A Look At Neil Peart's Gear with Paul Wells (Part 2: 1982 to 1994) - EP 197

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thanks to everyone for watching! Check out Part 3 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4PLcoajiqyEibs

[@kohola412]

At almost the young at heart age of 60, I am a neophyte drummer and a long time Rush fan, Peart fanatic. I am learning so much from this series, so happy I discovered it! Thank you soooooo much for this deep dive!

[@dennisgentile888]

Me too

[@danfinn2210]

Ludwig era is my favorite. The drums cut through and had such a great sound. DW era all his Tom’s sound like timbales

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

Except the lower toms, they seemed to be tuned/cranked way too high/tight. Inexplicably, he seemed to like 'em with that tuning...

[@rle440]

I love Neil’s Ludwig era . Although I’m a big fan of all of his work, the DW era is my personal least favorite. A lot of this may actually have to do with the mixing as well.

[@mikeboddington1382]

i just last week picked up a ‘76 black cortex 3 ply ludwig kit ! it sounds warm and HUGE

[@sethcashman1011]

Hated the DWs, even the Romanian "bog-log" kit.

[@sgtpepper1138]

Agreed. I've been saying the same thing ever since I heard the R30 kit. However, his red sparkle kit didn't suffer from that. Imo that's his best sounding DW kit. All his Ludwigs sounded amazing. Each drum cut through nicely, with a definite pitch.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

Thanks for taking the time to do this you guys. As a lowly drummer and a long time RUSH fan this information is fantastic. The heart ache of Neil's loss is still with us. Talking about him and his Drums eases the pain.

[@Imaikalani70]

So grateful to both of you. Any Neil fan has had these questions and thoughts over the years.

[@bassfingers]

As a non drummer Rush devotee, these videos about Neil’s kits are fantastic. Thanks guys.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you - I am honored to have non-drummer rush fans enjoying the videos.

[@adityatyagi4009]

The knowledge Paul Wells has about drums, drummers, and drumming is insanely mind boggling!

[@carlosdelaarena2575]

I spent more than 15 years trying to replicate the tom sound of the Ludwig kit with different heads/tuning etc. That was until I finally found a 1990 superclassic on e bay and I was home. the sweetest , most expressive and melodic drums I have ever had.

[@13thousandmonkeys]

Getting that sound would be elusive as the vibrafibe process affected the tonal attributes as well!!

[@noworries3117]

Amazing discussion. Thanks guys. I thought I knew a lot about Neill‘s gear, but holy crap. What’s really incredible is the amount of information that’s available at our fingertips. I remember scouring music stores and magazines in the late 70’s and early 80’s for any little tidbits of information about Rush. What a different world we live in now.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching the deep dive!

[@commonman317]

For me, Neil's drum sound on "Power Windows" is just beautiful. I know "Power Windows" is a maligned album, and it is compressed. But, that snare sound cracks loud, and the bass drums are booming! It has been my go to album for a while now. As a lifelong RUSH fan, I realize I'm in the minority here.

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

I could talk for 20 minutes about Power Windows, one of my favorite Albums. Way too many (dated) keyboard sounds, compression and low mixed guitar are my only complaints. Eight songs that are GREAT songs! Even Mystic Rhythms, my least favorite, is a great song. The Bass and Drums 'pop', but Alex really can't compete with the Keys, and his rhythm and solos are really thin sounding. A great Album, marred by an "80s" production, but melodies with more 'hooks' than a ship-load of pirates!

[@christophereveritt571]

You guys are not alone, Power Windows is a fantastic collection of songs (lifelong fan here too). Don't ask me to pick a 'best' or 'favorite' record - I love them all in different ways.

[@davidmaxwelloswald2220]

Neil's sound on signals was his best 2112 bass drum heads too

[@lincolnkeller7039]

PW is my favorite Rush album. The songwriting and atmosphere is top notch throughout each song. It also has my favorite Alex solo, from “Marathon.”

[@weezypeezy4366]

Power Windows is an amazing album

[@Twotontessie]

Have been listening to these first few parts driving around and at work. Just glorious. One of the greatest series of all time. I had read and heard a lot about this stuff growing up in the Modern Drummer era and all that but the fact you guys are talking about it in such detail, taking your time, and sharing hopefully with a whole new generation of people is just beautiful. Thanks. Bravo.

[@ericdanter5516]

I'm a huge Neil/Rush fan and fellow drum-nerdlinger. This is amazing guys thanks so much!!!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

"drum-nerdlinger" - that is great :) Thanks for watching

[@HesTNTonPMS]

I have been waiting for part II Thank you guys !

[@edmasi]

Great interview. My dad and Neil were pals. Got to meet all of them in ‘86 the 90’s. I can pass the first letter my dad got from Neil. Scan of it and the envelope.

[@sportthedog7968]

That's amazing!

[@edmasi]

@@sportthedog7968 He was so kind and “dad jokey”. No wonder they got along. Haha

[@Camcodrummer]

Little trivia, Peart sent the CAP kit to Tama's custom shop in 1984 to be refinished just ahead of filming the video for " Distant Early Warning". Brian Whalen who ran the custom shop at Hoshino in Bensalem Pa only had 2 weeks to refinish the kit. After it was finished it was packed in cases and sent to the video shoot. When it was pulled out of the cases, the paint which didn't have a chance to cure gased off and the paint " orange peeled". They shot the video and the kit was sent back to Tama and had to be refinished again before the tour. I spoke with Brian Whalen about it and he said it was the most stressful situation he was ever in. This is verified by an interview with Neil's drum tech in an old MD magazine.

[@apieceofdirt4681]

That very thing was mentioned in a Modern Drummer article. I’m glad you mentioned it. I wish hi definition was around in the 80’s because I bet his red Tama’s were amazing.

[@paulwells2227]

Apparently, the paint looked so bad on the 15” tom that Neil decided to mount it backwards. To facilitate this, Larry drilled extra holes in the tom opposite the mount to move the mount to the other side. Those extra holes from where the mount was temporarily moved remain on the 15” to this day! The current owner of the red Tamas verified this.

[@Assimilator702]

Uh. I didn’t start collecting Modern Drummer until 1989. I missed many of those great articles with Neil. Now I’m thinking of getting a MD subscription.

[@Camcodrummer]

@@paulwells2227 not sure why they modified the 15" . The whole kit was sent back to Tama's custom shop and repainted. All in all the kit was painted 4 times in its life. Another thing is the kit was gold under red candy unlike factory Tama CAP finish which was silver under candy red. Another little tip bit. Tama had so many requests/ complaints about Neil's kit having the badges out yet factory Superstars up to 84 had the badges opposite the mount. They changed the badge location in 84 and included tack on badges so you could put the badge out if wanted.

[@paulwells2227]

They modified the 15” because they didn’t have time to send it back to get repainted before they had to shoot the video. Oh, also - it was the video for Big Money, not Distant Early Warning.

[@michaelfay22]

The comment about the 16” floor tom on the first Ludwig kit finally makes sense! Neil rearranged that kit to record Roll the Bones, moving the floor tom over to the left side. I could never figure out how he didn’t have a HUGE tonal separation on songs like Bravado between the 18” and the 15”. That’s because it was a 16”….which is what he had the RTB kit made with for the tour. Great stuff!

[@colinstewart1432]

RTB has the worst drum sound of any RUSH album IMHO. Too much snare emphasis and you can't really hear the hi hats

[@russell_szabados]

I just love this series. I'm a Rush fanatic since Permanent Waves, and just never get sick of talking about Rush, listening to Rush, performing Rush...my point is made. I'm not even a good drummer, my primary instruments are keys, guitar & bass, but I've listened to their catalog so much, I can hear virtually every example in my head in real time, and that's fun as hell. I'm watching these out of order, first pt 1 , pt 3, now pt 2 but I don't care, because I'm sure in six months I'll be watching them all over again. Thanks to both of you for doing this!

[@michaelcooper9894]

Don’t skimp on the details for part three. This podcast has been nerd city for me thank you so much

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you! We are recording soon and it will be a nerd fest :)

[@iangibbons7942]

Great series guys! The Candy Apple Red Tama and Ludwig is the era of Rush that I grew up obsessing with Neil in. The "Pink" Ludwig kit was painted with a pearl paint. Pearls are a mica added to a clear paint sprayed over the white colour. The pearl works like a prism and refract light of different wave lengths which cause the colour to change depending on the angle it is viewed and the type of light hitting it.

[@terrystowers6085]

Neil was my first major, long term drumming idol. I grew up in the 1970s, so I remember the premiere of MTV very well. I was around ten years old and very much interested in music, so a whole channel dedicated to it was a big deal! I was also becoming intrigued by the drums at that time, but Rush was still a few years away for me. That interest grew and grew, and by 14 was irretrievably dedicated to learning about drums and drummers and drumming. I grew up in a big family with little extra money, so it was MTV that allowed me to actually see the people I had heard so many times on the radio. My hometown of Dubuque, Iowa was located on HWY 20 and many big name artists would book shows at our local civic center or local colleges as they traveled east or west on their nationwide tours. Rush actually played here a few times! However, we didn’t have a lot of money for concert tickets, and traveling was not a realistic expectation, so MTV was a critical element as I progressed along my new journey. I first saw Neil play on MTV, and he became the only drummer I cared about for a several years! I was fascinated by watching him play, especially those overhead camera angles which were completely dominated by his amazing drum set. I was hooked, big time. The summer before I entered my sophomore year in high school I spent countless hours playing along with my cassette tape of Moving Pictures, trying my best to learn those priceless drum orchestrations. By the time I entered my junior year I could play the entire album reasonably well from front to back. No formal lessons, no vcr tapes, certainly no internet in 1987-88, it was all done using my ears and my imagination, which had been trained and honed a few years earlier by air drumming like a man obsessed in my sister’s room. I practically wore out her stereo’s turntable and vinyl records! I have to thank groups like Journey, Culture Club, Loverboy, Michael Jackson, Don Henley and Dan Fogelberg for their unwitting contributions to my burgeoning drumming abilities. Had there been a television show back then that was anything like this podcast, I would have been completely blown away and obsessed, haha! Thank you for sharing this captivating discussion and for prompting me to take some time to revisit those early memories of my first steps along this lifelong path of musical exploration and of my relationship with drumming. I’ll make it a point to visit there more often.

[@markusantonio4866]

That’s a wonderful post. My late older brother would tell me that’s EVH he’s one of the best guitar players when we would watch MTV, and when I saw Distant Early Warning video. He would saw he’s one of the best drummers. I was only 8 years old around 84. Instead of watching Sesame Street, Electric Co. I would be watching MTV a lot.

[@terrystowers6085]

@@markusantonio4866 thank you for reading it, and for sharing your experience as well. Neil was an amazing performer and an all round interesting person.

[@michaelturner6030]

Good post. Ive always considered the 70s and 80s were the golden age of live albums because you had to listen intently to what was going from the actual notes being played to the gear being used. Nowadays there's no mystery; every live show is recorded on phones and put up on YT.

[@bigwrdzable]

OMG, I would spend HOURS just waiting for, Lime Light, Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions! HOURS! Couldn't get shit done!

[@terrystowers6085]

@@bigwrdzable same here! I became completely obsessed for some time. Mom saw my attention focus like a laser beam and eventually it convinced her that I was serious, so she bought me my first drum set. Anything having anything to do with Neil Peart could grab my attention and everything else would fall to the side. I even began skipping school to walk to an older friend’s house and jam for the whole day. I was nearly expelled, lol!!

[@brianferrero9544]

This is fantastic! Thank you!

[@jimmyscrimshaw]

Such a diverse body of drums to go with the diverse body of work. Makes complete sense.

[@BoomSmackDrummer]

You can have 4 hour episodes on each kit and most of us would watch lol. Great podcast as usual. (First time caller, long time listener) lol Keep up the great videos!!

[@1111Paiste]

These videos are SO friggin great and refreshing to listen/watch. THANK YOU Bart & Paul! Looking forward to part 3! (I would have been good with a part 4!!)

[@ardeshirmistry]

My favourite Niel Peart sounds are from his Tama "era" , thanks for the videos :)

[@philrobertson5459]

The hand speed (for eg. Tom Sawyer) the impact of every nuanced note, the length of all their shows and yet he'd hardly break a sweat or showed any tension in his presentation. 95% of drummers would be gassed after 3 songs. Incredible feel and time

[@TheAnalogkid5]

Great video, Paul. I could watch this over and over all day.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@joshuafarden6069]

This is amazing and I am so happy this exists. I'm glad it is 5 hours and there wasn't a push to keep it short. If anything, it should be longer.

[@Dumballa]

So in depth. Thank you

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Thanks again Bart and Paul- Part 2 =Very interesting deep dive into Neil Pearts gear!

[@unclerhombus]

I’ve been waiting for episode 2! This stuff is absolute gold! Thank you!! 😊

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching, I appreciate you waiting for part 2!

[@glbwoodsbum2567]

My only comment to add is that cocobolo wood is from South America, not Africa. This series is so incredible, I will have to watch this numerous times to obtain all the knowledge. Thank you so much for uploading

[@mattdelany6799]

It seems like his double bass drum kit had a more symmetrical look to it. The new kit has weird angles in it. 24 inch bass drums look amazing. Also, Neil’s snare, ride, and hi hat sound always kicked ass. Vinnie, Lang, Cobham, Bruford, are all amazing, but their catalog of music is endless. Rush, that is.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

That is a very interesting point. The double kicks definitely make it easier to be more symmetrical which is very aesthetically pleasing...but you gotta love all the kits :)

[@mattdelany6799]

@@DrumHistoryPodcast i think Neil single handedly inspired everybody to get concert toms. Everything on my kit is inspired by him. Vinnie, Lang, are very technical, but they are a drummers drummer. Neil was like Cobham in that the song was the most important thing. Geddy and Alex were that way, too.

[@clintwatts9863]

Super cool guys thx for the info !!

[@GRohn61]

Watched part 1 and 2 for the second time and looking forward to part 3 again. As a long time NP collector and fan this is pure gold guys!

[@rle440]

This is an amazing channel/podcast. I can’t believe that I only discovered it a few days ago.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Im glad you found me! Thanks for watching :)

[@KeyFobRob]

Thanks Bart! Excellent conversation

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thanks Rob!

[@zimch011]

Hey guys, don´t mind about how long your podcasts are lasting: Both Episodes were great so far and I´m really looking forward to part 3! I have not counted the minutes and time was just flying. You´re doing an amazing job. Thank you so much so far!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for saying that. Having recording both of these before having any public reaction, I now know that people love the Neil info as much as we do so part 3 will be a real treat to record

[@petenestor1]

Brilliant job guys. Neil was truly a "Work in progress". Such a continual innovator at improving his drumming capabilities, tones and techniques....not to even mention his writing career. Such a tragic loss.

[@michaelwhitlow8467]

Absolutely loved every second. Thank you.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@waynedrumpal]

A couple of years before Neil started using Simmons drums , Steve Negus ...drummer for saga , I believe he was the Distributer of Simmons drums in Canada , he contacted Neil to see if he wanted to use Simmons , and Neil was NOT interested at all , but eventually changed his mind , I was recording drum tracks at Phase one studios at the time , and heard that from Steve . Thought I would share that with you . By the way Great job guys .

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Wow that is very interesting, thank you for sharing that and watching the video!

[@zimch011]

Thank you! Great job, great podcast!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you very much Christian, it is greatly appreciated!

[@joaodepaula]

Thanks for this historical moment podcast! From Brasil 🇧🇷!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching!

[@topangasideeye]

1:28... As soon as the thought came up in my mind, Paul said the name, "Bravado" when talking about the left side floor tom. I immediately made the same change when Neil talked about this at the time, and he later mentions Live drummer, Chad Gracey as up and coming drummers who he had admired ('93, I believe), who also uses a left floor tom. This simple shift gave opened up such a new world of possibilities, and even led me back to Ringo. As Neil would give credit a few times during his career, he liked the way Ringo would often start off with the left hand, rather than with the right, on crashes and fills. This shift also inspired me to use that left tom in lieu of crash cymbals to punctuate or change time signatures. Brilliant, subtle moves can have such a huge overall impact. I love out of the box thinkers. I would also add that moving to the single bass drum was probably a logistical adjustment (economy of space, etc.), but it also coincided with the back to basics shift in heavy rock from the time of 80's metal.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Very good points. Neil is definitely an out of the box thinker

[@mauriciopalao7895]

I look forward to episode 3! Great job guys!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you! It will be out in a few weeks.

[@sylvesterhoward8838]

It hit me the same way back in 87! I had to rewind my cassette so many times to re-listen ...

[@garyunsworth726]

Thank you guys for this I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to you both discussing Neil and his kits ❤ All the best from the UK 🇬🇧

[@snaredude56]

Regarding the Counterparts bass drum. Most in concert pictures show the bass drum with the standard Ludwig diamond mount plate. The pictures from the Canadian museum have the Modular plate mounted in the same spot. I believe they are the same drum, a 22", but for one reason or another, the mount plate was changed. This is not that surprising. Neil was a heavy hitter and those Ludwig mount plates were pretty solid, but probably not solid enough for Neil. The modular mount would have fit the downtube and most likely covered all of the original mounting holes. So my theory is that this was a mid tour repair/upgrade. This kit was also apparently given away in pieces to many people by Larry Allen during their hiatus after Neil's personal tragedy. Lorne had to track down all of the pieces to be able to put it together to put the kit on display. I believe it was the Hard Rock, or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. After this, the kit was given to the Canadian museum. This sorted history probably explains why there are some Test for Echo parts on the kit as it sits now.

[@bryant2399]

This is amazing guys, thanks so much for doing this. I can’t enough!!

[@thejohnnydavidson]

I can't remember my birthday let alone everything there is to know about NEP and his drums! Mind blown!!! Another great Podcast! I did pick up Neil's use of the left foot trigger from his rare Drum Clinic when he performed The Big Money and Time Stand Still. So creative! It was fun to learn and incorporate those techniques and sounds into my Tribute to RUSH Drum Cover Project too.

[@stephanchaggaris9437]

This gentleman Paul Wells is super articulate, intelligent, and knowledgable....and it was pleasure to hear him wax on about all things Peart-Percussion.

[@stevegardner8365]

I seem to remember Neil talking about a 23” base drum in some interview. I could be wrong but your discussion about it brought back that memory. Obviously it would be a custom thing for both drum and heads because I don’t think those exist. But I want to say I heard him mentioning a 23” inch that would have been about that time frame. I’m totally nerding out on these discussions. So much fun. Would make for an excellent book with pictures. I haven’t seen some of those you showed here.

[@stevegardner8365]

I just looked it up and see that it was The DW Time Machine kit that had the 23”. Guess that will be in Part III of your Trilogy 😜👍

[@robertsala8031]

I wonder who has the DW kit with the 23” bass drum and how hard it is to find heads for it. As I remember, Remo had to make custom 23” heads for Neil, and I don’t believe the 23” size ever caught on in the greater drum market.

[@Stoovey24]

​@@stevegardner8365I think Vapor Trails was the first album with the 23" bass drums. Neil actually worked with DW to develop a drum with the powerful sound of a 24" but the response of a 22".

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

The White Ludwig kit with the 6" 8" & 10" power toms (seen in the Time Stands Still video) was afterwards augmented with a regular 6" concert tom for the Hold Your Fire/Presto Tours and subsequent videos, which is not mentioned in this rundown. The 'A Show Of Hands' video clearly has the 6" concert tom as the 1st tom, a few inches lower than the 6" power tom. It's mic'd underneath/internally, while the others are mic'd above (of course). The 6" concert tom uniquely had a Black Dot head also. The 'Lock And Key' video on KZbin, you can clearly see it at 1:36-37 if you pause it. You can also see it on the 'Show Don't Tell' video. Sorry to nit-pick, but that neglected little guy needs some recognition! EDIT: When I hit SEND on this comment, I was stopped by KZbin and informed that this comment was deemed "inappropriate" and was against their community guidelines!?!?!?!? I hit the "Post Anyway" option...Hope I don't get cancelled/in trouble for mentioning a small Concert Tom! 😂

[@PUBHEAD1]

Yep, the little guy needs to be recognized

[@sandpebbles]

That shows exactly how re-taw-Dated KZbin is. Take that algorithm.

[@jolemite2639]

Amen brother! I had a white, Ludwig Olive badge 9 piece all concert tom kit that had a 6” & 8” pair on a stand. Those 2 drums were my absolute favorites out of every drum that I’ve ever owned. So I TOTALLY appreciate you pointing this out cuz I totally GET IT!

[@JasonSmith-jr7jh]

​​​@@jolemite2639 When I could afford my first "new" set in 1988, it was a Tama 'Crestar' kit that Simon Phillips had used in a Clinic to promote that line. Not my 1st choice, but they were discounted to $1200 because of the 'use'. I couldn't pass it up at THAT price! I also purchased/added 8" and 10" double-headed Tom's PLUS 6" and 8" Concert Tom's! Now...a kit with 13 drums is Totally Ridiculous and impractical, but I loved it. Only twice did I use ALL of that kit in live performance, but even when I played a "Ringo Kit" configuration, I always added the 6" and 8" Concert Tom's, no matter what kit size I chose to use. There's nothing else like 'em! I hope you still have your Ludwig's.

[@bradhart6487]

Am I wrong - I thought there was a pic in the Presto tour book where you can see he has a 6" and 8" concert tom above the mallet thingy before the closed toms. I've always wondered about that in his set up - I don't know that I've ever noticed hearing them from that era...

[@mightyV444]

Oh yay! Part II is here already! 😍👍 😁

[@RICKROCKERTHEORIGIONAL]

Hold your fire is my favorite Rush album.

[@michaelmangrum5460]

I've been playing Ludwig for 43 years, and the Ludwig Bass Drum you are unsure about is most definitely a 22". I Love this show, and the first . Going to do the 3rd tonight.

[@michaeleckert2818]

These Neil Peart episodes are incredible!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching!

[@sethcashman1011]

I'm glad Paul mentioned the head change whiich happened when Neil swtiched to Ludwig. I thought I'd remembered that he had started using clear Emperors (which Paul confirmed), but I didn't know that the resonants were actually Diplomats. That would definitely explain the degree of richness and openness of the sound on Hold Your Fire and especially on A Show of Hands. The toms were undampened and tuned quite tightly right down the line. My favorite sound of Neil's by a longshot. Those Ludwigs were a very wise choice. Had forgotten about Neil's yellow Gretschs. I think Alphonse Mouzon had some (in addition to everyone mentioned previously), as did Alex Acuna.

[@drmrguy3410]

Was not aware Neil had Gretsch! Are there any pictures of it? Love to see them, I'm a gretsch player, DW is sooooo overrated, wonder why the switch? I believe he lived real close to the factory too,maybe part of the reason lol,money? Couldn't be that! Anyway rock on!

[@aZeddPrattFilm]

I have a signed drum head from Neil that says “Happy Drumming” so I knew his cd was genuine🥂

[@JeffWald]

Thanx for the photo/video credit at 1:36:19! That caught me off guard. Enjoying this one as well, looking forward to the next one!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thanks Jeff! The clinic you uploaded was great 👍

[@JeffWald]

@@DrumHistoryPodcast Glad it helped! You've got a pretty cool channel going here. Interesting topics (and obviously the NP stuff gets me). Keep it up and I'm looking forward to part 3 of this :)

[@tobysemain]

Paul's knowledge is deep and much appreciated. I could listen to this for days. Neil's Candy Apple Red Tama on the lake might be the greatest drum photo of all time. How bout a part four just to discuss Neil's fancy mounted drum keys, cooling fans, ash trays, and different hats😂🤣

[@iamjarrettdean9358]

Soooooo funny I ran across this in my feed and get to the middle where you show the pics from the Percussion Center drum seminar and BAM! THERE I AM! 😅😂

[@slingredviolin]

Hey Paul I am enjoying your incredible knowledge about Neal. The Gretch kit you speak of was sold to him by Paul Bailey who now owns Soul Drums in Toronto. If you call him he will tell you the whole story of how it happened!

[@paulwells2227]

Thank you for this!! I’ll be calling him soon!

[@slingredviolin]

@@paulwells2227 Morning Paul I spoke to Paul Bailey yesterday and told him you might call him. Neal's tech Lorne has been selling some of Neal's gear through Soul Drums. They have one of the piccolo snares from the upper rack for sale at the moment. He had the 12 inch Snakes & Arrows tom and said it had Hi Hat road rash on it and like you said was tuned very high. Paul is a very nice guy you will enjoy speaking with him.

[@tripbreaker]

I was at the first Radio City show in 1983! A brand new band from England called Marillion opened. It was prog-bliss.

[@remygaron8311]

Awesome loved every sec of it do ten parts if you want to iii watch em all ❤🤟🏼🤟🏼🇨🇦

[@Thompsongs]

54:42 I was the most excited when you started this section, talking about the Super Classic shells. They are my personal favorite out of all the drums Neil used. I have built my own Professor-tribute set from these 4-ply shells, consisting of 6x6, 8x6, 10x7, 12x8, 13x9 rack toms (all double-headed), 15x12, 16x16 and 18x16 floor toms, and one 22x16 bass drum. It's also noteworthy that Ludwig's "Rocker 2" drums were the same 4-ply shells, just with cheaper hardware and wrap finishes.

[@13thousandmonkeys]

I'm blessed to own 2 super classic kits from the 90s one in purple shadow and one just gifted to me by a dear friend In piano black! The black drums have the vibrafibe treatment!!!

[@Thompsongs]

@@13thousandmonkeys way too cool! I'd love to hear specifics on both kits.

[@13thousandmonkeys]

@@Thompsongs purple shadow are 96 super classics 5.5x6,6x8,7x10,8x12,9x13,12x14,14x16, Nordic shell color matched 16x18, 2-16x20 kicks. Matching snares 3-1/4,5 and 6.5x14! 97 super classics vibrafibed 5.5x6, 5.5x8, 7x10,8x12,9x13,13x15,16x18,14x18 kick and 2 16x24s!

[@raynoobkac]

Great podkast i cant wait for part 3

[@justhadrums]

Remember in the rush documentary when Freddie Gruber said Neil was easy because he wasn't crazy and that they didn't have to go to some strange place. I always wondered what and who he DID have to do that with.

[@unclerhombus]

Freddie Gruber is a real head-scratcher, though. There are absolutely no audio or video recordings of him actually playing drums. He only talks.

[@Cpayne30]

@@unclerhombus There is a video of him playing some spoons or something....you're right, it is sketchy in a way.

[@JayJackson-hb7ks]

It’s been said he was a beast back in the day. All the old guys raves about him….

[@Stoovey24]

​@@unclerhombussometimes one must NOT play drums to master rhythm

[@motonorcal9938]

Hey y'all don't sell yourself short. This is fascinating stuff and I'm really enjoying it. Great detail.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@johngolden5257]

Loved this episode Bart! When you said “as drummers, even in an empty room we’ll back ourselves into a corner with virtually no way out”.😂. I took the day off to clean up my drum room, wipe my drums, cymbals off, vacuum and velcro drum rug down etc… Anyway, I got everything set up, grabbed a drink went to get behind my kit and damned if I didn’t set it back up with only a few inches allowed to squeeze behind it.🤨😂 Thanks for Neil Part 2 my friend.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Haha thats hysterical. We can't help it! Thanks for watching John!

[@rkaylor5769]

This is one of the podcasts I’ve always wanted to hear. I agree about the Ludwig being his best sound. The TAMA at the time sounded very 70s and Neil also mentioned that the kits he sampled were “polite studio kits” except for the TAMA and Ludwig, choosing Ludwig based upon the sound of the 13, which he considered the supreme tom. Danny Carey next? Designer heavy maple to SQ2?

[@Scottdrums]

Thanks for sharing this with us. As a drummer and a fan I have good knowledge of his drums. But I learned quite a few new things about the electronic side which is nice. I appreciate you doing this.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Rock on!

[@alexmcgill3288]

Power Windows is a favorite of mine. Middletown Dreams. Beautiful. So many killer sounds & one of my favorite Geddy vocals. The lyrics are a great companion to Subdivisions.

[@AdrianMordaunt100]

Very insightful videos, thank you. A little info on his Legato extra snare in the 90’s if I may. Legato were an Australian company that made very fine snare drums for predominantly Scottish style Pipe Bands. They became popular in the mid 80’s then Remo bought the rights. Super high pitched, plastic shells, Kevlar heads, two sets of snares, upside down lugs pulling the rim down tuned with Allen-keys. Difficult to maintain and tune unless you took the shells off and were left with the top and bottom rims. The original tone and quality of Legato were amazing and unfortunately weren’t then as good when Remo took over, they became very problematic and the quality in material, craftsmanship and strength just wasn’t as good anymore. I played both drums in pipe bands in Dublin, Ireland. The first set was purchased by the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe band who were just starting out and played basic rudimental stuff. The high end competition bands bought sets in larger numbers but by then Remo had taken them over and the magic was gone. Premier had the market share and when they brought out the High Tension floating pipe band snare drum around 1986, anyone playing Legato made the switch. Now we have Andante, Pearl, Axial and Premier making pipe band drums, legato seem to be long gone.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Wow that is very intereting, thank you for all of the great Legato information!

[@jeffball6656]

While Weckl did have the left/hi-hat side floor tom around 1986, Larry Mullen Jr (U2) was doing that in 1984.

[@jc3drums916]

And Papa Jo Jones was doing that decades earlier.

[@drummer78]

I really loved his 1991 Buddy Rich Memorial kit. The set up and look was awesome.

[@deetgeluid]

The S900 was 12 bits, but there was a 16 bit upgrade board designed by Tom Oberheim. I still have one, with an 8 input trigger board installed.

[@mariopimenteljr8312]

Thank you so much!!

[@frenziedfortressdrums]

I know mics are not covered here but it’s interesting to note that around the era of the white Ludwig kits Neil used the Zildjian under cymbal mics that would pick up each cymbal. It’s the little black boxes you see on the cymbal stands under the cymbals in several photos.

[@13thousandmonkeys]

Zildjian ZMC 10 system!

[@js6393]

Wow. That's the EXACT Ludwig kit I bought from that catalog back in 89. Same color and everything along with a full set of Paiste 3000. 10 x 14 snare. Loved that kit!

[@CaliforniaSasquatch]

Great episode. Having bought a new Yamaha Recording Standard 12-13-16-22 kit in 1986, it was cool finding out about the multi-brand drum shoot out to replace Tama. I just recently finished enlarging my core kit into an accurate "phantom kit" .. a "what if" Neil had gone Yamaha, what it would look like (complete with Starman heads, wood timbales, D# crotale, 'gong' bass, and speed king pedals). A video of "Limelight" (the first RUSH tune I learned) is on my channel if anyone wants to see the kit.

[@sticksbass]

thank u! i love this.

[@mlhbrx96]

U2 released The Unforgettable Fire in '84, and Larry Mullin Jr used a floor tom on the left side of his hi hat. That idea of a newly placed floor tom was definitely trending in the 80s.

[@franco28stl]

These videos and descriptions are so cool. I know everyone has their favorite era, but mine was the Tama. For me the drum sound on Exit...Stage Left was so incredible, in particular his bass drum sound. Also noticed toward the end when discussing the Counterparts kit, in addition to the bracket being the old school Ludwig bracket on the tour kit and the newer on the other bass drum, it appears the reverse is true on the tom holder: the newer ball type arms on the tour kit and the old school ratchet arms on the other bass drum.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thanks for watching!

[@grimdrum2396]

Great discussion! I am enjoying it very much. And, Counterparts is one of my favorite albums as well.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Awesome! Thanks for watching :)

[@jeffball6656]

The finish in the first Ludwig kit (white) is like that of a pearl; where it has a shine and pinkish hint.

[@bigwrdzable]

"Time Stand Still" video, at the end you can see hiw he gets in and out of the (drum) configuration.

[@robordm]

Loving this!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thanks for watching!

[@marksaxon]

These videos are fantastic!! Love talking about Neil and his drums! I'm a fan of any of his kits before DWs. Partially I think I'm not a fan of the DW time period because of how they engineered Rush in general during that time. This was the loudness wars timeframe so everything is compressed. DW's are fuller sounding drums but then you compress the heck out of it and now they sound even boomier. The recordings made everything sound muddier as the engineers were trying to give them that hard rock in your face sound. Counterparts was the best sounding "in your face" album and maybe the Ludwigs helped tame the boominess. I can't listen to Different Stages because of how compressed that recording is. I can barely make it through Vapor Trails (even the remixed version).

[@michaelturner6030]

I'll never forget where I was in the Fall of 91 when I saw the video for Roll the Bones on MTV... It was the first time I saw Neil Peart playing single bass.

[@Charles53412]

One piece of equipment not mentioned ( his practice kits too ) only due to it not being a part of his kits was his BMW GS 1100 and 1200. After reading Neil's memoirs, it's clear the motorcycle became a form non playing, playing if you will. He said a lot of riding is a rhythm which required focus, in turn helped him while playing. It was also a day long warm up for him in more ways than one, as well as being relaxing and enjoyable. Neil went from his bike to concert practice kit to main kit for each show. I believe the BMW is one reason Neil could play so long as it built his stamina. If you haven't seen it, here is a video of Neil back during the Snakes and Arrows tour trying to keep his composure. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6avkJirh9ifisU . Rush was very good to the road crew and like you said, had some people from the start. I know Ray Daniels started first, then Howard Ungerleider, then came the techs etc.. The proof of their goodness, is like you said, the same techs and crew keep coming back even after a 7 year sabbatical. Amazing ! Neil's DW Time Machine kit has to be an Absolute DW Masterpiece ! A kit that changed color with lighting angles. Brilliant ! It was also Copper enhanced with cymbals and head rings. Neil's white Ludwig was actually a white pearl with light metallic sparkles. Out of Ghost Rider, Vapor Trails was created ! Neil's first Buddy Rich Tribute, Neil's monitor went out while playing Cotton Tail and had to keep turning his ear to the band in order to stay in step. Check it out here on KZbin, Neil Peart - Cotton Tail/with drum solo. Another great video guys ! Thank you for the time !

[@snaredude56]

The Remo Legato snare was a 12" x 14" snare with a Quadura shell in the middle and aluminum top half with tension brackets and internal snare wires. The bottom had a similar aluminum bottom half with external snares. Neil was using just the top aluminum part with the internal snares.

[@13thousandmonkeys]

Yep I'm fortunate enough to own one myself!!

[@WxSnare]

First used on Counterparts? Stick It Out?

[@snaredude56]

@@WxSnare It first showed up on the Roll the Bones tour kit. Roll the Bones was recorded on his original set of Ludwigs, just set up differently. The Roll the Bones kit was a new kit set up in the same, new, configuration. Not sure if the Legatto was present when RTB was recorded and what songs it was used on. There is that marching drum pattern intro on Heresy so maybe it was used in the studio on RTB.

[@mightyV444]

I remember Cesar Zuiderwijk from Golden Earring wearing a *coat* with triggers in its pockets and playing a drum solo on himself, before jumping behind quite a substantial Pearl kit with circular neon lights inside the two bass drums 😄 This was in '83, when their song 'Twilight Zone' was popular 😊 And Neil had possibly gotten the Clap Trap idea from Stewart Copeland; There's a clip of Jools Holland interviewing him during the 'Goats In The Machine' sessions in which he demoes his kit and also the Clap Trap. Copeland's kick pedal also was a Camco 🙂 And another drummer who also had a second floor tom on his left side *and* not much later (in '87) was U2's Larry Mullen Jr. 🙂

[@sethcashman1011]

Those P/G warmup shows with Neil facing backwards were so weird (in a good way). Saw them twice on that run. Very interesting thing to witness.

[@unclerhombus]

Lucky!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Thats awesome. That is a very rare show to see - very cool

[@figbag]

Would love for Paul to do the podcast again and take us through Elvin's gear history.

[@Rogersdrumvideos]

When he mentions how he can tell the size of a drum just by looking at a picture and the lug, spacing, etc. I totally get it… I can do that as well… Especially with Rogers

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Nice!

[@NEALBABBITT]

I'm surprised that it wasn't mentioned that Neil said the Slingerland snare had modified bottom bearing edges that were very sharp. It really could be a whole separate discussion or set of discussions about his cymbals.

[@justhadrums]

I think it had modified snare beds too, he said they were "filed down" if I recall correctly, and it wouldn't choke no matter how tight the wires were.

[@louisficarra5861]

Great podcast. Two things I would mention on his Ludwig’s. The gong bass drum was kept and is a Tama. Also I think for presto he added a concert Tom or two again. I think I have that correct.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Interesting, thank you for the info!

[@13thousandmonkeys]

Concert toms were added on hold your fire as they were visible on the show of hands footage! For presto they used specifically in Scars. 6 and 8!

[@mightyV444]

Oh yes, I definitely agree with Paul on the drum sound difference between 'Moving Pictures' and 'Signals'; Kinda similar, but the red kit on 'Signals' sounds quite a bit livelier - and that's also THE album with the best drum sound, in my opinion 😍 I also like the pingier sound of the Ride on his Simmons kit better than that of the other one 🙂

[@ellavaderknows]

I bought my first set of Simmons drums (SDS7's) in 1983. I think I got to buy one of the very first sets available, because I had to bring a cashier's check for $1150.00 to a park in Calabasas California, where the Simmons company was having a picnic. I needed the drums that day for a gig, so I was told to meet them there in the parking lot. I got there and we exchanged check for drums. Just so happened that Gerald Valentine (drummer for Ready for the World) was also there picking up a set of SDS7's right before me. Cool cat and solid drummer. You can hear them prominently being played in the song "Oh Sheila" Good times......