Feeling nostalgic? Me yes! Anyone else? What was your first one, musical instrument?
My first set of tubs! Dubbed "The Frankenstein Kit" received from various donors in 1973. The donors were guys trying to get in either my sister's or my cousins pants, sometimes both? I also got a lot of great records too. Silly boys and what they will do for some tail 😛
It was multi-colored being none of the shells matched. CB 700 kick drum, Gretsch 4108 snare, Premier mount tom, and two floor toms. Camco and Ludwig. Ludwig Ghost Pedal for the kick, Slingerland flat bottom hi-hat stand, Rogers cymbal stands, and a couple of cracked Zildjian cymbals. I do not know the brand of the hi-hats, no stamp of etching. They resembled ruffled chips cause they were that warped.
I learned playing along to records and later checked out drum books from the library. My first concert (Cal Jam) was my first exposure to Tommy Aldridge(Black Oak Arkansas). I also saw Ian Paige play left handed, which was fascinating. I went home and set up my kit that way. That have me 4 limb independence that changed my playing in both positive/unique ways. My sister's boyfriend wanted to split, so I didn't get to see/hear much of ELP. Just a couple of songs?
[Edited on 4/1/2020 by gotdrumz]
[Edited on 4/1/2020 by gotdrumz]
Double Post
[Edited on 4/1/2020 by gotdrumz]
Ha, great story...
My first guitar (flutophone doesn't count!) was a real piece of junk my mom got me. It looked cool, with a strange "orange sunburst" look , but the action was about an inch off the fretboard. It was made out of compressed particle board. I couldn't figure out how the Beatles (my heroes at the time) could change chords so quickly. I was thinking "they must have strong hands or know some trick". I couldn't even figure out how to tune it, and I broke two strings right off the bat. I also didn't know you could buy new strings at the store, either- DUHHH! To make matters worse, my mom had me take lessons from a creepy guy who was into classical music- which I didn't like at all. She meant well and wanted me to learn, but the whole experience was a disaster and it took me another 10 years before I got a decent instrument and learned how to tune it and play blues basics. Oh well, at least I didn't give up...
Good thread. My first was an Eminee(sp) plastic snare drum in 1966. The music teacher said, "you know this is a toy". My Dad then bought me a used Ludwig snare. Soon after that by the summer of 67 I had a Ludwig Hollywood set in Pink Champagne color with 22 used Zildian ride, 18 med crash, and 14 hihats. Thrill of a lifetime.
Tried to play along to Buddy Rich, Krupa and the big band guys along with Ringo, Watts, etc. Always loved jazz and blues but then I heard ABB. Was never the same after that...
[Edited on 4/1/2020 by steved]
I went through a bunch of instruments as a kid. We had a Kimball piano that I started on, moved on to an alto sax and then a silver Con tenor sax which I still have.
My first guitar was a Yamaha electric and after about 6 months my mom (a music lover) could see I was hooked, so she bought me a used Les Paul lite that caught my eye when we were at the music shop buying strings.
Funny to think how different buying instruments is now. Used to be beholden to whatever you might find in your area - music shops, pawn shops, newspaper ads - but now just about anything is available online.
High School sophomore, on the way home from Baseball practice in my buddy Ken's Pontiac Firebird, when he slips in an 8 track tape and "Statesboro Blues" comes rippin' through the speakers in the back of his car..."Who is this"?! I asked..omg.....That night at the dinner table as the usual "How was school today" chat began.. I blurted out "I want a guitar"...followed by "I NEED a guitar"...about three months later for my birthday, there it was, a Stella concert sized guitar....man I played that thing into the ground....
Soon after that by the summer of 67 I had a Ludwig Hollywood set in Pink Champagne
How was the tone on those? I had a early 70's maple (Ludwig) that had sweet meaty tone.
Thanks for sharing!
High School sophomore, on the way home from Baseball practice in my buddy Ken's Pontiac Firebird, when he slips in an 8 track tape and "Statesboro Blues" comes rippin' through the speakers in the back of his car..."Who is this"?! I asked..omg.....That night at the dinner table as the usual "How was school today" chat began.. I blurted out "I want a guitar"...followed by "I NEED a guitar"...about three months later for my birthday, there it was, a Stella concert sized guitar....man I played that thing into the ground....
Kewl story, Stella brings back memories. An uncle had a mandolin made by them. Smoked a lot of bud on the front porch listening to some killer bluegrass as a pup. In So. Calif. of all places
When I was in kindergarten (1963) my parents decided that I should play the accordian. At the time, in the NY area, an accordian player was often a 1 man band at parties, weddings, and Bar Mitzvahs. Then the Beatles came, and I wanted something more. I continued accordian lessons for about 3 years.
I had an uncle who is about 10 years older than me - I idolized him. He started playing drums so I had to. When I was in 5th grade he gave me his set when he went to college. It was a Zim Gar, a Japanese make. It had a brown tortoise shell like finish that looked kinda like Ringo's, but didn't sound as good and had lousy hardware.
With the money from my 1st summer job in 10th grade I bought a 5 piece Pearl set that I still have, and love.
Ironically, I googled ZimGar before posting. It seems as if Pearl manufactured them in Japan in the 60s.
Third grade. Our school started music lessons. I said I wanted to play sax. My dad said everyone wants to play sax, anything else? I said the trombone looks cool in the parades.
There began my trombone career. Played through the end of high school.
Picked up the guitar at 28. Started on some crappy fender acoustic that a friend gave me. It got the job done in those early days.
It was a Zim Gar, a Japanese make. It had a brown tortoise shell like finish that looked kinda like Ringo's, but didn't sound as good and had lousy hardware.
With the money from my 1st summer job in 10th grade I bought a 5 piece Pearl .
Man, those old vintage kits had some amazing she'll finishes. I bet the tones on that Pearl are sweet.
Laterz
lol, yes, those finishes were great.
The Pearls are really nice. I just got new heads a few months ago, very happy with them.
Do you still have that Ghost pedal? That was THE pedal when I was in HS.
lol, yes, those finishes were great.
The Pearls are really nice. I just got new heads a few months ago, very happy with them.Do you still have that Ghost pedal? That was THE pedal when I was in HS.
Do not have that same one, the spring broke and I damaged it beyond repair trying to fix it. Do own one, as well as a vintage Speed King. Playing the Ghost is similar muscle memory to double pedal today.
My current set of tubs (Tama- Starclassic) has the "Liquid Metal" finish. It is totally 60's.
Laterz
Theremin.
