I haven't played drums in a couple of years. My longest break in almost 20 years in playing drums. Anyway, I sold my kit a couple years ago and now I'm looking around for more. I've always liked old Ludwig drums and I've always like big drums. I just recently learned about Coliseum snares. I don't know how I've never heard of these. From what I've researched they're nice drums. I bought one last night off craigslist for $250, which seemed to be a pretty good price from what I could tell. All in tact and original except it has been re-wrapped. Its also the "unslotted" or un-vented model. I heard those were just kind of a joke. Anyway, I just want some opinions on these drums. Tuning suggestions? It's the biggest snare ive owned at 14x8 and has 12 lugs,which will make changing heads a *****, hah. It also has a muffler. Should I utilize this thing or just crank it down away from the head and leave it alone? I've had them on older drums I've just never used them. Sorry for the rant. Thanks!
Ludwig Coliseum snares Last viewed: 9 hours ago
I have an non slotted coliseum. they are awesome snare drums, I use Emperor coated on top ambassador on the bottom I use 24 strand steel puresound snare wires, I use a tama tension watch and tune it to to 83 on top and 85 on the bottom, It will neuter cats for 3 blocks. The slotted model wasn't a joke, it came from more volume from the drum corp field, then utilized by the rock players.
Chiming in because I just picked up an early '80's coliseum. I love the drum. I also have a slotted coliseum from the same time frame that sounds good, but to me the non slotted is fantastic. Coated ambassador on top and clear amb. snare side. And compared to the old 8X14 Tama that it's "replacing" it just does everything better. More crack, more bottom, more sensitive. It's not really apples to apples though, as my slotted has the 87 strainer w/die cast and the coliseum has the 85 with triple flanged rims. In the end, the I like the fact that they're not redundant.
I'm glad to be hearing good things. I still can't believe I had not heard of these and that they're so affordable. Has anyone replaced the p85 that they come with? If so, with what? I've had bad experiences with p85's and will probably replace it eventually.
I just picked this up. To anyone who has one: are the snare beds extremely shallow and hard to see? I'm at work and don't have a key on me, but it almost looks like there are no snare beds. Anyone?
These tune well across a wide range, however I prefer mid to higher tunings. My damping preference depends on the situation... any thing from wide-open, or dampened with a small piece of gaffer tap on the top or as dramatic as something like a "Ritchie" ring.
It also has a muffler. Should I utilize this thing or just crank it down away from the head and leave it alone?
Removing the muffler and reinstalling the hardware was the frst mod I did on the snare. Never missed it, plus I never had to worry about it rattling.
Has anyone replaced the p85 that they come with? If so, with what? I've had bad experiences with p85's and will probably replace it eventually.
I have a P-87 on mine but changed out the P-34 snare butt and replaced it with a P-32 and a 40-strand snare in stead of the 12 individually adjusted snare wires of the P-34.
I love the P-87 but don't know if any of the factory holes would match up to the P-85. Here's a thread with info/images of my modded Coliseum.
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=30979&highlight=Coliseum
I believe that's what Billy Higgins is playing in this performance @ 5:52....
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbYGS7ht90A"]Ron Carter & Art Farmer (with Billy Higgins & Cedar Walton) - Live At Sweet Basil 1990 - YouTube[/ame]
Yep that's a coliseum
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