Ian Piggott

My Own Slice Of The Web.

Chad Smith’s Drums and Cymbals on BSSM

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Chad SmithMy friends were a great source of finding new music, and one day back in the early 90’s I was told about Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their new album was out – Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and upon listening; I was blown away.

1989 was the year I started playing drums.  I was ‘belting out’ on a cheap drum set at my friends garage in the Sydney suburb of Dee Why.  I was soon evicted from that garage for being too noisy; but I soon located another practice space and got some lessons.  I was completely addicted to the funky style the Chilli Peppers had recorded, and the album got a severe work out on my cassette Sony Walkman.  Local alternative-youth radio station Triple J, were giving it some airtime and not long after that, Sydney mainstream radio started to belt out “Give It Away”, with much talk about Anthony Kiedis vocal style.

Chad Smith‘s infectious Funk-Rock grooves were very inspiring to an young teenager.  Trying to nail down the slight swing, funky beats, and ghost notes on the snare drum were all welcome challengers.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik is still my favourite Chili Peppers album to date.   Chad Smith’s drum gear used on the recordings have always interested me, so in this post; I uncover what he used on these recordings.  He certainly wasn’t using Sabian Cymbals, Pearl Drums, or DW Drums, back in May-June 1991.  So what was he using?

The band’s behind-the-scenes video, FUNKY MONKS, give us some hints and clues as to what Chad was using on this recording. In addition, Ross Garfield, aka, “The Drum Doctor”, along with the Musician’s Hall of Fame Museum also share valuable insights.

So, what drums and cymbals did Chad Smith use on Blood Sugar Sex Magik ?

CYMBALS
PAISTE Signature & K ZILDJIAN
Very evident on the BSSM recording are Paiste Cymbals. The Paiste Sound Alloy (Signature/Sound Formula) was introduced by Paiste 2 years earlier in 1989.

Left to Right
1 x splash (unknown)
1 x 14″ K Zildjian Hi-Hats
1 x 16″ Paiste Signature Full Crash
1 x splash (unknown)
1 x 18″ Paiste Signature Full Crash
1 x splash (unknown)
1 x 20″ K Zildjian Crash
1 x Paiste Signature 22″ Dry Heavy Ride
1 x 20″ Paiste Signature Heavy China

Chad Smith Cymbals

Paiste Signature logo can be (barely) seen in the following capture of a 18″ Signature Full Crash. (smaller crash on Chad’s far left: Paiste Signature 16″ Full Crash)

Chad Smith playing Paiste Signatures

To Chad’s Left; Paiste Signature 18″ Crash – 20″ K Zildjian on the right.

Chad Smith recording Blood Sugar Sex Magik

20″ K Zildjian Crash

Chad Smith K Zildjian

14″ K Zildjian Hi-Hats

Chad Smith Zildjian K Hi-Hats

 

DRUMS
GRETSCH Drums
The whole drum set (toms in particular) have that very distinct Gretsch sound which is a Ross Garfield, aka, “The Drum Doctor” hired kit. 

The badges on the shells that I have captured indicate the ‘new square badge’ of Gretsch Drums.

SNARE
TAMA, LUDWIG, BRADY

Several different snare drums were used in the recordings.  One of them is a 3½” x 14″ TAMA Bell-Brass Piccolo Snare Drum (PM423) with Bell Brass Hoops.

Another Snare drum used according to Ross Garfield, is a 1970’s, 14″ x 5″ Ludwig (Engraved) Black Beauty. “Chad Smith used this on most of those tracks and tuned it really high, ringy, and wide open.”

Another possible snare drum used on Blood Sugar Sex Magik according to the Musician’s Hall of Fame Museum, was a Brady snare drum.  Musician’s Hall of Fame Museum say Chad donated this drum to them, claiming Chad told a story of this snare drum being used on the recording of Give It Away.

Chad Smith playing Gretsch drums

Chad Smith Gretsch Drums

Chad Smith BSSM

3½” x 14″ TAMA Bell-Brass Piccolo Snare Drum (PM423)

3½x14" TAMA Bell-Brass Piccolo Snare Drum (PM423)

Chad Smith Drums

BASS DRUM PEDAL
DW 5000 Series

Chad Smith DW 5000 Foot Pedal 

HEADS / SKINS
REMO

Chad Smith Remo

What do you think?  Leave a comment.

 

 

Identifying your modern TAMA Superstars

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Tama Superstar

 

DISCLOSURE:  This is taken from the old tama.com forums; now non-existent.  I am, and was not, the original author; nor the person responsible for compiling this great resource. (“aje-drum” is the fine person responsible for that).  I merely clipped the page several years ago when trying to identify my Tama Superstars; (see above photo).

 

Current from 2005 – 2015

 

Here is a breakdown by year of modern Superstars (2005 and on) as there have been numerous versions.

2005

– Hybrid Birch/Basswood shell, 6ply/6mm toms & snare, 7ply/7mm bass. Innermost ply basswood for all versions, outermost ply basswood on Superstar Custom (SL) lacquered finishes.
– Chrome shell hardware
– Diecast hoops
– ‘Accel’ depths – Tom 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 10×13, 11×14, 13×16, Floor Tom 14×14, 16×16, 18×16, Bass 20×18, 22×18, 24×18, Snare 14×5½, 14×6½.

Superstar Custom (SL) – 6 lacquer finishes with chrome hardware – Custom Amber Fade (CAF), Custom Titanium Fade (CTF) Custom Ocean Fade (COF), Custom Mahogany Fade (CMF), Custom Charcoal (CCC), Custom Blond (CBD)
Superstar EFX (SX) 4 ‘Duracover’ wraps with chrome hardware – Orange Satin Flame (OSF), White Satin Haze (WSH), Turquoise Satin Haze (TSH), Dark Blue Abalone (DBA)
Superstar (SK) – 7 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with chrome hardware – Bronze Mist Metallic (BMM), Vintage Blue (VTB), Vintage Red (VTR), Midnight Blue (MNB), Gun Metal Metallic (GMM), Sugar White (SGW), Black (BK).

2006

– No Catalogue.

Superstar EFX (SX) Limited Edition (Australia Only) – (SWP) Snow White Pearl ‘Duracover’ wrap in specific configuration – Tom 13×10, Floor Toms 16×16, 18×16, Bass Drum 24×18 without mount, Snare 14×6½, 40 kits.

2007

– unchaged except some finish updates.

Superstar Custom (SL) – 6 lacquer finishes with chrome hardware – [NEW]Blue Metallic Fade (BMF), [NEW]Custom Scarlet Fade (CSF), Custom Amber Fade (CAF), Custom Titanium Fade (CTF) Custom Ocean Fade (COF), Custom Charcoal (CCC), [lose CMF, CBD]
Superstar EFX (SX) – 5 ‘Duracover’ wraps with chrome hardware – [NEW]Vintage Nickel Sparkle (VNS), Orange Satin Flame (OSF), White Satin Haze (WSH), Turquoise Satin Haze (TSH), Dark Blue Abalone (DBA)
Superstar (SK) – 5 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with chrome hardware – [NEW]Brushed Metallic Black (BMB), [NEW]Brushed Vintage Blue (BVB), [NEW]Copper Mist Metallic (CMM), Midnight Blue (MNB), Sugar White (SGW), [lose BMM, VTB, VTR, GMM, BK]

2008

– ‘Hyperdrive’ shell depths introduced, previous depths and sizes discontinued.
– Hyperdrive drums feature Black Nickel shell hardware and virgin bass drums.
– Shell layup the same as previous.
– Hyperdrive depths – Tom 8×6, 10×6½, 12×7, 13×7½, 14×8, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, 18×16, Bass 22×18, 22×20, 24×18, Snares 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½.

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 6 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – Dark Desert Burst (DDB), Gray Pewter (GP), Blue Metallic Fade (BMF), Custom Scarlet Fade (CSF), Custom Amber Fade (CAF), Custom Titanium Fade (CTF)
Superstar EFX Hyperdrive (SX) – 4 ‘Duracover’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Liquid Metal (LQM), Turquoise Satin Haze (TSH), Vintage Nickel Sparkle (VNS), Dark Blue Abalone (DBA)
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 6 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Brushed Burgundy Metallic (BBM), Brushed Metallic Black (BMB), Brushed Vintage Blue (BVB), Copper Mist Metallic (CMM), Vintage Red(VTR), Sugar White (SGW)

2009

– Existing Hyperdrive series unchanged apart from finish updates.
– Accel-Driver sub-series introduced in addition to Hyperdrive, bringing back some of the original sizes.
– Black Nickel hardware only.
– Accel-Driver sizes – Tom 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 10×13, (no 14), Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, 18×16, Bass 22×18, Snares 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 5 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Gold Platinum Fade (GPF), [NEW]Satin Cherry Burst (SCB), Dark Desert Burst (DDB), Gray Pewter (GP), Custom Scarlet Fade (CSF), [lose BMF, CAF, CTF]
Superstar Custom Accel-Driver (SL) – 3 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – Satin Cherry Burst (SCY), Dark Desert Burst (DDB), Gray Pewter (GP)
Superstar EFX Hyperdrive (SX) – 4 ‘Duracover’ wraps with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Snow White Pearl (SWP), [NEW]Red Silk (RSK), Vintage Nickel Sparkle (VNS), Turquoise Satin Haze (TQS), [lose LQM, DBA]
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 5 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Brushed Burgundy Metallic (BBM), Sugar White (SGW), Brushed Metallic Black (BMB), Brushed Vintage Blue (BVB), Copper Mist Metallic (CMM), [lose VTR]
Superstar Accel-Driver (SK) – 3 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Brushed Burgundy Metallic (BBM), Sugar White (SGW), Brushed Metallic Black (BMB)

2010

– The shell layup has changed to all birch with the same ply/thickness as the hybrid shell.
– All birch shells carry a sticker inside the drum stating so, where the sticker in the previous shell didn’t mention wood type. The stickers can fall off of course, but the basswood interiors of the old shell were almost devoid of timber grain (which is why they say they used it), and the grain in clearly present in the birch shells.
– The Accel-Driver name from 2009 has been dropped, but now all of the Accel sizes that were available in the pre Hyperdrive drums are back
– Hyperdrive has Black Nickel hardware, Accel have chrome.

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 5 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Midnight Spectrum (MNS), Satin Cherry Burst (SCY), [NEW]Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), Gray Pewter (GP), Custom Titanium Fade (CTF), Custom Scarlet Fade (CSF) [lose GPF, DDB]
Superstar Custom (SL) – 5 lacquer finishes with chrome hardware – Midnight Spectrum (MNS), Satin Cherry Burst (SCY), Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), Gray Pewter (GP), Custom Titanium Fade (CTF), Custom Scarlet Fade (CSF)
Superstar EFX Hyperdrive (SX) – 4 ‘Duracover’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Snow White Pearl (SWP), Red Silk (RSK), Turquoise Satin Haze (TSH) [NEW]Mirror Chrome (MRC) [lose VNS]
Superstar EFX (SX) – 4 ‘Duracover’ wraps with chrome hardware – Snow White Pearl (SWP), Red Silk (RSK), Turquoise Satin Haze (TSH), Mirror Chrome (MRC)
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 5 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Brushed Burgundy Metallic (BBM), Brushed Metallic Black (BMB), [NEW]Brushed Platinum Gray (BPG), Black, (BK), Sugar White (SGW) [lose BVB, CMM]
Superstar (SK) – 5 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Brushed Burgundy Metallic (BBM), Brushed Metallic Black (BMB), Brushed Platinum Gray (BPG), Black, (BK), Sugar White (SGW)

2011

– Accel depths again get culled leaving Hyperdrives as the only option.
– EFX finishes are dropped.

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 5 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Copper Mist Burst (CMB), Midnight Specturm (MNS), Satin Cherry Burst (SCY), Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), Gray Pewter (GP) [lose CTF, CSF]
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 3 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Red Chameleon Sparkle (RCS), Black (BK), Sugar White (SGW) [lose BBM, BMB, BPG]

2012

– Bass drums shell is up to 8mm/7ply from previous 7mm/7ply. Toms/snare shell is unchanged.
– Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – Limited Edition Red Banded Matte Black (RMB) and Brown Banded Matte White (BMW) with black nickel hardware in SL62HZBNS configuration – Tom 10×6½, 12×7, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, Bass 22×18, Snare 14×5½

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 4 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Blue Titanium Satin Burst (BTS), [NEW]Red Titanium Burst (RTB), Copper Mist Burst (CMB), Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), [lose MNS, SCY, GP]
Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) Limited Edition – Red Banded Matte Black (RMB), Brown Banded Matte White (BMW)
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 3 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Titanium Silver Metallic (TSM), Red Chameleon Sparkle (RCS), Sugar White (SGW) [lose BK]

2013

– Revised finishes only.
– Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – Limited Edition Exotic Brown Burst (EBB) with black nickel hardware in SL62HZBNS configuration – Tom 10×6½, 12×7, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, Bass 22×18, Snare 14×5½

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 4 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Flat Black (FBK), Blue Titanium Satin Burst (BTS), Red Titanium Burst (RTB), Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), [lose CMB]
Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) Limited Edition – Exotic Brown Burst (EBB)
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 4 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Indigo Sparkle (ISP), Titanium Silver Metallic (TSM), Red Chameleon Sparkle (RCS), Sugar White (SGW)

2014

– Revised finishes only.
– Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SO) Limited Edition Oak finishes in specific 6 piece SO62HZBNS configuration – Tom 10×6½, 12×7, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, Bass 22×18, Snare 14×5½

Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SL) – 6 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Bright Orange Metallic (BOM), [NEW]Transparent Black Fade (TBF), [NEW]Snow White Burst (SWB), Flat Black (FBK), Blue Titanium Satin Burst (BTS), Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), Satin Cherry Burst (SCY) [lose RTB]
Superstar Custom Hyperdrive (SO) Limited Edition Oak outer veneer – 3 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – Red Rose Oak (RRO), Transparent Black Oak (TBO), Natural Amber Oak (NAO)
Superstar Hyperdrive (SK) – 6 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – [NEW]Brushed Charcoal Black (BCB), [NEW]Galaxy Silver (GXS), Indigo Sparkle (ISP), Red Chameleon Sparkle (RCS), Sugar White (SGW) [lose TSM]

2015

– New Maple shell. 6ply/5mm tom/snare, 8ply/7mm bass
– 2 versions – Superstar Classic Maple (North America) and Superstar Hyperdrive Maple (everywhere else and some US chains as an exclusive limited edition…to be confirmed)
– Superstar Classic Maple – Chrome hardware, triple flanged hoops, ‘Star Mount’ system (from Silverstar), low mass lugs modeled on the original (70s/80s) Superstar lug, ‘Big T’ badges (again, like vintage Superstar). Tom 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 13×10, 14×11, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, 18×16, Bass 22×18, Snare 14×5, 14×6½
– Superstar Hyperdrive Maple – Black Nickel hardware, die cast hoops, version 2 ‘Star Cast’ mounts (from 2006-14 Starclassic), new badge (same design as previous) that says ‘TAMA SUPERSTAR HYPER-DRIVE’ at the top and ‘MAPLE SHELL’ at the bottom. Tom 8×6, 10×6½, 12×7, 13×7½, 14×8, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, 18×16, Bass 22×18, 22×20, 24×18, Snares 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½.
– Superstar Hyperdrive Maple (ML) Limited Edition Lacebark Pine finishes in specific 6 piece ML62HZBNSP configuration – Tom 10×6½, 12×7, Floor Tom 14×12, 16×14, Bass 22×18, Snare 14×5½
– Superstar Classic Maple(CK) Limited Edition 26″ Bass Drum Traditional Rock Kit in specific CK426RZS configuration – Tom 13×9, Floor Tom 16×16, 18×16, Bass 26×14 without tom holder base

Superstar Classic Maple (CL) – 4 lacquer finishes with chrome hardware – Classic Cherry Wine (CCW), Silver Snow Metallic (SVM), Mahogany Burst (MHB), Transparent Black Burst (TPB)
Superstar Hyperdrive Maple (ML) – 6 lacquer finishes with black nickel hardware – Vintage Blue Metallic (VBM), Dark Mocha Fade (DMF), Satin Cherry Burst (SCY), Bright Orange Metallic (BOM), Flat Black (FBK), Transparent Black Fade
Superstar Classic Maple (CK) – 5 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with chrome hardware – Midnight Gold Sparkle (MGD), Galaxy Silver (GXS), Brushed Charcoal Black (BCB), Indigo Sparkle (ISP), Bright Orange Sparkle (BOS)
Superstar Hyperdrive Maple (MK) – 6 ‘Unicolor’ wraps with black nickel hardware – Midnight Gold Sparkle (MGD), Red Chameloen Sparkle (RCS), Titanium Silver Metallic (TSM), Brushed Charcoal Black (BCB), Sugar White (SGW), Indigo Sparkle (ISP)

Major Features Summary by Year

2005-07
Hybrid shell
Chrome hardware
Accel Sizes
Tom – 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 13×10, 14×11, 16×13
Floor Tom – 14×14, 16×16, 18×16
Bass – 20×18, 22×18, 24×18
Snare – 14×5½, 14×6½

2008-09
Hybrid Shell
Black Nickel Hardware
Hyperdrive Sizes
Tom – 8×6, 10×6½, 12×7, 13×7½, 14×8
Floor Tom – 14×12, 16×14, 18×16
Bass 22×18, – 22×20, 24×18
Snares – 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½

2009
Hybrid Shell
Black Nickel Hardware
Accel-Driver sizes
Tom – 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 13×10
Floor Tom – 14×12, 16×14, 18×16
Bass – 22×18
Snares – 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½

2010-14
All Birch Shell
Black Nickel Hardware
Hyperdrive Sizes
Tom – 8×6, 10×6½, 12×7, 13×7½, 14×8
Floor Tom – 14×12, 16×14, 18×16
Bass – 22×18, 22×20, 24×18
Snares – 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½

2010
All Birch Shell
Chrome Hardware
Accel Sizes
Tom – 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 13×10, 14×11, 16×13
Floor Tom – 14×14, 16×16, 18×16
Bass – 20×18, 22×18, 24×18
Snare – 14×5½, 14×6½

2015
Superstar Classic Maple
All Maple Shell
Chrome Hardware
Tom – 8×7, 10×8, 12×9, 13×10, 14×11
Floor Tom – 14×12, 16×14, 18×16
Bass – 22×18, 26×14 (Ltd Ed only)
Snare 14×5, 14×6½

2015
Superstar Hyperdrive Maple
All Maple Shell
Black Nickel Hardware
Tom – 8×6, 10×6½, 12×7, 13×7½, 14×8
Floor Tom – 14×12, 16×14, 18×16
Bass – 22×18, 22×20, 24×18
Snares – 13×6, 14×5½, 14×6½

Years By Finishes (All years inclusive)

Lacquer Superstar Custom (Hybrid and Birch) SL, Superstar Classic Maple CL, Superstar Hyperdrive Maple ML

Custom Amber Fade (CAF) – 2005-08
Custom Titanium Fade (CTF) – 2005-08, 2010
Custom Ocean Fade (COF) – 2005-07
Custom Mahogany Fade (CMF) – 2005-06
Custom Charcoal (CCC) – 2005-07
Custom Blond (CBD) – 2005-06
Blue Metallic Fade (BMF) – 2007-08
Custom Scarlet Fade (CSF) – 2007-08, 2009 (HD), 2010
Dark Desert Burst (DDB) – 2008-09
Gray Pewter (GP) – 2008-11
Gold Platinum Fade (GPF) – 2009 (HD)
Satin Cherry Burst (SCY) – 2009-11, 2014-15
Midnight Spectrum (MSN) – 2010-11
Dark Mocha Fade (DMF) – 2010-15
Copper Mist Burst (CMB) – 2011-12
Blue Titanium Satin Burst (BTS) – 2012-14
Red Titanium Burst (RTB) – 2012-13
Red Banded Matte Black (RMB) 2012 (Ltd Ed)
Brown Banded Matte White (BMW) 2012 (Ltd Ed)
Flat Black (FTB) – 2013-15
Exotic Brown Burst (EBB) – 2013 (Ltd Ed)
Bright Orange Metallic (BOM) – 2014-15
Transparent Black Fade (TBF) – 2014-15
Snow White Burst (SWB) – 2014
Red Rose Oak (RRO) – 2014 (Ltd Ed SO)
Transparent Black Oak (TBO) – 2014 (Ltd Ed SO)
Natural Amber Oak (NAO) – 2014 (Ltd Ed SO)
Vintage Blue Metallic (VBM) – 2015
Classic Cherry Wine (CCW) – 2015
Silver Snow Metallic (SVM) – 2015
Mahogany Burst (MHB) – 2015
Indigo Lacebark Pine (ILP) – 2015 (Ltd Ed ML)
Red Lacebark Pine (RLP) – 2015 (Ltd Ed ML)
Black Lacebark Pine (BLP) – 2015 (Ltd Ed ML)

Duracover Superstar EFX (Hybrid and Birch) SX

Orange Satin Flame (OSF) – 2005-07
White Satin Haze (WSH) – 2005-07
Turquoise Satin Haze (TSH) – 2005-08, 2009 (HD), 2010
Dark Blue Abalone (DBA) – 2005-08
Vintage Nickel Sparkle (VNS) – 2007-08, 2009 (HD)
Liquid Metal (LQM) – 2008
Snow White Pearl (SWP) – 2006 (Ltd Ed), 2009 (HD), 2010
Red Silk (RSK) – 2009 (HD), 2010
Mirror Chrome (MRC) – 2010

Unicolor Superstar (Hybrid and Birch) SK, Superstar Classic Maple CK, Superstar Hyperdrive Maple MK

Bronze Mist Metallic (BMM) – 2005-06
Vintage Blue (VTB) – 2005-06
Vintage Red (VTR) – 2005-06, 2008
Midnight Blue (MNB) – 2005-08
Gun Metal Metallic (GMM) – 2005-06
Sugar White (SGW) – 2005-15
Black (BK) – 2005-06, 2010-11
Brushed Metallic Black (BMB) – 2007-10
Brushed Vintage Blue (BVB) – 2007-08, 2009 (HD)
Copper Mist Metallic (CMM) – 2007-08, 2009 (HD)
Brushed Burgundy Metallic (BBM) – 2008-10
Brushed Platinum Gray (BPG) – 2010
Red Chameleon Sparkle (RCS) – 2011-15
Titanium Silver Metallic (TSM) – 2012-13, 2015
Indigo Sparkle (ISP) – 2013-15
Brushed Charcoal Black (BCB) – 2014-15
Galaxy Silver (GXS) – 2014-15
Midnight Gold Sparkle (MGD) – 2015
Bright Orange Sparkle (BOS) – 2015

Roland V-Drums TD-1KV Foot Pedals revealed

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Prior to purchasing the TD-1KV, I did some research to see if Roland had improved the design of the foot pedals in its new  TD-series entry-model; the TD-1KV.  I couldn’t really find any information or clear photos of the inner working of the pedals.

On a recent trip to Japan, I visited a music store and got to see the pedals in person.  To my surprise, the TD-1KV has two different pedals; a dedicated Hi-hat pedal, and a dedicated Bass pedal.  Both share the same foot boards and bodies/casing, but the internals are slightly different.

The Hi-Hat pedal shares the same black rubber actuator as the higher-end FD-8 Hi-Hat pedal, and the HD-3.  Issues can occur as this component becomes aged and dries out.  It loses its flexibility over time and can become hard.  This results in reduced pedal responsiveness for all Roland pedals that use it.  There are various ‘fixes’ out on the internet, but the ultimate solutions is to phone Roland and get a replacement part ordered and fit it.

The Bass Drum pedal is a new design that uses a mesh-covered pad.  This has no moving parts, other than the spring-loaded foot board.   It appears to be a very good design for Roland and I much prefer it over the rubber actuator Roland has been using.   Time will tell if the new design last for years or not.
Link: youtu.be/5jfkfyhI1W0

Lamington National Park – Ship’s Stern Circuit

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Ships Stern Ciruit - Binna Burra Cafe

Backpack stocked, legs stretch, prep complete; off to Binna Burra for a huge full day walk in the Lamington National Park.

Myself and a couple of friends set off around 8am from the Binna Burra Cafe for a 21km full day walk of the Ship’s Stern Circuit.  Ship’s Stern Circuit is a Class 4 track on the Walking Track Classification with Class 1 being the easiest and Class 4 being the hardest. (Make sure your body is in good condition as the legs, knees, and feet will get a work out if you’re not used to such walks).

We kept a bristling pace throughout the morning and soon we arrived at the bottom of Ballunjui Falls.   The water is fed by natural springs higher above us and runs continuously even though we have had little rain recently.

Next we stopped for lunch on a pinnacle called Charraboomba Rock.  The vantage point is spectacular and the views down the valleys are worth the hard step climb to reach the pinnacle.

After lunch we make our way along the Ship’s Stern plateau to it’s northerly point; Kooloobano Point.  From here you are surrounded by valleys on either side which stretch down all the way to the Gold Coast.  From here you it feels like you can almost touch the clouds; incredible.

We now headed along the eastern edge of Ship’s Stern stopping at several Lookouts; Milleribah Lookout, Nyoongai Lookout, and Gorooburra Lookout.  From these Lookouts on the edge of a caldera, you can see all the way to the areas largest extinct volcano; Mt. Warning. The views are truly spectacular.

On the return back to Binna Burra, the last 4km can be a struggle if you’re not used to walking.  Because of our bristling pace we knocked over the documented 8 hour walk in 6 hours.  The welcome Binna Burra Cafe provided much solace in its fine coffee.

Do yourself a HUGE favour and get up in the Lamington National Park if you live on the Gold Coast or surrounds or visit the area.  There are plenty of half-day walks which novices can complete with ease.  (Walks range from 1.2km – Rainforest Circuit; 2km – Bellbird Lookout; 5km – Tullawallal Circuit and Caves Circuit; 6km – Gwongoorool Track; 12km- Daves Creek Circuit; and many more).