DRUMMER CAFE

Yeah, always a tricky thing.

I first chat with the guy a bit when asked. I want to determine whether or not he's a basher. If I get any bad vibes, I tell him that I've had bad experiences in the past and that it's no reflection on him at all.

But most of the time I'll offer to let the guy play my kit, so long as he uses his own snare, cymbals, sticks and pedal.

Remember that karma is real. If you're a d!ck to someone, you'll get it right back at you. I try to respect every drummer I come in contact with, and most of the time the respect is returned in kind.

Like Sidereal, most of the time I'll offer to let the guy play my kit, so long as he uses his own snare, cymbals, sticks and pedal.  Unless of course he is a %$#@@#....

nobody else plays my gear ever.   im a jerk like that  actually im just really protective of my gear.  i do make exceptions with bandmates and good friends, but those are rare.  for the most part though its NOPE!

ive played as the opener in front of other rigs before and have no problem with it as long as i have the room i need.  if im headlining, i usually keep my gear tucked away as much as possible to let anyone else have the room.  then i re-set when it our time.  unless theres room for both (rare)

thats part of my problem ... i dont ... not only is it not really financially viable, but i dont (knock on wood ) need 'em.  i havent broken so much as a stick (i dont break guitar strings either) in ages.  i play a certain way, and have spent a fair amount of time on my set to get the sound i want out of each part.  its all cheap junk really, whitehall drums, vintage budget paiste's ... but i work a day job to afford these things and i like to keep them in the condition i keep them in.  there are very few people id trust to respect my kit and me enough to use it.

not trying to be defensive, just explaining myself a little further

Ah yes...this stuff is inevitable. I don't like having to play on someone else's kit or vice-versa but, have always had good experiences when I had to. Luckily, I knew who the person was usually but, if I didn't I would get to know them and go from there.

Drummers tend to have the same of view of their drum kits like anything else they love and respect. It becomes part of you and very personal. It is sort of weird when you see someone else playing on your stuff and I'm sure it's that way for the other person as well but, if you have a good attitude about it, that will come back around and reward you in many other ways.

Well, I guess I am the anomaly, since I have never been a headliner.  I usually am the opener and I usually use my own gear.  The only time I haven't is when the headlining act we open for has a rider that specifies a back line kit (as is the case next week).  Since it is usually a good quality kit, set up, tuned and miked by professionals, it's a lot easier to use that then lug all my stuff for a 30-45 minute opening set.  Back in college, I generally had no problem sharing equipment on festival type jobs, but even then, I preferred my own cymbals and snare.  

I'll let openers use my set, but after I warn them that they're probably not going to be able to play it. I'm only 5'4, and on top of that, I like to have my set-up as tight and as much in front of me as possible. I offer, but rarely someone wants to use my setup after seeing it up. That's one perk of being short....

They do have to have their own snare, cymbals, and sticks. My stands are all on a rack system most of the time, so they can't move them around. I'm firm on those two items, but other than that... heads are heads and if I have to spend $8 for a new evans head... so be it. If they open for us again, he'll need his own kit.

One more point ... it also matters what type of music YOU are playing, and what type THEY are playing. Something is more likely to break/go wrong at a hard rock show, than with a jazz or new age combo.

More clubs and music venues around Manhattan here are starting to provide drums (no cymbals or sticks) and a full backline (amps, heads, mics, PA, etc). This comes complete with a sound guy. It makes it way easier this way, but then you have to worry about the drums not feeling right, etc... But it's rare you can have the best of both worlds.

For some gigs I'd much rather use a house kit and only bring cymbals/snare instead of shlepping mine. I haven't run into sets that were just not playable.

I also forgot to mention.... INSTRUMENT INSURANCE!!!


I have insurance for all my ka-rap, so again, if something MAJOR happens to my stuff via other loving drummers, or really ANYTHING besides general use, I'm covered. I have a $100 deductable, and have about $12,000 worth of stuff covered. I pay about $150 per year. Personally, to shell out 150 bones for piece of mind (no matter where my drums are - reherasal space, home, car, gig, airplane, etc.) is NOT a bad deal.

For someone with less than $12,000 worth of goodies, a typical 5 piece, with cymbals and cases, goes for about $60 a year. $60!!!!!

www.musicproinsurance.com

-Chris

One last remark. I swear I'll shut up.

At a small show I had last night, the drummer from the other band playing with us offered to bring the kit. It's a small lounge type place, with no parking, plus it was raining, so turned out to be a good deal for me.   Anyway, I go up to play, and I have my cymbals/snare drum in tow. He gives me a look like, "you brought your own cymbals? Mine aren't good enough?" ... so he gives a little huff and takes his cymbals of the stands.  

I guess some people WANT you to play their stuff!!! Go figure...

(But that episode made me think of the drummer cafe at my gig!   )

I have made a living from my drum equipment just like a carpenter with his tools and I dont let other people touch my drums unless they are COOL & friends with me. Drums have been my livelihood & my salvation and I respect them all.. I have even turned down help from people at a gig ( for hauling) when I saw how they handled other peoples equipment. Other people are not as careful as you are no matter what they say. I have allowed other players to use my stuff before & regretted it. Not every time, but I've watched someone smack my cymbals hard enough to make me flinch & I hate that  cop" feeling when you have to go up to someone & tell them to get off your set. So I just say "nope."
    I have been allowed ( after asking the drummer who owns the set personally, beforehand) to play other peoples drums before ( always bring my own sticks, pedals, & cymbals, and ALWAYS clear it with the other drummer FIRST. Other band members dont count. ...) & I feel a little hypocritical , but I guess I am greedy with the things I have worked so hard to be mine. Mine !!! MIne !!!!MINE !!!!!    I have a nice set, nothing fancy, but I had to pay for every piece myself, & I cannot afford to replace things. I am proud to say I have never broken anything on any drumset ever !
          As for other band members ( whom I usually consider friends. ) if they are gentle & cool I say "ok," : AS LONG AS I GET TO PLAY WITH THEIR AX OF CHOICE. See how that flies, and the discussion may never come up again.
 Or do what I did for awhile ( when I had the room), get a seperate entire drumset used & real cheap ( preferrably usable but thrashed & covered with stickers !!) & use it at gigs ( make sure it sounds good but looks like hell) when you are not sure of the setups and then you may not mind so much if someone plays with it. If you ask about the venue you should be able to find out if rotation & room is an issue. Knowledge can really help you prepare your setup. Never bring something you REALLY care about to a gig. Save that for Home, the studio or rehearsals. Fate can be cruel.