I have wanted a cocktail drum for a long time. I wanted a vintage kit and finally found a drum that would be perfect. This is a 24" x 16" Ludwig Cocktail drum from the 60s. All in all, it's in pretty good shape. I have some hardware to find, including a bass drum pedal, but it's in one piece.
Also, I am thinking about have a couple of smaller drums made for the kit. I was thinking a 8" x 5" snare and a 10" x 5" tom. I figured having them made would be cheaper than trying to buy 2 Ludwig drums in those sizes. The other option I have been considering is to buy a set of old Ludwig bongos from the 60s and add them as toms to the side. The cost of these vintage bongos is way more than it should be but it might look cool for the kit. I think I am going to add a percussion strike board on the side like the one found on the Yamaha Steve Jordan kits.
Let me know what you think.
I've never seen an actual cocktail set, so I had to read up on them. Apparently the top head typically has snares underneath, although 16" is big for that. If external snare, I would want it big enough to play brushes on comfortably. I think the bongos would be cool; maybe take your color from them? Otherwise, I would either go tasteful (black or black oyster) or wild (zebra print a la Copa Cabana, not sure that's an actual wrap!). I think something pretty wide would work best.
ReplyDeleteGood comments Tony. I might look around for zebra print. The top head does have snares underneath. The idea is you could play a gig with just one drum and since you stand up to play it, you take up less space. I think the extra snare would be more for hitting and the 16" head, although large, would be for brushes. I'm still working on some ideas. Stay tuned and we'll see what happens. Thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Ben, I'm interested in these two sided 16" cocktail drums. I've never played one but assume they offer more range by having the resonant head and larger diameter than most. Have you pieced it together and played it yet? I'd be really interested in hearing it, or how you've found it to play if you had the time.
ReplyDeleteGreat Questions...See the Post Above
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