I'm trying to capture that Bohnom sound [Archive]

Action Jackson

01-08-2003, 12:24 PM

I'm buying a new set and I''v made my mind up, but what do yall
think?

Here it is MHX 12/10
14/12
16/16
24/16 BD
14/6.5 snare
14 inch hts new beet
16 inch thin crash Zildjan A all cymbals same
17 inch crash ride
21 inch ride

DRUMMAN

01-08-2003, 12:55 PM

I got a bonham style set if anyone wants to buy it.

Action Jackson

01-08-2003, 01:42 PM

Talk to mee, What kind of set is it?

DRUMMAN

01-08-2003, 02:24 PM

It's a custom pearl session series with 2 inner plies of maple and

two outer plies of mahogany. It has the mirror chrome finish

which is in excellent condition(bonham used a stainless steal set

on the 77-80 tours). The bass drum is a 24 x18, the

tom is a 14 x 10 which is mounted to the bass drum and i have

a 16 x 16 flloor and a 18 x 18 floor tom. It's tuned to the bonham

sound and has all new hydraulic heads on the toms and g1 on

the resonant side. The bass drum has a eq2 on the batter and a

eq3 on the resonant side. the sesitone snare is a 5.5 x 14 with a

hazy300 on the snare side and a attack head on the batter

pearl-drum-man

01-08-2003, 02:30 PM

One of the key elements to the Bonham sound is a 26" kick. Aside from that, not sure the actual series of Masters makes a big difference. Maybe the MHX, since they seem to have a more traditional "old school" sound.

DRUMMAN

01-08-2003, 02:34 PM

trust me my 24 comes real close!

These drums are LOUD!

Action Jackson

01-08-2003, 02:50 PM

Can I get a 26 in the masters srs? I dident see one and I dont have the cash to custom order one so the 24 will have to do.
thanks thoe

pearl-drum-man

01-08-2003, 02:50 PM

I dunno. I've owned a MMX 24"x18", and I've had two prior kits with 26" kicks. They are different animals IMO. Not about volume, its about characteristics.

Also, to the original poster, people have been trying to duplicate Bonham's sound for years, with IDENTICAL kits, and consensus is that no one has done it. Guess the way he played them actually mattered.

pearl-drum-man

01-08-2003, 02:51 PM

You can get the 26" in Masterworks, so it may be possible to special order it in Masters. I'd check.

1ordinary-guy

01-08-2003, 03:07 PM

You could just buy the REAL DEAL at Musician's Friend as shown in the picture and at this link:
Bonham Kit at Musician's Friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030108140227207229005253105623/g=perc/search/detail/base_pid/446297/)

Action Jackson

01-08-2003, 03:16 PM

So it was a 26 Bonhom used? I will check on it but the money the money the money. I thank you guys for your imput this seems like
a veary good discussion. At the risc of sounding arogante, and I'm not, I belive I can do the master justice rember the greatest
compliment is to strive to imatate another.

Action Jackson

01-08-2003, 03:44 PM

I'm looking for lower, wormer sounding drums thank you any way.

DRUMMAN

01-08-2003, 03:45 PM

Will be selling my bonham style kit when my new masters comes

in but i can tell you ive had compliments on how close it sounds

to his

1ordinary-guy

01-08-2003, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by Action Jackson
So it was a 26 Bonhom used? I will check on it but the money the money the money. I thank you guys for your imput this seems like
a veary good discussion. At the risc of sounding arogante, and I'm not, I belive I can do the master justice rember the greatest
compliment is to strive to imatate another.

Action Jackson,

I'd say go for a Session series custom component kit from someplace like Massmusic.net. I just priced one out and you can get it with a 24" bass drum for about $1400 without hardware (just shells). I think you might regret a 26" bass drum the first time you try to put it in a vehicle anyway, unless you drive a minivan or SUV.

DRUMMAN,

I wish NJ wasn't so far away from Calgary, Alberta. I'd be interested in your "Bonham" kit if it were feasible for me to check 'em out! I'm a big King's X fan, and Jerry Gaskill has played a "Bonham"-style set for years, although he's recently went to slightly smaller drums as seen in the picture below.

Richard Winfield

01-09-2003, 05:33 PM

Bonzo's sound came from a combination of playing and recording techniques as well as the drums themselves.

Example:
I know a lot of drummers are playing notes that Bonzo never in fact played, (WHEN THE LEVI BREAKS) but were produced by "slap back."

That being said............he was a monster drummer!

DRUMMAN

01-09-2003, 08:00 PM

Thanks guys - i will let you know when i am ready to sell my

bonham kit. i am probably gonna put it on ebay. Anyway I

understand what you mean by technique and several of

bonham's techniques i have studied and used. There is a new

book out on bonham called"thunder of drums" which explains his

technique in detail. I even have a ludwig 400 snare which is

identical to the snare he used on many a tour.

Peepdrmr

01-10-2003, 09:07 AM

As previously stated, a lot of Bonham's sound had to do with how his drums were recorded. His drums were recorded using room mics in a large room. That being said, when he recorded he would hit the drums really hard. Bonham wasn't a fan of close mics on his drums in the studio and they were always working with a limited number of tracks. Good luck in trying to re-capture that Bonham sound and oh yeah...King's X Rules!

weps

01-10-2003, 10:17 AM

Bonham played a 26" diameter for the most part AND it was only 14" DEEP as were MOST bass drums of the period. That has a big effect on the batter to resonant sound considering many are special ordered in 18" deep today and 16" is often the standard prepack & entry level depth. As you get shallower, each 2" increment has a greater affect due to PERCENTAGE of depth change. He also used a 24" A LOT when recording so a 24" is still appropriate. Oh, and hauling a 24 OR 26 in a backseat is made a LOT simpler with that extra depth cut off.

You really have a choice of front toms for a "true" Bonham kit, BUT NOT any 12"s. He used a 9x13 for quite a while (and for many recordings), then went to the 10x14. So a 9x13, 16x16, & 16x18 toms, 14x24 bass kit would be wholly appropriate. As would Maple with reinforcing rings. And cast hoops would defeat you trying to match what he used. So there would be a LOT of tradeoff considerations.

1ordinaryguy, what is the larger floor tom on the kings cross drummer's kit? Is that a 16x16 or is it really a 16x18 HANGING? It seems HUGE unless he's a small guy or an optical illusion from the camera angle.

weps

DRUMMAN

01-10-2003, 12:03 PM

actually bonham stopped playing a 9 x13 after band of joy and went to a 14 x 10 and later a 15 x10. He also used a 22" bass drum in the early days

1ordinary-guy

01-10-2003, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by weps

1ordinaryguy, what is the larger floor tom on the kings cross drummer's kit? Is that a 16x16 or is it really a 16x18 HANGING? It seems HUGE unless he's a small guy or an optical illusion from the camera angle.

weps

I'm not sure of Jerry Gaskill's drum sizes, to be honest. I know that before he was a Pearl player he did play Yamaha Recording Customs with 14", 16", and 18" toms (but only a 20' or 22" kick.. see picture below), but since he's switched to Pearl I'm really not sure of his drum sizes. I'm pretty sure that he is playing a 22" bass drum, but as for the toms I really don't know what they are. Can you actually get a suspended 18" Masters series tom?

Jerry did say in a 1991 Modern Drummer interview that he is a huge Bonham fan, although he really isn't trying to recreate Bonham's sound. He just likes that style of set up.

revolution9

01-10-2003, 10:17 PM

u could get that ludwig kit which is based off of john's actual kit, but if u want pearl i know that his kit was maple so try some maples. probably mrx.

cornflake489

01-10-2003, 10:29 PM

He used a doubel pedal right?(listen to the song good times bad times and you will know why i'm asking)

DRUMMAN

01-11-2003, 05:24 AM

He never used a double pedal!

In the late 60s early 70s double pedals weren't even available

Peepdrmr

01-11-2003, 06:05 AM

Jerry Gaskill used an MRX on the last King's X tour. His drums were 22, 12, 14, 16. I'm not certain as to the depth of each drum but they did sound awesome the four times I got to see them on the last tour.

1ordinary-guy

01-11-2003, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by Peepdrmr
Jerry Gaskill used an MRX on the last King's X tour. His drums were 22, 12, 14, 16. I'm not certain as to the depth of each drum but they did sound awesome the four times I got to see them on the last tour.

Do you know they were MRX for SURE? Would you be referring to the black Pearl drums in my picture above, or the Midnight Fade kit I've seen in some more recent pictures?

cornflake489

01-11-2003, 05:25 PM

He never used a double pedal!
Thats crazy. There must have been somthing wrong with him!

DRUMMAN

01-12-2003, 10:32 PM

he wasnt crazy just very godd with one foot. Double pedals did

not exist in those days. He was just an amazing drummer. Part of

his speed was due to his tuning and i know he used a wooden

hammer often. If you even played a wood beater you know that

doubles seem easier

JeepnDrummer

01-12-2003, 11:36 PM

I was in a Led Zep tribute band many years ago (before Bonham died) and had practiced those bass drum triplets on Good Times Bad Times (among many other songs) until I could do it with my single pedal. Certainly not impossible, just practice.

As for the Bonham sound, I loved it all, but mostly I loved the sound of his snare drum.

Action Jackson

01-12-2003, 11:39 PM

so you think I should go with a 14/10 16/16 18/16 24/16 MHX?
What about snare type and size? Is every one shure he dident
use a 12/10 some times?

DRUMMAN

01-12-2003, 11:52 PM

Bonham never used a 12" tom. The setup you describe should be fine to obtain the bonham sound. I know he used a 6.5 x 14 metal snare. i have a 5 x 14 version of the exact same snare and i love it! One of the best drums ever made. Everytime i play that snare i feel like bonham

Action Jackson

01-13-2003, 12:25 AM

Thanks Drumman now all I need, is the money. What kind of metle is your snare? and do you know of any one who wants a MMX kit in orange bernish satin finish sizes 12/1013/1116/16 22/16 bd with bags?

Peepdrmr

01-13-2003, 06:15 AM

As far as a snare goes...If you don't go with a Ludwig 6.5 x 14 supra-phonic, you might want to try the new Pearl Ian Paice model. They're both really similar drums.

1ordinary-guy

01-13-2003, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by Peepdrmr
As far as a snare goes...If you don't go with a Ludwig 6.5 x 14 supra-phonic, you might want to try the new Pearl Ian Paice model. They're both really similar drums.

Ludwig Supraphonics are either chrome-plated brass or chrome-plated aluminum. The Pearl Ian Paice model is steel. For more info on Supraphonic snare drums, check out the excellent article on ludwigdrummer.com .

DRUMMAN

01-13-2003, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Action Jackson
Thanks Drumman now all I need, is the money. What kind of metle is your snare? and do you know of any one who wants a MMX kit in orange bernish satin finish sizes 12/1013/1116/16 22/16 bd with bags?

It is a standard metal snare just like bonham used. Bonham never liked the sound of brass and always opted for a non-brass drum although he did play a black beauty on occasion

Action Jackson

01-24-2003, 08:20 PM

The following link will take you to a report on Bonhams kits.
I found it to be veary informative and I think you will to.

ludwigdrummer.com/Articles/BonhamsKits.doc

Jesus is Lord. :)

BAMF

02-06-2003, 04:11 PM

By an export in his sizes and run the through a flanger....ha ha

Sam_S.

02-07-2003, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by DRUMMAN
he wasnt crazy just very godd with one foot. Double pedals did

not exist in those days. He was just an amazing drummer.

Absolutey amazing! However, double pedals have been around since at least the 1930's. Bonham didn't use one. You can even hear the famous Ludwig Speedking squeak on several Zep recordings.

Sam_S.

02-07-2003, 08:52 AM

Check out my big kit. It isn't Bonhams sizes but does get the sound. Ludwig classics 6 ply maple/poplar. 16x26, 13x14, 16x18, 18x20, Ludwig Supraphonic LM402 6.5x14

DRUMMAN

02-07-2003, 09:08 AM

I'd luv to see a double pedal froom the 30's cause i don't ever remeber a store carrying one in the 70's or 80's

Rich

02-08-2003, 10:09 PM

Hi AJ, I know we have spoken before but the MHX will give you that lower,warmer sound your looking for. I hope you received the pics I sent you a while back of my MHX kit. I will have more shortly. Take care. Rich.

Andy

05-26-2003, 07:38 PM

Originally posted by JeepnDrummer
I was in a Led Zep tribute band many years ago (before Bonham died) and had practiced those bass drum triplets on Good Times Bad Times (among many other songs) until I could do it with my single pedal. Certainly not impossible, just practice.

As for the Bonham sound, I loved it all, but mostly I loved the sound of his snare drum.

those are not triplets, just really strong doubles. ;)

drmrsdad

05-27-2003, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by DRUMMAN
I'd luv to see a double pedal froom the 30's cause i don't ever remeber a store carrying one in the 70's or 80's

I don't think you will ever see a double pedal from that era, because it wasn't available. The history of the drum kit shows that kits were assembled the late 1800's because that is when the Bass Drum Pedal was invented which brought all the parts of the basic percussion group into one set-up, But that was still only a Snare, Bass Drum and a Cymbal. The Hi-Hat was not available until it was designed in the 1930's. I t wasn't until Louie Bellson in the 1950's made the Double Bass Drum popular, but still then it was a Pedal on each Bass Drum.

Steve Smith's latest DVD - Drumset Technique/History of the US Beat. Gives a great synopsis of the history of the Drum Kit. He also has a bonus section where he does a few of Bonhams signature beats, which were based on the Be Bop style of drumming. A great DVD for any "drum bum"