exactly what he used or re issued kits, but a bonham style set up, of the same sizes and configuration.

I'm thinking about a club rock kit, looks like a good value, but then I'd have to figure out what cymbals to set up on it.

One of those gretch kits?

By the time you buy the hardware, you're sitting at or over the cost of a Mapex Pro-M Rock.

http://drums-percussion.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mapex-Pro-M-Rock-24-Shell-Pack-with-Free-Black-Panther-Snare-Drum?sku=483375

And it comes with the BP snare, which mine didn't and I paid the same price

I know the Gretsch kit is reasonable, but you get what you pay for. My buddy and I messed with one of those kits for a long time, and it sounded terrible. I have a Mapex Pro M Rock kit, and I just picked up a Ludwig maple kit in similar sizes. The Mapex kit (all maple) sounds great as does the ludwig. But unless you are ok with paying for the name, it does NOT sound twice as good (twice the price of the Mapex).

Being sort of a Mapex slut myself, I don't think I could top that recommendation.

Cymbals? If you want Bonham-like cymbals, go big. Go Paiste. Giant Beat.

Word up. I likes me some Mapex.

Look for the used ludwig cs, and just get dig 'effin cymbals.

Look for vintage Tama Imperialstars. You can find or piece together a 24, 13, 16, 18 setup for pretty cheap. $500-$700. As for cymbals, big and thin. Bright, but smooth, not that harsh bright found in A's and A Customs, etc.

Buy a 24", 22", and 20" 2002 crash. I don't believe the current weight of the 24" 2002 ride is the same as the one Bonzo used. The 24" crash should be closer in weight.

Used is a totally different ballgame...

New, Mapex is the best way to go, IMO, and several others...

Ahha good info.. Keep 'em comin...

Would I get the same down low tone of a 26 with a 24 kick?

Here's what I'm talking about, I'm a rock guy, my favorite drummers are, Bonham, Dave Grouhl, and such, so going for that kind of tone, and style of playing. So that's how the kit would be used.. If that helps.

WTF is wrong with used? I understand you play Mapex but they're not the be all end all solution. Every person who has reccomended Mapex also plays Mapex.

And unlike the Mapex drums, i can find 24" Imperialstar kicks in a reasonable depth.

+1 on the used Tama kits, Mapex is okay, but I wouldn't waste money on new.

Depends. Imperialstars were thick mahogany shells with re-rings. You could get quite a monstrous tone with one of those. It's going to be hard to find a kit witha 26" for cheap. For about a G you can buy a Ddrum Dominion Dominator with a monstrous 26x18. They've gotten mixed reviews here but the almost half dozen Ddrums i've put together all were made well and sounded good for a chinese maple kit.

As to getting a 24 to sound like a 26, you can for the most part, it should be close enough.

I dunno, 26" is a whole lotta drum. It crosses that threshold of "big drum that can be muffled and tuned to fit in most scenarios" (one that a 24" fits) into "big ass {censored}ing drum". It can get close and still sound huge though, you just have to get picky with the heads. A 24" imp star with an aquarian modern vintage batter and reso (i believe the reso version has a small strip of felt running vertically, not like those nasty SK's with the whole {censored}ing head having felt) should make that {censored}er one bad mofo.

But, put to a full band, I don't think many people can tell.

Nothing is wrong with used, if that's what you want to buy.

Just saying that if you go used, there's a LOT more options because the pricing structure is skewed quite a bit south compared to new for all brands of drums.

Keep in mind that Bonham played a 14" deep drum, tuned tight. Emperor with felt strip on the batter and Ambassador with felt strip on the reso. The tuned tight is the important part. Big drums tuned tight have a unique sound, and he exploited it.

you an probably pick up one of the Ludwig Zep Kits pretty cheap. I found a new one for $850 shipped two years ago.

I've seen them selling on ebay lately for $700 or less.

BUT, the Mapex drums that I own are certainly not the most expensive or hightest "quality" drums that I own. I suggested Mapex because of the bang for the buck. The zep kit and the gretsch kit can't hold a candle to the all maple, well-constructed drums that Mapex builds at that price point. AND Midwest percussion is still blowing out shell packs for $669. Hard to beat that. I'm a die-hard Ludwig guy, and my Mapex Pro M kit can hang with my classic maples.

I'd find a used 'wig set and some used 2oo2's or GB's.

But IMO, the 4 main requirements are:

1. Must be a 26" bass. The depth is less important.

2. If you don't have Paistes for a Bonham kit - hopefully close to the same sizes/models - it ain't no way, no how a Bonham kit. I don't give a {censored} that Jason uses Zilds either.

3. Toms that are 1 up and 16" & 18" FT's. Or even 18" & 20".

4. Similar tuning (high) as Bonham used.

I think you can punt a bit on the rack tom, since IIRC his rack started as a 13", then he later went to 14" and at the end, 15" at the Knebworth show. One of those 3 would be OK.

Optional are the same heads, hardware, Ludwig shells & snare, Paiste gong, tympanis, etc. But it can't pretend to be a "Bonham" kit if you don't have at least those 4 elements above.

http://www.premier-percussion.com/catalogue.asp?id=283

Might be out of your price range though.

I'd find a used 'wig set and some used 2oo2's or GB's. But IMO, the 4 main requirements are: 1. Must be a 26" bass. The depth is less important. 2. If you don't have Paistes for a Bonham kit - hopefully close to the same sizes/models - it ain't no way, no how a Bonham kit. I don't give a {censored} that Jason uses Zilds either. 3. Toms that are 1 up and 16" & 18" FT's. Or even 18" & 20". 4. Similar tuning (high) as Bonham used. I think you can punt a bit on the rack tom, since IIRC his rack started as a 13", then he later went to 14" and at the end, 15" at the Knebworth show. One of those 3 would be OK. Optional are the same heads, hardware, Ludwig shells & snare, Paiste gong, tympanis, etc. But it can't pretend to be a "Bonham" kit if you don't have at least those 4 elements above.

I think by Bonham he meant "big ass kit".

Exactly...

I got some good ideas here.

That Premier kit is friggin beautiful... I bet the price tag is too.

I've been playing 22 kick 14 rack 16 floor, I dig it, the big tone is growing on me. Playing them with an 18 and 20 inch crashes and damn it...