Instruments

[offspring86]

So, being that this is the musi section, how many of you play instruments? How long have you played for? Do you do it for a living or just for the enjoyment of getting up on stage (or both!). What equipment do you all use? Get some pictures up too.

I'll start!

I've played the drums for around 15 years. I graduated from Drumtech in 2003 with a diploma in popular music performance. Had the time of my life there (would do it all again if I could). Since then my music has been very quiet (due to a few family issues) but I still find time to muck around on the kit a few times a week. I've got more free time now so I'm looking to get back into playing with a band.

Kits:
2001 Pearl Export in Ebony Mist
10", 12", 14", 16", 22"


2005 Pearl Masters MMX in Purple Storm with satin hardware
10", 12", 14", 22"


Snares:
14" x 6" DW Collectors Maple - Blue with solar flames and brass hardware
14" x 6.5" Pearl Steve Ferrone signature
13" x 5.5" Spaun coke bottle acrylic
13" x 3" Pearl steel piccolo
10" x 5" Premier mezzo soprano
14" x 5" Pearl Export in ebony mist


Cymbals:

8" Sabian Pro Sonix Splash
10" Sabian Pro Sonix Splash
14" Sabian AA Stage Hats
14" Sabian AAX Xplosion Crash
14" Sabian AAX Mini China
16" Sabian AAX Xplosion Crash
16" Sabian HH Rock Crash
16" Sabian AAX China
20" Sabian AA Rock Ride

Edited by offspring86 on Monday 24th January 18:30

Edited by offspring86 on Monday 24th January 18:31

[The Lukas]

I play guitar, been playing 10 years and have also acquired experience with bass guitar, drums, keyboards and harmonica. Im now in the process of recording an album. In the final mixing stages

[slomax]

I play the mandolin on and off.

[timbob]

I'm a bit of a sax-geek. Main sax these days is a 1940 Martin baritone:



Alto is a Keilwerth, which is German. This is a photo when it was brand new, had it 5 years now:



It replaced an old 1933 Selmer "Cigar Cutter":



Finally, an action shot, mid gig at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, with my horn section. Baritone is a 1922 Selmer in this shot, as my Martin was in for repairs after succumbing to the wrath of baggage handlers on a flight to Spain

[maniac0796]

This will of been my tenth year drumming. Although the last 2 haven't been as active, due to lack of band and being in the wrong mindframe. One year of my tutoring was spent purely learning latin and afro american rhythms, so i know a lot about they

I have a BTEC in Music performance, and a BTEC in Music Technology. I can also play a bit of guitar (I can play a fair few songs, and I can sit there and work out the basics of a song on it) and I can play a bit of piano.

Here's my drum kit. It's a Tama Rockstar I've had for 8 years. I always meant to buy a better kit, but as above, the last 2 years haven't been great for me. I have lots more bit of kit around aswell



Here's my Guitars aswell. Ibanez RG350



And an Adam Black S-5

[Z06George]

I have been playing Drum kit for 11 years, tuned and un-tuned percussion for 7 years(I think), playing bass for 3 years now and I'm a reasonable pianist. I'll post pics of my gear tomorrow but I'll list it now.

Mapex M Birch drum set sizes are 10,12,13,16,22,14.5 snare and a Black Panther hammered chrome steel snare. Double pedal player.
Also have 3 roto toms sizes 6,8,10.
Cowbell attachment and Hi-hat tambourine.

Paiste 2002 13" hats
Paiste 2002 19" crash
Paiste 2002 20" ride
Hopefully purchasing a Paiste Rude 26" ride soon
Paiste Rude 17" crash
Paiste Rude 18" china
Paiste Alpha 8" and 10" splashes
Zilbell 10"
Zildjan Advedis 18" crash

2 octave glockenspiel
4 1/2 octave xylophone
Bongos

Dean Metalman bass guitar.

I think that's it off the top of my head.

[Number 8]

Lovely kits OP.

This is my kit:




I was/still am endorsed by Pork Pie drums and this is my custom kit. I've been playing for some 17 years and I was once fully profesional (and still am to an extent). I've heard good things about Drum Tech and almost went there myself, but I managed to get accepted at the Drummers' Collective in NYC and lived and studied out there during my gap year.

I have about 8 snare drums and about 5 full sets of cymbals (K Customs, HHX, A Customs, Constantinoples etc)

I started off with just a snare drum for about 3-4 years and after my parents realised I was serious (and getting pretty good) I was allowed a full blown kit (neighbours have been so understanding too)

[Meeja]

GetCarter - your thread has arrived.......

[GetCarter]

Meeja said:

GetCarter - your thread has arrived.......

Blimey, an intoduction!

Started playing bass in very bad rock bands in the 70s, went to music college, then after a bit of faff, turned pro. Was a session musician in the 80s (mostly TV stuff) but also playing with various Jazz, & Pop bands. Managed over 100 appearances in Ronnie Scotts (if you've ever played there you'll know why I used the word 'managed'), but am sadly remembered for being in a slightly dodgy pop band. Started writing and now compose as a day job (playing only on my own stuff these days). I have a studio up here in the far flung frozen north.

As for pics of gear... well forgive the SERIOUS 80s hair... this is the bass I used throught my session days - Status 2 (which I still have, but never use).

(Photo taken in 1985 - I still have hair, but not like this!)

[anonymous-user]

GetCarter said:

but am sadly remembered for being in a slightly dodgy pop band.

I don't remember you, which band were you in?

[anonymous-user]

Keyboards since earlry 80s'

Current setup

[kiteless]

Been playing the guitar for 23 years, but I've lapsed a lot in the last 10.

I still like to plug in and have a noodle occasionally, but I'm nowhere near the player I was some 10 years ago.

Currently own a PRS Santana bought in 2003. Other felonies included:

Fender Telecaster (black / maple board / white scratchplate)
Ibanez JS (plain black / ebony board / non-trem)
Ibanez JS "Special Edition" (bookmatched smoke maple top / mahogany back / ebony board without fret markers / EMG pickups / trem / MOP binding)
Epiphone LP "Black Beauty"
A Les Paul copy in candy apple with a rosewood board (can't remember the make, but I bloody loved it - my first "proper" guitar)

[NiceCupOfTea]

I'm a Music graduate with a postgrad in performance from music college. I've been playing french horn professionally since I left in the late 90s, mostly classical but the odd show and other stuff.

My main instrument is a German-made Alexander Model 103 F/Bb double horn in gold brass from 1985. I also play a 1964 Paxman pre-Model 40 Bb/A(+)/f alto in yellow brass for the high stuff! Also have a Boosey piston horn from the early 20th century for fun and an old Lidl double for teaching with.

Alexander 103



Paxman pre-40



Boosey piston horn



Play the piano a bit and recently started learning the guitar (obligatory Yamaha Pacifica 112v )

ETA photo of me at the office:



Actually a bunch of us busking at Waterloo last summer raising money for Pakistan Flood Victime Appeal - I'm on the far left

Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Tuesday 25th January 23:21

Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Tuesday 25th January 23:31

[GnuBee]

Been playing the drums for some time and I have a Roland TD10 TDW1 setup. Also have an Eigenharp Pico which one day will come out of it's box, an Ibanez acoustic bass which has now been relegated to ornamental status and a Novation SL for coaxing bizarre sounds from my Mac + Logic.

I also have an iPad with Aurora Sound HD (Tenori-On type doo dah) and Reactable - neither of which I've done much with but really, really should do.

[GetCarter]

Lots of drummers on here!

Cuppa... I've never, ever written for horn (see below>>) but if I ever do, you'll be first man I talk to.

>>except flugel - Gerard - utterly stunning player. Check out hs playing when he stops reading at 52sec.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qD_1NtZBFg

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 26th January 14:26

[Meeja]

Keyboards and piano for me.

Started learning piano from about 8 years old, and reached grade 8

Developed an interest in synths and General Midi stuff as a teenager

Bought an Atari ST in the 80s (it was THE computer to have for sequencing!)

Created a few "electronica" tracks for Bruton and KPM production libraries (but then developed an interest in other things, like cars and women!) so my "Musician for Cash" status soon disappeared!

Did a bit of incidental stuff for computer games, via a friend who worked at what is now Core Design (Lara Croft?) - but again, just bits and bobs.

As for kit - at the height, had a Korg M1, a Sequential Circuits Prophet VS, Roland JV1080, Roland MKS80, two Roland S550 samplers (these were the days well before PCs made sampling and multi-track virtual recording so easy!), several GM modules (Yamaha MU80, Roland D550) and lots of rack FX stuff.

Oh, and a Kemble upright piano!

Majority of the kit has long gone - but still have the Prophet (could not bear to part with it!), the MU80 is still attached to my PC(!) - and the Kemble is still in the dining room!

Now have rheumatoid arthritis, so hands no longer capable of playing at a decent level, which is hugely frustrating and sad at the same time.

Really must dig out a few bits of old work and post them up for everyone to tear to shreds!

[NiceCupOfTea]

GetCarter said:

Lots of drummers on here!

Cuppa... I've never, ever written for horn (see below>>) but if I ever do, you'll be first man I talk to.

>>except flugel - Gerard - utterly stunning player. Check out hs playing when he stops reading at 52sec.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qD_1NtZBFg

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 26th January 14:26

Steve - would he happy to help in any way I can

[NiceCupOfTea]

Meeja said:

Now have rheumatoid arthritis, so hands no longer capable of playing at a decent level, which is hugely frustrating and sad at the same time.

Mate, that's heartbreaking Scares the hell out of me too - I know a few horn players who have had to stop playing due to nerve damage or their embouchures have just collapsed. Equally, my wife (violinist) is as you can imagine paranoid about her fingers!

[Meeja]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Meeja said:

Now have rheumatoid arthritis, so hands no longer capable of playing at a decent level, which is hugely frustrating and sad at the same time.

Mate, that's heartbreaking Scares the hell out of me too - I know a few horn players who have had to stop playing due to nerve damage or their embouchures have just collapsed. Equally, my wife (violinist) is as you can imagine paranoid about her fingers!

It is not *too* bad at this stage - more painful than actually not being able to move my fingers - so I can still play - but just nowhere near as well as I could!

But the prognosis is that it *will* deteriorate year on year.

My days of playing stuff like this are well and truly behind me!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Are you an MU member? They have a Medical department which I have used before for advice/specialists.