Hi Jim, Thanks for this video. I’m a huge fan of Steve Gadd’s playing and sound. I can dream his sound and kit combinations which probably was the reason that I was asked to take care of kits he was using for gigs in the Netherlands. One of these kits was his Signature kit and the other one a rental kit (Solid Black Recording Custom MIJ). If I may, than I would add here 3:19 that the maple bassdrum has the same shell as the 10mm thick Maple Custom Series bassdrum and the toms are the same shells as the Birch Custom Absolute Series which are exactly the same as the Recording Custom Series. Tom sizes: 10” x 7,5” - 12” x 8” - 14” x 12” and 16” x 14” for the people who want to know that. I guess the 13” will be 8’ or 9” deep and the floor toms will be “square” sized. I don’t have that kind of info. The 18” K was a Dark Crash Thin with the thin lathing like in the K Custom Dark Series (that one sounded so beautiful). You mentioned that Steve used a 20” ride but had it cut down to size 18”. I wonder if that ride was the cracked 20” old K Istanbul he was using at the Grover Washington Live concert. That could be the 18” that he was using in the “Steve Gadd Band - Jazz in Concert - 1985 Full Show 01” You Tube video? I’ve been in touch with cymbalcraftsman Paul Francis who helped me with answering questions I had about Steve’s 18” ride which he used for a long time. In fact it were two and both 18” EAK Rides which were only hammered and wire brushed. One of them cracked and was used to create the 18” Session Ride. I made a video of it and you can find it on TH-cam: “EAK” ISLAND - The end of a never ending search … for a Steve Gadd prototype EAK Zildjian ride clone” if you’re interested to know how these EAK’s were made and the weight of one of them enz. Also on Instagram you can check the ride clone of the ride which Steve used at that Jazz In concert (drummerfkadrumcpachjack on Instagram). That ride sounds thin and trashy because it had a crack in it and Steve taped it on the bottom side. I like your tuning on your Gadd kit! Cheers, Jack
Thank you! You obviously know more about the intimate details of his set up and the history of it than I do, and this is all useful information. When I do get to spend some time with Gadd, we talk about other things than drums, like life, family, etc. I’ve even played 18 holes of golf with him. Whenever I’m with him, I try not to geek out and get too in the weeds on the details about all the many variations of equipment and cymbals he’s had over the years because he gets so much of that from so many other people, so I’m not an expert, but I can say I am a friend to him and his family. Thank you for clarifying some of this information.
@@jwagy Hi Jim, Thanks for your quick reply. It was a German drumfriend of mine who told me about your (this) video and knows that I’m a Steve Gadd fan. I’ve been that for about 47 years now and interested in the gear that Steve used and uses because I not only love his style but also his sound. Steve’s not a “tool man”. I just spoke to a drumfriend from Sweden who said that he had the change to talk with Steve for a halve an hour which mainly was about dogs haha! If you like to know which gear Steve used in the past pré Yamaha or other info you like to know than just ask me. Have a great day. Cheers, Jack
Jim great drum kit and awesome stories! Can’t wait to hear the new song! I hope you get some video of the sessions … that would really go over big here! I hope all is well my friend! 🙏🏻👍🏻🤘🏻😎
Whew! Jim, what a Steve Gadd fix this video was. So enjoyed this! Thank you so much for sharing this, knowing what you have and how to talk it, and making it fun to watch. I'll be watching it again. Subscribed!
I read a few years back the SG uses a diplomat snare side head. I tried it and noticed a difference in articulation with ghost notes. Clear at low volumes and records very well. I use a coated Ambassador on top with a 1967 Supraphonic . Happy with the sound.
You’re right! Someone told me ones: “It’s the Indian, not the arrow”. We can buy the exact drumstuff that Steve’s using but no one has Steve’s touch. By the way, Steve played boxes and thighs in the “Woody and Dutch” Rickie Lee Jones song.
I'd love to hear these with a set of two-ply clear, non-hydraulic heads; something with a bit more sustain. What a great video, Jim. Very informative and entertaining. And congrats on all the music you've created! That's an impressive body of work.
I bought a set of (sold as) Gadd K Session Customs. 18" Ride, 2 x 18" crashes (one Session, one K Dark Crash), 16" Session Custom, 14" Session Custom HH, and the top is heavier. I seldom used them previously, but have been using them in the tribute band exclusively. I just discovered a crack in the top HH cymbal and am completely bummed about it.
Just picked up a TC and am waiting on the release of new AHMs once Yamaha gets the paint supplier sorted. I’m not going to praise Gadd because what more can one say?
You didn’t play the Hi Hat for us ? It would have been nice to heat it as you told us how good it is and we can see it is something you don’t normally see, apart from that your video was great, thank you.
Thank you very much for your demonstration. But I'm though wondering why you call that an Anniversary kit? That's doesn't look like his first Yamaha 9000 series (with the European tenstions) I owned the 9000 series back in 1977. Anyway I like to say that I found all these drums to sound both tight and with a very good clarity, except the kick drum that was for my taste too bright or light. And then I really liked how you processed the microphones you used (witch are also my favorite ones to put on drums the 421 & the Shure SM91) P.S. I think my tom-s were 12 and 13 inces
When this kit was released, it was the current kit Steve was using and had been using. He still plays these, but he also helped redesign a newer updated version to the recording customs that he plays as well!
At the start of the video, you call this the Steve Gadd 30th Anniversary Yamaha Recording Custom. I know this was his limited edition signature kit but it is not a Recording Custom. It does NOT state that on the badge or any Yamaha documentation that I can find. I'm sure Yamaha would not classify this as a Recording Custom as it has a maple kick drum and the lugs from the '90s Maple Custom. Can you please clarify as you seem to be extremely knowledgable in all things pertaining to Steve Gadd.
The toms are the same shell layup as the Recording Custom (wood, plys, lacquer), but with sugar cube lugs. The bass drum is a Maple custom shell layup with the same lacquer and lugs as the toms. The snare was steel. My guess is that it was a shorthand description. Hope this helps.
It’s probably called A “Steve Gadd Signature Anniversary kit” It’s not a RC, but it has elements of RC, the toms are all birch just like the RC, but Gadd has a heavy ply maple bass drum.
@@jwagy All RCs* have the one-piece high-tension lugs. The Gadd Signature kit has the lugs from the '90s Maple Custom. *except for some of the late 70s pre-RC 9000s with the 8000-series type lugs.
You thah coolest and sweet man you are . I use the blue evans .Love em .Great show .Hi from Australia and you can't beet a 22 / 14 bass drum . What has happened with the world Bass drums are growing in lenght .Insane
The Yamaha 8000 series/Tour Custom lugs have the shape of cut-off thumbs. The Gadd Signature lugs look like the sugar-cube-shaped lugs of the old Maple Customs from the '90s.
I agree! I was going for a dead sound on sone songs I write, like you know how people put tea towels on drums? Usually I’m white ambassadors or pinstripes !
The Evans head are not as open as REMO, but for the style of songs I was writing and recording it was the sound I was going for and they all sound great in the track! If I had my choice just to play the drums it would be Remo Pinstripes or coated ambassadors! Thanks for watching!
From one serious Gadd fan to another…
What a cool and unique vid!!!!
Thank you my man! 👍🏼🙏🏼
Hi Jim, Thanks for this video. I’m a huge fan of Steve Gadd’s playing and sound. I can dream his sound and kit combinations which probably was the reason that I was asked to take care of kits he was using for gigs in the Netherlands. One of these kits was his Signature kit and the other one a rental kit (Solid Black Recording Custom MIJ). If I may, than I would add here 3:19 that the maple bassdrum has the same shell as the 10mm thick Maple Custom Series bassdrum and the toms are the same shells as the Birch Custom Absolute Series which are exactly the same as the Recording Custom Series. Tom sizes: 10” x 7,5” - 12” x 8” - 14” x 12” and 16” x 14” for the people who want to know that. I guess the 13” will be 8’ or 9” deep and the floor toms will be “square” sized. I don’t have that kind of info. The 18” K was a Dark Crash Thin with the thin lathing like in the K Custom Dark Series (that one sounded so beautiful). You mentioned that Steve used a 20” ride but had it cut down to size 18”. I wonder if that ride was the cracked 20” old K Istanbul he was using at the Grover Washington Live concert. That could be the 18” that he was using in the “Steve Gadd Band - Jazz in Concert - 1985 Full Show 01” You Tube video? I’ve been in touch with cymbalcraftsman Paul Francis who helped me with answering questions I had about Steve’s 18” ride which he used for a long time. In fact it were two and both 18” EAK Rides which were only hammered and wire brushed. One of them cracked and was used to create the 18” Session Ride. I made a video of it and you can find it on TH-cam: “EAK” ISLAND - The end of a never ending search … for a Steve Gadd prototype EAK Zildjian ride clone” if you’re interested to know how these EAK’s were made and the weight of one of them enz. Also on Instagram you can check the ride clone of the ride which Steve used at that Jazz In concert (drummerfkadrumcpachjack on Instagram). That ride sounds thin and trashy because it had a crack in it and Steve taped it on the bottom side. I like your tuning on your Gadd kit! Cheers, Jack
Thank you! You obviously know more about the intimate details of his set up and the history of it than I do, and this is all useful information. When I do get to spend some time with Gadd, we talk about other things than drums, like life, family, etc. I’ve even played 18 holes of golf with him. Whenever I’m with him, I try not to geek out and get too in the weeds on the details about all the many variations of equipment and cymbals he’s had over the years because he gets so much of that from so many other people, so I’m not an expert, but I can say I am a friend to him and his family.
Thank you for clarifying some of this information.
@@jwagy Hi Jim, Thanks for your quick reply. It was a German drumfriend of mine who told me about your (this) video and knows that I’m a Steve Gadd fan. I’ve been that for about 47 years now and interested in the gear that Steve used and uses because I not only love his style but also his sound. Steve’s not a “tool man”. I just spoke to a drumfriend from Sweden who said that he had the change to talk with Steve for a halve an hour which mainly was about dogs haha! If you like to know which gear Steve used in the past pré Yamaha or other info you like to know than just ask me. Have a great day. Cheers, Jack
Excelente Vídeo !!!!!
Great video. Thanks alot for the info about Mr Gadd's gear. The hi hat part especially👍 a great mystery was solved😊
A few years ago I scored a pair of his K-Custom Session Hi Hats. The bottom is 14” and the top is 13 7/8”. Amazing chick and semi-open sounds.
I bet they sound nice!
Between 91-93 during Paul Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints tour Steve added a 18” floor tom to his left under the hi hats.
I believe it!!
Stay tuned for my Sonor Delite kit as an upcoming episode of Drum Kit of the month! 🥁👍🏼😎
@@jwagy Love my Delite kit! I love all Drums, generally speaking, but I do gravitate to Sonor.
Thanks for video.. interesting
Jim great drum kit and awesome stories! Can’t wait to hear the new song! I hope you get some video of the sessions … that would really go over big here! I hope all is well my friend! 🙏🏻👍🏻🤘🏻😎
I plan on getting video! 👍🏼
Also, I'd love to see a few video's on tuning tutorials. I think ya'll would do a great job!
this was so much fun! thanks for sharing and i cant wait for the tune. ive got the session custom 18 inch ride with brilliant finish. love it!!!
Sound very nice.
Thank you
I will play the kit soon, so stay tuned!
Thanks and Blessings Jim!
So nice
Thank you so much for this very informative video. Steve's custom hi hats are very interesting. Know we know how he gets that signature HH sound 🥁
Thanks for tuning in ! 👍🏼
Thank you, great video with really good info. Love this kit, it sounds really good and you are spot on with the cymbals.
Thanks for tuning in!
you've got a new subscriber! This is awesome, looking forward to more videos
Thank you Calvin!
Check out some of my playing videos in my original songs I’ve written and produced! 🙏🏼
Very interesting. Cheers
Whew! Jim, what a Steve Gadd fix this video was. So enjoyed this! Thank you so much for sharing this, knowing what you have and how to talk it, and making it fun to watch. I'll be watching it again. Subscribed!
Thank you buddy!
Welcome!
This is so awesome, I love your videos, I watch them all the way through, there’s so informative
Thank you Bryan
@@jwagy of course, my friend, it’s my pleasure, you got my support
I love my Evans hydraulic heads! I use the red but might try the blue.
Love the kit, Jim. And How about that, the one and only Steve Gadd playing on one of your tunes! Can't wait to hear the marimba solo!
It’s sounding killing, I’m very proud of how it’s all coming together! I’ll send ya a rough mix
@@jwagy I'll look forward to hearing it!
I read a few years back the SG uses a diplomat snare side head. I tried it and noticed a difference in articulation with ghost notes.
Clear at low volumes and records very well. I use a coated Ambassador on top with a 1967 Supraphonic . Happy with the sound.
You got some good sounds on that kit.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Mr. Gadd could play cardboard boxes & trash can lids & sound great!
You’re right! Someone told me ones: “It’s the Indian, not the arrow”. We can buy the exact drumstuff that Steve’s using but no one has Steve’s touch. By the way, Steve played boxes and thighs in the “Woody and Dutch” Rickie Lee Jones song.
I'd love to hear these with a set of two-ply clear, non-hydraulic heads; something with a bit more sustain. What a great video, Jim. Very informative and entertaining. And congrats on all the music you've created! That's an impressive body of work.
You mean "Maple Custom". That´s what it is. Recording Custom is the 9000 kit´s from Yamaha. Mayby he was nervous.. A great kit what so ever.
Interesting, especially the choice of cymbals,
I bought a set of (sold as) Gadd K Session Customs. 18" Ride, 2 x 18" crashes (one Session, one K Dark Crash), 16" Session Custom, 14" Session Custom HH, and the top is heavier. I seldom used them previously, but have been using them in the tribute band exclusively. I just discovered a crack in the top HH cymbal and am completely bummed about it.
Absolutely inspiring ❤
What is the other Tom to the left of the hi hat?
It’s a 10x13 Steve Gadd Custom model
Oh, this is a drumset ? Never seen before. Crazy, the aliens are back.............
I wish I could have heard the hihats, they were the most interesting item on the kit for me.
listening to Chick Corea for tbe first time i thought Gadd plays on cardboard boxes for footwear. Cheers from Russia! Gadd is greatest.
Cool from Russia!
My favorite GADD albums with Chick is “Friends” and “Leprechaun”
@@jwagy I love "four quartets"
If I had this kit, It would be on display in my home like a grand piano. I wouldn't even set it up in a studio to play.
Just picked up a TC and am waiting on the release of new AHMs once Yamaha gets the paint supplier sorted. I’m not going to praise Gadd because what more can one say?
I love the AHM.
You can’t go wrong!
This was great thanks!
You didn’t play the Hi Hat for us ? It would have been nice to heat it as you told us how good it is and we can see it is something you don’t normally see, apart from that your video was great, thank you.
Thank you very much for your demonstration. But I'm though wondering why you call that an Anniversary kit? That's doesn't look like his first Yamaha 9000 series (with the European tenstions) I owned the 9000 series back in 1977. Anyway I like to say that I found all these drums to sound both tight and with a very good clarity, except the kick drum that was for my taste too bright or light. And then I really liked how you processed the microphones you used (witch are also my favorite ones to put on drums the 421 & the Shure SM91) P.S. I think my tom-s were 12 and 13 inces
It was GADD’s 30th anniversary with YAMAHA drums so they made these kits to commemorate that! Thanks for watching !
When this kit was released, it was the current kit Steve was using and had been using. He still plays these, but he also helped redesign a newer updated version to the recording customs that he plays as well!
Great video, specs 10x?, 12x?, 14x? & 16x?
How does he muffle his bass drum?
At the start of the video, you call this the Steve Gadd 30th Anniversary Yamaha Recording Custom. I know this was his limited edition signature kit but it is not a Recording Custom. It does NOT state that on the badge or any Yamaha documentation that I can find.
I'm sure Yamaha would not classify this as a Recording Custom as it has a maple kick drum and the lugs from the '90s Maple Custom.
Can you please clarify as you seem to be extremely knowledgable in all things pertaining to Steve Gadd.
The toms are the same shell layup as the Recording Custom (wood, plys, lacquer), but with sugar cube lugs. The bass drum is a Maple custom shell layup with the same lacquer and lugs as the toms. The snare was steel. My guess is that it was a shorthand description. Hope this helps.
It’s probably called A “Steve Gadd Signature Anniversary kit”
It’s not a RC, but it has elements of RC, the toms are all birch just like the RC, but Gadd has a heavy ply maple bass drum.
@@jwagy All RCs* have the one-piece high-tension lugs. The Gadd Signature kit has the lugs from the '90s Maple Custom.
*except for some of the late 70s pre-RC 9000s with the 8000-series type lugs.
Is that A custom bottom hat rivet custom made ?
No. I had Stan from Pro Drum in LA do my rivets !
Jim, you sort of have the facial features of a beardless Steve Gadd.
I’ve heard David Letterman and Rodney Dangerfield but never Steve lol 😂
The floors aren’t nearly as resonant as the racks. Weird. Also, I thought Gadd used 14 and 15?
don't know what your motives are man but all I can say is just try be yourself
You thah coolest and sweet man you are . I use the blue evans .Love em .Great show .Hi from Australia and you can't beet a 22 / 14 bass drum . What has happened with the world Bass drums are growing in lenght .Insane
STEVE GADD GOT THAT ORCHESTRAL RIDE BECAUSE HE SAW ELVINS JONES PLAYING ONE AND HE THOUGHT IT SOUNDED GREAT SO HE GOT ONE TOO! GET YOUR STORY CORRECT!
Play the kitt
I will, stay tuned, I’m a busy man!
You forgot to play the hi-hats?
Dohhhhh 🤦🏻♂️
@@jwagy Why?
Crazy. Dosent look anything like any other R.C.s. small lugs like a t.c. interesting.
The Yamaha 8000 series/Tour Custom lugs have the shape of cut-off thumbs. The Gadd Signature lugs look like the sugar-cube-shaped lugs of the old Maple Customs from the '90s.
@@vincedelapena gadd played the maple bass only i thought with r.c. toms.
Or maybe im thinking of Dave w.
to bad you put hydraulics on everything...
Th hydraulic heads are nowhere near as good as they used to be.
I agree! I was going for a dead sound on sone songs I write, like you know how people put tea towels on drums? Usually I’m white ambassadors or pinstripes !
Flappy sounding rac toms. Almost no difference.
The Evans head are not as open as REMO, but for the style of songs I was writing and recording it was the sound I was going for and they all sound great in the track! If I had my choice just to play the drums it would be Remo Pinstripes or coated ambassadors! Thanks for watching!
This guy is very cool