Phil Rudd's Incredible Cymbal Set Up

Neal Pert said:
If you pick up ANY condescension from me about my man Phil Rudd, please know that it's not intended. I love him and I think it's incredible that he's got this set up.
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Nah, wasn’t any from you.
 
Makes perfect sense to me. I love it, and in fact have been doing something similar my entire drumming career. I always use matching crashes. Same size and model. Joey Kramer does the same, when I was a kid anyway. I think I remember him playing 4 crashes, all 20" two Medium and two Rock.
 
Neal Pert said:
If you pick up ANY condescension from me about my man Phil Rudd, please know that it's not intended. I love him and I think it's incredible that he's got this set up.
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Nothing condescending at all! He's always played with loads of cymbals.

Did anyone ever try his signature snare, it was surprisingly cheap for a brass snare.
 
I guess this just goes to show how difficult it is getting a wide range of drum gear in Australia. 😆

Like someone else said in a previous reply, he's playing stadiums, so I'll trust him on this one...Can't say he'll ever run out of crashes I suppose!
 
Phil would have some elements on the kit that he probably only uses in one or two songs. No point scrimping on a few pieces of kit if you're filthy rich and have roadies. He has everything he needs for the gig, plus it looks cool.

It's not as though Phil's asking his roadies for Bozzioian or Peartian levels of dedication, just a few extra crashes :)
 
I find it peculiar. Why not have cymbals with different characteristics? I'd love to hear Phil's reasoning behind his choice.

To me it's like having 2 exact snare drums headed and tuned to sound exactly alike. What's the point again?

I'm with Joe in that it's his kit and he is the King Kong of his kit.
 
jda said:
You asking me Moejo? My name's not Phil.
I don't think he wants the choice.
Amount of the same 2 cymbals appears to be for a motion he does want.
If he uses them. If he doesn't use them they are just there for show.
It's his choice. He's the Boss of his drum set.
he can do what he wants
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Basically, im asking why you would think itd confuse him having different weights in the first place JDA.
 
Moejo said:
Basically, im asking why you would think itd confuse him having different weights in the first place JDA.
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I'm guess he would not want the complexity of different tones.
He maybe doesn't want to give - having different cymbals- that much- thought.

Less choice is simpler.
And that may be his outlook.
Maybe all he wants or can- I don't know him personally- handle. I think he made/makes the choice/.

How about some people don't need variety and find variety either unnecessary or too complicated

Yes in private he might say when asked about 'Chinas, 16s, etc;

"Christ I wouldn't know what to do with them"
We're all only human. No matter how high status or recognition one might achieve.
 
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jda said:
I'm guess he would not want the complexity of different tones.
He maybe doesn't want to give - having different cymbals- that much- thought.

Less choice is simpler.
And that may be his outlook.
Maybe all he wants or can- I don't know him personally- handle. I think he made/makes the choice/.

How about some people don't need variety and find variety either unnecessary or too complicated

Yes in private he might say whan asked about 'Chinas, 16s, etc; "Christ I wouldn't know what to do with them"
We're all only human. No matter how high status recognition one might achieve.
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Fully understandable, but has nothing to do with the word "confusion". Your exact comment stated this "I think if they were different it'd confuse him involve much thought"
So again, what makes you think he would be "confused" in the first place?
 
By his choices. You know somewhat of the man"
~~~~~~~~~~

You think he hasn't tried or could have every cymbal Paiste makes up there.
Maybe for his music Masters Dark Crash and Holy China's don't fit. And would confuse his playing, and his bands music.
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I don't listen to the band- that band- just a few opening measures of their well known songs- and what some who do listen- said of him.
He's a simple player by choice? or developed skills, Some guys don't want to be bothered with exploring.
~~
If he sidelines in a jazz quartet he may use a different cymbal set. Check into it.
~
 
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jda said:
By his choices. You know somewhat of the man"
~~~~~~~~~~

You think he hasn't tried or could have every cymbal Paiste makes up there.
Maybe for his music Masters Dark Crash and Holy China's don't fit. And would confuse his playing, and his bands music.
~~~~~~
I don't listen to the band- that band- just a few opening measures of their well known songs- and what some who do listen- said of him.
He's a simple player by choice? or developed skills, Some guys don't want to be bothered with exploring.
~~
If he sidelines in a jazz quartet he may use a different cymbal set. Check into it.
~
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Gotcha. Thanks for the explanation of what you meant.
 
Neal Pert said:
Just ponder having seven crash cymbals-- three identical 20s and four identical 19s-- and nothing else.
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After watching him play ....... he crashes the left 19 a lot. Crashes the right high 20 a lot. And simultaneously crashes the left 20 and right high 20 for emphasis. The lower 20 and the right 3 19's could all be removed, and probably never missed.
 
harryconway said:
After watching him play ....... he crashes the left 19 a lot. Crashes the right high 20 a lot. And simultaneously crashes the left 20 and right high 20 for emphasis. The lower 20 and the right 3 19's could all be removed, and probably never missed.
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But it looks cool!

Personally, I think it’s negligible to have a drummer with a bunch of different cymbal tones in a rock band. Heck, Steve Jordan often played with one crash/ride and a pair of hats - so I’m rock n roll, anything goes. You may not need anything more. Of course, we have generations of drummers who totally believe they need different cymbal tones and that’s cool, but I don’t think it’s necessary depending on the music.

I mean, I still don’t say things like, “I think Gadd should’ve used a 16” thin crash on Chuck E.’s in Love - that would’ve pushed that hit over the top”, ya know?
 
Bo Eder said:
But it looks cool!

Personally, I think it’s negligible to have a drummer with a bunch of different cymbal tones in a rock band.
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And certainly looks/rock n roll go hand in hand. Without hearing from him (straight from the horses mouth) ..... it's all speculation. His early kits had fewer cymbals. And two rack toms. Chris Slade had a much larger kit, and perhaps Phil's just following suit.
 
mikyok said:
Nothing condescending at all! He's always played with loads of cymbals.

Did anyone ever try his signature snare, it was surprisingly cheap for a brass snare.
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It was. Now it’s double used what it used to cost.
 
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