Buying a drum-kit: a minefield of options simplified in our established template. Know your vintage Ludwig: the classic Oyster Pearl, one of the first great rock kits, as used by Ringo Starr. The standard 2009 'Pearl': made in the USA and never more consistent - a rock standard. Setting up and tuning: the minefield of drum tuning for varied applications - stage and studio. Repairs, maintenance and adjustments: thread repairs, head replacement, lubrication, tools required, etc. Generic hardware: bass pedal, Hi Hat, cymbal and boom stand, tuning threads and lugs, etc. Case studies: Slingerland Gene Krupa; vintage 'contraption'; Pearl rock kit; small Gretsch 'Jazz kit'; the extended kit - multi-rack toms and tam tams as used by Queen; Premier, the UK solution - a 1964 Classic in Keith Moon Red Sparkle; Stagg - cheap and cheerful; Yamaha - a good all-rounder; a custom one-off from DW; Steve Gadd's retro studio kit. Key drummers and their kits: Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Baby Dodds, Louis Belson, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Phil Collins, Steve Gadd, Jeff Poccaro.
