You are so right. Just look at budget kits today, the quality is really good - consistently. If you buy an old kit, it might be great - or not. Lottery.
I would say this could be accurate for most brands except Rogers. Rogers quality control is superior to most. That being said, I enjiy the variations in sound. They were manufavtured by humans and it brings more artistry to the instrument. I dont enjoy new drums at all, and even sold my DW Collectors because it just didnt sound like a real drum to me.
Vintage is 3-ply mahogany-poplar with maple reinforcement rings, 12-14-20; Modern is 7-ply maple with no reinforcement rings, 12-16-22. Not surprising they sound completely different. I prefer the Vintage Ludwig here (I have a modern Classic Maple though).
That's because the Classic Maple's toms sounded terrible with those heads, and the rack tom was choked on the snare stand. If they had clear Ambassadors they would've sounded better than the vintage IMO.
In the case of the Ludwig you compared completely different kits. Vintage is 3-ply mahogany-poplar with maple reinforcement rings, 12-14-20; Modern is 7-ply maple with no reinforcement rings, 12-16-22. Not surprising they sound completely different. I prefer the Vintage Ludwig here (I have a modern Classic Maple though). However, in the blind test I thought it was the Modern, when it was actually the Vintage.
Came here to say this. Drumeo should have gotten a Legacy Mahogany downbeat and compared that to the 60's kit. Also, classic maple rack toms don't sound dead like that unless you use crap heads or can't tune. I have mine in a snare basket and it rings for days
ALSO - That 60s Gretsch is a 6ply Maple/ Gum shell, and the Broadkaster reissue is a 3PLY Maple Gum (thicker plys) shell. The BEST comparison video I ever saw was the Gretsch Matt Chamberlain video where he played his 50s 3 ply Gretsch Broadkaster and the modern reissue. GREAT production and the kits sounded awesome. Then... he jumped ship and switched to another company or 2... 🙄
It's nut how easily I was able to tell the modern and vintage apart after that tip about listening to the kick and how it resonates. 100% on the blind test!
This, a modern kits overtones are often a weird high pitched ring that no one ones to hear, the old kits have a nice warm hum that just makes the kit sound more full
Agree, the really old antique kicks in SD3 often becomes too loose and heavy for me, like u barely touch them and booom 😅😅 so I often go for a smaller modern kick and vintage toms
I could tell immediately . I had a red Ludwig Vistalite kit in the 70s and the toms rang like oil cans no matter what heads I fitted , the bass drum was horrible and I used a Supraphonic snare . worst. Ludwigs. ever . Any improvement HAD to be modern drums .
Great video! I've played both modern and vintage but couldn't tell which kit was being recorded until you pointed out the bass drum sound. There's definitely a difference but the the title of the video asks which is better. BTW Tyson is definitely the man!
As a drummer Musician and professional Audio engineer thank You! I've gotten great results with Both. I had a Ludwig gold badge kit that was killer and I mourn not having. But I have used many different kits... All drums like anything that has its own resonance ( voice ) it's how one uses with passion that's the key. Respect. Seth Ballou🎶👍👍
The Gretsch: what you hear (toms) is the huge difference in sound between die cast en triple flanged hoops, interchange the rims between the drums and you'll see what I mean, (and "that great Gretsch sound", it's especially the super heavy diecasts ...) What I do miss in modern drums: that thinner bass drum sound with less lows (but more music ...) in it in a 20", now drum company's seem to make only 20" bass drums that come as close as possible to the sound of a 22", what's the point? With the Yamaha, me being a jazz player: I wish they would make that exact old kit again, especially for the basdrum sound ... (and also the old Yam toms sound more musical to me ...)
I play an early 80s Tama Royalstar. Surprisingly, I was fooled only by the acrylic kit. But I was going by what was said about the difference between the bass drum sounds, and listening for the slightly delayed reso head flap. However prior to seeing this video, I wouldn't have known what to listen for and I definitely wouldn't have been able to tell which kit was the vintage. Also, if I didn't have my hearing aids on, I know I wouldn't be able to hear the subtle differences. Which makes me realize how much I was missing over the years, since I have always had hearing issues. I also have been wearing ear protection for the last twenty odd years. It doesn't help for noticing the finer details, but it has kept me from losing my hearing completely.
It's strange because I feel the vintage as a cool live drum sound. As if the vintage would sound better on a small theater or venue. Don't know if that would be true, but that was pretty cool!
I got right every blind test except for the acrylic drum sets! I play a modern kit with a vintage snare drum, but I also like to play with a modern snare drum!!
I got 4/4, but apart from being a drummer I’ve been producing/mixing/recording for a couple of decades almost. I have a 1964 gretsch kit, 24, 18, 14 and a 1972 ludwig blue oyster, definitely love them!
Hi, what a superb idea to compare all these kits back to back. I play a "modern-vintage" Pearl Masters Mahogany Limited Edition from the end of the 90's and it sounds huge (22 kd, 10, 12, 13 toms, 16 floor and 14x6,5 snare) after 25 years of playing. About the blind tests I missed one (the acrylic kit), did not have an answer to another and got the rest... 💪
These drums sound so good, regardless of what they are. That Yamaha kit though, sounds like it had a life in stadium rock, you can feel and hear the energy in the kick.
Awesome video, thank you! I'd love to see videos about legendary vintage snare drums (rogers dynasonic, ludwig supraphonic\black beauty, Slingerland radio king, premier 2000, leedy broadway, etc)
Loved the vid . I missed the Yamaha and Pearl kits , I have a couple of Ludwig Super Classic kits ( 22x 14 . 13 x 9 , 16 x 16 ) a 70s Rogers mini kit ( 20 x 20 kick , 10 x 8 , 14 x 10 ) and a mid 60s Japanese Gretsch clone called Dia Deluxe ( 20 x 14 , 12 x 8 , 14 x 14 ) I have played lots of modern kits and they all have their charms but I just like the round-ness and warmth of those vintage toms . I have a bunch of snare drums , old and new , but my go to is a late 70s Supraphonic 6 1/2 . Still a drum tragic after all these years .
Nailed it . . . got ALL blind tests right . . . but only because of the hints your commentators spoke of BD sound, etc. On the acrylic kit, the floor size gave it away . . .
The only blind test I got wrong was the acrylic. Not sure if its because that tech hasn't really changed since it was invented or if it was because that was the only one they didn't show in the first part of their video. I would like to hear those side by side.
The same, got right 4 out of 5. When hearing acrylic drums, I thought they sounded like vintage because kick sound was longer like other vintage sets, but my gut thought that acryl could sound different and be modern.
I got all the questions correct ...I play a Gretsch Catalina Maple at home and then have a Majestic de Luxe vintage set which is essentially Tama before it was Tama ...this video was awesome
Great Job on a super cool video idea...More like this in future please!:) You snuck a Zickos in there!...I had a Zicko's Bass Drum for several years so my heart definitely lends towards Vintage but after a massive downsize of the drums for while I play modern currently. Did do a Full reWrap on a Force 2000 in Very Vintage printings,(mostly ad's from 30's-60's), just to pay homage nuthin else. Again, Nicely done vid here guys...!
I am a drummer with a non stop career of 54 years .l played all the best contemporary sets: Tama, Pearl, DW, Yamaha, Sonor etc. But to me there 's nothing like a well mantained vintage american made A-1 kit. I am the proud owner of two custom made kits : The LUDWIG AC custom from 1970 and the CAMCO Stradivarius AC from 1975. I keep them in almost mint condition
I use a Pearl Masters from the 2010s. Hearing the Pearl test, I was reminded of how much I love those drums. In the hearing test, I got 4 out of 5. The acrylic one threw me off. Thanks for the great video!
I have Earthtone calf skins on my Mapex Saturn V kit at home, and the sounds are very warm and solid. I feel like you can get a vintage sound from modern kits, you just need to be intentional about it.
I play a MODERN Gretsch Catalina Maple, and guessed all but 1 blind correct, didn’t catch the difference in Pearl sounds... that Ludwig was so sweet sounding all around!
This was fun! Nailed all the blind tests except for the acrylic. I personally love that vintage sound. Did a session earlier this year on a 60s Ludwig champagne sparkle and was in heaven. 😂
I received a Reuther 4 piece grey on Christmas day '76 . That little kit got me through jr. high and high school. Wish drums would transfer well to apartments. Hope someone out there enjoyed them as they sadly ended up in a pawnshop after leaving the service.
I got the Ludwig question wrong... I have haven't played vintage kits myself but I do love the sound from this video! It's weird how there's not really a lot in it from modern and vintage! It's crazy, you'd expect them to be completely different in sound... Loved the video though and being able to hear the different kits. I've had the Mapex V series kit and recently I've been thinking about trading it in for a new kit but having been playing it since 2004 I honestly don't think I can part with it. Think I'm going to change things around instead and make it a slightly different set up and then see how I feel. Would love to have the space for a couple kits so can play different kits to switch it up. Great video brandon, love watching your content and how you play!
I really didn't think I'd hear much of a difference, but I really love the way vintage kicks sound, and the toms have a nice midrange. The Pearl almost got me, but the kick was the giveaway. I think I prefer the vintage sound overall, but would still buy a modern kit for the improved build quality. Great comparison!
I really like the looks from a vintage drumset, but I don’t like the sound of it. To solve my problem, I bought a messed up Gretsch Catalina Club Mod, and restored it like an old drumset. I used mahogany veneer on the shells, and printed the vintage Gretsch logo on a Remo Fiberskin for the front of the bassdrum.
What would have been great is to grab an 80s maple kit and a modern maple kit to see if something happens with the wood, like a 90s pearl masters and a newer model exact same shell and thickness.
One thing i’m noticing is that on the newer drums (specifically on the floor tom) The note of the drum is lower each time. But contains more overtones that ring in a high pitch. Whereas the vintage kits tend to sound more open but more pure for the note. (Not exactly the same through each kit but still felt it was worth mentioning)
The Ludwig kit was the one I got wrong. The vintage sounds good to me. Difficult to tell if it's an old or new kit! Great video, really cool to listen to the differences between vintage and modern!
Good video, and great lesson. Funny that the sound guy said he'd EQ the vintage kits to sound like the modern kits, so it's almost silly to argue...lol
I was surprised to find that I didn’t like the modern Ludwig toms at all, which is great because I have a 70s Ludwig standard kit. Also, the Yamaha toms are damn near identical between the two, but that modern kick is amazing.
Missed the acrylic, otherwise correct guesses (they were fairly obvious to me). I play mostly vintage kits- I own two Rogers and play another at church, but also have spent some hours on a 60s Ludwig, Star, and a MIJ stencil kit. I also own a modern Yamaha that I played constantly for over a decade. For me, modern drums are usually more in-your-face and project more, which doesn't work well for the settings and styles I'm playing- I think this was very apparent in the tests here with the toms- except for the Grestch, the vintage toms were warmer/rounder sounding. Vintage kicks may not be as tight, but they usually have great character. The switch from my Yamaha to my first Rogers was bizzare, though- I went from a 22/10/12/14 setup to a 20/13/16, where the kick shrank and the toms grew- talk about feeling weird behind a kit at first! The other super interesting thing here is that the snare sound changes with the kit changes- the reverse was true, too, in a recent Mike Johnston video where he shot out snares, and it made the sound of the kit change.
My favorite pack in SD3 is decades and I’ve always loved vintage music and drum sounds but like Brandon I’ve wondered why I love it, what makes it vintage and this video helped i think, the vintage is warmer I think, and the toms has sometimes more of a buzz
I really love your channel and appreciate the effort behind doing these videos. In the case of Gretsch, the comparison is useless, it is not apples vs apples. The progressive jazz kit is a USA Custom, 6-ply maple/gum shell with die-cast hoops and the new Broadkaster kit is a 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple with 302 hoops, without mentioning the differences in shell thickness and bearing edges. Also, you chose a Broadkaster kit with center lugs, which may eventually have some impact on shell resonance and tone. Why you did not compare two Broadkaster or two USA Custom kits? There are tons of them out there in really good shape to do a fair comparison of the "vintage" element.
I play in a classic vintage brazilian kit, a brand called "Pinguim", I have two of it, onw with 18" kick and the other, a 22". The sound of both is unique and I could recognize it anywhere. In your test I was able to get around 70% of right answers. The Pinguim kits were descontinued in the 80's through 90's but one still find it. Since the beginning it was a copy of Ludwigs classicals with different decoration. The main model was the kind you show in the video. As a suggestion you could search for several brands over the world that were inspired in English, German or American kits... I swear you would find several interesting instruments...
I got every answer right at the end, except for the acrylic kits because I have no experience playing them, so I had no idea what a vintage one or modern one should sound like. It may sound weird, but the vintage ones, while having less low-low emphasis and more idiosyncrasies to the sound, somehow sound more, I don't know, like, solid.
Man.... I feel like comparing vintage to modern kits would only be accurate if the wood types were the same. Comparing a mahogany/poplar/mahogany w/ maple rerings to a full maple kit, they are going to sound different even if they were from the same era.
I play both as well. I have a ‘67 Ludwig Super Classic (22-13-16 w/ a LM400 - Supraphonic). I also play a Canopus Yiaba 24 (24-13-16 w/ a Canopus 5x14 aluminum snare). They are not meant to to be duplicates of each other. The Ludwig has mahogany shells and the Canopus has birch shells. They are not constructed at all the same, which is why I play them. When I want a more open sound I go vintage, when I need a tighter, controlled sound it’s the modern. Like all things in music, it all about what the song needs.
The difference between vintage and modern is really very simple. The wood of vintage kits has hardened and settled- a.k.a aged, making them warmer than brand new drums, with wood which hasn't settled yet. Great comparison guys 👍👍👍
Drums are drums. The right choice of heads, proper tuning and hitting them right are all FAR more important than brand, age, and even shell material. As long as they’re actually round (which most vintage drums are NOT) they can be made to sound great.
My take: #1 1968 Yamaha D30's are best, every drum sounds amazing to me. #2 1960 Ludwig Downbeats, the Kick, snare and floor tom sound really great. #3 Vintage Gretsch. I didn't care for either of the Gretsch kits, however all the Gretsch kit's I've tried in person sound awesome. My background: I've been playing professionally for over 30 years, and currently I play a 2005 Tama Starclassic Birch 6 piece mainly, but I also have a Superstar Classic 8 piece for some gigs, and I use Mapex Black Panther Steel and Bronze snares, and sometimes the Birch Starclassic snare at quieter gigs.
I think there is another factor in the timeline for the kit sound: here we have the same mics for both and for the comparison it's someting that works but over the time both the kits and the mics changed so maybe the two things are more related than we think.
4 out of 5 the Ludwig vintage kick stumped me as well, very interesting video, I do agree with others mentioning wood types contributing to pretty big differences, but still thought there was noticeable difference enough to tell. Both Ludwig Floor Tom also really sounded the opposite to thier kits (modern sounded more vintage etc)
What i find so fascinating is the dryness in the basses. The dry bass is almost a classic be-bop drum sound. Just really interesting to see the difference. I also got only 2 wrong in the test the audience segment 😆
Thanks, very interesting! I have to say that I think the vintage drums sounded best in all examples. The bassdrums sound different where vintage is more open and light while the modern drums sound more punchy and tight, so here it is a bit of a question of what to play. The toms of the vintage drums have a fuller, richer, warmer and more homogeneous sound where you hear the glory of the drum. The modern drums generally sound a little cleaner and lighter and the sound is a little more hollow where it feels like you can not hear the full sound of the whole drum in the same way as on the vintage drums. I think the Yamaha sets were most similar in comparison and that the Ludwig drums were most different. As for the Ludwig drums, I have to say that I do not really recognize the sound of the Classic Maple here. Classic Maple are very good drums that in my opinion sound warm and punchy with an open tone. I just think it is not representative of how I know the drums and I have a feeling that you have been a little unlucky with the tuning and heads. In the test I got it wrong with the Acrylic and Pearl. My drum kits are modern - Ludwig Classic Maple and Ludwig Club Date. Club date is a modern version of Ludwig Club Date from the 60's with round bearing edges, so they may be called modern / vintage. They definitely have their own sound and they sound pretty vintage, I would like to say that they just need to age a bit then they are there 😇🥁
With the Ludwig kit, I love the Classic Maple kick, but I love the tom sounds on the vintage kit. It could be just that the tuning didn't work well on the Classic Maple kit.
GREAT video! Fun and interesting. I missed two kits. The difference in the Ludwig vintage vs the modern was huge. The Gretch kits sounded the best. I'd like you guys to compare modern kits to help people like me make more confident decisions on purchasing a kit. I live days away from any drum store with high end drum kits. Thanks!!!
Like the sound of the new Ludwigs with clear heads but the best sounding imo are the vintage Ludwigs. You can hear a much richer mellower tone. I have a set I bought new in 1976, first year of the 6 ply classic maple/poplar that is hard to surpass in tone. Love and play them still 45 years later. 😎
My Rogers 1966 Holiday Model with DynaSonic STILL sounds meaty and vibey. (BOUGHT AT AGE 16) But people always say "what are those drums"?? The kick hoops were falling a part 15 yrs ago so I stained up some Maple hoops Cherry Gloss. I was amazed at the difference from just changing out the Hoops. Bass player noticed it right off. I usually play a Ludwig AcroLITE since the Dyna is SO LOUD. AT AGE 72 I'm still gigging with MANY bands who need a SUB. I like the Aquarian Super Kick II. And these groups I sit in with always say, "Why does your little kit sound better than our drummers "Big Kit"?? Wisdom of the Years: " Know your place and just STAY THERE "....
I can actually agree, I own a 24" Wuhan china at home. It's loud as fuck, and can handle being smashed the living shit out of. The price doesn't say otherwise. That thing still is shocking.
Got 3 right and I have a mapex Saturn iv a pearl crystal beats and at the moment I’m playing my pearl 75th anniversary Luan kit which is my favourite atm. 🤘
Cool video. We need more content like this. I like (and own) both vintage and modern. Its all in the ear of the beholder though. The things the companies are doing with hybrid shells and different bearing edge techniques these days is pretty interesting. Buying vintage can be tricky. Just because a kit is 20 years old doesn't mean it sounds better than modern nor should you add an extra grand to your asking price. Keep up the interesting videos!!
Modern bassdrum blows away vintage anytime. Unless you want that ringy midrangy typ of sound for music until maybe 1975?! Yea anyhow can‘t compare them
I like a lot of people only got the acrylics wrong. The Tom’s and kick sounded so good. What I found interesting is I liked the sound of the modern Gretsch better than the vintage and I liked the vintage Ludwig better than the modern. The pearl was super easy to tell. I have a modern pearl export and the sound is unmistakable.
The Difference in Sound Comes From The Original Bearing Edges Being Uniquely Shaped and Altered By Decades of Drum Head Tension and Use. It Actually Creates a Barely Perceivable Degree of Warping & Piling of The Wood Layers In Between Each Hoop and Lug Contact Point. Then Factor in Age, Hardening and The Very Slight Shrinkage of the Wood and You've Got The Resonance Changes That You Can Hear When Playing a Modern Version of The Same Kit against the Vintage.
One point that didn't get mentioned is that modern kits are likely more consistent while the vintage kits vary more from kit to kit...
You are so right. Just look at budget kits today, the quality is really good - consistently. If you buy an old kit, it might be great - or not. Lottery.
I would say this could be accurate for most brands except Rogers. Rogers quality control is superior to most. That being said, I enjiy the variations in sound. They were manufavtured by humans and it brings more artistry to the instrument. I dont enjoy new drums at all, and even sold my DW Collectors because it just didnt sound like a real drum to me.
Totally true…manufacturing of high end products is really pretty great today
The difference with Ludwig kits is astonishing. To me the vintage one just sounds perfect!
Vintage is 3-ply mahogany-poplar with maple reinforcement rings, 12-14-20; Modern is 7-ply maple with no reinforcement rings, 12-16-22. Not surprising they sound completely different. I prefer the Vintage Ludwig here (I have a modern Classic Maple though).
That's because the Classic Maple's toms sounded terrible with those heads, and the rack tom was choked on the snare stand. If they had clear Ambassadors they would've sounded better than the vintage IMO.
I buy Gretsch. That’s my brand
It's comparing apples to oranges. Of course they're different. 🥁❤
Classic maple is 6 ply straight maple. Totally different sounding drum.
They should have chosen the legacy mahogany for a true comparison.
In the case of the Ludwig you compared completely different kits. Vintage is 3-ply mahogany-poplar with maple reinforcement rings, 12-14-20; Modern is 7-ply maple with no reinforcement rings, 12-16-22. Not surprising they sound completely different. I prefer the Vintage Ludwig here (I have a modern Classic Maple though). However, in the blind test I thought it was the Modern, when it was actually the Vintage.
Came here to say this. Drumeo should have gotten a Legacy Mahogany downbeat and compared that to the 60's kit. Also, classic maple rack toms don't sound dead like that unless you use crap heads or can't tune. I have mine in a snare basket and it rings for days
Honestly, I thought overall the Ludwig vintage sounded the best compared to all the other vintage kits and I have never owned one. Maybe I should.
It doesn't that the head selection and tuning for the modern maple was not going to produce a modern sound.
ALSO - That 60s Gretsch is a 6ply Maple/ Gum shell, and the Broadkaster reissue is a 3PLY Maple Gum (thicker plys) shell. The BEST comparison video I ever saw was the Gretsch Matt Chamberlain video where he played his 50s 3 ply Gretsch Broadkaster and the modern reissue. GREAT production and the kits sounded awesome. Then... he jumped ship and switched to another company or 2... 🙄
They also used the wrong heads, should’ve done clear ambassadors
It's nut how easily I was able to tell the modern and vintage apart after that tip about listening to the kick and how it resonates. 100% on the blind test!
I think a common trait in vintage drums is they can have more overtones, but the overtones are also more pleasant.
This, a modern kits overtones are often a weird high pitched ring that no one ones to hear, the old kits have a nice warm hum that just makes the kit sound more full
I thought the vintage Gretch kit had a more rounded sound than thé modern one, with l'ESS treble
None of that is true.
100% accurate answers here! There is a clear difference on how the heads and shells interact and resonate. (the acrylic was the toughest for me).
The acrylics got me. Otherwise I was clean. I'm torn. I like the modern kick better for it's tightness, but vintage toms just sound better to me.
Agree, the really old antique kicks in SD3 often becomes too loose and heavy for me, like u barely touch them and booom 😅😅 so I often go for a smaller modern kick and vintage toms
Same. I guessed all the others but wondered if the acrylic was a trick, e.g. modern BD, vintage toms.
I could tell immediately . I had a red Ludwig Vistalite kit in the 70s and the toms rang like oil cans no matter what heads I fitted , the bass drum was horrible and I used a Supraphonic snare . worst. Ludwigs. ever . Any improvement HAD to be modern drums .
Great video! I've played both modern and vintage but couldn't tell which kit was being recorded until you pointed out the bass drum sound. There's definitely a difference but the the title of the video asks which is better. BTW Tyson is definitely the man!
Thanks Rich!
I got all the blind tests right except for the acrylic one at the end. Really interesting how different vintage kicks sound once you point it out!
As a drummer Musician and professional Audio engineer thank You! I've gotten great results with Both. I had a Ludwig gold badge kit that was killer and I mourn not having.
But I have used many different kits... All drums like anything that has its own resonance ( voice ) it's how one uses with passion that's the key. Respect. Seth Ballou🎶👍👍
Yep, I have a modern maple mapex
and a vintage sonor 3 piece beech kit, love both, different vibe.
Just keep hearing the Sgt pepper riff in my head on the vintage Ludwig
The Gretsch: what you hear (toms) is the huge difference in sound between die cast en triple flanged hoops, interchange the rims between the drums and you'll see what I mean, (and "that great Gretsch sound", it's especially the super heavy diecasts ...) What I do miss in modern drums: that thinner bass drum sound with less lows (but more music ...) in it in a 20", now drum company's seem to make only 20" bass drums that come as close as possible to the sound of a 22", what's the point? With the Yamaha, me being a jazz player: I wish they would make that exact old kit again, especially for the basdrum sound ... (and also the old Yam toms sound more musical to me ...)
We know Dave always screen looked as a child during gaming LAN parties back in the day...
Didn't we all...? 😆
So it's treason then
Screen peeking was kind of unavoidable.
Vintage, I hear more dry and low end, you can feel the wood // Modern, I feel more the drumhead and harmonics
I play an early 80s Tama Royalstar.
Surprisingly, I was fooled only by the acrylic kit. But I was going by what was said about the difference between the bass drum sounds, and listening for the slightly delayed reso head flap. However prior to seeing this video, I wouldn't have known what to listen for and I definitely wouldn't have been able to tell which kit was the vintage. Also, if I didn't have my hearing aids on, I know I wouldn't be able to hear the subtle differences. Which makes me realize how much I was missing over the years, since I have always had hearing issues. I also have been wearing ear protection for the last twenty odd years. It doesn't help for noticing the finer details, but it has kept me from losing my hearing completely.
It's strange because I feel the vintage as a cool live drum sound. As if the vintage would sound better on a small theater or venue. Don't know if that would be true, but that was pretty cool!
I got right every blind test except for the acrylic drum sets! I play a modern kit with a vintage snare drum, but I also like to play with a modern snare drum!!
I got 4/4, but apart from being a drummer I’ve been producing/mixing/recording for a couple of decades almost. I have a 1964 gretsch kit, 24, 18, 14 and a 1972 ludwig blue oyster, definitely love them!
Hi, what a superb idea to compare all these kits back to back. I play a "modern-vintage" Pearl Masters Mahogany Limited Edition from the end of the 90's and it sounds huge (22 kd, 10, 12, 13 toms, 16 floor and 14x6,5 snare) after 25 years of playing. About the blind tests I missed one (the acrylic kit), did not have an answer to another and got the rest... 💪
These drums sound so good, regardless of what they are. That Yamaha kit though, sounds like it had a life in stadium rock, you can feel and hear the energy in the kick.
This man really said YAM uh haw.
Awesome video, thank you!
I'd love to see videos about legendary vintage snare drums (rogers dynasonic, ludwig supraphonic\black beauty, Slingerland radio king, premier 2000, leedy broadway, etc)
I’m super impressed by the 1960’s Ludwig. Great video all. The acrylics at the end threw me for a loop but so cool.
does drumeo respond to comments? i love your channel guys
👋
Loved the vid . I missed the Yamaha and Pearl kits , I have a couple of Ludwig Super Classic kits ( 22x 14 . 13 x 9 , 16 x 16 ) a 70s Rogers mini kit ( 20 x 20 kick , 10 x 8 , 14 x 10 ) and a mid 60s Japanese Gretsch clone called Dia Deluxe ( 20 x 14 , 12 x 8 , 14 x 14 ) I have played lots of modern kits and they all have their charms but I just like the round-ness and warmth of those vintage toms . I have a bunch of snare drums , old and new , but my go to is a late 70s Supraphonic 6 1/2 . Still a drum tragic after all these years .
I would love to see more blind tests like this. It was really fun
I play a modern ('96) GMS and a vintage ('67) Rogers. Everything you hit in this video applies. I love them both for different applications.
Nailed it . . . got ALL blind tests right . . . but only because of the hints your commentators spoke of BD sound, etc. On the acrylic kit, the floor size gave it away . . .
That Gretsch Vintage sounds so great 👍👍
The only blind test I got wrong was the acrylic. Not sure if its because that tech hasn't really changed since it was invented or if it was because that was the only one they didn't show in the first part of their video. I would like to hear those side by side.
The same, got right 4 out of 5. When hearing acrylic drums, I thought they sounded like vintage because kick sound was longer like other vintage sets, but my gut thought that acryl could sound different and be modern.
I got all the questions correct ...I play a Gretsch Catalina Maple at home and then have a Majestic de Luxe vintage set which is essentially Tama before it was Tama ...this video was awesome
Great video guys🎯🏆
Thanks!
Very Nice ! Mine is a Gretsch stop badge 1974 ! So long !
Great Job on a super cool video idea...More like this in future please!:)
You snuck a Zickos in there!...I had a Zicko's Bass Drum for several years so my heart definitely lends towards Vintage but
after a massive downsize of the drums for while I play modern currently.
Did do a Full reWrap on a Force 2000 in Very Vintage printings,(mostly ad's from 30's-60's), just to pay homage nuthin else.
Again, Nicely done vid here guys...!
I am a drummer with a non stop career of 54 years .l played all the best contemporary sets: Tama, Pearl, DW, Yamaha, Sonor etc. But to me there 's nothing like a well mantained vintage american made A-1 kit. I am the proud owner of two custom made kits : The LUDWIG AC custom from 1970 and the CAMCO Stradivarius AC from 1975. I keep them in almost mint condition
I use a Pearl Masters from the 2010s. Hearing the Pearl test, I was reminded of how much I love those drums.
In the hearing test, I got 4 out of 5. The acrylic one threw me off.
Thanks for the great video!
Cheers Clarence!
Ohhh snap I got them all right :) Great video! I play a modern acrylic kit... so that section was easy :)
Well done!
I have Earthtone calf skins on my Mapex Saturn V kit at home, and the sounds are very warm and solid. I feel like you can get a vintage sound from modern kits, you just need to be intentional about it.
I play a MODERN Gretsch Catalina Maple, and guessed all but 1 blind correct, didn’t catch the difference in Pearl sounds... that Ludwig was so sweet sounding all around!
It really all comes down to the kick, doesn't it? I had no idea on the acrylic. Got all the other blind tests right.
liked most of the vintage toms over the modern ones lol
The ludwig vintage...oh my God!!!🤩🤩🤩
Well done comparison! Vintage wins for me! Obvious difference - much warmer
would have been interesting to hear these within the context of an actual song
Also another good observation. 👍🎶
This was fun! Nailed all the blind tests except for the acrylic.
I personally love that vintage sound. Did a session earlier this year on a 60s Ludwig champagne sparkle and was in heaven. 😂
I received a Reuther 4 piece grey on Christmas day '76 . That little kit got me through jr. high and high school. Wish drums would transfer well to apartments. Hope someone out there enjoyed them as they sadly ended up in a pawnshop after leaving the service.
I got the Ludwig question wrong...
I have haven't played vintage kits myself but I do love the sound from this video! It's weird how there's not really a lot in it from modern and vintage! It's crazy, you'd expect them to be completely different in sound...
Loved the video though and being able to hear the different kits.
I've had the Mapex V series kit and recently I've been thinking about trading it in for a new kit but having been playing it since 2004 I honestly don't think I can part with it.
Think I'm going to change things around instead and make it a slightly different set up and then see how I feel.
Would love to have the space for a couple kits so can play different kits to switch it up.
Great video brandon, love watching your content and how you play!
Nice idea of video! I've liked a lot the blind test, please do more!
I really didn't think I'd hear much of a difference, but I really love the way vintage kicks sound, and the toms have a nice midrange. The Pearl almost got me, but the kick was the giveaway. I think I prefer the vintage sound overall, but would still buy a modern kit for the improved build quality. Great comparison!
I personally like the way old drums sound. My kit sounds like a John Bonham, Bull ward, and Neil peart mix.
Hahaha i just die
Bull ward??? 🤔😂🤣
@@osianjones3694 I call him bull ward. Because he used to ham on the drums!
@@yeetfeet1878but… ham doesn’t come from bu… you know what, never mind.
That Ludwig down beat 2021 floortom was nog great..
Huge difference. I guessed the wood drums right, on the acrylic i had no idea what so ever. Very, very nice test!
I really like the looks from a vintage drumset, but I don’t like the sound of it. To solve my problem, I bought a messed up Gretsch Catalina Club Mod, and restored it like an old drumset. I used mahogany veneer on the shells, and printed the vintage Gretsch logo on a Remo Fiberskin for the front of the bassdrum.
Makes me want to pair vintage toms with a modern bass drum.
What would have been great is to grab an 80s maple kit and a modern maple kit to see if something happens with the wood, like a 90s pearl masters and a newer model exact same shell and thickness.
One thing i’m noticing is that on the newer drums (specifically on the floor tom)
The note of the drum is lower each time. But contains more overtones that ring in a high pitch. Whereas the vintage kits tend to sound more open but more pure for the note.
(Not exactly the same through each kit but still felt it was worth mentioning)
The Ludwig kit was the one I got wrong. The vintage sounds good to me. Difficult to tell if it's an old or new kit!
Great video, really cool to listen to the differences between vintage and modern!
Those blue acrylic drums in the background 🔥
Good video, and great lesson. Funny that the sound guy said he'd EQ the vintage kits to sound like the modern kits, so it's almost silly to argue...lol
Very cool comp!
I was surprised to find that I didn’t like the modern Ludwig toms at all, which is great because I have a 70s Ludwig standard kit. Also, the Yamaha toms are damn near identical between the two, but that modern kick is amazing.
Missed the acrylic, otherwise correct guesses (they were fairly obvious to me). I play mostly vintage kits- I own two Rogers and play another at church, but also have spent some hours on a 60s Ludwig, Star, and a MIJ stencil kit. I also own a modern Yamaha that I played constantly for over a decade. For me, modern drums are usually more in-your-face and project more, which doesn't work well for the settings and styles I'm playing- I think this was very apparent in the tests here with the toms- except for the Grestch, the vintage toms were warmer/rounder sounding. Vintage kicks may not be as tight, but they usually have great character. The switch from my Yamaha to my first Rogers was bizzare, though- I went from a 22/10/12/14 setup to a 20/13/16, where the kick shrank and the toms grew- talk about feeling weird behind a kit at first!
The other super interesting thing here is that the snare sound changes with the kit changes- the reverse was true, too, in a recent Mike Johnston video where he shot out snares, and it made the sound of the kit change.
My favorite pack in SD3 is decades and I’ve always loved vintage music and drum sounds but like Brandon I’ve wondered why I love it, what makes it vintage and this video helped i think, the vintage is warmer I think, and the toms has sometimes more of a buzz
I really love your channel and appreciate the effort behind doing these videos. In the case of Gretsch, the comparison is useless, it is not apples vs apples. The progressive jazz kit is a USA Custom, 6-ply maple/gum shell with die-cast hoops and the new Broadkaster kit is a 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple with 302 hoops, without mentioning the differences in shell thickness and bearing edges. Also, you chose a Broadkaster kit with center lugs, which may eventually have some impact on shell resonance and tone. Why you did not compare two Broadkaster or two USA Custom kits? There are tons of them out there in really good shape to do a fair comparison of the "vintage" element.
Love that u used the most modern possible. 2021! Wowie
I like how Jared is just a hobbyist lol
Got them all but the acrylic one. Currently playing a Yamaha Live Oak Hybrid and a Yamaha Beech Custom.
I play in a classic vintage brazilian kit, a brand called "Pinguim", I have two of it, onw with 18" kick and the other, a 22". The sound of both is unique and I could recognize it anywhere. In your test I was able to get around 70% of right answers. The Pinguim kits were descontinued in the 80's through 90's but one still find it. Since the beginning it was a copy of Ludwigs classicals with different decoration. The main model was the kind you show in the video. As a suggestion you could search for several brands over the world that were inspired in English, German or American kits... I swear you would find several interesting instruments...
BTW the kits were always 13, 15, 18 or 22.
I got every answer right at the end, except for the acrylic kits because I have no experience playing them, so I had no idea what a vintage one or modern one should sound like. It may sound weird, but the vintage ones, while having less low-low emphasis and more idiosyncrasies to the sound, somehow sound more, I don't know, like, solid.
“Local drum hobbyist” lol
How about compare E-drums vs acoustic and see who can tell which is which ?
Great idea!
@@DrumeoOfficial TY
this would be too easy Lol! Maybe with SD3 or EZd but not standard Roland or Alesis modules...
And compare them in the context of a full mix!
Would probably have a hard time with a pearl mimic.. I honestly enjoy playing my hybrid ekit more than my acoustic in many settings.
Man.... I feel like comparing vintage to modern kits would only be accurate if the wood types were the same. Comparing a mahogany/poplar/mahogany w/ maple rerings to a full maple kit, they are going to sound different even if they were from the same era.
Agreed! It would also be more apples to apples if they tuned the drums similarly.
I play both as well. I have a ‘67 Ludwig Super Classic (22-13-16 w/ a LM400 - Supraphonic). I also play a Canopus Yiaba 24 (24-13-16 w/ a Canopus 5x14 aluminum snare). They are not meant to to be duplicates of each other. The Ludwig has mahogany shells and the Canopus has birch shells. They are not constructed at all the same, which is why I play them. When I want a more open sound I go vintage, when I need a tighter, controlled sound it’s the modern. Like all things in music, it all about what the song needs.
I play a vintage Rogers big R kit, and I only got the acrylic kit wrong! Cool video
I’d play a modern Ludwig kick and the vintage toms!
That 1984 white Yamaha kit though 😍
The difference between vintage and modern is really very simple. The wood of vintage kits has hardened and settled- a.k.a aged, making them warmer than brand new drums, with wood which hasn't settled yet. Great comparison guys 👍👍👍
Aaaaaaaargh, great video!🤘🍻
Edit. I mistake the Yamaha one. Did good on the others, surprisingly HAHAHAHAHA
That vintage Ludwig just sounds superb. The kick on the 80’s Yamaha tho! Made me want a Yamaha kit badly!
Drums are drums. The right choice of heads, proper tuning and hitting them right are all FAR more important than brand, age, and even shell material. As long as they’re actually round (which most vintage drums are NOT) they can be made to sound great.
My take: #1 1968 Yamaha D30's are best, every drum sounds amazing to me.
#2 1960 Ludwig Downbeats, the Kick, snare and floor tom sound really great.
#3 Vintage Gretsch. I didn't care for either of the Gretsch kits, however all the Gretsch kit's I've tried in person sound awesome.
My background: I've been playing professionally for over 30 years, and currently I play a 2005 Tama Starclassic Birch 6 piece mainly, but I also have a Superstar Classic 8 piece for some gigs, and I use Mapex Black Panther Steel and Bronze snares, and sometimes the Birch Starclassic snare at quieter gigs.
I think there is another factor in the timeline for the kit sound: here we have the same mics for both and for the comparison it's someting that works but over the time both the kits and the mics changed so maybe the two things are more related than we think.
And heads as well...
@@isihernandez9752 Yup, that too.
4 out of 5 the Ludwig vintage kick stumped me as well, very interesting video, I do agree with others mentioning wood types contributing to pretty big differences, but still thought there was noticeable difference enough to tell. Both Ludwig Floor Tom also really sounded the opposite to thier kits (modern sounded more vintage etc)
What i find so fascinating is the dryness in the basses.
The dry bass is almost a classic be-bop drum sound. Just really interesting to see the difference. I also got only 2 wrong in the test the audience segment 😆
Thanks, very interesting!
I have to say that I think the vintage drums sounded best in all examples. The bassdrums sound different where vintage is more open and light while the modern drums sound more punchy and tight, so here it is a bit of a question of what to play. The toms of the vintage drums have a fuller, richer, warmer and more homogeneous sound where you hear the glory of the drum. The modern drums generally sound a little cleaner and lighter and the sound is a little more hollow where it feels like you can not hear the full sound of the whole drum in the same way as on the vintage drums.
I think the Yamaha sets were most similar in comparison and that the Ludwig drums were most different.
As for the Ludwig drums, I have to say that I do not really recognize the sound of the Classic Maple here. Classic Maple are very good drums that in my opinion sound warm and punchy with an open tone. I just think it is not representative of how I know the drums and I have a feeling that you have been a little unlucky with the tuning and heads.
In the test I got it wrong with the Acrylic and Pearl.
My drum kits are modern - Ludwig Classic Maple and Ludwig Club Date. Club date is a modern version of Ludwig Club Date from the 60's with round bearing edges, so they may be called modern / vintage. They definitely have their own sound and they sound pretty vintage, I would like to say that they just need to age a bit then they are there 😇🥁
With the Ludwig kit, I love the Classic Maple kick, but I love the tom sounds on the vintage kit. It could be just that the tuning didn't work well on the Classic Maple kit.
Man I love that round badge kit
I always liked the vintage drumsound...great tone!
GREAT video! Fun and interesting. I missed two kits. The difference in the Ludwig vintage vs the modern was huge. The Gretch kits sounded the best. I'd like you guys to compare modern kits to help people like me make more confident decisions on purchasing a kit. I live days away from any drum store with high end drum kits. Thanks!!!
Like the sound of the new Ludwigs with clear heads but the best sounding imo are the vintage Ludwigs. You can hear a much richer mellower tone. I have a set I bought new in 1976, first year of the 6 ply classic maple/poplar that is hard to surpass in tone. Love and play them still 45 years later. 😎
My Rogers 1966 Holiday Model with DynaSonic STILL sounds meaty and vibey. (BOUGHT AT AGE 16) But people always say
"what are those drums"?? The kick hoops were falling a part 15 yrs ago so I stained up some Maple hoops
Cherry Gloss. I was amazed at the difference from just changing out the Hoops. Bass player noticed it right off.
I usually play a Ludwig AcroLITE since the Dyna is SO LOUD. AT AGE 72 I'm still gigging with MANY bands who
need a SUB. I like the Aquarian Super Kick II. And these groups I sit in with always say, "Why does your little kit sound
better than our drummers "Big Kit"?? Wisdom of the Years: " Know your place and just STAY THERE "....
I'd be interested to see a china cymbal comparison video, from all brands that exists here.
If that ever happens, which I'll have some doubt on.
I can actually agree, I own a 24" Wuhan china at home. It's loud as fuck, and can handle being smashed the living shit out of. The price doesn't say otherwise. That thing still is shocking.
1989 USA Custom Square Badge Birds Eye in Natural Finish with twin 16x24 kicks, 10x12, 11x13, 14x14 18x18, 8x14 20 lug snare with lightning throw off
Preferred the modern Gretsch, the vintage Ludwigs, Yamaha couldn’t pick a preference (but the Yellow Tiger is a KILLER finish).
Got 3 right and I have a mapex Saturn iv a pearl crystal beats and at the moment I’m playing my pearl 75th anniversary Luan kit which is my favourite atm. 🤘
Cool video. We need more content like this. I like (and own) both vintage and modern. Its all in the ear of the beholder though. The things the companies are doing with hybrid shells and different bearing edge techniques these days is pretty interesting. Buying vintage can be tricky. Just because a kit is 20 years old doesn't mean it sounds better than modern nor should you add an extra grand to your asking price. Keep up the interesting videos!!
Vintage ludwigs blow away the modern kits every time. Glad they were able to prove this
Apples and oranges. They weren't even the same type of wood. The comparison is just silly.
@@pbaker7160 Exactly
Modern bassdrum blows away vintage anytime. Unless you want that ringy midrangy typ of sound for music until maybe 1975?! Yea anyhow can‘t compare them
Great video!
Thanks!
@@DrumeoOfficial No problem! 😁
I like a lot of people only got the acrylics wrong. The Tom’s and kick sounded so good. What I found interesting is I liked the sound of the modern Gretsch better than the vintage and I liked the vintage Ludwig better than the modern. The pearl was super easy to tell. I have a modern pearl export and the sound is unmistakable.
Same here
The Difference in Sound Comes From The Original Bearing Edges Being Uniquely Shaped and Altered By Decades of Drum Head Tension and Use. It Actually Creates a Barely Perceivable Degree of Warping & Piling of The Wood Layers In Between Each Hoop and Lug Contact Point.
Then Factor in Age, Hardening and The Very Slight Shrinkage of the Wood and You've Got The Resonance Changes That You Can Hear When Playing a Modern Version of The Same Kit against the Vintage.
I enjoyed this video a lot. Most modern drums have this punchy bass drum sound while the vintage has flat sound. 4/5 score lol