Folks Leaving Yamaha, Tama

RobertM

Platinum Member
This is old news, but I was just curious if anyone knows why Brian Frasier-Moore left Tama? I've also seen some rumors about Steve Gadd leaving Yamaha--is this true? If so, what's he playing now?

It seems like Tama is trying to go after jazz drummers finally, though their Star kits are way out of the price range of most jazz drummers.

From what I've seen, Pearl tends to have good customer service with players; not sure Yamaha and Tama have a track record of this?
 
I've been hearing rumors of Gadd leaving Yamaha and leaving Zildjian for 20 years.

Hasn't happened yet.

Endorsements on that level is not just about the gear, it's about the relationship between the artist and the company. Some times a person behind the scenes leaves one company to work for another. The drummer's connection may be with that person, and will change endorsements to follow that person.

The best example:
Armand Zildjian passed away in 2002. Sometime after this, Armand's right hand man at Zildjian, Lennie Demuzio stepped down and went to work for Sabian.

Without Armand or Lennie still at Zildjian, many endorsers no longer felt like they had a strong reason to remain loyal to Zildjian, and some didn't feel as comfortable with the then new Zildjian management (even if it was Armand's daughters). Several key endorsers followed Lennie Demuzio to Sabian, others simply felt it was time to go in a different direction.
 
This is old news, but I was just curious if anyone knows why Brian Frasier-Moore left Tama? I've also seen some rumors about Steve Gadd leaving Yamaha--is this true? If so, what's he playing now?

It seems like Tama is trying to go after jazz drummers finally, though their Star kits are way out of the price range of most jazz drummers.

From what I've seen, Pearl tends to have good customer service with players; not sure Yamaha and Tama have a track record of this?

He actually left Tama a few years ago and went to Drum Craft.

He then left Drum Craft for Pearl

As far as artist support,Pearl may edge out Tama and Yamaha,but not by much.

They both still have major players on their endorcer list

According to Steve Gadds website,he still endorces Yamaha and Zildjian.

Rumors are just that and until someone actually makes a move and should remain just that.

Maybe Gadd and Jordan will go to Ludwig with Vinny C and Questlove.Maybe even Paiste.

There's a rumor for you.:):)

Steve B
 
Could it be that the endorsement contracts have just run their course and expired? It seems to me that's what happened to all of Yamaha's signature snare drums coinciding with the move from Japan to China. This is mere speculation on my part though.
 
He actually left Tama a few years ago and went to Drum Craft.

He then left Drum Craft for Pearl

As far as artist support,Pearl may edge out Tama and Yamaha,but not by much.

They both still have major players on their endorcer list

According to Steve Gadds website,he still endorces Yamaha and Zildjian.

Rumors are just that and until someone actually makes a move and should remain just that.

Maybe Gadd and Jordan will go to Ludwig with Vinny C and Questlove.Maybe even Paiste.

There's a rumor for you.:):)

Steve B

I can see Steve Jordan going to Ludwig easily. He already plays so much vintage Ludwig gear. It just seems right to me.

I'm willing to bet Steve Gadd never leaves Zildjian or Yamaha for any reason. Hes been with those companies practically his entire career. To leave at this stage in the game, it doesn't add up.
 
I can see Steve Jordan going to Ludwig easily. He already plays so much vintage Ludwig gear. It just seems right to me.

I'm willing to bet Steve Gadd never leaves Zildjian or Yamaha for any reason. Hes been with those companies practically his entire career. To leave at this stage in the game, it doesn't add up.

I would have said the same thing a year or so ago about Vinnie changing a lot of his sponsers too...
 
I can see Steve Jordan going to Ludwig easily. He already plays so much vintage Ludwig gear. It just seems right to me.

I'm willing to bet Steve Gadd never leaves Zildjian or Yamaha for any reason. Hes been with those companies practically his entire career. To leave at this stage in the game, it doesn't add up.

True,but Gadd was a Ludwig endorcer prior to 76,and even played his Super Ludwig 400 COB snare with his Yamaha set.

He seems to have a great relarionship with both Yamaha and Zildjian though.

Steve B
 
The only endorsement in my mind that is "sealed" for Gadd is VicFirth Sticks and Brushes.

It's a business......
 
True,but Gadd was a Ludwig endorcer prior to 76,and even played his Super Ludwig 400 COB snare with his Yamaha set.

He seems to have a great relarionship with both Yamaha and Zildjian though.

Steve B

I believe you are misinformed on this, prior to going with Yamaha, Steve Gadd was using a kit that comprised of a Gretsch bass drum, Pearl Fibreglass Concert toms that he had bottom heads put on and a Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum.

Prior to the Pearl/Gretsch/Ludwig kit he used a Gretsch Bop kit with Chuck Mangione.
 
I believe you are misinformed on this, prior to going with Yamaha, Steve Gadd was using a kit that comprised of a Gretsch bass drum, Pearl Fibreglass Concert toms that he had bottom heads put on and a Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum.

Prior to the Pearl/Gretsch/Ludwig kit he used a Gretsch Bop kit with Chuck Mangione.

Glad to hear it, I love mongrel kits.......but where do folks learn of these details? Books? old pics?
 
Glad to hear it, I love mongrel kits.......but where do folks learn of these details? Books? old pics?

Gadd talked about his Gretsch/Pearl/Ludwig kit in a Downbeat in the early 70's and also in his first Modern Drummer interview. He has mentioned the Gretsch bop kit in various interviews he has done over the years. JR Frondelli noted boutique drum manufacturer and instrument repair guru has seen the Gretsch/Pearl kit in the New York studios frequently in the 70's.
 
I believe you are misinformed on this, prior to going with Yamaha, Steve Gadd was using a kit that comprised of a Gretsch bass drum, Pearl Fibreglass Concert toms that he had bottom heads put on and a Ludwig Supraphonic snare drum.

Prior to the Pearl/Gretsch/Ludwig kit he used a Gretsch Bop kit with Chuck Mangione.

There are a couple of vid on youtube of him using a Ludwg COW kit.I think with Stuff.

Edit..Although there are numerous pic of Steve playing thet Luddy COW kit in the early 70's,I can't find ant solid evidence that he was a Ludwig endorcer,just a player.So till then, I concede your point about endorcement Rick.

I didn't know he ever endorsed Ludwig.. interesting.

Also I'm pretty sure it was a COA Supra... but I could be wrong?

No,he specificly mentions using a Super Ludwig 400,which is a brass shell.That pre supra COA.There are pic that I've seen of him using that 5" drum,with P-83,crimped beds,pre seril and absolutely NO pitting.

Steve B
 
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Never have paid too much attention to who plays what. Don't care, really. Not sure what it all means since to me it would seem that they'd hit on the stuff from whomever pays them the most or gives them the best deal on gear or free gear. Don't think it has much to do with what they like. My personal, and probably misinformed take on this.
 
No,he specificly mentions using a Super Ludwig 400,which is a brass shell.That pre supra COA.There are pic that I've seen of him using that 5" drum,with P-83,crimped beds,pre seril and absolutely NO pitting.

Steve B

Oh ok. I'm glad you got back to me on this.

It surprises me that this distinction isn't more defined around the web. There is a lot of "I thinks", hear say, and rumours that Gadd used the brass supra, but just as many people saying that it had to be the alloy version.

Anyway, Thanks.
 
Here's a clip of Gadd playing Pearl in 1977.

It's amazing footage if you've never seen it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LK4df29dEk&list=PL6CF8F7DA8017CE32

This is so great. I think I first saw footage from this on the Zildjian tribute to Gadd, the one where all the guys like Marotta and Colaiuta pay tribute to him and he performs with James Taylor at the end. It was this era of Gadd that I fell in love with as a young drummer. Mike Mainieri on vibes and I think that's Tony Levin (with a beard and some hair!) on bass.

I wish I was in the prime of my life during that era, instead of just a kid.
 
Whomever started the rumour of Steve Jordan leaving Yamaha is misinformed. I received confirmation from a Yamaha USA rep that he is still with Yamaha.
 
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