Drumming

Has anyone got suggestions for somewhere to practice in east/south east London? Probably just for an hour or two a week. I use Pirate studios for full band practices but it gets expensive if you're on your own and the house kits are pretty bad!

Wow, a drumming thread?! I never knew.
Played pro for a while, have lots of experience with lots of drums.

Pedal wise, pearl eliminator when dialled in has been my ultimate pedal. However iron cobra P model (non-round cam) became my go to. So solid. Would go on tour and be chucked about in a van and never worried about. Just change the beater to a larger felt one. Improves the tone a lot beyond the standard iron cobra beater.

For a new player, IMO, try not to worry about gear. Groove isn’t hidden in some boutique piece.

In the world of practice, mesh heads on an acoustic kit you can gig (or loads of towels on the kit and cymbals!) is better value than a whole electric kit that’s only used for practice. I think in 20 years of playing, I played 1 gig on an electric kit.

Hi there are drumming studios in Haggerston where I’m based that you can hire to practice and even some in my building that give lessons

I was looking at the website for the place in Haggerston the other day - prices looked reasonable! I would not be able to judge the decency of the kits, mind.

I know one of the guys who teaches and is connected to the practice studios and from previous conversations I think the kits are of decent quality

Thanks, that place looks like it might work! I've been playing drums since I was a kid but only really get to play during full band practices, which are fairly sporadic. I'm definitely not as good as I was a few years ago when I was touring a lot, I really need to give myself a kick up the arse and try and actually improve my playing!

Hey I spoke to the guy this morning and he said the kits are Catalina and they change the skins regularly and it’s about £8.50 per hour there’s also a bike shop on the street as a bonus
cheers k

Thanks for checking, that's really helpful! £8.50 an hour isn't too bad at all if the equipment is decent.

I wish these places existed when I had a kit probably would have learned to play

Any suggestions for places online to look for secondhand gear? Other than eBay/Facebook. Even better, does anyone want to sell me a Pearl Eliminator Redline double pedal?

it is fb, but there's a UK 'buy, sell, trade drums' group which is decent enough, got a double-pedal and a cymbal from a couple of different people on there in the past few years without any issues. (edit: i used this one https://www.facebook.com/groups/507827252616774 - there's another version that's not '(2)', not sure what the difference is)

also bought lots of used stuff here: https://www.grahamrusselldrums.com/pre-owned/used-drum-hardware/ though can't see the pedals you're after in stock at the mo.

Reverb would be my go to usually... also Adverts is a local Irish sales platform that has a lot of music gear on it and most people would be cool about shipping.

I've definitely had good results with those Facebook groups too though and there would be some good brand specific ones worth checking out, just start searching in FB groups for whatever keywords you're after...

Anyone have any suggestions for a beater snare? I sold my Sonor Benny Grab earlier in the year and managed to pick up a Union X Sean Carey Signature snare (I'm a huge Bon Iver fan and it these are rare as hen's teeth so I couldn't turn my nose up at the opportunity to acquire one).

I've also recently committed myself to my first jam/ potential band as a drummer and I'm loath to take the Sean Carey out to be honest as I don't want it to get thrashed...

I'd ideally like something in aluminium, brass or oak (cast steel would be cool too but they're all crazy money like Keplingers etc.) I'd also quite like 13" if possible but happy with 14"...

My preference would be something a little more high end in tough cosmetic condition rather than cheap and spotless and my preferred brands are Tama, Yamaha, Sonor...

Anyone have anything they want rid of or a good suggestion?

Sorry, late reply but - Banana Studios, Erith? I've not actually been there but a mate of mine who's learning drums uses it. Only criticism he's mentioned is the kit having awful cymbals!

what's your budget?

this one might go for a reasonable amount - finding ebay listings these days that aren't overpriced and/or buy-it-now seems one of the biggest battles for me!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155080419986?epid=2255996212&hash=item241b836a92:g:groAAOSwaNti1BRg

I Live opposite The Music Room in New X - great rooms (it's an old library), kits aren't bad ...

Good shout, added to my watchlist and I'll check in again closer to time...

I've been eyeing up the 13x7 Gretsch Ash snare too... budget is ideally €250-ish, these are under €200.

I've narrowed it down to two options...

I can get a bargain Gretsch from a bloke in Scotland but it has shitty grain... there's a really pretty one for sale on Reverb for a few quid more in France and to be honest the Scotland one isn't going to be cheap if I get stung for taxes on shipping so leaning towards the pretty one...

Alternatively there's this Yamaha 13x5 Maple Custom Absolute a chap is selling in London, same fears re: taxes and it's on auction but I've had a bid and will see how it goes... I kind of fancy the Gretsch a little more but this is a much better investment if I can get it cheap enough.

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Great looking snare! What sort of stuff do you play out of interest?

Late reply to the late reply! Thanks for the suggestion but Erith is too far east.

@honk, I've practiced at The Music Room before, great place but pricey!

I don't really feel like I play anything well enough to say I play anything specifically but I'm most influenced by John Stanier, Yussef Dayes and Stewart Copeland I'd say so I try really hard at emulating their vibes (poorly 😂) and also Sean Carey, Greg Saunier and Zach Hill I guess if that's any sort of descriptor?

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Some perfect drumming here, I go back to this set a lot...

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I'd put up a strong argument that Yussef Dayes is the best drummer in the world right now though...

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This is great too, I'm seeing Lightning Bolt live in about three weeks and extremely excited about it!

Drumming thread, nice!