Highest Reputation Content

I just checked my Profile here and saw my "reputation rating" was a big fat 0


Beginning today I'm going to work extra hard to burnish my rep with you all and get my rating up to at least a 1


thanks for being there / here for me, guys
Tee Are

Maybe the mods could help answer these 2 questions, but I'm just genuinly curious...

 

#1  How many folks actually post here vs the actual number of members?  Just a quick look seems to show over a thousand members, yet it seems like the same 50-100 of us post on even a semi-regular basis.  (myself included of course).

 

#2 What exactly are Reputation Points and how do you accumlate them?  Are they randomly given or are they somehow earned?  Just have no idea what they actually are and how they are awarded.  Some seem to have way more than others. 

 

Thanks in advance for any help with these questions.  I don't mean to be a dumb-a$$, but figured I may as well go ahead and ask....

Well, this thread was useful for me, because it confirmed what I've been feeling for a while now - that I have absolutely nothing in common with many of the people on this forum. HNY.

DanRH,

In one of your other posts, you hinted at something I'm about to mention. I'm happy you've got a new car and I think it's great you're enjoying it. Your posts of possessions are starting to grate on me though. I found it perplexing when you underlined "I'm not a wealthy man, but..." and proceeded to list various cars, house improvements, drums, and other possessions. By all means enjoy yourself, but there is no need to continually post picture after picture of your "non-wealth". While I'm not at the point of One Star Guy, I am close to the point of ignoring your posts. The frequency of your "look what I jut bought" topics is wearing down my interest in what you have to say about drums and drumming. With that said, I do truly hope you enjoy the new ride.

WOW. This forum kicks major butt. I used to have the conservative attitude of, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but now, after this upgrade.. What else could the mods, Eck, Chris, etc. do to improve it? You've got a shout out box at the top of the page, a very easy message system (once you figure it out), and you can even click on the lower left side of the post you really dig and give members brownie points.

Wow. Really great, great job guys. Kudos and a half

Last week I posted to see if there were any DF members in the Sandusky OH area that might be able to help me purchase some drums. Even though I thought it might me a long-shot, I've read posting of other DFers needing and offering help so I gave it a try. Florian1 (Dave) replied back and stepped up in a MAJOR way to help me out!

After a couple of emails and a brief chat he offered to look at a 9000 series Yamaha kit for me(pre recording series in natural birch finish)that was located about 1/2 hour away from him (but about 11 hours away from me). I offered to wire him the money up front but he declined saying "just let me check it out first to see if it's legit before we talk money". Once he saw the drums he went ahead and bought them on the spot for me with cash out of his own pocket BEFORE he even allowed me to Paypal him the money! A short while later he called me back to say he had the drums in his car and gave me his PP info. I transferred the money into his account plus extra for his time and gas. As if that wasn't enough, it just so happened that Dave was going to be in the general area of my wife's ex-husband's house (ironically he's a drummer too) that Friday and was willing to bring the drums over there and drop them off. AMAZING!

The level of trust and willingness to help out that Dave showed was totally outstanding.
Thanks again Dave, perhaps I can repay the favor to you someday but for now I nominate you for DF member of the year.
Cheers to you!

Tim

awwww, shucks. Like I told you during one of our phone conversations, Im happy to help. I find that actually getting out from behind the keyboard and doing something for someone is very rewarding. So, thank you for the opportunity to help you, Tim....you were very generous to me for my time and I do appreciate that. I hope to meet you face to face someday and have a beer or two.
As for DFO member of the year.....Im just an ordinary guy, there are others far more deserving.
Thanks again for the nice words, Im touched and honored.

Dave
aka F

I 

don't

like

reading

this

way.......

Sorry for the slow response guys - I was out and about for the weekend.

 

Thanks for the better photos.  This is an anomaly of a shell for sure.  I checked out the serial log book (yes, book - we're old school) and drum number 1161 shipped to Guitar Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 23, 2002.  So, the seller has a couple details a bit off, but the rough timeframe and location are accurate.

 

Everything about it looks like our drum, but I have never seen a shell come back from being cast that has that large of an imperfection in it.  Slight imperfections will happen in the casting process from time to time (that's kind of the beauty of the raw shells), but I would consider that much more than "slight."  

 

Your photos have us stumped! I didn't start here full time until 2006, so this predates anything I would have seen, but I showed it to Jay this morning and he can't figure it out either. 

 

If this is an acceptable solution for you, here is how we'd like to solve the issue:  If you are willing to cover round trip shipping to get the drum back here for us to inspect, we will replace the shell with a new one at no charge for you.  I will transfer over the hardware to keep our costs to a minimum, but it will leave you with a drum we can guarantee is one of ours, and we'll all sleep better at night having this one off the street.  

 

If that is amicable, you can send your snare back to the factory at:

Noble & Cooley

42 Water Street

Granville, MA 01034

 

Thanks,

I'll need a photo of the wife.

It says i have 2 reputation points on here, anybody know what that means?

Mark,

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.  I appreciate the insight.  The passion you speak of for the craftsmanship of Roberto Spizzichino is akin to the passion I have for creating the best drum store I’m capable of.  I’m driven by improving what we do, and I wake up each morning with a tremendous obligation; an obligation to my family, my staff of all drummers whom each of which have obligations to their families, and I have obligations to my customers: I want to bring them unique products and to do so in a way that exceeds their expectations.  The amount of pressure I feel as a business owner with a staff of seven is immense. I'm forced to make scores of choices each day, and I'm often not given the opportunity to ponder these choices; I'm forced to push forward and rely on my convictions. If I'm fortunate enough to take a lunch break, I normally have to field a few phone calls during that break.  

 

  One of the things I do to make my life easier is align myself with builders and suppliers that I have great relationships with and create the least amount of headaches, and in 17 years of drum retail, I've never had one iota of nonsense from the people at Universal Percussion.  They've been a rock solid supplier, and nice people. So imagine me, seeing that they are offering some B25 cymbals that had a lineage to Spizzichino cymbals, well, I got excited at the notion of having an opportunity to have another unique product to sell.   Did I fact check the ad copy? No I didn't.  Did I bring the authenticity into question? No I didn't.   I put my faith in my supplier.  I rely on them to deliver a product that is of the pedigree in which it is

claimed.   Are they any good?  I still don't know yet.  I haven’t had a free moment to try them. I know that my co-worker Tom, the one who does the cymbal demos, thinks they are great.  I'm writing this note from a hotel room in Canada, as Tom and I are up at Sabian, hand picking a couple of hundred cymbals today, the best sounding ones we can find.

 

I put a lot of faith (and a lot of money) into this, I've had them photographed, weighed, filmed, and entered into our database.  This is very expensive and time consuming.  We try to run efficiently, and we work hard, so I’m not surprised to see that we’re the first shop presenting these online. Then I read that the ethics of the product launch are brought into question, and that customers aren't going to patronize my store. The very people I try to appeal to as clients, ones who have spent more time than I accruing the knowledge of the claims put forth by UP are boycotting my store as a result. 

 

 I’m very disappointed, but entirely respectful and equally understanding of these convictions.   All I want to do is have a really great shop that people want to work at and people want to support.  

 

To get a better hold of the situation, here’s what I think I know.

 

  My loose understanding is this, I’d appreciate it if someone could correct me if I am wrong here:

 

   1.The “Spizz” name was registered by UP. 

   2.UP went to the source where Roberto went to get the raw material (cymbal blanks)

   3. UP is claiming that the hammering and lathing methods Roberto employed are used on the Spizz cymbals by the craftsmen he worked with in Turkey.

   4. Since that time, the Spizzichino family has said that they were never contacted on this.

   5. This matter is one of ethical, and not legal breaches.

 

Once again, please let me know if this is not correct.

 

 

Running a shop, I’m used to taking lumps on a daily basis from people, I’m used to seeing unethical practices from manufacturers, distributors, retailers, artists, and end users.  I’ve seen things that have made me sick to my stomach.  I’m suspending my own belief on this until Universal Percussion puts forth a statement regarding this.  I’m also suspending any re-orders of the product.  

 

  Regardless of the outcome, I appreciate your kind approach, your past support, and your willingness to stand up for what you believe in.  You have my respect.

 

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Shane Kinney, Drum Center of Portsmouth

Nominated As One Of The Top 100 Independent Music Stores By Namm For

3 Years in a row!
Tel: 603-319-8109
shane@drumcenternh.com

 

 

 

 â€œA strong relationship with a well respected retailer is one of the most valuable tools a drummer can have in his arsenal"

I completely disagree with the term "wasted".  Steve Smiths drumming on early Journey was exactly what that band needed and his fills and grooves stand up even now as perect 1980's rock drums.  And THAT to me is what is important.  Rod with the Dixie Dregs wasted - you must mean Winger?  Even Bozio with MP had some incredible grooves and rhythms.  Was Jeff Porcaro wasted with Toto because he never soloed?  Jim Gordon wasted in Delaney Bonny and Friends?  Gadd wtih James Taylor?  Etc. Etc. Etc.

I guess it comes down to what you want to hear - Swiss triplets or a drummer playing music to a song.  Part of the reason why Joe Morello speaks so loudly is his ability to play the song and solo for the SONG and not just to jack off his chops to other drummers.

 

Play music - not drums.

My best friends Mom spent SEVEN GRAND on an old stray cat that got feline leukemia. She had rescued the poor critter from the pound for God knows what reason, and lovingly took care of it for years. Meanwhile her son lived in near-poverty conditions and, lacking healthcare, died at age 53 from preventable causes related to high blood pressure and heart disease. Later, Mom announced to her other son that he was being cut out of her will, and would get nothing, because his sister was her favorite. Now, I'm just asking, what's really more important? The pound is full of inexpensive pet replacements, and though we think our pet is special and one-of-a-kind, it really isn't. We spend billions in the USA on pets while most of the rest of the world's poor live like neglected dogs. I love cats myself, but I don't get too attached. After all, pets don't live very long, do they? As a result, they always let you down in the end. Just my opinion, not trying to offend. Please accept my aplogy if it happened.

Sorry, but Dan's being way too nice here... "they always let you down in the end??!?!?!?!?" You're kidding, right??

 

Let's skip over the simple rudeness of interjecting this considering the threads content.... How does the obviously wretched behavior of one poor excuse for a human being (the lady in you story) come to equal an indictment on pet lover's in America on the overall?  

 

Again I'm sorry but the arguments you are making could be applied to almost any act of kindness, charity and most any contribution to arts, sciences or society in general.  Heck, the very activity that brings us together here - drumming - could be described as a colossal waste of time. Frittering away millions of hours and countless dollars on what? A self indulgent,  almost entirely unnecessary activity. As you point out - there are millions of people that go hungry each and everyday - yet here we sit - most of us fully grown people, yapping away about our tapping - when we could be doing something towards helping with real problems that affect real people in horrible ways...

See... anyone can "express their opinion" in a way that calls out others for their failings, regardless of how rude it may be to do so. The other option would be to aim more for civility - the responsibility part that comes with free speech in a frees society. In other words, choosing not to exercise one's right to "express their opinion" because it would simply be hurtful to do so.

 

It would be nice to think we could strive to do better than this.

 

David

I'm upset that I had to think of Rascal Flats today

I've been in the Blues In The Schools program for a few years now, going out to expose students to Blues history and illustrating the genre's progression over the years by playing and speaking. 

This year, we got to do Juvenile Hall.

 

Now, I've played a number of prisons in my time, but the gig was always in a gym or auditorium. This time, we set up on a cell block; right where the prisoners live. It was pretty spooky, looking at the cells all around us. The staff collected our phones and keys before we went in, so I wasn't able to take pics. They also had us write a complete list of equipment so that everything we brought in was checked on the way out. Too many potential weapons, they said.

 

Well, in all the time we've done this, we always managed to grab the kids with the music and stories of the old Blues cats, but I must admit, we were wondering if that would happen here. Hell, yeah! They jumped right on the train and we rode it big time. They were so appreciative! Some even risked their badass reputations to stand up and tell us how much they loved the presentation in front of all the others. 

 

Once again, I know I'm preaching to the choir when I say the power of music is incredible. For a little while, we brought some pleasure and education to these kids and connected with them through respect and of course, the Blues....  Man, I love this job!

Posted 03 January 2011 - 09:41 PM

The real issue is...
Tempus is the sole cause of all these problems and the sole cause of this thread even existing here..
This thread only lives because Tempus didnt take the time to take care of his drum business and chose to take thousands of $$ from well meaning and patient customers and and eventually ream a portion of them up the gazooha with faulty goods.
When you put your shingle out on the street as a business you need to take care of that business and actually care about your customers..even if not for quality and ethical reasons..then just for greed..to make sure your customers are satisfied and they keep buying so you can keep paying the rent..it's really all about taking care of people in the long run...including yourself..
This guy seems from what has been discussed here to have an ego problem with that..and maybe even a self destructive streak..lets hope he is not the true sociopath..who enjoys bilking people out of their money and loves the power he exerts in regards to this..and the pain it causes the people he has bilked...I have not ruled this out..

Like I said...I worked for the same exact kind of guy for a few years...and Tempus fits this mold to a tee..
A business owner.. that has a good company..but when you buy the final product..you buy the man too....and all his glaring faults..in this case..messed up orders..poorly made drums..and delivery problems..does it get worse than this..no it does not..

So for Tempus to step up to the plate..we all know what he needs to do..
1. Produce as professional a product as is humanly possible.
2. Ship on time.
3. Warrantee those products.
As of this point in time..none of these measures is given any priority..or in this case any semblence of actuality on a consistant pro level of any sort..
Only the aquisition of cash..seems to be the motivation here..and more and more of it..
After the cash from 1 customer is "procured.."..then it's on the the next sale for more "procurement..."and the next and the next..who cares what you stick in the box..or if it's late..because when it's out of the shop..it's out of mind..and...why not just let the customer do the quality control with their complaints when they receive it..(I'm too busy to do that..I have to log in to Facebook...or Drumsmith..)..and.. the longer it takes to get the kit right/correct to the customer..a year or so..the longer time I have to keep and play with their cash money..using it either for outstanding bills or my personal use..or even using the money for short term investments..so I can make Mo Money..

Tempus has a recent thread on the Drumsmith website letting everyone know that he is on the road to salvation and is turning around his company..he sites several reasons..and confesses to his manufacturing "sins.."
I suggest people ask the same exact questions as here in this thread in 3 mos and then 6 and 12 mos from now and see if the guy is BS-ing or not..and if the problems still remain..
I would bet $1000- to your $10- that the problems will remain exactly the same..as this is just another slick stalling tactic to make Mo Money for another year or 2..from "suckers..."..who will take any crap he ships out the door..no matter how defective..and defend him for that..

But not to be too cynical..there is a perhaps..maybe 1% chance that Tempus will take some pride in his self and his company and get his act together ASAP..
But I've seen it all before..and this is what I predict..
Tempus, if he continues on the same road will be out of business in a couple of years...if not sooner..
With the economy the way it is..and the internet..and with threads like this..he has lost thousands just by the bad rep on this thread..
He cannot afford to have this kind of bad press forever..
He needs to change his ways...or fold...it's that simple..
But it's hard to teach an old dog...new tricks..and in this case..I would think fairly impossible..

I posted this a year ago in the Tempus thread where all Tempus's chickens came home to roost..
Looks like I was right..

This thread was just called to my attention by another forum member.  I'm very sorry to hear of the trouble you are having with your drum.

 

If you could please email the serial number on the inside of that shell, I would be very interested in looking up the history of it.  The screws and washers all look like ours, and I can confirm that the shells are (and have always been) plated all over - however that bearing edge looks really odd and we have never done a rolled and welded shell.

 

Our Alloy's have always been cast and when the local company that was casting the shells for us closed their doors a while back we pulled production of the Alloy series for a year and a half while we found a casting company that was up to our standard of manufacturing.  No lawyer speak for us - if that is a welded seam, it isn't our drum.   I suppose it is possible the the drum cracked at some point in its life and was welded, but in that case it should be visible on the outside as well.  I've seen a couple repairs like that done on them and the Zildjian snares in the past.

 

I would suggest returning the drum and purchasing one from an authorized dealer or a used snare that you can inspect prior to purchasing.  We do our best to control the hardware of all our shells to keep it from getting into the hands of people looking to sell knockoffs, but it's a big world and that doesn't always work out.

 

Please email your serial number and I will look it up when I am in the office on Monday.  My direct email is: Nick@noblecooley.com

 

Thanks, and sorry again for the inconvenience that you've experienced. 

I only need 2 drums to make folks dance; the rest are for my comfort and creativity. No one dances to drum fills.

Since you guys are so ethical I presume you are not doing business with Coca Cola or Pepsi, McDonalds, GE, Monsanto, GAP, General Mills or using Remo drumheads who uses film made by DuPont which is owned by Monsanto or buying any products from a company you find unethical. Believe me, I would respect that. Sure Mr. Dunnett can be a jerk but so can I and you. 

 

In my naivety I post a review on a drum and all you guys can do is ramble about the builders character? Has he personally stolen your money or done you any personal harm?  If so, why don´t you take it up with him personally or call the police or sue him? Why in my thread? You probably don´t realise the disrespect you are showing me and the rest of the rest of us here. The only comments you are making is about his character, not how he cheated someone by not delivering a drum or taking someone´s money or making bad products etc. You are merely voicing your opinions of the man. Just what has that got to do with this friggin´review?  Can´t you just make your own (yet another) thread on the guy?  As some of you may know, there is no love lost between me and Mr. Dunnett but that´s between me and him and I am here to discuss drums and drumming, not my personal opinion of individual characters in the drum industry.

 

If you don´t have anything constructive to say why say it? 

Trixon had that same idea over 50 years ago with the Speedfire kits.

 

Yea but look at what the weight of the snare did to the BD.