On drums...

To make a general rather than specific issue (it is site policy try to steer away from taking shots at other websites) there is magnetism in corporate identiy, even felt by some of the same people who claim to hate what they call "Corporate Amerika." It is one of the functions that makes human beings so dangerous because it is completely whimsical. It is not relegated only to corporations. People can be seen bowing to any entity of power, whether it be drums, cars, computers, persons, political parties or even religions improperly understood. The Biblical name is false idols, and scripture warns that if we bow to them we become like them but loose life. Nobody is immune to the temptation. Even virtue, improperly practiced, can become a form of idolatry.

I have been in the Mercedes-Club for years, and have watched the same dynamic, as people, particularly those with vague identities, tried to identify themselves more closely with the three pointed star. Corporate Daimler, perfectly aware of the function and very willing to make use of it to manage the brand message (particularly through the club magazine), made themselves available for club functions, including financial donations to make the club events more spiffy. A lot of money, yes, but in relation to Daimler's advertising budget, cheap as dirt.

The consequence has been not so much that Daimler tried to exert specific control the club press (although they do supply photos and stories generated by Daimler's PR wing), but rather that those in the club press tried to shield -even to the point of the ridiculous - corporate Daimler. Conversation was stifled so that only good things could be said, not only in letters of complaint about cars breaking down but in articles wherein only journeys without mishap could go to press, leaving the intellectual landscape looking like something from Disney World were Mickey and Pluto and the Seven Dwarfs are always cheerful and smiling.

Daimler then tried, through the main club, to incorporate all the mini-clubs, the special interest groups dedicated to specific Mercedes models and not so much about the socializing in the greater club. The group I was involved with, at any rate, divided itself along two lines: those who felt the lure of authenticity and justification at being incorporated into the corporate fold and possible perks therefrom, and those who knew the yearnings of the beast's heart and declined because we valued our independence and freedom of action. Fortunately, in that small group, there were more strong minded stand-alones than sycophants, and we remained independent, enduring and swatting away periodic attempts by big-club raiders (pretending to hate big clubs) trying to foment insurrection.

What a spectacle.

I go back to the beginning of this thread, because it addresses the use of once potent symbols to lure a market, but in the process the symbols are degraded, not the product lifted.

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Gregory

Yeah yeah yeah. I'm still not over the "we" thing.

Don't blame you. I think my computer has an email program glitch, and I can't get over that.

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Gregory

Great observations Greg. The parallels between your experience with the Mercedes Club and the "we" forum are quite striking. I have seen many a well meaning politician lose the ability to objectively evaluate issues because their ethics compass has been duly magnetized by the allures you refer to. Once compromised, such individuals feel compelled to defend the "Influencing Entity" beyond all logic and reason and as a consequence, true dialogue ceases. The next step is usually one of demonizing anyone who is not in lock step with the party line.

The ironic thing is that few of us are really in a demographic that Sonor would be concerned about.

Roland

Precisely why I rarely post over there anymore. I go there to buy stuff from my old friends like VJ

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

Nope! Not kidding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

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Gregory

Maaan, sorry I missed all the fun here. Good points all around. Kelly, I may be after a Signia kit. I'll pm you soon enough or pm/email me and maybe I can pick your brain a bit.

Got your PM Hale and sent you one.
Two kits you might be interested in, both mint.
Man I love these drums. Have I said that enough

Sorry I haven't had much time on the drum, let alone time to write a review. I can't really compose well while I'm at work, but I will leave a few notes.
Having owned (and still do) many Link Era drums, and enticed but the cast shell, I expected a lot from the Steve Smith drum, especially for what this thing costs. I've wanted one of these for a couple of years, so while in anticipation, I might have "built up" the drum in my mind. I wasn't expecting to get one, but this drum practically fell out of the sky, for $550.00 shipped!
Unfortunately, when it arrived, I was a bit underwhelmed by the drum's sound and feel. But, I'm not a huge Fibreskyn fan, either. I spent an hour or two before I changed the batter head to a new Jack DeJohnette, the snare side to a new Ambassador, and the wires to some Canopus vintage style wires. I've always wanted to pull the wires and heads on a new drum and put them away in the box, but this was the first time I actually did it.
While I usually LIKE Sonor wires, the wires installed on this drum exhibited all of the negatives that I've read here; "too snarey", etc. For some reason, I couldn't seem to tighten the rattle out of the wires. BTW, the throw has some of the best cord grips I've seen. That said, I'm not crazy for the throw off tension knob, but NOT because it's made of plastic; It just has a very vague feel.
Once the batter head seated, I experimented with different head tensions, and relative tension between the batter and snare-side heads. I settled with the batter at around 87 and the snare-side at about 85 on the Drum Dial. After playing the drum a bit, I brought the snare-side up to 88, which is where it stays. The batter tension is a LOT lower than I've ever tuned to, while the snare-side is typical.
Now this drum kicks some serious ass! It is, by far, one of the biggest sounding drums I've ever heard or played. It is also incredibly loud, even at the lower batter tension. I don't care for it at higher tensions, but that may change once the heads are played in. I may still play with the wire selection as well. My secret weapon has been old Ludwig script wires, and I'm itching to try them on this drum.
While the Steve Smith Signature drum is growing on me, I've never had a drum fresh out of the box that required so much fiddling. The previous owner, a regional Sonor endorser, had given up after a month of ownership. If I had paid a grand for this, I would not be as happy as I am now.

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

Thanks for sharing this with us Brian!!!

Exactly what a (future) customer needs - a talk that covers ALL aspects of the product (shell/heads/tuning/material/craftsmanship).

Congratulations on the purchase - once again...


The main complaint I have about "signature lines" nowadays is that, well, in most cases, You don't get enough BANG for the buck.

Thanks for cutting corners here and there, dear manufacturers...


P.S. Although I love the S Classix snare, I have a feeling that it would sound better with new REMO heads (top and bottom). Yes, these are made in US, but are kind of "dull" in response. And also, God knows I can't tame the snare wires... Even with the diecast hoops...

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Goki - short from Goran

Let the good drums roll!!!