On drums...

+1
However, I don't just "think" I soiled my shorts. I'll be back after I change...

_________________
Drums and No Money will get Me through Hard Times better than Money and No Drums!
-A Recovering Drum Addict

+2

But, let's not forget the dinner and family photo...


Back to topic:
I'll back up the idea of endorsing small goods - sticks and heads primarily. Then drum thrones and stuff like that. Even if I were to endorse cymbals, I'd go with a smaller company that makes quality stuff.
When it comes to drums, on the other hand - either find a company that will give You 2 identical sets for a "more than fair" price, or go with the company that has the best support.

As much as I LOVE SONOR and ZILDJIAN, I doubt that, if I were to go pro in these part of the world:
1) Both of the companies would be interested in endorsing me on a bigger scale; and hence
2) I will not endorse high end stuff for constant abuse, but will tend to find a suitable brand that will back me up here (for example Tamburo drums, cymbals from Turkey, etc.)

_________________
Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

I always thought an endorsement would be great till I found out how most junior levels ones worked. I realized it was cheaper to buy a road kit used and be nice to it. The cost of one of the high end kits from Yamaha and some smaller makers I was talking to were above my price point at the time, even with the discount. What I was really looking for was tour support, which the smaller makers couldnt handle and Y couldn't care about. So I flipped it on it's ass and have the venues rent kits to my specs when we fly to shows. It's actually cheaper for me not to be endorsed now, with mostly the same benefit.
It's actually kind of nice because I get to play different kits and enjoy the sounds of different woods, play snares I never would have and all that. I do drag my cymbals from home to everywhere, that gets old sometimes, but my set up is so specialized I wouldnt be able to have one company send it around.

Cliff,

Thanks for parsing the criteria so well according to the highest standards of "Cliffian" tradition and protocol. You have given me much to chew on. And you are right, it is quite presumptuous for me to crown my efforts regarding dumb questions as long as Kelly roosts on his premier throne.

Thanks for the thoughtful consideration. Greg, now that I am done laughing, (I can't imagine what you were referring to), you also have me pondering:


Great observations all.

Roland

Roland, if you decide to go with a smaller company, I can recommend a couple...

Kelly,

OK you've piqued my curiosity. What kind of material are playing? Do you think you'll enjoy it 6 months from now? How much time will you spend away from the family? And now the BIGGEY...Are you the oldest guy in the band?

Roland

This.

Plus I love a good bargain, so chances are any new equipment at cost is going to be about the same as used equipment.

Actually, it's a great throne, but always room for improvement. As soon as I can get the "Sonor" emblem off of it, It'll be perfect.

I really have no interest in being endorsed. But it still leaves the predicament of playing a series not made anymore.
I would attempt to do what Cliff has done, have multiple kits available if it got that serious.



The band is Christian. It is a band/ministry. I've looked and waited patiently for material I really enjoy, turning down quite a few working bands, either Christian or Secular. Even tried my hardest to stay in some I didn't really enjoy, just to be playing.
I really do enjoy the material, it is "home" for me. The first album I didn't like so much, the second I love, I will be taking part working on the third. I have already done a lot of tweaking on the second and we are all having a good time with it.

The talk of full time...we have had some indepth discussions, it's not realistic to me. To them it is. The third album would have to have commercial success written all over it for me to even make the consideration. If I believe in it in that regard, then it becomes more realistic. The second album was "oh so close", close enough to get them signed. So they do have it in them.

Being away from family....DAYS before we found out a little person was coming to wreak havoc in our peaceful little lives, my wife and I had long, serious conversations about this. Because I was just about to literally sign on the dotted line for a full time band.
She has done enough traveling, gigging herself as a vocalist, that we decided it would be okay for us. A different kind of life was okay. We would travel together. Everyone in that band, 90 percent of the time, traveled together with their families.
Even after we found out about Kate, she still wanted me to do it. Winnebago, the whole nine yards. I made the decision to turn it down at the last minute. Thought; walls, grass, picket fence was more appropriate for a family. No regrets. There was also some talk of eventually bringing her on board.
So the answer to the question is, there would be minimal time away from family.

Enjoying the music......Ministry is different. I see purpose, more than music and drums. A fulfillment. A passion.
Not real concerned about being bored.

Age....at this point, we honestly don't know who is the oldest.

Hope this helps satisfy your curiosity

Goki, I loved your post.

Touche!

Way to go Kelly! I hope it works out for everybody concerned.

Roland

Kelly, I have a longtime childhood friend in a Christian band. http://www.danielswindow.com/fr_home.cfm Alby was the guitar player in my first band. The Christian circuit is quite different than a "rock" touring circuit. For both good and bad reasons. Alby seems to like what he's doing so it can't be all bad.

If you are truly worried about taking a kit like that on the road, I would suggest buying a road kit or have one made by a smaller custom builder. Something you'd be happy to play and if something were to happen, would be replaceable....

Good luck to you...