chris

Michael’s Drums 19 Sep 2024 Update I have A Lot of different drumsticks, weights, cuts, woods…been playing over the years with sanding/roughing body, shoulder, tip…same, differing, etc. Same for the tips. I recently came across Claus Hessler via his technique of ‘crushed rudiments’ which mimicks a similar idea I’ve been exploring. Then I found he … Read more

Michael’s Drums 18 18 Jul 2024 Update Below is (still) my #1 snare, “steam-bent single-ply maple”. It’s so unusual because it is so unlike all my other drums. 1-ply steam-bent maple. Hardware unspecial except for its vintageness (which isn’t that much more ‘vintage’ compared my main kit’s hardware!). The rims are die-cast, not triple-flange. Heads … Read more

Michael’s Drums 17 Oct 2023 Update So I long ago gave up on finding, in one shot, ‘the other half’ of my main kit, a 6-ply maple Ludwig Rockers II kit covered in black cortex. My original half is 12 and 13 mounted on 22 with 16 floor. The absent half is 14 and 15 … Read more

Michael’s Drums 16 June 2023 Update On a fluke of boredom one night I switched in the 1-ply maple Slingerland. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better than the phosphor-bronze…OMG. This old-school character has pop, crack and just as much if not more sensual and infinitely-coaxable timbre as any drum I’ve ever played. … Read more

Michael’s Drums 15 2023 Update Above – Steel floating shell Pearl piccolo FTSS1435 – die-cast hoops, Ambassador batter Above – TreeHouse Custom 4″ x 14″ Solid 1ply Steambent Maple Snare Drum – THICC 1-plt maple shell, PHATT maple reinforcement rings, black die-cast hoops – this thing has attitude. Above – 2002 DW Blue sparkle maple … Read more

Michael’s Drums 14 2022 Update Been watching years for a piccolo snare with free-floating hammered red brass shell; just bought one from a drummer thinning his collection via ebay…what one drummer may be ‘tired of’ may delight another… This will be my first snare (and maybe any drum) with die-cast rims. I’m hoping it’s bright, … Read more

Michael’s Drums 13 2021 Update Acquired a bunch of fun new toys over the past few months — “cymbal stack” extender/risers for mounting cymbals coaxially…several new Meinl cymbals. Somehowhere acquired a Sabian cymbal — I keep hearing the same general conclusion: The Meinl (even Byzance) and especially Sabian are somehow missing that upper-end shimmering sparkle, … Read more

Michael’s Drums 12 2020 Update Picked up a 14×6 DW / PDC multi-ply maple snare with wood rims on both heads. It’s ridiculously tonal, ridiculously responsive at all playing volumes, ridiculously loud when pushed, always ridiculously crisp and flavorful. It’s even more more than my main Ludwig maple kit. I’ve been hesitant about DW drums because, of … Read more

Michael’s Drums 11 2019 Update Based on this I got a Mapex Armory kit. Bass drum is instant killer deep and thuddish and still responsive — love it. (I usually cock the beater off-kilter, so that it impinges with a triangular strike at low kicks, such that the triangle digs deeper into the batter head with … Read more

Michael’s Drums 10 2017 – 2018 Update Been experimenting with various cymbals. The ones with the big LASER-cut holes — 18″ crash, 10″ splash. Nice and trashy at low- to mid- volume; they don’t respond with greater volume, however, when they’re beaten: Greater loudness beyond mid-volume does not exist with and can not be gotten … Read more

Michael’s Drums 9 2016 Update Because of this I picked up a Ludwig acrolite (acrolyte?) snare. Pristine and broadly tunable, but still lacking the tang of a chrome shell. Maybe it’s the Evans “emperor” batter head on the acrolite vs. the Remo diplomat on the chrome. Acrolite is dry – closer to wood shell sound than chrome; … Read more

Michael’s Drums 8 2012 – 2015 Update Still playing every day. Drumming has outlasted almost everything and everyone else in my life. Good thing for family! I feel sorry for those who have lost, given up, or never had such an unmatched, strong base. Picked up a popcorn snare, and another snare drum – el-cheapo, … Read more

Michael’s Drums 7 2010 – 2011 Update Played out in DC (Black Fox Lounge, Dupont) several times this winter with Maureen Mullaney, Jason Robling, Tom Kirk, and others. Maureen Mullaney Fun! Same for Dan’s Place in Boonsboro, Md. Latest little “gig” kit is the Taye Drums GOKIT which sounds fantastic. Got a 20″ ping ride from Jason, … Read more

Michael’s Drums 6 2009-10 — Jason Greenwalt recordings from 2000 / 2001 In the winter of 2000 Potomac Dawn was in production. Vance, who wanted to feature local musicians in the film’s soundtrack, invited Jason Greenwalt to record a song for use in the Conner/Summer music store dance scene of Potomac Dawn. Jason, his girlfriend and several others met … Read more

Michael’s Drums 5 2003-2004 Updates Many more studio goodies have arrived: Several new mics, mic pres, and effects equipment, in addition to new recording and mastering software on both pc and mac. New tools are *so* much fun. And, it’s so nice that all this stuff shows up in the passive voice! Meanwhile, here’s a … Read more

Michael’s Drums 4 More studio pics 1 Nov 2001 Got the second mac installed. The first mac never appeared, as it was an early-on ebay scam. We were right at the front-edge of the ebay “guarantee” and validation of sellers…a little too bloody on the front-edge… Yes, we were ramping-up for some big (for us) … Read more

Michael’s Drums 3 Pics of soundroom / studio 30 Jan 2001 Bunch of Behringer transistorized and tube gear (March 2025 that has since become somewhat sought after LOL). The ADAT was supposedly used by the band “311”, but maybe that was ebay / internet baloney. Intermetro metal wire racks. Door-as-tabletop. Filing cabinets. Track lighting. 10 … Read more

Michael’s Drums 2 9 Jan 2001 updates Xmas brought a large LP cowbell, a Zildjian large/low ice bell, a LP (green plastic) jam block, and an LP cowbell rack. Sweet. Nothing beats the spirit of giving; receiving comes close, though. Through an unusual chain of events last year, I met a friend of an employee … Read more