Thanks, Bruce!

Yes! I A/B 'ed this student model with a Slingerland Hollywood Ace and I couldn't tell a difference. Some of the later Radio Kings in a 5.5 depth might sound a tad brighter and sensitive and nicer than it, but not by a mile with this particular snare. This leads me to believe a lot of the sound is in the COB rims that this model shares with the higher end Slingerland snares of that era. And also that Slingerland somehow always sounds like a Slingerland, regardless of the shell composition. I have another student model in black that doesn't sound quite as special as this one, so I do think I have a gem in addition to the consistency of Slingerland. Plus these models are still cheap and regularly out there to be found!

Fantastic! Thanks, Lo!

Thanks for checking it out! Glad you dig. I've recorded a lot with this group over the past 2 years, and I'll be posting regular videos of these sessions starting this week. Album "Loft Glow" with this same lineup comes out August 23rd. Thanks again man.

Thanks man! 🙌

Hey thanks Ray! I appreciate you listening. Nashville has a vibrant, established and yet growing scene. And yes I agree, there are many great, individual voices out there right now. This same lineup here, but expanded as a sextet with Joel Frahm on tenor has a record coming out in August. Look for “Loft Glow” by John Alvey on August 23rd. Thanks man for taking your time and commenting!

Thanks man! I'm always electing for rivets in nearly all my cymbals. Sometimes I have to stop myself from thinking every cymbal needs them! Too hip of a sound!

Wow! Those 3 ply Gretsch are some of my favorite drums. Did Avedis (like these) come with your kit, or do you have K Istanbuls as were typically ordered with Gretsch at that time?

Avedis, with rivets too.

Fantastic. That era is where it's at! @@chefbrittan84

Thank you, Steve!

Mostly from Reverb or locally here in Nashville. I've found that it never hurts to ask a seller if they don't mind sending you or linking you to a video of a cymbal, if one is not posted online. That has helped me make quick decisions before missing out on a great cymbal. I scan online throughout the week, and I make inquires regularly, especially right when a cymbal is posted. I don't really buy a lot though. Too much $. I’m just always curiously searching, and every now and then I strike gold if I’m looking regularly. Plus I'm really fortunate that there are a lot of great drum shops near me here in Nashville (Forks, Nelsons). I check in with them every week or so and always keep my ears open for something inspiring. There are also a lot of drummers here locally who like to trade and sell, and when we get together to play or hang, there's always talk of cymbals, and one of us always pulls out the cymbal bag. Ha.

Ah some I've already let go of, but then I've also added a lot more recently. The yin and yang of cymbal owning, as I'm sure you understand!

@@johnalveymusic2984 Absolutely!! I have some 2 Funch cymbals and 1 Craig Lauritsen thatbid trade for some killer vintage As if you're ever interested. But yes, totally understand, I have currently like 20 cymbals, mostly all rides. It's an addiction! One that is expensive but great sounding!! 😁😁😁🥁🥁🥁

Salvatore, Grazie mille per avere ascoltato!

I appreciate that, Ben!

Well, an old Paiste. :)

Right! Chime, stick attack, a little wash. Formidable for any style of music.

@@lorenzmuller3542 I was just about to comment this and you beat me to it

Thanks, Ron. I'm working on a series of videos all about my old Ks and old As. It's hard to beat these as an all around set. Thanks for commenting!

Thanks, Joseph! We recorded Lucky's Mumba Neua from the same album "Lucky Strikes" on this same session. So I was hesitant to arrange and record two songs from the same record, but this melody really stuck with me, and I'm glad we got this one down. Joel is such a great player in this style too, and that really helps with the shape of it. This tune started me on a big Lucky Thompson quest. Thanks again for listening and commenting!

Hey Thanks, Justin! I'm aiming to schedule another session in March with this same lineup plus some other guests as well. Stay tuned, and thanks for checking it out!

Thanks, Nick!

Hey thanks, Justin!

Hi DCA, unfortunately I've already sold it.

I appreciate that, Philip. Main ride is a 20' Istanbul Special Edition Jazz Ride (w/ rivets) 1952 g. Left side is a 19' Zildjian Kerope 1662 g. And hats are: 14' Zildjian A hats (small stamp, late 50s).

I appreciate that! Thanks.

Same wrap color as my Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz "copper sparkle" kit. Beautiful.

Hey thanks man! Coated Ambassadors top and bottom on toms. The bass has Fiberskyn FAs both sides with a little muting and a worn out flannel shirt inside. The snare has a Vintage Ambassador on it. It took me a while to find a snare head that took just a little edge off of the attack, muting some overtones while keeping the good ones common to Ambassadors. I use this same head configuration on a lot of kits, but my bass head preferences tend to change a lot. I think I'm going to do a profile of most of my kits and vintage cymbals in the next few months as well as teaching content on jazz/improvisational topics. Stay tuned for those.

​@@johnalveymusic2984 Thanks for the detailed reply! I recently acquired an 18x14 bass (with wooden hoops) and 14x14 floor tom from what I believe must have been a Jet Outfit kit from the early 70's! I was wondering what kind of heads to get for the drums since I'm not a jazz player myself. I was leaning towards coated ambassador for both top and bottom for the floor tom, but wasn't too sure about using the same thickness on both sides. I'm definitely going to use coated ambassadors on it though, now that I know that's what you're using here. I'm just missing a 12x8" tom. Thanks again for your reply, I'll definitely check out for future videos on your channel!

@@Jose_Munguia Right on! Yeah, I’m a big believer in Ambassadors on both sides. So many people do clear reso heads, and I think that has its place, but back when these kits were made, it was coated top and bottom. I love the mellowness of that sound. You could also try Remo Skyntones. That’s going to be my next experiment on one of my kits. I really hope you find a 12’ to match! We’re both lucky to have found Slingerlands with 18s from that era. Cheers!

I have the coated Ambassadors on my snare and toms. I tried the coated heads on the resonant side of the toms, but they sounded stifled. I switched to uncoated Ambassador heads on the resonant side, tuned higher than the coated batter heads and the difference is amazing! @@johnalveymusic2984

The coated Ambassadors on the resonant side of the toms will sound muffled. Try the uncoated Ambassadors for a more open sound. I made the switch and love it.@@Jose_Munguia