On drums...

With the exception of snares, I don't think much about Signature series drums these days, but I can't help but look at them when they show up on ebay. Particularly the snares.

The consequence of the corporate decision at Sonor, to use the Signature badge and cachet to market novelty drums, only serves to remind how low the current company's sights are aimed. Sigh.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SONOR-Signature-Ser ... _764wt_954

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Gregory

It is disappointing that Sonor makes/has made some of the finest drums in the world from both an aural, visual and functional perspective, and turns so heavily to players that are the least capable, to my ears, of demonstrating and/or highlighting the quality of the Sonor sound, to be endorsers.

Even with some of their junior grade endorsers, the same seems to hold true. I have gone to various websites and facebook pages etc. of some of the most outspoken of the small fish on the notion of tone, quality of sound, etc. and heard snares cranked up to sound like tin plates, kicks that are flat ‘thuds’, and toms that could just as well be the boxes they were shipped in.

Now Sonor associates a bespoke Phil Rudd snare drum with the halo of what the Signature Series was/is.

I own a vintage Rogers kit, and if I mention it to anyone, there is a clear delineation in reaction, almost by age:

• 50+ - ‘Cool! I remember those.’
• Under 50 – ‘you mean the Brook Mays ones, or the cheesy ones from Yamaha.

!@#$, now I am gonna have to explain my Signatures when I am 70.

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

Seriously, I think some SONOR lines will be remembered. The "real" signature is one of them, since it has authenticity - no other line in the market was(is) like that.

As far as "signature" line in companies is concerned - it's just a marketing trick. I've seen very little signature products that are really, in all means - one-of-a-kind. Like the Session series from Zildjian, or the Benny Greb snare.

Phil Rudd is a long-time fan of Sonor and deserved a signature item. Unfortunately, they treat him as a "kid-magnet", and that's why his signature line is budget oriented. The snare is great - if You're after diecast hoops (my opinion, of course). Other than that, it's just a force line metal snare. Once you crank it up, it'll sound, well, like a cranked up metal snare...

The market likes Signature items, and more and more players realize that. It's a matter of prestige now, not innovation or idea...


If I remember correctly, when Neil Peart got his PARAGON series, and Steve Gadd started working with Zildjian on the Session concept - Dave Weckl left the camp... There are a lot of artist that leave for another company - just to have their "signature" line...


As in all things - time will be the real judge of "what is good after 50 years, and what was, well, just a silly idea"...

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Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

I would like to (at least) play a Steve Smith steel snare! But nothing else currently offered gets my heart racing.

A bit OT:
Speaking of Signatures...I'm FINALLY getting my dream CL 8x14 Signature snare drum!
Most of you know that this drum has been my White Rhino, or Holy Grail for quite a few years. I'm trading the bubinga Sig I bought from Kelly back in '06 to our bruddah VJ. This was a tough choice, as the bubinga has so much fire and beauty. But, VJ's CL is the only one I've ever seen (pictures of), and he was cool enough to remember and offer it to me, as he thins out his collection (just a tiny bit!)
I discussed this with Kelly on Thursday, and he's on the same page as me. Chances are greater that I will see another bubinga drum before I get another shot at a creme lacquer HLD 588!

All the Best,
Brian

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

Congratulations, Brian.

Sounds like a mission fulfilled.

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Cliff

River City Trio

What if we did all have the same opinions?

Gonna check the weather in Hell. First Cliff selling something, now VJ.
Surely it's freezing over.

I guess CL didn't match the decor.

Brian, I didn't know you were looking for that drum. Congrats!

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Gregory

Guys...Thank YOU ALL!

Brian

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

Now - THIS is the most beautiful news I've heard in the drum business...

Having a chance to play it is - a gift!!!

Owing one - that's a BLESSING!!!


Congratulations Brian - couldn't have happened to a better guy...


HURRAY!!!

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Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!

It's weird how all this stuff works its way out. VJ put a few Ferro drums up on the Sonormuseum Forum a couple of weeks ago, and I jumped on the D508x, which, BTW is practically NOS. When I got the Ferro,and put it together, I found that the bottom hoop was for a standard D508. I let VJ know and he immediately offered to make it up to me, and let me keep the small gated hoop. At the same time, Terry Kinnell had a fairy complete set of hardware for a 'Lite on eBay! I contacted Terry, who accepted my offer for just the hoop, which is a triple-flanged hoop, but gated for a Throw Off II. It cleaned up nicely and the drum is now complete as it left Aue.
I've had more than my share of Ferro 8x14s (beaded & non beaded, Signature & Phonic) shells, but this is the keeper. I've got it tuned deep and open, which is unusual for me.
Right after Terry sent me the ferro hoop, he emailed to tell me he had a 12 hole die-cast bottom as well. I didn't really need it, but I passed the information along to VJ, who said that they're getting hard to find in god shape and the price was good, so I PayPal'd Terry and had him send it to VJ.

I sent the bubinga out to da bronx last night. I'm pretty sure the CL is on it's way.
I'm going to email the url of this thread to VJ. When I talked with him the other day, he said "I miss your posts! I miss all you guys!" He said he had a hard time getting in here at one point, and hadn't tried since.
I'm sure he's enjoying the last week or two of summer vacation; in the US, schools are generally closed for the summer!

You guys, especially Goki, are the best! Goki has been on an official European "CL watch for Brian" for five or six years now! I have my 8" CL Lite tom because of his sharp eye!
Love You Guys,
Brian

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