Joey Kramer's Aerosmith Fibes Drum Set | Donn's Drum Vault

[@ericmalone3213]

Keith Moon played three 14" mounted toms from 1966 to 1973. When he expanded his kit, he kept the three 14" mounted toms in the set-up. Buddy Rich was very keen on Fibes snares (fiberglass covered in chrome). Thank you Donn for always interesting videos.

[@happydrum]

Keith actually used Zickos drums for a time,the original manufacturer of acrylic drums and they were thunder!

[@ericmalone3213]

@@happydrum Moon used acrylic drums when he did TV specials and miming spots. They didn't sound very good, but they looked good. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmGqnKBnbJaHjKM&ab_channel=tstreck18

[@SJR_Media_Group]

*_Donn... within the first couple of seconds of your playing... heard pure 70's sound..._* Just recently came across Joey Kramer's story. He started as a kid, fell in love with drums, the rest is rock legend. Hard to imagine Joey using a 5 piece kit, but we all have to start somewhere. Time after time, a talented musician proves it's not the instrument, it's the person behind it. You said "Kramer’s playing is easily recognizable because of his immense contribution to the Aerosmith sound. His style can be described as a combination of emotional feel and technical virtuosity, with precise timing and solid grooves." I couldn't agree more. Been on a 'Love On An Elevator' kick for last couple weeks. Watched everything I could from Aerosmith. Then went through a bunch of Cover Drummers on KZbin. Many were amazing, even close to Joey. But no one does Joey like Joey. His style is unique and even if someone copied him, they would never get it as good. Thanks for the Video. I lived in Seattle / Bellevue / Everett for years. Good to know there is still vintage equipment available. I had a decade singing and acting. Even tried Rock in Seattle garage bands during the 80's. Rock is a tough genre. It really made me feel humble after all my earlier experiences. *_I did Vocals and Drums..... tough to do both._*

[@courtbeall7768]

I recently bought A used Fibes kit from 1974 or75.The Cobham configuration.2 24"x14, 2 13",2 14" rack toms, 16 and 18" floor toms with Fibes tom mounts that suck.They sound incredible and I'm selling half of them if anyone is interested.I also have the Fibes chrome snare that sounds great.I think Buddy Rich kept the Fibes snare.

[@eds1994fatboy]

Aerosmith was touring with Rush in 1975 near my home in NW Indiana. being a drummer myself I always watch the drummer and try to focus on their equipment brand type of cymbols....etc.All I know it was a clear set like the one your showing.Single kick and from where I was it was very oversized.Looked like a 26 kick to me.But at first it was hard to tell the drums were clear because the way the lights were reflecting and shining through.Then I figured it out that they were clear when the bright white lights they used came up.Neal Peart was just announced as the new drummer for Rush....we would like to introduce.....the Professor on the drum kit.Get your wings and Caress of steel were just released. by each.Great show and a great memory....I know this doesn't help much but I did see both bands in their earlier days.You have a great podcast sir...!!

[@Chamindrums]

What a piece of history!

[@DemonDog444]

That kick is friggin MONSTROUS

[@Joe.M]

Don, a buddy of mine knows, Joey and rembers when he got the Fibes kit. He said that the toms on top were 13" 14" on the first tour he used them on, but on the next tour, they were both 14". I asked him about the snare and he remembers it being Ludwig superphonic, but he said he could be wrong. After the Fibes kit... He said, Joey went to a Ludwig White Cortex 14, 15, 16, 18, and 24".

[@brookiestorer5231]

I'd imagine a small comany like Fibes offering an endorsed drummer a 24 or a 26 to replace a broken shell, orders often took many months to fill so a touring drummer might have to take what they had laying around...and they do sound good on this video.

[@michaelandcolinspop]

Sweet history on Joey's old drums. The snare stood out. I've got that exact same model Premier snare. Bought it at a music store parking lot sale for $30 in 1992. Put a good Pearl strainer on it to fix the broken one. LOVE that thing! Sounds great in any situation.

[@chasesolovicos254]

Mike Davis what snare is it? What series and size? Sounds so good!!

[@michaelandcolinspop]

chase solovicos I’m not certain of the exact series, but it’s a 5 1/2” x 14” chrome Premier. It only has the black badge with red “P” and “Made in England” on it. Now I’m curious. Perhaps I should really research that thing a bit more.

[@scottfibes9701]

Hey Don !! I have watched this video about once a month since you created it. I really miss these drums. But, I knew you were the only guy that would really appreciate this kit. They look and sound great and have me second guessing selling them to you every time I see this video. Hopefully you will keep this one as I did for the last 18 years. Please let us know if Jerry Elliot ever does pop up. Too, maybe Joey might add some more definition if he ever get to view this video.......Scott

[@DonnsDrumVaultOfficial]

Wow!! Great to hear from you. Out of the blue, years after I reached out, Jerry Elliot re-appeared. He confirmed the whole story, unfortunately by the time I heard from him I'd already sold them. I hope you're rockin!!

[@deaterk]

Those are some seriously GREAT sounding drums! Thanks for sharing & Happy Holidays

[@905Alive]

I just read about this kit, he def was not happy about the cracking drums, I also read that kit was used by Bobby Rondinelli one night where Joey couldn't make a gig and he filled in. I have an early fibes kit, chrome/fiberglass, that was owned by Mickey Curry (Hall&Oates, Bryan Adams) that he used in the Scratch Band in Ct with GE Smith and Christine Ohlman, we grew up together and I got it from him when he went to H&O, it as well has badges from NY and Penn, I am assuming that these early drums came as CF Martin bought fibes and was moving manufacturing to Penn, now whether they made the drums in NY and Penn OR, they had NY badges leftover and used them as they were making the drums in Penn no one knows, there's sadly isn't a lot of documentation on the company. I think they were made in NY and Penn because the interiors are different, my NY drums aren't as "finished" as the Penn ones. Thanks for a great video. I just started restoring the drums and using them live again, everyone compliments on the sound and power, it has the 24" bass drum and I have to pad the hell out of it or it's like an earthquake for the PA. Wish I could post a pic here.

[@meekoloco]

Great stuff Donn! And they sound so great!!!!

Too funny. I actually owned a clear Fibes back in the day. I also owned a North set. Anyone remember what those bad boys looked like? Odd set indeed.

[@rellis3940]

I sold my yellow custom made North's to my best friend who has been offered 4000.00 Double bass 4 mounted 2 floors might buy them back to put in my studio I am a TAMA man all the way , we'll see .

[@rellis3940]

Hyper drive Tom's make the difference in my little opinion.

[@sticktrik]

A friend of mine still owns a North drumset!!! Looked cool but sounded awful with no bottom heads!!

[@cassandragarcia5548]

They sound amazing

[@Hawiianlion67]

Those are big drums, And I fucking love it.

[@joeperry3146]

Amazing

[@bhaddock9277]

Great sounding kit, enjoyed

[@drippinglass]

Kool video! 😀

[@bgumbleton]

Wow! Sweet sounding kit!!!!

[@courtbeall7768]

I recently bought a double bass 9pc. Fibes kit.Like Billy Cobhams.2 -24" kicks,2-13",2-14',1-16',1-18" and a 5x14" chrome Fibes snare.The tom mounts are terrible.Thats why Joey went with a Rogers Tom Mount.I,m only using half of the kit at present as a 5pc.I,m interested in selling the other half for the right price.All the shells are undamaged and Fibes badges are intact.The sound pretty incredible.My neighbors would agree.I was very lucky to find the collecting dust in a basement.

[@johndef5075]

Surprised how good they sound.

[@bhaddock9277]

I thought so to, to my ears they sound great :-)

[@bailey12444]

Thank u so much, very interesting video I love history happy holidays

[@TimothyPGreen-si5ef]

Try the Corder drum company connection?

[@toddlavigne6441]

did Joey ever record on Aerosmith albums in '74 or '75 with these drums ?

[@courtbeall7768]

Im actually thinking of buying a Clear Fibes kit from a friend who tells me its 2 kicks?6 toms?Zildian cymbals and hardware for 1000$.I think its too good to pass up.1 owner.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Wonder why Joey went back to Ludwig? Was it because the Fibes didn't have play like Billy Cobham. I love Joey he makes Ludwig sound almost as good as John Bonham does

[@MiddleMattRock]

Is there any way I can find out the exact year my Fibes CF Martin era drums ? It’s a chrome wrapped fiberglass kit. 24, 13, 14, 18 . Wasn’t sure if there was a serial number or something to verify.

[@darellbell4166]

Joey Kramer plays on LUDWIGS NOW

[@azraygun]

Back in the middle 1980's I had a Fibes drum set. It was factory black painted from the inside and acrylic shell construction..The sizes were x 2 13'' riding toms x 1 16'' floor tom and 24'' bass drum...I do not remember the depths...I just remember the tom mounts required a drum key to adjust and the mounts were a 't-shape' and they sucked especially for tom mounts of that era...I do not care for non-wood drums...(my opinion)...also I did not like the two same sized toms.

[@bgumbleton]

I see they used Rogers Memory Loc tom holders.

[@Riddim4]

Not Mermory Lock. Swivomatic.

[@bgumbleton]

Oops, sorry. Rogers Swivomatic Tom Mounts

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Alex Van halen & Neil peart all day long..

[@longfade]

I've watched several of Donn's videos here, starting with the Hal Blaine "episode" (which was cool) and finally ended up with this one. I suggest that other viewers tread these waters carefully and think hard before even considering dropping a year's salary on an exorbitantly overpriced set of drums with a supposed pedigree that this guy can't authenticate. These posts are ads for his drum shop; nothing more.

[@glengamble526]

‘He can’t authenticate’? Such as what kit? Donn seems like a very honest guy to me and his reputation is impeccable.