Tempus drums?

[Titus Pullo]

Sorry to hear about your friend, Sonorholic. I hope for a quick recovery.

I've been in the CICU myself, for five days after a major heart attack, so I can speak to perspective. Here's my speak: it's all relative.

The company in question is in question because there are questions. That's it. That simple. That individual can triangulate and keep this alive by remaining mum or come forward and answer the questions. That's the choice. I don't need to be in an intensive care unit again to appreciate that fact.

Again, wishing your buddy a quick and full recovery.

 

[JackieTreehorn]

when I was living on Orange County I got to have some hands on time with a Tempus kit. West Coast Drum Center had a 6 piece kit in a orange sparkle. Looked awesome from a distance. Up close it had a ton of problems. Lugs out of alignment, parts of the finish seemed to lack the sparkle and just be black voids. A big bubble inside one of the floor toms. Just overall a poor quality kit for $3500.00 discount.

To be totally honest, these where defects I wouldn't accept in a bottom line Mapex.

 

[9Lb Tongue]

when I was living on Orange County I got to have some hands on time with a Tempus kit. West Coast Drum Center had a 6 piece kit in a orange sparkle. Looked awesome from a distance. Up close it had a ton of problems. Lugs out of alignment, parts of the finish seemed to lack the sparkle and just be black voids. A big bubble inside one of the floor toms. Just overall a poor quality kit for $3500.00 discount.

To be totally honest, these where defects I wouldn't accept in a bottom line Mapex.

Interesting....

see, this is why this debate has merit. It's NOT just one person. The proof is there.

I think if Paul would come clean, do the right thing, and try to rectify these flaws, by spending time, effort and money
he could/would save himself a ton of grief, humiliation, and maybe get more customers out of it.

I hate seeing anybody dragged through the mud for no reason, but the reasons seem to be mounting as time goes by and people see this stuff.

It has to have hurt his biz over the last year or 2. No question.

 

[Titus Pullo]

It's all basically just ...

 

[wayne]

Funny stuff there!!...That "drunken clown" is a dead ringer for, well....the other drunken clown"

 

[Titus Pullo]

Yep.

Dog Cheese

 

[TDM]

syntheticchops,

Perhaps I'm the "one" individual who seems to have issues with Tempus drums. For perspective, I encourage you to read the rest of this thread in entirety. Also, take a look at what JackieTreehorn recently posted. For your convenience, I'll copy Jackie's post here, as follows:

JackieTreehorn:
When I was living on Orange County, I got to have some hands on time with a Tempus kit. West Coast Drum Center had a 6 piece kit in a orange sparkle. Looked awesome from a distance. Up close it had a ton of problems. Lugs out of alignment, parts of the finish seemed to lack the sparkle and just be black voids. A big bubble inside one of the floor toms. Just overall a poor quality kit for $3500.00 discount.

To be totally honest, these where defects I wouldn't accept in a bottom line Mapex.

This sums up my experience with Tempus drums, along with absolutely atrocious customer service provided by the Tempus Drums company itself. If you read the rest of the thread, you'll see these issues have been experienced by quite a few customers. The flip side is that some customers have obtained reasonable quality drums and service from this company. Hey, it's your drum dollar and if you want to take the risk, that's your choice. For myself, given my own, negative experience and the negative experiences I've now seen reported by others, I can say with certainty I won't deal with the Tempus Drums company ever again.

 

[chopshop]

This is priceless.....

I could never argue (nor would I devote this much time to a blog...) with all of the personal accounts of this thread. TMD summed it up....no doubt. It is my drum dollar and what I choose to spend my $ on is my own choice-nuff said. For every individual on this forumn, I imagine some successful, some professional musicians (God Love Ya), some professional by day and musician by night etc...you know, good people. But I cant help but think of the few who sit on their computer all day, jobless by choice (notice I said by choice), telling every friend, and person they bump into at Gamestop and their local music store that their session call or next shot is upon them---keep those stars in your eyes boys....

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8002241/

 

[Titus Pullo]

This is priceless.....
For every individual on this forumn, I imagine some successful, some professional musicians (God Love Ya), some professional by day and musician by night etc...you know, good people. But I cant help but think of the few who sit on their computer all day, jobless by choice (notice I said by choice), telling every friend, and person they bump into at Gamestop and their local music store that their session call or next shot is upon them---keep those stars in your eyes boys....

(broken link removed)

What is Gamestop?

I can't imagine someone spending so much time imagining but can't help it.

 

[High on Stress]

This is priceless.....

I could never argue (nor would I devote this much time to a blog...) with all of the personal accounts of this thread. TMD summed it up....no doubt. It is my drum dollar and what I choose to spend my $ on is my own choice-nuff said. For every individual on this forumn, I imagine some successful, some professional musicians (God Love Ya), some professional by day and musician by night etc...you know, good people. But I cant help but think of the few who sit on their computer all day, jobless by choice (notice I said by choice), telling every friend, and person they bump into at Gamestop and their local music store that their session call or next shot is upon them---keep those stars in your eyes boys....

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8002241/

For every new poster who comes in here and revives an old thread only to try to excoriate anyone who disagrees with them, I imagine some may actually be thoughtful people who will eventually contribute to other discussions here. But I can't help but think some may just be buttholes that just come here to try to stir up trouble or do the bidding of those too cowardly to reveal themselves or answer for themselves.

You sound awful familiar with the juvenile, jobless, internet-troll type you describe ... could it be from looking in the mirror?

 

[bobby...]

buttholes.... thats funny

 

[TDM]

High on Stress,

Precursor... just noticed your handle HOS. By chance, are you a Tempus customer?

Alright. Getting past the jokes now, I have no idea who syntheticchops is, but the derail maneuver is an easy one to use and, on the flip side, an easy one to bypass. The topic of this thread is Tempus drums and a good portion of discussion has been devoted to accounts from customers who've had difficulties with the products and services of the Tempus Drums company. It is also true that some customers have reported few problems and are very happy with their Tempus drums. Bottom line is... I wish I'd seen a thread like this before purchasing from Tempus Drums. Some may read and decide to purchase anyway. For myself, had I seen this thread, I'd have avoided Tempus Drums and I'd have been thankful to the people who helped me make such a decision.

This thread serves a unique and useful purpose in that it provides information about Tempus Drums (the company and the drums) that is hard to find on the Internet. Before buying, I found some reviews, but most discussed the positive aspects and said nothing about the negatives. I think it's pretty clear that the sound of the drums isn't in question. Just about every review I read, negative or positive, and including my own, gives praise to the sound of these drums. It's all the other elements that come together to make a complete kit that are at issue, along with quality control and customer service. Other discussions vis-a-vis people's employment status and taste for video games (Gamestop = video game web site and I think a chain of stores too) are irrelevant to the topic at hand.

 

[TDM]

syntheticchops,

TMD summed it up... no doubt. It is my drum dollar and what I choose to spend my $ on is my own choice - nuff said.

Though it may seem otherwise, that's ultimately what my contributions (and I believe those of many others) to this thread are about - sharing information so that drummers can make their own choices.

 

[Rogers Memoriloc]

Are Tempus drums easy to rewrap considering they're fiberglass? I saw this add for a Tempus (Milestone) kit, but they are god owful.

(broken link removed)

 

[ARGuy]

Are Tempus drums easy to rewrap considering they're fiberglass? I saw this add for a Tempus (Milestone) kit, but they are god owful.

(broken link removed)

Tempus drums usually aren't wrapped to start out, so it would be interesting to see what's underneath that wrap. I suppose it depends on how that stuff is attached. It could go either way.
That is a great price on those.

 

[longfade]

Are Tempus drums easy to rewrap considering they're fiberglass? I saw this add for a Tempus (Milestone) kit, but they are god owful.

(broken link removed)

Tempus drums usually aren't wrapped to start out, so it would be interesting to see what's underneath that wrap. I suppose it depends on how that stuff is attached. It could go either way.
That is a great price on those.

The kit I was considering when I started this thread originally was also at Donn Bennett's but it was a bop kit with a really ugly kind of pink sparkle wrap. I also hated the color but for that price was very tempted to grab them anyway. I decided not to though. I guess I'll never know if I made the right decision or not. What I've read describing the tonal character of Tempus drums makes me think I'd really like them; it's everything else that puts me off a bit.

 

[Titus Pullo]

 

[SteveB]

I'm not pro or anti Paul Mason but I think it's important here to know the names of the people posting as it's a little too easy to hide behind cute handles.

I'll start; I'm Steve Balsavage. I have a Tempus kit and am pretty happy with it overall. Not everything is perfect on it but I've accepted that as part of the process when working with fiberglass in general and the various glitters. The single issue I had with these drums was when mounting a DW tom mount on an 18x22 bass drum. The drum simply couldn't take the weight and wasn't stable enough to support them; I questioned Paul about this and he said he hadn't heard of any problem with this flexing. There was a problem none the less and I was a little upset because I had already drilled the holes for the mount to try it out. I ended up putting a secondary piece of shell that Paul sent me over that part of the shell to both hide and strengthen it. To support a set of 2 toms I had to resort to finding an old Rogers Memriloc spanner to support the drum. It worked and I was back in business.

It's obvious that there are a few drummers who are unhappy with their experience with this company but it also gets blown somewhat out of proportion because of the repetition involved. I can understand your grievance with the more obvious seam flaws and certainly crooked hardware but as for the hoops, they are fiberglass and will not realize their shape unless they are tightened. It's the nature of the beast and mechanically simple to understand.

I don't support Paul Mason's unwillingness to make these issues right but by the same token I think the product is very good on average. To you guys who got the not so average products I am truly sorry. This would hold true no matter what make we were discussing...and Tempus is certainly not alone.

Again, I want to see names. You might say it doesn't matter but I beg to differ. It does matter because one person's name is repeatedly being mentioned. We all know who he is but who are you. I know of no court case where one party can remain anonymous. Just trying to be fair here.

 

[bleen]

My name is, and always has been, at the bottom of every one of my posts here.

 

[Jerry Hendrix]

Once upon a time there lived a vain Emperor whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes. He changed clothes almost every hour and loved to show them off to his people.
Word of the Emperor's refined habits spread over his kingdom and beyond. Two scoundrels who had heard of the Emperor's vanity decided to take advantage of it. They introduced themselves at the gates of the palace with a scheme in mind.

"We are two very good tailors and after many years of research we have invented an extraordinary method to weave a cloth so light and fine that it looks invisible. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."

The chief of the guards heard the scoundrel's strange story and sent for the court chamberlain. The chamberlain notified the prime minister, who ran to the Emperor and disclosed the incredible news. The Emperor's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to see the two scoundrels.

"Besides being invisible, your Highness, this cloth will be woven in colors and patterns created especially for you." The emperor gave the two men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric immediately.

"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you." The two scoundrels asked for a loom, silk, gold thread and then pretended to begin working. The Emperor thought he had spent his money quite well: in addition to getting a new extraordinary suit, he would discover which of his subjects were ignorant and incompetent. A few days later, he called the old and wise prime minister, who was considered by everyone as a man with common sense.

"Go and see how the work is proceeding," the Emperor told him, "and come back to let me know."

The prime minister was welcomed by the two scoundrels.

"We're almost finished, but we need a lot more gold thread. Here, Excellency! Admire the colors, feel the softness!" The old man bent over the loom and tried to see the fabric that was not there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead.

"I can't see anything," he thought. "If I see nothing, that means I'm stupid! Or, worse, incompetent!" If the prime minister admitted that he didn't see anything, he would be discharged from his office.

"What a marvelous fabric, he said then. "I'll certainly tell the Emperor." The two scoundrels rubbed their hands gleefully. They had almost made it. More thread was requested to finish the work.

Finally, the Emperor received the announcement that the two tailors had come to take all the measurements needed to sew his new suit.

"Come in," the Emperor ordered. Even as they bowed, the two scoundrels pretended to be holding large roll of fabric.

"Here it is your Highness, the result of our labour," the scoundrels said. "We have worked night and day but, at last, the most beautiful fabric in the world is ready for you. Look at the colors and feel how fine it is." Of course the Emperor did not see any colors and could not feel any cloth between his fingers. He panicked and felt like fainting. But luckily the throne was right behind him and he sat down. But when he realized that no one could know that he did not see the fabric, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was stupid and incompetent. And the Emperor didn't know that everybody else around him thought and did the very same thing.

The farce continued as the two scoundrels had foreseen it. Once they had taken the measurements, the two began cutting the air with scissors while sewing with their needles an invisible cloth.

"Your Highness, you'll have to take off your clothes to try on your new ones." The two scoundrels draped the new clothes on him and then held up a mirror. The Emperor was embarrassed but since none of his bystanders were, he felt relieved.

"Yes, this is a beautiful suit and it looks very good on me," the Emperor said trying to look comfortable. "You've done a fine job."

"Your Majesty," the prime minister said, "we have a request for you. The people have found out about this extraordinary fabric and they are anxious to see you in your new suit." The Emperor was doubtful showing himself naked to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the ignorant and the incompetent.

"All right," he said. "I will grant the people this privilege." He summoned his carriage and the ceremonial parade was formed. A group of dignitaries walked at the very front of the procession and anxiously scrutinized the faces of the people in the street. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. An applause welcomed the regal procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.

Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: "Look at the Emperor's new clothes. They're beautiful!"

"What a marvellous train!"

"And the colors! The colors of that beautiful fabric! I have never seen anything like it in my life!" They all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes, and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, they all behaved as the two scoundrels had predicted.

A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.

"The Emperor is naked," he said.

"Fool!" his father reprimanded, running after him. "Don't talk nonsense!" He grabbed his child and took him away. But the boy's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried:

"The boy is right! The Emperor is naked! It's true!"

The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He though it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And he stood stiffly on his carriage, while behind him a page held his imaginary mantle.