Who here plays a cocktail kit?

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slinginit

slinginit

Shake, bump, and shake again...
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I've always thought these were cool but novelty-item kits. But after surveying some cool potential places to play, I realize that some venues hardly have any space for a band (much less a drummer) and a cocktail kit would actually work. I'm curious who uses them on the forum and when (any speed-metal cocktailers?...that would be a trick).

Also, if you have a cocktail kit, is it a custom order (Precision Drums) or vintage?

Cheers!
 
slinginit said:
I've always thought these were cool but novelty-item kits. But after surveying some cool potential places to play, I realize that some venues hardly have any space for a band (much less a drummer) and a cocktail kit would actually work. I'm curious who uses them on the forum and when (any speed-metal cocktailers?...that would be a trick).

Also, if you have a cocktail kit, is it a custom order (Precision Drums) or vintage?

Cheers!
Click to expand...
I play one quite bit with a 4 piece acoustic group. It really fits this style of music and looks cool with an upright bass player, mandolin and guitar. Not a novelty kit, it sounds pretty full, in fact, I've been told that people are surprized when they notice the kit, they just assumed the drummer was on a full kit. Certainly nice for set-up and small stages, my only problem is that I'm not as young as I used to be and get tired of standing so I also have a second snare and a throne so I can sit. Mine is a Wells Custom, go figure.
 
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I have a 1968 BDP Ludwig cocktail drum that I augment with a 1959 BDP 3x13 jazz combo. Lately i have been using it with a small jazz group when the set is tight. I think it sounds good and it sets up in a flash. The internal snare system in those old drums don't sound great but will work. I prefer the sound of the 3x13 instead. Heres mine:
 
I love cocktails. Just love 'em!

I have a 1960 Rogers Parklane 12/16, 5x14 8 lug snare and a 1958 Rogers Spotlight Astoria, with a 16 and 5x14 six lug snare.

I use the smaller outfit for quiet little jazzy/bluesy lounges--Django Reinhardt and old jazz standards. No PA, even for vocals.

The larger outfit is good for cozy, medium rooms where you want to keep the volume down but still have access to all the
pieces of a full drum set.

Either set allows the snare to be arranged over the top of the floor tom (played standing), or rotated to the side (played sitting).

3SpotlightSnare.jpg


1SpotlightFullImage.jpg


2SpotlightCloseIn.jpg


STEWSM.jpg

ReadytoPlay.jpg
 
John117 said:
Is a Cocktail kit the same as a Bikin kit?
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No. A bikini kit uses a standard bass drum. A cocktail outfit uses the floor tom doubling as the bass.

There is cause for argument here, as Ludwig had a cocktail drum kit in the 50s that had the snare coming out of the center post of the bass. ("Bikinis" hadn't been invented yet!)

However, if you check the Cocktail Drum Forum, you can see that there is a die hard culture there that has defined a cocktail drum outfit by two characteristics:

1) The drummer has to be able to pack it in one load,
2) All of the peripherals, including snare, toms and noisemakers must blossom off the floor drum, the exception being the hi hat, which is an optional piece.

More cocktails, anyone?
 
pardon me but...

Seems abit like by trying to conform to the rules of what is and isn't a cockail kit you kinda limit yourself? Seems like it's just a case of balancing...

Space the kit takes up / time it takes to load and unload / getting the sound you want.

Why conform to the "bikini" or "cocktail" kits?
 
While we're on the subject of cocktails, is anybody familiar with the Trixon Cocktail kits you can buy on e-bay for $300? Any good?
 
I use my Yamaha Steve Jordan primarely with my instrumental trio Olssons Orkester (
)
But I've used it in various settings, and when another drummer borrowed it at a party and played some Iggy songs on it, it sounded awesome.
A cocktail kit is a must have for every modern man! :icon_smile:
/L
 
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I've never played one, but I sure like the idea of 'em. I've played at some places with some pretty small stages where a kit like this would have worked really well. Tommykat1's kit is pretty much a 4pc kit, high hat and all and that's all I need. The fact that it has that many pieces/sounds and such a small footprint would be very useful, I think... not to mention quick set up and takedown (which is really just a plus).
 
I really like the cocktail kits. Wish I had one. Never could decide if I wanted to "assemble" one or just get one already made up. Then saw all the different permutations on the above mentioned site and that made me decision process even more complex.

I'll find one that I like eventually though.


Robb
 
I love cocktail kits. I've used one in various acoustic gigs I've done....mostly country. Most of what I saw on the market were REALLY expensive (ala Yamaha) or really chincey (ala Peace) So I designed and built my own......meet Charlie:

(broken image removed)
 
sonicD said:
While we're on the subject of cocktails, is anybody familiar with the Trixon Cocktail kits you can buy on e-bay for $300? Any good?
Click to expand...

From what I can tell, the "Trixon" models are identical to several others that are cheapy cheap. I could swear I read a review somewhere that more or less said you get what you pay for, but I can't find it.

I'd like to get a cocktail kit going. Already have the pedal. :D
 
Jump/Swing in my band. I use it for gigs with small stages, and for no more than three sets. Anything longer than that, and my left leg just gets too tired!

DSC_0084.sized.jpg
 
These are some gorgeous kits! Where does one get an inverted bass pedal? Anyone use DW's side kick?
 
I have an old Cocktail kit. I use a DW5000 pedal. I took the arm off and reversed it and it works great. Many pedals like it can be disassembled and put back together "backwards" and work perfectly.
 
plexi69 said:
I have an old Cocktail kit. I use a DW5000 pedal. I took the arm off and reversed it and it works great. Many pedals like it can be disassembled and put back together "backwards" and work perfectly.
Click to expand...
I did this with my Mapex pedal. It worked out OK, but I decided I needed the pedal as a backup to my regular pedal more than I needed it for a cocktail kit. I'd like to modify my current drumset to be able to use as a cocktail kit when the situation arises, though I don't really need one too often. :sad:
 
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