Curious to hear what you all think of this. They made contact with me through the Drummer Cafe MySpace page.

http://www.myspace.com/buddyrichdrumcompany

Bill Morgan, in association with Cathy Rich, has announced the launch of the Buddy Rich Drum Company, which will feature a complete line of drums, drumsticks, and accessories.

A recent press statement read: "Considered the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary Buddy Rich exhibited his love for music by dedicating his life to the art of drumming. The Buddy Rich line of products has been developed with the same commitment and dedication to the excellence that Buddy personified."

My first reaction wasn't very positive, mainly because Buddy's name has been abused and used by so many people, groups and companies ... my immediate words were "great, here we go again." But since this is actually coming from the Rich family ... well, I'll just need to see the products before I can make a real assessment. It looks like their products will be good quality ... not just building on a historic name ... thus living up to the standard.

For more information visit www.BuddyRich.com.

I know how strong our emotional attachment can be to our legends and the icons they are associated with (almost on the same level as dealing with religious icons). But instrument manufactures are businesses - I've purchased some "signature" items just because of the name on em (I'm a little more careful now).  Slingerland disappeared and then came back via Gibson - was this a moneygrab, is it more legitimate, is it still a good product?  I think the Rich family has every right to use the name in promotion of a business enterprise - I just hope they do it right and make a quality product and company.  A great company with great products could be a wonderful legacy to Buddy's name. 

Nicely said Dave from Chicago.  Nothing new here in that drum Companies have realized there is money to be made off of a name.  Slingerland released the Buddy kit a few years ago-Ludwig released the Amber Vistalite Bonzo kit, and Dunnett built 100 Bonham Stainless kits.......Premier released the Moon kit......Im holding out for the Ludwig "Johnny Carson" kit!

But this Buddy thing is just kinda strange in that this is the 1st attempt at actually making drums by a company the person (albeit deceased) never used in life!  Pretty gimmicky to me-

I would be interested in seeing their drumsticks.  I was told by a couple of members here that the Vic Firth Buddy Rich model has only its unique taper in common with the stick Rich actually used.  Apparently his usual stick was much thinner.

I guess I just differ in that I believe if Buddy Rich started today, he would most likely play and endorse a different brand and that would be the one I'd want to play, not the one he played decades ago.  I'm not a big fan of "vintage" sets whether Bonham, Rich, Moon whoever. This may sound like blasphemy to some but there are a lot of great sets out there and in my opinion they are for the most part much better than the kits our hero's played.  I don't think the best way to honor their memory is by reproducing their kits, I think it's doing what they did: break new ground, invent, create.  If the Rich family can do some that and make a buck - Hallelujah!  If they fail, I'll give em credit for trying.  I just hope they've done their homework and have enough capital to fund the startup all the way through because it will be very tough breaking through into the crowded drum market, it's gonna take more than the name to be successful.

Although the opinions and feedback represented here is only a very small segment of the drumming community, it does seem that a vast majority of drummers agree. I trust that the Rich family did some research before jumping into this. 

We are only a few months away from the 20 year anniversay of Buddy's death. Seems strange that the Rich family would only now be introducing these products. If they have ambitions of perpetuating Buddy's personal desires and interests in the drum gear they are not making available to the public, you'd think it would have happened a long time ago.

Sorry, I have to agree, it seems like nothing more than a marketing stunt ... and I personally have little interest in the products. Like others, anything that Buddy used can be found in the companies he endorsed or the actual vintage gear. If they are planning to introduce new products, never seen before, having Buddy Rich's name attached to it just doesn't make sense to me.

Bottom line is they can do whatever they want, and more than likely have done their research. I just don't think their products will do very well. With that said however, I wish them much success in their endeavors.

Yep, this is opinion, not a scientifically proven fact but I'm convinced that what's available today is better in just about every respect: hardware, features, manufacturability, cost, and SOUND and specifically sound reproduction (live or recorded).  I base this opinion on the difference in what I heard at shows and on recordings 30 to 40 years ago compared to today so it also depends on what era we're talking about.  Speaking of Rich, his career spanned so many decades with so many changes if you want a Buddy Rich set you have to ask which one - the last one he played?  Yes, there are a ton of "underwhelming" kits out today but that doesn't change the fact that there is a lot of quality product out there. 

OK! Let me get this straight...
The Rich Family has a chance to further secure the future of Buddy's descendants. (Speak up if you wouldn't want this for yours.) 

I'm certainly doing everything I can to secure the future of my Daughter and her perhaps her children and beyond.  Budddy certainly sacrificed alot of family time for him(I'm sure he enjoyed playing just as much as we do now) and us to enjoy his talents.

Some may not like/support the decision or its timing, but it's his Heirs decision(rightfully and legally) to make.  Remember we don't and won't know what instructions Buddy left his Heirs.

I just hope its a good product worthy of the Rich name.

My piece said.......I'm out !

I bought one of those kits about a year ago to add to my collection. Some of the last to be made. It's a good sounding set of drums.

http://www.myspace.com/nickdiesinthrees
Can't believe thats buddy rich's grandson