The Budget Guide to "Sleeper" Drum Gear with Gerry Porter - EP 235

[@stevengood6434]

The paiste pst7 cymbals are really good. I play mostly 2002 and giant beat and I bought pst7 cymbals to leave in the practice studio and they sound so good that I have gigged with them in smaller places. Can't go wrong for the money, quality and sound

[@paulmora2480]

I concur. I used to play 2002 everything live and studio. PST 7 took over some of the live crash duty just because the price, tone and durability makes sense. Great cymbals for sure.

[@stevenwilson9865]

Ludwig Supralite steel snare drum in 14"x 8". $199 Great snare at a great price

[@doltcart]

So is the 6.5" Supralite. I was gonna sell mine after I upgraded to a "nicer" snare but I just can't. I have snares that I paid 3x as much for that aren't nearly as versatile.

[@NEALBABBITT]

I had an 8" I have a 5 5 and 6.5 that I got all of them used for about $150.

[@NEALBABBITT]

​@@doltcartme too, my 6.5 has made me neglect my other snares. I got my old drum teacher hip to them and he said you just can't make them sound bad! 😂

[@wilkinsnl]

I talked to this guy on the phone not too long ago. He was super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. If you’re looking for some good stuff, his website is a great place to pick it up. He even has some “Holy Grail” Istanbul K’s. I definitely recommend

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Well said!

[@Rogersdrumvideos]

what a sleeper of an episode … awesome. Thanks for the shout out as well. Really dug this this one.

[@kennethdean4349]

I have both Ed Thigpen flat ride sizes. The 21” is a treasure. I hang a chain on it for sizzles. It’s perfect to jazz trio work. And I have a couple of Color Sound cymbals. I miss the old days of eBay.

[@soko1450]

Perfect episode at a perfect time. Like most drummers, I’m a guy of average means. Always looking for the best bang for the buck. Thank you!

[@madlad3959]

Great show. Loved it . Gerry is a real funny guy and sooo knowledgeable. Learnt heaps. Keep up the awesome work, from a Dublin guy. 👍🏻🥁🥁

[@HolyGhostDrummer]

Already one of my favorite episodes!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Awesome! Thank you 👍

[@camerondean6804]

My favorite.

[@juancabrillo2u]

Great show as always. My sleeper find is any/all UFIP cymbals… they are amazing no record better than any other cymbal but their brand isn’t well known so they can be found at bargain prices ever so often. I also think the comments on signature snares is off the mark: the (original) Steve Gadd snares from Yamaha are amazing, and the new Carlock snare from Gretsch is one of the best snares ever. I have no issues playing a product that has these guys name on them as long as they sound good to me and both of these snares are amazing. Don’t think that either of these players require “appeasement’ by their associated brands; they have some idea for products and the companies are really to make them real. Agree with the Catalina comments…Would be interesting to shoot out that against a much higher end kit with the same heads and do a blind listening test. This really underlines how big branding is in the drum business…so much of what we want and what we value is defined by marketing (which includes who plays it professionally) and we are all very influenced by it whether we want to admit it or not. But this is true of a lot of things… cars, clothes… you name it. There is a big fashion component in music instrument business and some really great products can’t catch a break because they just don’t catch the eye of the right influencers…. But there are a lot of unsung but great drum products out there. Let the safari begin!

[@minerForAHeartOfGold]

We need an UFIP episode 🙏 please

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Sonor D 506 best snare drum I’ve ever owned. It’s a Superphonic on steroids! 🤟👍

[@JohnD72277]

My sleepers: 80s 6.5 Tama Swingstar Steel snare. $85 Yamaha 7210. Was a $45 pedal and it feels just right.

[@JohnD72277]

Oh and buying cheap 16” used crashes and pairing them for hi hats. Because no one likes 16” crashes, they’re usually affordable used.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Great recommendations!

[@sergioponti22]

Another amazing episode! Some of the sleepers I have owned and toured with in the last years: Paste PST 14" Heavy hi-hats, the first run of Tama Metalworks snares and the first run of Pearl Vision Birch kits.

[@jimflys2]

Over-rated gear I have had and sold. a pre 1923 Ludwig Black Beauty. I think it was a 4x14, but may have been 5x14. It just didn't have a great sound no matter what I did. That was in the late 1980's when things were just starting to go through the roof. I have a 1918 6 lug Ludwig brass in Black Nickle and it is just amazing. Here is another anathema statement. I have had a TON of Rogers Dynasonic snare drums on my repair bench. I have never been, "Oh wow. I gotta get one." To me they all sound very dry, staccato, raspy and No real shell warmth. I have tried to love that drum because everyone says it's one of the best snares ever made. I just don't find that to be worth the hype. And I love me some Rogers drums! The Big R had FANTASTIC shells and they sounded great. The big tube hardware turns a lot of folks off because they lost their elegance. Back to snares, I like the sound of supraphonics. Also over-rated is the Ludwig Super Sensitive. That snare system was ridiculous, sloppy and I could never hear a clear advantage over a Supra. Like none at all. 1980's Tama Fiberstar snare 6 1/2 x14. Boxy and awful. Not sure it was ever rated well or sought after.

[@camerondean6804]

Please keep having this man on. I already learned about two items I want to get. Wonderful show.

[@1111Paiste]

Paiste 505 and 404. Ludwig LM302 Rocker snare drums. Tama Rockstar Customs.

[@morrinsville23]

My favorite snare is a 6 lug "Drum mate" snare, Drum mate were a more entry level snare made by Star/tama, its anazing has 14/5 luan snare, random hardware, but incredible crack and the most musical cross stick sounds , works really well with my kit which us luan too

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

And it is nice and affordable :) Great suggestion

[@aroundthefur]

I LOVE my 59' pioneer. I was lucky enough to find a vintage gretsch 6 lug diecast batter for it. On the hunt for a snare side. Also the sabian PRO line (not b8 pro) had some gems and people sell them for nothing

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Awesome!

[@brent3760]

Love Gerry, and he is right! This podcast is a service to the entire drumming community!

[@DrummerAndyTaiwan]

Do more of these vids for whatever topics you guys wanna cover, very informative and insightful content, enjoy it a lot, love from Taiwan 🇹🇼

[@Drummer.Squirrel]

One of my favorite cymbals that is impossible to find is the Zildjian 18" Azuka Salsa Timbale cymbal. Picked one up when I was younger and oh my, such an incredible sound. They were made to be hit by hand with congos / bongos, but the response from a stick was unreal.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Very interesting. Good suggestion!

[@brent3760]

I just became a member of the Paiste family, B8 cymbals at that! FANTASTIC!! I never gave them a chance before because of another companies marketing calling them cheap cookie cutter sheet bronze. These are amazing!! They were my sleeper gear!!

[@NintenDub]

Good topic..my main snare for years was an12x5.5 pearl sensitone steel snare. There's like one video on KZbin of a guy playing it in a room, just with sticks and it sounds great

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Great snare!

[@hitstx1141]

Man, I love this collaboration so much! I was recommended hazelshould a while back and got my favorite pair of hats ever (13" Zildjian Quick Beats) from Gerry. My sleeper cymbal is definitely the 18" Sabian AAX Concept Crash cc4. It was the first cymbal I ever bought, and I just found out recently that it makes a BEAUTIFUL light ride

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

That is great! Good suggestion

[@jjjohny_a5965]

great stream...one real cool sleeper is a kid that crushes a drum solo on stencil set

[@clayfoster8234]

I like to think I was ahead of the trend because I started using a 12X6 premier XPK as my main snare way back in ‘94

[@brent3760]

Great episode, Bart!

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Thanks Bart and Gerry for another meaningful discussion. I think just as beginning drummers copy name artist to learn their licks. Advanced drummers need to close their eyes and listen to what the gear is telling them. Society at times is influenced by name brands and endorsements. we need to be open to SOUND, FEEL and PRICERANGE and experience what's available regardless of influence.💬

[@bennymalone]

I bought a 2002 18” flat ride about a month ago! I would use it for jazz gigs and maybe have it as a secondary ride for more general gigs. Got it for £70

[@mightyV444]

I just looked, and it's not on pAisTe's website!

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Great deal!

[@bennymalone]

@@mightyV444sorry, meant to say was off eBay!

[@mightyV444]

@@bennymalone - Yes, I knew yours wasn't brandnew, but going by what was being said in this video, I had expected to also find that cymbal on their website, including sound samples 🙂

[@marcin7154]

Premier Lokfast hardware Very classy ,very sturdy ,very light weight .Great , great hihat stand.

[@mightyV444]

Hi Bart! 😀 In connection with your and Kurt's recent video about him, I wanted to make you both aware of an extensive interview series with Alex Van Halen, on Steve Rosen's YT channel! It's the audio from Steve's original cassette tapes from '85, and I've meanwhile listened to the first 4 parts and found them very interesting! 😀👍 And now I'm looking forward to watching _this_ video! And thank you for it! 😊

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Amazing, thanks for letting me know! I will pass the interviews along to Kurt, as well

[@mightyV444]

@@DrumHistoryPodcast - You're very welcome! 😊👍

[@markcrawford8424]

one of my favorite sleepers that I stumbled across is these 15" zenjian and possible ufip or just stencil cymbal that give that light chunky sound kinda steve jordan ish sound

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

That is very cool

[@andydans]

Slingerland aluminum student snares! Super cool, like an acrolite but drier and more aggressive. It was slingerland's attempt to undercut ludwig on the aluminum student snare market. Its essentially a piece of aluminum house siding bent into a circle and poorly welded together. Its a fragile drum and you gotta treat it as such but they sound amazing!

[@johncameron]

If asked what my best purchase was in the past 15 years… without hesitation, I would answer my 14” Paiste PSTx hats. I play them as an ‘x hat’ and won’t play a show without them. I bought them for HALF the price of typical name brand hi hats! They’re the best! And that’s coming from a guy who plays mostly Zildjian and Sabian

[@townofrockridge]

Gerry! can't say enough about Hazelshould. THE hook up for cymbals. Got 3 amazing Paistes recently. Sleeper gear has to include 70s Slingerlands that come in WAY under Luddies and Gretsch and honesty sound amazing.

[@FritzytheDawg]

I also have a six lug WFL Pioneer from the late fifties that is mahogany. I'm stoked Gerry mentioned them because those snare drums sound really good. Buy one if you find one!

[@chromebull884]

The Tama king beat 14x6.5 steel snare is an amazing snare!

[@nhmaze]

Any idea what snare drum is in the short intro? It sounds perfect!

[@outofround9373]

Green label Paiste 505s from the 80s are pretty great.

[@mightyV444]

My band at the time did recordings in a little studio in '88, and the house kit had 505 series 14" hi-hats which sounded amazing! 😍 And I dare to say they even sounded better than the 14" 2oo2 SE hats I had four years later! 😅

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

Yes very cool!

[@kevinheuer1205]

I had a Krut ride in the day! Shimmery and lovely. Also, a Ludwig Paiste Ride. A little trashy but still usable! Finally, a Paiste prototype crash. Everybody loves it. The ant-Paiste. Dark and fast wash.

[@NEALBABBITT]

One weekend I played two different backline sets, one was a dw collectors, the other was a Yamaha stage custom advantage and the dw was fine but the Yamaha was phenomenal! I'm still lusting after that, the toms were just like BOOM! I'm only part way through this video but im not a fan of 13" snares but the Joey Jordison snare is fantastic!

[@dalekay9ine]

Paiste Twenty series light hats and light rides are amazing! Also super affordable but sound great are the old Paiste 802, can find whole packs, hats, ride, crash for around $200.

[@stevengood6434]

I've been wanting a 26 inch giant beat. I have a 24

[@chromebull884]

I have a Stagg 20" SH medium ride and even after buying a Sabian 22" HH power bell ride I think the Stagg might be my favorite cymbal. It is so incredibly versatile. Great wash and ping on the body but just enough without it being unbearable. The bell has a pleasant cut and you can crash it! Best part its around 200 dollars

[@Gothkebab]

Crush drums. Recently picked up a 6 piece maple kit with hardware for an excellent price and have been thoroughly impressed. I actually like them better than the tama shells i was playing before. Had never heard of the company before purchasing and it seems like they are no longer in business. Korg bought them out and sold them off or something. So they will almost certainly remain sleepers and you will have to get them used but i wouldn't pass them up if you can find a good deal.

[@davidcubine6064]

Entry/mid-level B8 splashes are my sleeper choice, specifically Paiste PST5s 7s and 8s, and Sabian B8 Pros. I’ve chosen my 10” PST5 splash over hammered B20 options multiple times because it just sounds great.

[@mikaelsnare]

I found a Yamaha Steel eight lug for 50€, it became one of my favorites and even better when I switched the top hoop for a die cast. I think it's part of the Tour custom line.

[@ramonkey2939]

One reason i find it hard buying a real expensive drum kit ($5K and up) because the sleepers are much cheaper and sound just as good re: Yamaha Stage Custom. The most expensive kit i own is a 4 pc shell pack Canopus rfm cost me $2500 its now worth $4000. I also bought an INDe kit when they first came out Great Kit

[@stevengood6434]

The Pearl sensitone chrome snare I have is loud and sounds good. I put a Ludwig tone control in it.

[@davidknibbs9646]

My sleeper was a 1969 torino 4door family car gold with black vinyl roof with high output 302 v8

[@paulerikkson9099]

The first new Hihats I ever bought was a set of 505 … around 1984 … I agree on the 404/505

[@chiefluke210]

Paiste PST7, PST8, and 900 Series (natural). They sound great for the money and won’t break the bank to replace.

[@deaterk]

Zildjian Amir first gen. Zildjian’s stab at a Paiste style cymbal. Had a 22 ride & 14 power hats. Loved ‘em (should have never sold them)

[@talley974]

When my boy said something about the 404 rides and I just sit it smiling bc I have a 22in 404 ride made in swis 😮😊😊

[@xylosforkids5357]

15" Zilco 1000g crash-hat used on bottom of Zildjian 14" L80 is killer.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

👍

[@NEALBABBITT]

Sonor at least early performer drums are like power size versions on the new vintage tear drop lug drums because they have thinner shells than phonic drums but are 100% German beech. Everywhere I'm hearing they should go for about $500 a set, seems crazy. I recently picked up a 12,13,16 for about $500, im going to have to get a bass drum and put that together. Im going to have to pay a bit for parts im i want to put it all together now, or be very patient because vintage Sonor drum parts are sometimes hard to come by in the USA.

[@vincechassey]

TRAK system IV 6 1/2 metal snare drums are fantastics! A TAMA MASTERCRAFT copies,but to me they sound even better,I have mine since the mid '80's

[@DirtySk8RatStaney]

I’m currently playing a Gretsch Catalina Club Mod kit, I got it 7 years ago for $300.00. And I get asked regularly what kit I’m playing, also I’m running all Wuhan Western line cymbals, but they’re all b20 and sound much better than expected. Basically my whole drum kit is a sleeper set up….

[@deaterk]

Sk8Rat - those wuhan western cymbals kill! Punch WAY above their weight. I have a bunch of cymbals. Mostly A’s & K’s….then there’s these inexpensive Chinese things that sound amazing.

[@DDandrums]

Stagg DH cymbals are worth a look I reckon. And recently I bought a really nice Paiste 505 18” ride for £60.

[@stevengood6434]

The new line of the ludwig universal black brass snare is real good

[@jimflys2]

Sleeper heads: Remo UT UC coated. Seriously, I cannot tell the difference between these and the Remo Ambassador. Everyone says of lower end drums, take off the original and put on "decent" heads. I did a comparison video because I knew what my ears were telling me. I can't tell the difference in my video. Playing it with music in a mix and I don't think anyone would know. Play them until they wear out and then replace.

[@jasonrobelia8829]

vintage rogers COB power tone snares and the Gretsch Brooklyn steel snares

[@danielhainscote]

Stewart MIJ ride 20’’. Trash can lid, great sound.

[@justhadrums]

Sensitone and acousticon snares

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

great suggestion!

[@johncameron]

I’d love to have my brass Sensitone back

[@cs9021]

Not sure if sleeper but El Sabor Sabians are amazing.

[@jorymil]

They're tough to find, but yeah...! I have a 13 that's a great hh. Would love to try the rides.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Ludwig's Acrolite was one Original Sleeper ! The Ludwig Triumphal Snare immediately started going for $21,000 , you couldn't get one.

[@JackNiles]

Cool

[@The_Other_Ghost]

The thicker Pearl cymbals and Solars by Sabians for practice cymbals. With loud guitars they'll sound good enough for practice. The only negative is they're targeted towards beginners/ teens.

[@chromebull884]

Dw 3000/7000 are the best no nonsense pedals.

[@chriswright2250]

Paiste Alpha line, good bang for the buck.

[@ramonkey2939]

I just bought a "NEW" remo mondo

[@michaelvarney4723]

If you're a drum builder, most cheap drums are potential sleepers. I still have a wuhan-ish china cymbal that I bought 20 years ago for roughly 50 USD.

[@NEALBABBITT]

My favorite crash is a Paiste pst5 medium crash.

[@The_Other_Ghost]

DW Performance Series Steel 8 x 14-inch Snare. I've had headliners comment on how they like how I have mine tuned. Is it a collectors? No. Did it cost me $1000.00? No. Still worth it.

[@JFKDrummer]

I've found decent cymbals on the Temu app.

[@DrumHistoryPodcast]

That is really interesting. I've gotten a few things on Temu but haven't tried any drum gear yet.

[@JFKDrummer]

@@DrumHistoryPodcast yeah! I have a few reviews @jfkdrum, some decent gear for cheap!

[@paulerikkson9099]

Tama Silverstar

[@marcin7154]

O ,and another more: ddrum dios bubinga 13x7 snare👍

[@kennethdean4349]

Bearing Edge drums, anyone? A boutique drum maker from 40 or 50 years ago?

[@miked5487]

I miss the paiste twenty series!

[@mikelawct]

Phil Rudd sig snare insane

[@dangershgol3298]

12x5.5 Gretsch maple free floater snare. Now discontinued.

[@jorymil]

Once equipment gets featured on KZbin, it starts to lose "sleeper" status. Older A Zildjians still are sleepers, and Mapex drums probably fall in there as well. Dixon snares, Yamaha Stage Custom everything, Ludwig snare/bell kits.

[@KowProdMedia]

It's a shame Wuhans have gone up significantly in price...not that they're not worth it (I guess), but I've been playing those for years and years because of Neil and I loved that they were inexpensive and still sounded great, even some of their crashes too.

[@KowProdMedia]

I've also been using Paiste PST8 crashes for years and sound great for the price, the PST5s are acceptable as well, the PST3s are hit or miss...mostly miss, but not bad in a pinch or a beginner.

[@mattnieri1202]

Wuhan made really high level western cymbals for about 5 years in the early 2000's but they stopped to make a deal to manufacture most of Dream's cymbals, then Wuhan started making beginner level cymbals after that.

[@mattnieri1202]

My favorite ride is still the 20" I bought back then. I regret not buying the 22" before they changed. I was going to get one.

[@ampdrum1]

PAiSTe PSTX 16” Cajon Crash. Thin, half trashy, fun.

[@PhilipRuttleigh]

Super zyn 5 star, I heard a guy playing these years ago, absolutely fab. Far away from just zyn cymbals, which in my opinion were absolutely awful.

[@jasonrobelia8829]

sabian bash rides

[@drgroove100]

I had a Gaylord (Drumsolo) 13" cherry wood snredrum. I sold it😞Stupid me

[@everyonelovesLewi]

How the heck do you butcher so badly Paiste its paste not piesty. It's a pet peve of mine. Good info though

13" snares are better.

[@ShawnxEdge]

#1 this guy sounds like Bill Burr #2 not much sleeper gear was actually mentioned between the jokes. Kind of a bummer… I would’ve preferred Bill Burr if I was here for the jokes.

[@NEALBABBITT]

CB- 700 is a buy word for crappy drums but they do actually sound good, im sorry.

[@jorymil]

UFIP made CB700 cymbals!