North drums' sound vs. Sonor drums' sound

How do 70s North drums sound compared to 80s Sonor drums? I found out.

[@spamsponge]

Both kits and your playing are great. Man, that copper finish is gorgeous.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you--I appreciate the kind words! I do like the copper--I had the snare drum, rototoms and octobans plated to match the Sonors.

[@RiceCracker619]

It’s great how you interrupted yourself when talking to play another fill at 10:07

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I find myself interrupting myself quite often...!

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

Dr Drummer and Mr Interuppter

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@EmperorsNewWardrobe :)

[@badeugenecops4741]

@@EmperorsNewWardrobe should be Dr Drummer and Professor Interrupter! (Alan Parsons reference)

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@badeugenecops4741 Great song and great Album!

[@williamkillingsworth2619]

You should charge your neighbors for the concert

[@christhedrummerkimball]

😅

[@destroythenarrative9034]

Tried that, and they charged me with noise pollution

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@destroythenarrative9034 Some people just don't appreciate good music...:) Thanks for watching!

[@michaelyakson9953]

lool

[@ernieflanaganstingraybassm1463]

@@christhedrummerkimball keep doing what you love and everything will be all right my friend !!

[@keltonfoutz2864]

This dudes drums looks like he jams tom sawyer by rush every time he plays😂😂

[@christhedrummerkimball]

If only I were that good...:)

[@blahuhm6782]

@@christhedrummerkimball Well, you got the first part of 6 notes of YYZ @ 7:47 down pretty well ;)

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@blahuhm6782 :)

[@princewarior2554]

Chris Kimball actually you are that good man 👍🏽👍🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@princewarior2554 I wish! :)

[@johnboleyjr.1698]

I used to have a set of North Drums. I love their sound, so did everyone that heard them. They didn't sound, or look, like any other. That in turn, helped me develop my own sound, and helped me stand out from the rest of the drummers. I really wish I hadn't been forced to sell them. My dream was to put two sets together, like you did, and build a new rack system for them, my original rack was all dented and scratched as well. It's really nice to see that 15 to 17 year old me had a great plan back then. Your set looks, and sounds, amazing Brotha.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you very much. I had to wait from 1976 until 2017 to start accumulating these, and then the next 3 years restoring them and adding to them until I finally have the set I wanted for over 40 years!

[@jimmygriswold9258]

‘Oh no big deal, my drum set is so big it hides an actual classic Mini Cooper!”

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I never thought about it, but maybe I'm compensating with the North kit because my car is so small...:) :) :)

[@williamweiss6128]

😂

[@xp50player]

Man buys pint-sized car to make room for second drumkit🤣

[@williamweiss6128]

@@xp50player 😂yes!!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@xp50player :)

[@Sockdarner007]

Cool as mate. Enjoyed every moment. Beautiful drum kits and fantastic playing. Thank you.👍✌️❤️

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate it, and thanks for watching!

[@DHarri9977]

You've done a fantastic job restoring both kits very nice sound thanks for sharing this, now I need to go back and check out your tuning videos.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you--I appreciate the positive comment!

[@johnvodopija1743]

“If you flail around enough you’re bound to hit something!” Hilarious. Awesome kits 👍😎🇦🇺

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you, I appreciate your positive comment!

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

Oh hell yeah man, my head was considerably swinging during that 7/4 jam, huge. First time on the channel, love this.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! It is a!ways nice to get positive comments.

[@billpalmer6318]

Thanks for sharing, Chris! Great kits and obviously you're truly passionate about them and playing. Right down the the hardware! Nice.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for the positive comment!

[@billpalmer6318]

@@christhedrummerkimball "To be honest", I WISH I HAD THEM!! I remember when North Drums first came out...Just saw you made a "tuning" video with them... will check it out! Good luck man- bp

[@ballzheimers1782]

Please keep making videos, seeing you that happy makes everyone happy:)

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! This was only my first or second video, and I hope to do more once I get a better microphone hooked up.

[@johnhickman7922]

Take that ring off the snare in the studio. It has a phenomenal sound, even in the room. Absolutely pure.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I go back and forth on that. Sometimes with the ring off the natural sound of the drum really appeals to me. Other times, when I am in an 80s mood, the dead snare seems to fit the bill...

[@dreichert1438]

Agreed! Sounded awesome with the ring off. But I'm a huge fan of that sound and loved a lot of Rim shots when I'm playing

[@sammybulin]

So true! People deaden their drums too much.

[@jamesbrennan5886]

If you like that really ringy Lars Ulrich St. Anger snare sound.

[@johnhickman106]

@@jamesbrennan5886 The snare resonance sounds nothing like Lars' trash-can snare. Not even close.

[@fetengineer9151]

The North kit: God bless you for restoring such a beautiful antique. Only a certain age group of our current population (55+) will appreciate a vintage drum set such as yours. Music will never be the same... 1970s & 80s rock bands are pretty much history now days.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you, I appreciate your perspective!

[@voronOsphere]

I think the video for Iron Maiden's "Flight of Icarus" might feature a North Drum Set played by Nicko McBrain. I believe he usually played Sonor.

[@ethancundiff6422]

There's good modern music. You just have to hunt for it.

[@peacemusic6512]

Love your passion for the art! Awesome job! Thank you for all the info, much appreciation!!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for watching, and for the kind words, I appreciate it!

[@jasonwalsh7921]

Fantastic to see & hear both of these kits thanks for sharing this with us 👍🏼🥁🙂

[@christhedrummerkimball]

My pleasure, thanks for the comment!

[@rembeadgc]

Nice. I used to daydream about how fantastic the North drums must sound and how I just had to have a kit like that in order to get the sound I wanted and life would be perfect. I was a big progressive rock fan (still am, but I've widened my horizons). I loved the sound Phil Collins got on "Seconds Out" and then Bill Bruford's sound with UK. Of course North drums sound nothing like what I imagined. Teenage fantasizing. Bruford's sound came from Roto-toms, about as far as you can get from something looking like North drums. Maybe closer to Phil's resonant headless drums though. As I got into jazz I discovered that good looking drums don't always equate into good sounding drums and ugly drums can sometimes sound the greatest.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Absolutely. For projection and coolness North are arguably the best. For tonal quality and resonance, though, not so much. Still, it depends on what you're looking for. Some jobs require a hammer, others tweezers. Using either tool for the wrong job will lead to disappointment. Recognizing what each tool is designed for and using it for its intended purpose leads to satisfaction. That's why I have both a North Kit and a Sonor Hilite Exclusive kit.

[@lanceh4653]

CHeck out Alan White of Yes. He played a North kit. I've always used Evans Hydraulic heads on my North. Mine are from 1982, bought them new. They always sounded great and still do! They gave me a distinct advantage over other 80s metal bands that we would play out with because they projected so well, people could hear my tom fills. Back then you were lucky if the sound guy gave you 2 channels! Also they look awesome on stage! Sorry for necroing the thread. Big time north fan!

[@alejandrobustos2268]

@@lanceh4653 Alan White y Billy Cobham los usaron.

[@MrRezRising]

Wow, this brings me back to my early days, memorizing every article and ad in Modern Drummer.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

My dad used to subscribe to Down Beat when I was a kid. I just loved the drum ads!

[@MrRezRising]

@@christhedrummerkimball Lol, I still have mine in my closet. Drums & Drumming too. Those ads made my head explode, the sets were so...80s.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@MrRezRising I'm dating myself, but the Down Beat Magazines I was reading was during the '60s!

[@MrRezRising]

@@christhedrummerkimball Yeah, been around forever. I'm tempted to go digging, but Im turning 50 in 22 days and holding paper that old might bum me out. 🤣👨‍🦳

[@MotoHeadS.F.]

Gorgeous drum sets,and amazing drumming sir . That was a pretty tricky time signature.well done,badass!

[@Thomas-im1cj]

Damn, Chris. I am sooo envious!! Thanks for this!

[@azmike1956]

I found this randomly but stayed for the talent & imagination! Say hi to your neighbors for me!😆✌🇺🇸

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I appreciate your watching. And I'll let my neighbors know you said hi... :-)

[@TSdrumvideos]

That drum solo at the end was epic!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for the kind words! I wish I were in better shape, I really don't play that much anymore.

[@alanulsas2610]

AWESOME KITS AND PLAYING!. THX FOR SHARING.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! And thanks for watching, I appreciate it.

[@gbluesky4264]

We really enjoyed this!Thanks for sharing ❤

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MabeInAmerica]

round badge? I think they call it cloud badge?

[@christhedrummerkimball]

You are correct--I misspoke; I meant "cloud badge." I was thinking of an old Gretsch bass drum I had years ago (which I now have again--see my later, really long, video for details) Thanks for catching that!

[@ivankaspeadsforquincyjones9273]

Thank you for the tour of your drums, I wish you were my neighbor.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching! If you are ever near Tacoma look me up and you can come by and check them out in person.

[@toddheeter9075]

That video was awesome. No one has that 70s sound or 70s playing style anymore. You gotta bring it back... you're awesome!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

That's nice of you to say, especially considering some of the grief I've gotten from those who prefer the open, unmuffled sound!

[@theteknologist870]

Loved watching this video. Really amazing to hear the differences. I love both sets.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Cool, thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@jimmygriswold9258]

I had the Janus system for years! I built my double bass skills with it, kinda miss it, don’t miss gigging with it!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Yes, moving it around it kind of a pain! :)

[@Rose.Of.Hizaki]

I see the white set of drums and the only thing i can think of is the 'Drum Solo Of Life' sketch with Neil Peart on Aqua Teen Hunger Force *"NEIL! PLAY THE DRUM SOLO OF LIFE!!"*

[@christhedrummerkimball]

If only I were that good...

[@jessenoneofyobussines7560]

That's from aqua teen hunger force movie lol cheers

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@jessenoneofyobussines7560 That's a new one for me--I'll have to look it up!

[@duncanparsons]

Fabulous run through, thank you.. And how lovely to see that Mini

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! The Mini is a really fun car, although not much good for hauling drums...:)

[@drew64rush82]

Very cool video and awesome drum sets and playing..have a great day..

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks, you too! I appreciate your comment.

[@brichpmr]

Cool video! I actually paid my way through college playing a set of black Norths with a Ludwig Black Beauty snare. That kit was miked up so it sounded very present. Now, I use a Ludwig set with Tama snare and DW/Yamaha hardware, but I do use the Aquarian studio rings along with Evans UV1 batter heads, and really like the resonant tone with some of the excess ring suppressed.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Exactly how I feel about the sound!

[@Brassyvideos3]

Your kits are rad !!! Your drum skills are rad and you killed 7/4 like it was no big deal. Love to hear you do John Bonham's "fool in the rain" or "when the levy breaks"

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks very much for the kind words! I'm lucky to have the kits I do, it took a long time to finally get what I wanted, but they are fun to play. BTW, have you seen the video of the drums I made from sewer pipe? Those are pretty fun, too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqOuhKCwbJdsiac

[@giannibadeau3344]

Nice kits! Great video! Great playing! Thanks!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@adolfohernandez6134]

really nice man...enjoyed your sets and playing..

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate it! A;so, thank you for watching.

[@johntucker4705]

Very interesting video. I used to be a drum tech/roadie which means I did everything except play them. Part of our “drum kit from hell” was an eight piece Sonor Phonic set (eight-ply beechwood). These are meant for studio, yet I was shlepping these heavy mothers all over the place. Like you, my drummer preferred Tama hardware. I would attach a photo but you can’t here. I’m 62 now and have taken up guitars in my retirement. They are much lighter and I’ve always wanted to learn how to play. Now I have nothing but time on my hands so this is a perfect opportunity. So far I have eight electric guitars and an acoustic guitar.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

That's funny--roadies never get enough credit, especially for taking care of huge drum sets! My dad, who was a pianist, always said I should play flute. He said he had helped drummers haul their stuff all over the place for decades, and he wasn't about to do the same with my drums! He did help though, and to make him feel better I married a flute player...:) Best of luck with your retirement--I'm almost there, too. Thank you for watching!

[@VIsTheMusic]

The 70s north drums rule !!!!!!! Love it!!!!!!! Wow thank you from Canada. I saw them at my local drum shop and put one over my head.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching! A North drum would make a rather heavy hat, however...:)

[@chrisihrig3266]

Chris thx for a great demo of a very interesting drum kit and I love your restoration work...those North drums had me curious for years and yours look in great condition...

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you--I took all of them completely apart and buffed and waxed them. It took a while but was very fun to do.

[@843292]

Nice playing! Thanks for the show! I didn't realize so many parts of drums could be reconditioned.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words! It's amazing what a little paint and steel wool can do...:)

[@skippyjones2077]

Hey that’s awesome thank you for sharing... o and you can jam with the best of them rock on 🤘

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you--I appreciate it.

[@garylea6274]

What great drums! The playing is also wonderful. That being said a little showing of the original Cooper would be cool also!!!🤦‍♂️😂

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the comment! For entertainment I should try loading the drums into the Mini...:)

[@gballmaier]

Both sets sound great!!! Your a blessed man

[@patmakein4709]

Great video man, love how much you put into refurbishing. And idk how anyone could dislike this video, maybe it’s yours neighbors.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Ha! Actually, the drum room is soundproof, plus my neighbors are very cool. Thanks for watching!

[@philstone3859]

(Banging on door) Dad! Keep it down! It’s a school night!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

:) There's more truth to that than you know!

[@philstone3859]

@@christhedrummerkimball, I’ve known a few drummers. I knew a guy I worked with who had a big club van. He had nowhere to practice so he set up his kit in it. He could barely play in there all hunched over. It was hilarious! He would play while parked in the job’s parking lot. You could hear him a mile away. Never saw THAT before or since! We would hang back just to watch passers by looking around for the source. Ha ha! His nickname was Animal, as in Animal the drummer from the Muppets Show. He was the human equivalent of that character. Even looked like him! He played like him too! Real hard and aggressive! He was a cool guy.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@philstone3859 I received a t-shirt once with a big picture of Animal on the front! I still have it, actually, and wear it on special occasions!

[@geminiguy2001]

Both are really nice kits. I remember the North drums from the jazz fusion band Return to Forever. One of their drummers, Gerry Brown, played North Drums and this guy was a monster. Chris, in regards to your Sonor kit, I would be interested in hearing what they sound like using Moon Gel instead of studio rings. The rings take away too many overtones for IMHO, but of course that is a matter of preference. I just think you get more of the drums true tone with the gel as opposed to the rings. Just my two cents. LOL! Great video and I like your kits.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you very much for watching and commenting! I do use moongels on some of the drums I have, depending on what kind of music I'm l'm playing and the size of the drum, The only thing I don't like about them is they sometimes fall off, or are a bit finicky to work with. They are very effective, though.

[@crdirtrider856]

With a big kit, you're bound to hit something... I fn loooove that so much! Very cool video man, love both kits and I know that after being mic'd, it's a whole different world lol... Those shallow toms on the Sonor are incredibly sweet sounding... Good stuff, rock on brother!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I'm hoping to improve the sound of the videos once I get some better recording equipment, and a little more experience in the wonderful world of KZbin!

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Sweet kit. Thanks for the tour. Love that combo left foot pedal. Nice Mini!! “Play all around you’re bound to hit something!” Man after my own heart!!!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching! I always think a little humor thrown in is good...:)

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

@@christhedrummerkimball Definitely!! Just rewatching this now and I missed the fact that the LH bass pedal appears to be on the hihat stand. Love that slideover pedal. So this is the Mapex Janus that you adapted onto your Tama HH stand? Is there a video on that somewhere? Mini and a Vmax too, nice!

[@jackmomma7481]

I'm a huge fan of the Alex Van Halen snare dampening technique of placing strips of duct tape underneath the batter head, and then just barely applying the internal felt muffler inside the snare drum to taste.... doing that really does produce that nice deep "wooden:" sound accompanied by the sound of the sticks making contact with the rim and batter head

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Cool. Drum sound is a very personal thing, it turns out (judging from all the comments!)

[@gregmartinez5836]

Beautiful drums bud.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! It's taken many years and a lot of blood sweat and tears to finally accumulate them all. I'm very fortunate to have them.

[@killerratz]

Nice kit!! Both are amazing!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate you watching.

[@C_Shay_77]

Wow everything is just wow. What an amazing collection wow. Anyways, the sound of the north drums really remind me of concert toms or the way a lot of marching drums/quads sound. Also, you are blessed to have a North kit in your collection. Honestly just their unique shape alone makes them such a cool piece to have! Awesome video.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you very much!

[@d-mack7053]

Tommy Lee used a set of drums in the color yellow like those open horn white drums on one of Motley Crue's tours.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching! They look pretty cool in yellow.

[@smashdalde9713]

Alex Van Halen used them in 88' too....

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@smashdalde9713 Alex was a great drummer.

[@thomasedmundrichards]

Chris Kimball still is

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@thomasedmundrichards oops, that's what I meant! 🙂

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

I remember the North "marching drums" that the Blue Devils used. Supposedly very heavy. They did not catch on with the marching market but looked cool nonetheless.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I always thought they looked cool, and heavey, too!

[@MrGrundle]

You're old school!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@MrGrundle That's 'cause I'm old! :)

[@Tansea]

The original model was coated with porcelain, which is what made them so heavy. They also cracked and chipped when you tried to crank them.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@Tansea That's fascinating! I had no idea about that.

[@sajp8859]

That’s some great drumming there, Pard!

[@markgreene7930]

What fun! Nice job Chris.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@Kik_Hat_Sne]

Great drum cave tour. Would like to hear the toms of the north kit tuned low.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

That's an interesting idea. One of these days when I have some time, and get done with some of the other videos I'd like to post, I'll give that a try. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@kevinbothwell8425]

That sonor kit sounds unbelievable. In beautiful condition.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I'm lucky to have it.

[@jamiesmith6838]

@@christhedrummerkimball I like a drummer that can play a lot of drums!👍

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@jamiesmith6838 I've always liked big drum sets, ever since I saw a band on TV play Indian Reservation by Paul Revere and the Raiders and the drummer used a Ludwig Octa-Plus for the big tom fills!

[@avonneave2131]

You're a great drummer matey,master class. Awesome sound you produce, All the best from here in West Australia.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

You're very kind, thank you! I appreciate you watching and your positive comment. I've always wanted to visit Australia; maybe when I retire I might give it a try. I hope you will watch the next video I'm making--how to make a North-type drum out of sewer pipe! It should be online in a few weeks.

[@briarz101]

Very impressive drum set. I'm more of a Guitar/Keyboard guy, but always interested in drum kits. This is an awesome kit, and is explained well. Good to see someone knowledgeable and capable. Great drumming, well tuned, unique ideas. Can hear the differences. Keep up good work, well spoken and video'd . Will try to catch next ones

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you very much for the kind words, I appreciate it! Thanks for watching, too.

[@robjontay5052]

" You flail around you're bound to hit something!" HAHAAAA! THATS A DRUMMER RIGHT THERE.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

:) Thanks for watching! I appreciate it, and I'm glad you have a sense of humor!

[@D-Man_Jam]

3:13 Don't think you can sneak that in their without anyone noticing lol.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

:)

[@skateraptor12]

Come on! He didnt😂Thats not even the right beat for it and he might not even know what youre talking about

[@LAkadian]

It's missing a kick drum hit at the end, but close.

[@septicinjestment]

absolutely fantastic , good Sir. thank you so very much for the informative candid video etcetera

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! It is amazing how nice it feels to get positive comments. I am brand new at this youtube video posting stuff, and I can see how it can be addicting! The trick is ignoring all the negative comments. :)

[@TexasGuitarist]

You sound great, bud! Good playing! I like the white drums at the end.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for the positive comments, I appreciate it!

[@BerserkerNick]

Did I see a vmax? Those bikes are crazy fast. Awesome drums

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks. Yep, it's a 1992 but only has 15k miles and is still very quick. From the day they came out I wanted one!

[@ronald3752]

Im a Vmax guy as well. I have 3. 1985, 92, 94. The 94 is tricked out, and has a 1500 build motor on it

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@ronald3752 very cool! 1500cc sounds awesome!

[@vmax-cv1ml]

Vmax..I have a 2004..its my second one...

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@vmax-cv1ml they're great bikes!

[@nickjimenez6138]

I really like the North sound. Im a guitar player so this made me wish for a drummer again.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I like them, too. So much of this is a matter of opinion, some like them, others don't!

[@patrickwaskielis6235]

The North drums caught my eye, i had to watch your video to remember how they actually sounded. Its been so long since I since a North drum kit Yours is very nice, thanks for sharing your drums the Sonar are awesome too.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching and for your comments, I appreciate it! People don't see North drums much these days. I guess that's why I like them; I tend to gravitate toward unique things.

[@user-ex5go9pd7h]

I had a 7 pce set of Staccatos and I used Evans hydraulic heads and that was the absolute best sound I ever got using concert toms. Nice job and great kits Chris!!

[@thehutch1674]

This is the first person I’ve ever heard say “I like 7/4”

[@christhedrummerkimball]

:)

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

What? I like 7/4 too :(

[@donf3739]

I lost count, but I'm sure he didn't miss a lick.

[@MrRezRising]

Money, Solsbury Hill, Freewill...

[@Cobalt985]

I am more partial to 7/8, it’s my favourite time signature

[@NEALBABBITT]

When I first started trying to tune double headed drums it took me awhile for my ears to get used to REAL drums. I remember reading quotes with bill bruford with him saying muffling has no place on drums. Some other famous drummers have said when you start muffling you have give up on tuning. I definitely agree with that statement. You get the truest pitch from having a single ply head top and bottom tuned the same. Emperors are closer to an ambassador, so if you use emperor (or Evans G2) top and ambassador (or Evan's equivalent) bottom you can get a cleaner pitch.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for your comment! What you say is true, but on the other hand there are many drummers who prefer a more muffled tone in certain circumstances. This is evidenced by the fact studio rings sell in the marketplace. Thanks again for your thoughts!

[@voronOsphere]

@@christhedrummerkimball People are like that. Didn't Motown's go-to bassist use the same set of strings his whole career, because he preferred that dead sound? I will never not put a pillow in my bass drum and then expect to get the quick, tight kick sound I love. I'd be a fool to expect that desired result without a pillow!

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Cool!!! I love the retro sound of those North drums, especially when you started playing 7/4...sounded so retro...

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks! I was in high school and college in the '70s so I have a soft spot for that kind of drum sound. It really irritates a lot of drummers for some reason...:) In fact, my first video started a muffle/not muffle debate between viewers which raged on until the video had hundreds of thousands of views because the more comments a video has, the more KZbin promotes it! It's pretty funny. Thank you for watching!

[@brotherjames418bass]

Cool kit, I love the looks and sounds. I dig the V-Max too!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! The V-Max is an old '92, but only has 15K miles on it and still goes like a scalded cat!

[@cuddzilla]

Those old concert toms(the single head) always sounded great during outdoor gigs.

[@jamesha175]

single head drums are my favorite

[@jamesha175]

@Dale McComb i am a guitarist. i can't speak for anyone else but i hate drums that ring out as if they have a built in reverb - honestly, i would like to stuff a pillow into every single drum that i have to share a bandstand with. no offense meant to any drummers who do not agree with me.

[@jamesha175]

@Dale McComb "24 bass" i assume that means inches - is that diameter or depth? either way that doesn't seem very big to my imagination. anyway i like a drum sound that goes "tap tap thump splash splash thump etc" - i don't like "bonngg bongg booomm crash!" wow i probably sound like an idiot. ok my 2 favorite drummers are mitch mitchell and stewart copeland.

[@jamesha175]

@Dale McComb i just thought of my favorite drum sounds: the Yes "Fragile" album

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Very true--they have the 70s rock sound for sure. I was in Jr. High and High School in the 70s, and I think that's why I like that dry sound.

[@Nobody-xg2un]

It surprised me how similar that white north Star kit sounds like my old single headed Tama imperial star. I put black dot heads on it to. I love my old Tama.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Tama are cool. I have a black 5 piece Tama I got for $150 about a year ago.

[@jarnolehtinen2269]

Old Imperial Stars are great. I had a silver wrapped kit with black Remo ebony heads as my first kit. Tuned the bottom heads as tight as I dared and the top heads so loose they were all wrinkled. Had a really fun and weird wet but dry (I know… how’s that even possible..) sound. Still have the kit but it was sadly damaged in transport years ago. Slowly being restored now (restomod would be a more fit word I think)

[@randylahey7317]

Thanks for sharing! I've been playing for a long time and never crossed path with one of these kits. North drums have always interested me but demonstrations how they sound aren't all that commonplace. Your video does a nice job in giving a sense of this. I have hoped for an opportunity to play on a set of North drums forever. Now I want to even more! P.S. I swear by those dampening rings as well. They give my tom sound an excellent punch. And, I find that on the snare they help emphasize and focus a beautiful sounding crack.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the comment. I was beginning to think I was the only one who likes those studio rings!

[@randylahey7317]

@@christhedrummerkimball I have an 8" rack tom. Remo doesn't offer that size of dampener. So, I cut my own out of an old head. It's crude but gets the job done. Man, that tom sound was annoying me something fierce up until then.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@randylahey7317 another option is using moon gels. I use one on my 10" rototom. I dont think I could cut a drum head round enough!

[@stevenwilson9865]

I have a set. Baby Blue with the black rings. 4 toms on a curved bar, one floor, one kick. Love them !

[@ladeseddy5994]

The North kit reminds me of better music days in the 70's and 80's. I will always have the image of Jackson Browne's Running on Empty album cover (1977). First time I ever saw them and wondered what they were. Distinct look. Distinct sound. Always reminded me of the tom's section of a marching band. They have that live sound to me. I think I saw YES when Alan White had a black set.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

The North kit I saw Alan play years ago was a white one (ironically enough!)

[@nemesis11fp20]

I make my own tone rings out of the old drum heads every time I replace them. Works just the same. Also, I love your Sonor kit, but that must suck to tear down, move, and set up for gigs.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, I rarely take the Sonor kit to any gigs. It's mainly for my own playing enjoyment at home. I do take it out once and awhile, though.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@ALJ Studios The rhoadie--a drummer's best friend! Thanks for watching, and sharing your experience, I appreciate it.

[@4theluvofthehunt344]

Great tone on both kits Tks for the video!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the kind words! It's amazing how varied the opinions are on drum sounds. Some hate one type of sound and love another, while someone else feels the opposite. I'm glad you like the sound!

[@4theluvofthehunt344]

@@christhedrummerkimball yes you said it! It’s all in the vibe you have and the kind of sound your looking for. What’s cool is either kit can inspire you to play a certain way or jam a certain style. 💪👌🏼

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@4theluvofthehunt344 Exactly!

[@choke666]

VERY NICE MAN! GLAD I SAW YA ON MY QUEUE!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you for the positive words! I appreciate it. I hope to get better at this youtube stuff as I make more videos...:)

[@reubenstevens4389]

This guys so underrated,we can agree he can play better than any of our drum teachers(no offence my drum teacher)

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the kind words, and for watching; I truly appreciate it!

[@ericwenger1491]

This guy is amazing.

[@PhoenixAndTheRaven]

Chris is an animal. 🤘🏼

[@joehammerschmith2635]

North Jerry Mercer cool old school kit ! Back when we were kids I’m 55 it was normal to not have bottom heads during the 70’s and we got good sound ! North took it a step further and put the sound in ur face pretty sharp concept at the time !

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@ericwenger1491 Thanks very much, I appreciate it.

[@CSPDesign]

Holy hell how do I get that pedal?!?! Literally in love with that switch thing

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Sadly, Janus discontinued the Janus hi-hat pedal. You can sometimes find them used, though.

[@CSPDesign]

Chris Kimball do you know of anyone else that has something similar? I hate trying to get my dw double pedal to fit in perfectly

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@CSPDesign I've never seen anything else like it, although it's been a while since I've looked. I would check the drum forums to see if anyone has a used Mapex Janus pedal.

[@mfbomber]

The Mapex Janus Hi-Hat is getting very difficult to find...harder and harder as time goes on. I've searched it out on eBay before and that is a hit or miss scenario. Maybe Reverb or Music Go Round, but it will require time and patience. They go fast once posted (if in good condition). Would love to try it out myself.

[@dontworrybehappy8080]

NO DOUBT! Super f'n cool.

[@JMF_Productions]

Impressive kits and playing, my man!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it!

[@DMEB]

Very nice. Enjoyed this video.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. Thank you for watching, I appreciate it.

[@ralphbenites1819]

I’v actually made my drum ring’s out of old drum heads.i gives a 70’s vibe sound to it.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I've heard of people doing that--makes sense!

[@michaelcaplin8969]

@@christhedrummerkimball Yeah, me too. It's free, and it's better than brand ones as they can be a lot heavier and you can cut out the exact size yourself. This goes for snare, where a homemade heavy ring from say a fiberskyn 3 head is superior to any brand ring out there I've tried. For toms, I go with the brand stuff. Works well on toms and looks clean. By the way, I love that Sonor kit. Wonderful look and sound.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@michaelcaplin8969 Thank you!

[@tonypowell250]

That Slingerland snare is godly.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I was really happy with the way it turned out. I had the hardware copper plated , but a furniture shop did the refinishing and did a great job. Thanks for watching!

[@rolandm8393]

I dont think I've ever enjoyed 7/4 until this very moment. Chris, thank you.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! When I was young I really struggled with odd time signatures, but now I really enjoy playing them.

[@ANGELICHUMANANGEL]

AWSOME VIDEO PRESENTATION LOVE YOUR DRUM KITS !!!...😎

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I hope your singing/songwriting career is going well.

[@shanemartin8904]

I always wondered who bought the 1 and only north kit that was made. NOW I KNOW

[@christhedrummerkimball]

😄

[@randylahey7317]

LOL.....they are a bit rare to come by.

[@leeharvyolswald2151]

Cris: Big boy drums Me: pawn shop drums

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Ha! Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.

[@leeharvyolswald2151]

Your welcom

[@christhedrummerkimball]

@@leeharvyolswald2151 :)

[@lukebs1212]

awesome dude! im a yound drummer in england and have a mapex mars kit, mainly play jazz so dont really have much need for big, retro peart-esc kits but damn theyre cool and you really know your stuff! keep it up!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thanks for watching! My mom is from Harrow and I spent a lot of time in England growing up. I appreciate your comment!

[@scottiequality1981]

That copper hardware is gorgeous with that finish! Looks good:)

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I always loved it, too. That's why I got the roto toms and octobans and snare drum hardware plated to match. Thanks for watching!

[@terrificlegs]

I remember seeing the North kits when they were new. I always thought they sounded the same as the Remo Roto-toms. I prefer a maple or birch sound

[@Oneness100]

Not at all. The North kits have much longer shells and the Roto-toms have no shells. North drums are loud when you are in front of them because they are projected specifically towards the audience. Roto Toms disperse the sound in all directions.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Yes, they definitely don't sound like wood! I prefer wood for certain types of music, and a brighter sound for others. Thanks for watching!

[@NIKONGUY1960]

I see the North drums I immediately think of Russ Kunkel and Jackson Browne live.

[@patrickbutler9744]

yup, think Mike Derosier of Heart had a combo kit of North & whatever else he played

[@vincentzito3933]

Billy Cobham...

[@cletusbeauregard1972]

I'm thinking of Yes' Alan White.

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Yes! Oh, and Alan White of Yes played them, too!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Exactly!

[@maryannmoran-smyth3453]

That’s one kick ass drum set… It’s like one of those Sets can put outdoors and you don’t even have to make it up… keep on rockin brother…….

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching, and your enthusiasm.

[@brentkirkland3597]

Jesus..... I could jam to those drums all day. I love your playing!

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you! I'm kinda out of shape because I haven't played full-time on the road for almost 40 years! Now my brain knows what it wants my hands and feet to do, but they can't seem to comply! :)

[@dti6342]

Okay great drums but that hi-hat stand/bass drum pedal? Where can I buy it

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Sadly, Mapex only made the Janus pedal for a short time and discontinued it years ago. You might find one on eBay, but they're pretty rare. Thanks for watching!

[@mkhadermusic1061]

Where do you get a drum set like that because the biggest drum Set I can find is a 8 peice

[@christhedrummerkimball]

I started with a smaller kit and added pieces one at a time as I could find them on eBay, etc.

[@stuartoneill5968]

Amazing beautiful tone of your durm kits

[@christhedrummerkimball]

Thank you; it's amazing the different reactions I've gotten. Some love it, some hate it! I appreciate your comment.

[@tonypage1056]

Obviously a man of taste. Two great drumkits & a classic mini! What could be better?!

[@Tarheelsrule]

Well I will tell you of one more but I won't say anything cuz he will be out looking for it lol